"For this class, that means myself, Mr. Lawrence, also a representative from the Board of Education will be there handing out the diplomas as well. I think I've got everything now covered in regards to the graduation ceremony. Does anyone have any questions in regards to the procedure?" Mr. Raditch finished explaining just as the bell rang to signify that school was now officially done for the year!

"Alright, that's it for this year! It was a pleasure to have you all in my class and uh, don't forget your report cards are available in the main office. Doris Bell has them for you. Class dismissed!"

While some students got up from their desks to thank Mr. Raditch, Caitlin was still more less interested in finding out exactly just what Joey's 'surprise' is for the dance.

"OK Joey, tell me!"

"No...chicks, you're so impatient!" Joey replied with a laugh as Caitlin then removed his hat.

"Come on, I want to know."

Joey playfully snatched his hat back and placed it upon his head as he and Caitlin began for the door.

"Mr. Jeremiah, could you stay behind please?" Mr. Raditch announced suddenly.

"Sure..." Joey said with a shrug as Caitlin then joined Melanie and Kathleen as they slowly made their way out of the classroom.

"I can't believe this Kathleen. It's officially the last day of school and you still haven't been asked to the dance!" Melanie began.

"Well, it's true. So what do I do? I need a date. I can't be the only eighth grader without a date."

"What about Yick?" Caitlin suggested.

"Hmm, not my type!"

"Oh, I know...what about Luke?" Melanie offered.

"Melanie! I don't date druggies."

"Alright then, how's about Arthur? I'm sure he doesn't have anyone to go to the dance yet. Why not ask him!"

"I guess...it's worth a try. Aren't you coming, Caitlin?"

"Oh, you guys go ahead, I'll catch up. I'm going to wait for Joey."

"Ohhhhh, OK...see you later then Caitlin!" replied Melanie as she and Kathleen then rushed to catch up with Arthur who was just about to leave school with Yick.


Back in Raditch's room, Joey waited patiently as Daniel finished talking with Luke Matthews.

"I'm sure you're well rested for the summer, you've slept in my class enough!"

"Yeah, I'll be sleeping in on the weekends! See ya." Luke patted Joey on the shoulder as he left.

"Thank you for waiting so patiently. I wanted to give you your report card personally. I know that repeating the eighth grade hasn't been easy for you, you've done very, very well. I'm extremely proud of you."

"Really?" Joey gasped as he took his report card and looked it over.

"Yes! Two A's, four B's and only one C."

"I got a C?"

"Hmm-hmm, in French. But in comparison to last year, your highest mark was a C. You've done very well, I knew you had it in you! I'm sure your parents are going to be proud too, wait until they see this report!"

Joey let out a disappointing sigh as he began to make his way out of the classroom.

'Remember our deal Joey, anything under a B and you don't go to the dance...we're serious! You can't talk your way out of this one...' the voice of his Mother echoed through his mind.

How would he be able to tell Caitlin the news that he would no longer be allowed to attend the dance all because he didn't do well enough on his final report card?

Here he was for the past few days hyping up the dance, promising her surprised gifts and a perfect evening full of fun.

Now, he was about to disappoint her... once again, as always.

As he made his way to the door, he noticed Caitlin was standing by his locker still with a smile on her face as she continued to contemplate in her mind exactly what surprise Joey had in store.

"Here goes nothing..." he mumbled to himself as he approached his locker. "Caitlin...I'm sorry. I won't be able to go to the dance with you after all."

Caitlin's smile quickly disappeared.

"That's the surprise?"

"No...no...of course not! My parents and I, we had this deal that if I got anything under a B then I don't get to go to..."
"You always have an excuse! You always let me down!"

"Caitlin, it's not an excuse...it's a reason! Please, let me explain..."

"Forget it, Joey! I never want to see you again!" Caitlin cried as she then turned and headed down the stairs as quick as she could.

"Caitlin...wait!" Joey begged as he tried to stop her, but she was already gone.

Defeated, Joey went back to his locker and pounded his fist against it in anger.

"I simply can't do anything right..."


"Well Louella, it's the moment I'm sure you and the rest of your crew have all been waiting for, we've finally got some good news!" replied Dan as he addressed Louella Hawkins and her crew down in the Boiler Room. "The furnace is now fixed and fully functional once again. As requested, we have replaced the thermostat and alongside it, we have also found the culprit that was constantly activating the fire alarm system. Turns out there was a very loose wire that should have been connected to the thermostat but somehow managed to unravel. You see, every time the furnace thought about 'shutting down' operation but decided to continue on functioning instead, the wire would then spark which would have triggered the alarms to go off, indicating an issue when there was no issue to be indicated. What we did was, we've solder the wire to it's original connection so it should never happen again! Do you have any questions or concerns before we head out, Ms. Hawkins?"

"No, I don't think so...the furnace is finally fixed and I can now breathe a sigh of relief for the upcoming school year ahead. But for now however, all I care about is getting my summer vacation underway! I appreciate you finally finishing the job and I'm sorry if I was a bit abrupt to you first thing this morning with my ultimatum. Coming off the heels of an early morning wake up call brought on by Ladder 325 with their sirens blaring..."

"Oh, that's quite alright. We understand your frustration with all that's been happening the past few weeks! We here at Narbo's like to make sure that your system is thoroughly up to date and functioning the way a healthy boiler should be functioning. We leave no stone unturned! It was a pleasure to work alongside you as well as your crew, Ms. Hawkins and we certainly hope to have your services yet again sometime in the future! Um, I hope you guys don't mind us leaving our equipment here in the hallway for at least one more day cause we will be back again sometime tomorrow to do a thorough checkup, you know, just to make sure everything is indeed up and running the way it should be?!"

"No problem Dan, we'll be busy getting things set up and ready for the commencement ceremony tomorrow, but the main doors will be open...just come on in and do what needs to be done!" Louella replied as she finally shook Dan's hand.

"OK, Marianna and I are going to stop by the main office to inform your school secretary Doris Bell and Principal Bruce Lawrence about the repairs and then we'll be on our way! Once again, thank you for your time Ms. Hawkins and have an amazing summer vacation!"

As soon as Dan and Marianna left the boiler room, Louella turned to her crew.

"You don't really believe for one second that they had 'thoroughly' fixed those boilers, do you Louella?" asked Scott.

"I don't know...I have mixed feelings about it!"

"Louella, I have my doubts too!" added Josh. "You're not going to stick around here tonight and wait for the dance to be over, are you?"

"Of course I am Josh. It's a part of my job! I have lots to do before commencement tomorrow. First off, these papers have to be done and handed in by June 28th. They should have been done months ago if it hadn't been for those darn boilers constantly getting in the way of things! Then, as soon as the dance is over, I've got to clean up the main lobby, stairwells, hallways and gym as well as help take down all the banners, streamers, balloons, put away the disco ball as well as set aside the tables and chairs alongside Daniel, Karen, Doris and Montgomery before calling it a night! I can't abandon that."

"Well, maybe it would be best if you guys held off cleaning and putting stuff away after the dance until morning...that is...if this building...will still...be standing come...morning."

"What are you talking about, Josh? Of course this building will still be standing come morning..."

"Earlier this morning...when we brought up the subject of dreams and that all of us have been having them the past few weeks...mine apparently has a reoccurring theme to them...they all take place on June 23rd...Today!...Tonight! In fact, in one of my dreams you were in this very office working on those stacks of papers when suddenly a fire broke out in the Boiler Room. You were trapped with no way out! Please Louella Hawkins, please just do us all a favour, take your paper work and do it at home...don't be any-where's near this place...not tonight!"

"Josh, you're actually being serious!?"

"Yeah, Hawkins...I am!"

"Fine...I'll take my paper work and sign out for the night...but what do I tell Doris? She's the only one who has no idea of these 'dreams' all of us have been having as of late. I can't simply tell her, 'Oh, there might be a slight possibility the school might burn down tonight! It's a strange prophecy...don't ask!'"

"Just tell her you're not feeling well tonight...simple as that!" remarked Tammy Hardison.


"He's going to tell me I've flunked...I know it Snake!" asserted Wheels as he and Snake were the last ones in Mr. Garcia's classroom.

"No, he's not Wheels. He wouldn't tell you that this late in the year...I'll meet you at our locker." said Snake as he then exit the room. "Thank you for everything you taught us, Mr. Garcia."

"You're welcome. Have a wonderful summer vacation, Archie and all the best in Grade 10 next year." Mr. Garcia shook Archie's hand before closing the door.

"This is Mr. Lawrence speaking and I have some great news. The school furnace, which has not been functioning properly since Christmas has now been fully repairs and just in time for tonight's Graduation Dance. Now we can all look forward to this very special event without any interruptions! Everyone have a great time and congratulations to this year's graduates!" Mr. Lawrence announced as Mr. Garcia walked over to his desk.

"I thought you'd be interested to know your marks!" he began as he pulled out one of his drawers and picked up a large envelope, handing it over to Derek who immediately opened it up and pulled out his report card.

His eyes immediately lit up!

"I passed!?"

"Scraped by would be more like it, Derek. And barely! There are three fifties. I think there's been some generosity. Under normal circumstances, we recommend you give Grade nine another shot!"

"What do you mean, 'give grade nine another shot'?"

"You've missed many classes and your behavioural record is...well, not good! But we know it's been a difficult year for you and we think it would be in our best interest if you stayed with your peers!"

"So, did I pass?"

"You passed. Congratulations Der...whoa..."
"Great! Oh, thanks a lot Mr. Garcia!" Wheels cheered as he hugged Mr. Garcia then rushed for the door. "Snake...Snake...thanks again, this is great! SNAKE...SNAKE WAIT UP! SNAKE, SLOW DOWN MAN...I PASSED!"

"You passed?" Snake asked as Wheels ran up to him.

"Yeah, I passed! This is so cool...Grade 10 here we come!" Wheels beamed as he and Snake high-fived each other. "At first I thought I was going to end up like Joey, you know? Be held back a Grade, right? Then Mr. Garcia went on and on about how I should give Grade nine another shot because I had missed many classes and that my behavioural record isn't good...but then he mentions that this has been a rather difficult year for me, which it has and that it would be in my best interests to stay with you guys! Nearly gave me a heart attack when he said that."

"Speaking of Joey...I wonder if he passed this year?"

"Pffff, Joey...knowing him, he'll probably be stuck in Mr. Raditch's class forever!"


"Hi Mom, I'm home." Joey announced dejectedly as he entered the house to find his Mom was in the process of preparing dinner.

"Did you get your report card?" She asked with a smile on her face which quickly disappeared as soon as she saw her son's face.

"Yes...guess I'm not going to the dance after all." he mumbled as he took off his jacket and hat, placing the jacket on the chair and the hat down on the table along with the report card before heading over to the counter to chop vegetables.

Mrs. Jeremiah went to pick up the report card, sitting down to have a look.

"Joey, two A's? This is wonderful...you never gotten an A before."

"Pfff, lot of good that does me. I got a C...in French. When I told Caitlin, she got mad at me...like I did it on purpose or something."

"I think you might still get to the dance...go talk to your father."

"But Mom, what about our deal? I got a C."

"Joey, we didn't do this to punish you...we wanted you to try your best."

"Really?"

"I think we can convince him!"

"Thanks Mom...there's someone I have to call...that is, if she'll even talk to me." Joey went to the phone and began dialing Caitlin's number.

"I'm so proud of you...two A's!"

"Hi, can I speak to Caitlin please?"


Doris Bell was in the process of finally finishing up Mr. Lawrence's figures when Louella suddenly walked into the office.

"Louella? I don't recall Bruce calling you into the office, is there something you need?"

"No Doris, I'm actually going to call it a night and head out. I've got my paperwork with me so that'll keep me busy throughout...I just don't feel right hanging out in the boiler room tonight, that's all. Tell Karen, Montgomery and Daniel not to worry about cleaning up after the dance. My crew and I will be in first thing tomorrow morning around Five o'clock to get stuff done and set up in time for the commencement."

"Louella, this isn't like you...at all. Is there something you're not telling me?"

"All I can say is, just...just keep your eyes, ears and nose peeled tonight, alright? I don't really know exactly but I...have this really bad feeling about tonight...please, if anything bad should go down...just get out unscathed."

Doris watched as Louella left the office, completely puzzled by what she had just said.

"Just keep my eyes, ears and nose peeled, for what exactly?"

"Alright Doris...I'm heading out for the night! I assure everything will go smoothly for tonight's dance?" Mr. Lawrence addressed as he came out of his office to sign out.

"Yeah...Oh, Louella just came in here and signed out...saying she's going to do her paper work at home instead of hanging out in the boiler room tonight. I find that rather weird cause it's not really like her to leave her post when there are still things to do. She said she will be in first thing tomorrow morning at Five o'clock sharp along with her crew."

"Maybe she's not feeling well, perhaps. As long as we get everything done in time for commencement tomorrow, I'm sure we'll be alright. OK, Ms. Bell? Alright, I will see you tomorrow morning around Nine o'clock. Have a great time at the dance tonight."

"Thank you, Sir...and good night. See you tomorrow morning!"

Mr. Lawrence headed towards the main doors and stepped out into the brisk summer air only to find Louella standing by the sidewalk looking up at the building.

"Louella, is everything OK? Doris just informed me you're heading home for the night."

"Yeah Bruce...I'm fine...I just got a bad feeling about tonight, that's all. Josh encouraged me not to stick around, in case something...bad...does happen."

"But Narbo's had fixed up the boilers, did they not? Dan and Marianne were just in my office making the announcement."

"They did...but right now many of us have our doubts...anyway, I've got to go...I'll see you either tomorrow or later on tonight."

As Louella began across the street, Bruce stood there puzzled for a moment but then he remembered earlier that morning about the dreams everyone admitted to having in the past few weeks.

"Those dreams everyone said they had...are they actually...a prophecy?"

Bruce now glanced up at the building, wondering if this may be the last time he sees it fully standing.

"I hope and pray nothing goes wrong tonight...I really, truly do."


Music was now blaring through the walls of Degrassi Junior High School as the Graduation Dance got underway at Six o'clock.

Students from the Seventh Grade all the way up to the Ninth began to arrive, some wearing their formal best while others basically came wearing jeans and a nice sweater either alone or with that special certain someone they managed to ask out for a date.

Melanie stood outside the boys' washroom waiting for her date to come back out, fixing up her hair when she heard Lorraine Delacorte and Derek Wheeler coming down the hall.

"The dance should be fun." said Lorraine.

"Yeah, I hope it is." Derek replied as he began to take off his jacket.

"I like your outfit! I can't believe we're both wearing green."

"I know...you look pretty good through."

"Thanks, so do you. Hi, Melanie!"

"Hey guys..." Melanie replied.

"Where's Snake?"

"He's in the washroom...should be out shortly."

"I see..."

Just as Melanie mentioned it, Snake stepped out.

"Hey! Lookin' good Wheels! Alright...oh, I didn't know you two were an item?" Snake addressed as he gave Wheels a special handshake.

"We're friends!" Lorraine laughed.

"Yeah, sure. Secret affair, huh?"

"Funny Snake...I hope you had washed your hands prior to giving that handshake!" chuckled Wheels.

"Of course I did!" Snake implied as he looked at his hands.

Everyone began to laugh as Joey walked through the door holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Hey guys!" he announced.

"Hi, Joey." Melanie, Wheels and Lorraine replied.

"Hey, Joey! Flowers for me...I didn't know you cared!" jested Snake.

"Funny, Snake...Um, have any of you guys seen Caitlin? I told her I'd be here so I hope she shows up."

"No, I don't think she's here yet but I'm sure she'll turn up." said Melanie.

"So, you guys wanna go dance?" Lorraine asked.

Wheels, Snake and Melanie all agreed and offered Joey to join them.

"No...you guys go ahead, I'm going to wait out here."

"Alright, we'll see you in there!" Wheels declared as they made their way to the gym.

Joey watched as they left before turning back towards the doors waiting for Caitlin.


Inside the gym, everyone was on the dance floor having the time of their lives, except for Tessa Campanelli and Scott Webster who were minding the refreshments table.

"Dancing is so dumb." Scooter replied, as he watched the other kids dancing.

"Yeah, but still, it's good aerobic exercise." Tessa declared.

"You know what else is good aerobic exercise?"

"What?"

Scooter tapped Tessa on the shoulder then went over to the other side of the table.

"You're it...and you have to stay it all evening cause you have to stay here!"

"Says who?"

"Says me!"

Tessa immediately gave chase as Scooter began to run towards the gym doors, but as they weaved between the dancers, they accidentally bumped into Heather who then spilled her drink all over Erica's dress.

"Ahhh, watching it you stupid little kids!" Heather shouted.

"My dress!" Erica cried.

"Patience guys, this is our last day here. Bye-bye Degrassi Junior High!" exclaimed Lucy.

"Can't wait! To think...after today, no more dealing with these stupid, immature little kids! Oh, I hope this doesn't leave a permanent stain, I love this dress!"

"Sorry Erica..."

"It's not your fault, Heather..."

Scooter and Tessa finally made their way out of the gym and ran down the hall towards the stairwell where Joey still stood waiting for Caitlin.

"You can't outrun me!" Scooter gasped as he ran past Joey, startling him.

"Wanna bet, Scooter?!" panted Tessa.

Joey shook his head as he watched the immature kids run up the stairs, narrowly avoiding Caitlin who had just arrived.

Realizing he still held the flowers out in the open where she could see them, he quickly placed them behind his back and immediately held the door open for her as she descended down the stairs.

"Hi, Joey."

"Hi. I'm really glad you're here!" Joey said with a smile. "Oh, these are for you."

"Thanks."

"Alright, hi everyone and welcome to the Degrassi Junior High Graduation Dance. Are you all having a good time?" Mr. Raditch announced from the gym. "We all want you to have a good time, make sure you're all out there dancing, don't let anyone stand by themselves so let's all have some fun. OK, Mr. Garcia, this next song is for you!"

"So, do you want to go dance or something?" Joey asked.

"Sure...I'd love to!"

Joey wrapped his arm around Caitlin as they began for the gym.

"You look beautiful tonight! I hope you're not still mad at me?"

"No, in fact...I want to apologize for how I had acted..."

"No Caitlin...I should be the one apologizing to you...I should have told you about my parents' deal in regards to the dance."


Three hours had past and the dance was still going on strong as Christine Nelson and Liz O' Rourke arrived.

"Welcome Christine and Liz...have a good time tonight!" Doris addressed as they walked into the gym.

"Thanks Doris. I've got to find Ms. Avery..." Christine stated to Liz as they looked all over the gym.

"There she is, over by the DJ table. Good luck, tell me what happens, OK?" Liz pointed out.

Christine nodded as she approached Ms. Avery.

"Ms. Avery?"

"Spike, hello!"

"Hi, um, are you going to be here tomorrow? Do you think I could drop by and pick up some correspondence forms?"

"Yes, I'll be here tomorrow and good for you. It's going to be hard, but I know you can do it!"

"Thanks."

Mr. Raditch stopped the music again to address the crowd once more.

"Um, can I have your attention please? I believe that some of you are graduating here tonight! We think that some of you might even miss this place...and we'd like to dedicate this next song to all of the grads, so grab that special someone and enjoy this moment."

A very slow, romantic number began to play as single students stepped aside, handing the dance floor over to all the couples as they got closer, wrapping their arms around one another and slowly moved about with the music.

"Wonder, where our world is heading for. The future, is filling us with fear. We stumbled, in a pit too deep this time. We don't know, if we'll make it out. Still, there's a way where there's a will are you ready to try? Let our love lead us, on with those Burning Torches of Hope. Could they ever lead us astray? Don't let them defeat us, we're on our own oasis of joy. No, don't let it be swept away. Oh no."

Alexa snuggled up closer to Simon while Joey and Caitlin snuck a few kisses on the cheek as they slowly swerve back and forth.

Wheels and Lorraine danced close with Michelle and Bryant Lester Thomas, who suddenly looked up and saw someone had entered the gym, someone who nobody thought would ever return to Degrassi.

"Hey, look who's back? Wheels, it's Shane!" he announced.

Everyone nearby stopped dancing and watched as Shane hobble into the gym with a walker and Luke Matthews by his side.

Two months ago, Shane had gone to a concert with Luke and took acid for the first time.

He never came home.

Weeks had past before someone had found him, below a bridge, barely clinging to life.

He had spent most of the remaining school year in hospital recovering in I.C.U. and now here he was making his return at the graduation dance.

"Um, it's really good to see you Shane. I...I hope you have a good time tonight, OK?" Doris replied as she put a boutonniere on Shane's sweater.

Luke carefully lead Shane to the nearest table and sat down.


"You know I'll never catch you, right?" huffed Scooter as he and Tessa continued their game of tag.

"Yeah right! I meant that when I said it!" replied Tessa.

"Right."

As they chased each other around the doorway, the fire alarm began to go off.

"Not again...it's probably just another false alarm...so your it!" Tessa sighed as she tagged Scooter and began back up the stairs.

Scooter ran after her and tagged her back, running towards the basement.

"You're not going to catch me!"

"Oh, yeah? Got you!"

"Got you back!"

"Scooter, do you smell smoke?"

"Yeah...but, where is it coming from?"

Tessa looked up at the lights in the ceiling while Scooter paid attention to the floor...then it caught his eye.

"Tessa, look...under the boiler room door."

Tessa approached the door and put a hand to the knob.

"Ow, it's hot!"

"Uh, if the door is hot Tessa, I don't think it would be a good idea to open it..."

Tessa ignored Scooter's warning however and opened it anyway, revealing a massive raging inferno.

The Boiler Room was on fire and to make matters worse, the boilers were still running!

"Oh my God...Scooter...w-what sh-should w-we do?"

"We start warning people, that's what we do. FIRE! FIRE!" Scooter screamed as he and Tessa immediately bolted up the stairs towards the gym.

Author's Note: Lyrics for Burning Torches of Hope belong to Gowan.