The lights lowered in the auditorium as the last of the parents took their seats for the final phase of Open House, the senior performance and the question and answer segment with the faculty of the school.

"We have four seniors performing for you guys tonight." Lane walked up to the microphone, "These four were chosen because they best represent what can be done at Hollywood Arts. We are very proud of them and we know that they have very promising futures after graduation. Now, please welcome Andre Harris, Cat Valentine, Beck Oliver, and Jade West."

The audience applauded as the stage lights became brighter, illuminating the four teenagers. They were all wearing dark wash jeans, black converses, and white t-shirts that read "We Weren't Born To Follow". The band began to play as they raised their handheld microphones to their mouths.

"Once upon a time," Andre spoke in a lowered voice, "Not so long ago."

"Tommy used to work on the docks," Beck sang, jumping from the box he had been standing on and making his way to far stage right, " Union's been on strike, he's down on his luck...it's tough, so tough."

"Gina works the diner all day," Cat continued walking to far stage left, "Working for her man, she brings home her pay for love - for love."

She says we've got to hold on to what we've got," Jade and Andre entered the song, walking to the front of center stage- Jade on Beck's side of the stage, Andre on Cat's- and clasped hands tightly, turning to face each other, "'Cause it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not. We've got each other and that's a lot. For love - we'll give it a shot."

"Whooah, we're half way there," the four chorused together, "Livin' on a prayer. Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear. Livin' on a prayer."

"Tommy's got his six string in hock," Andre continued, making his way over to where Cat stood, "Now he's holding in what he used to make it talk - so tough, it's tough."

"Gina dreams of running away," Jade's smokey voice picked up, walking over to Beck, "When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers baby it's okay, someday."

"We've got to hold on to what we've got," Cat and Beck picked the song up- Cat railing her hand affectionately down Andre's arm and Beck tightly grasping Jade's hand, "'Cause it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not. We've got each other and that's a lot. For love - we'll give it a shot."

"Whooah, we're half way there," the best friends sang together, voices blending in a way that hadn't been heard in a long time, "Livin' on a prayer. Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear. Livin' on a prayer."

"We've got to hold on ready or not." Beck and Andre sang together, smiling broadly despite themselves.

"You live for the fight when it's all that you've got." Cat and Jade continues, their voices naturally harmonizing perfectly, with Cat's soprano complimenting Jade's alto.

"Whooah, we're half way there." the four came back together, standing at center stage, "Livin' on a prayer . Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear. Livin' on a prayer."

The audience applauded enthusiastically and the teens took a bow. Cat and Andre walked off the stage and Jade moved to follow, when Beck stopped her.

"I was gonna do this at graduation," Beck began speaking, exchanging his handheld mic for a head set courtesy of Andre, "but I couldn't wait that long. I love you, Jade West, and I know there are times that you don't believe me, but I do. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Beck slowly lowered himself down onto one knee, pulling out a ring box. Opening it, he revealed a five carat, white gold, champagne diamond, vintage style ring. Jade's hand flew up to her mouth, effective dropping her microphone. She was nodding before he even got the question out.

"Jadelyn West," Beck looked up at her, adoration shining in his eyes, "will you do me the greatest honor God could bestow upon man and agree to be my wife?"

"Yes." Jade replied, nodded as her eyes began to water, "Yes."

Beck smiled broadly and stood up. As he slipped the ring onto her finger, the two became lost in their own world, unaware of the audience cheering for them.

Lane came onto the stage and ushered the two teens off stage, after congratulating them, where Cat promptly jumped on Jade, yelling her congratulations as Andre clapped Beck's shoulder before pulling the boy into a hug.

"I can't believe we'll be gone in a matter of months." Jade said as the last parent left the auditorium. They had spend the time hanging out offstage, having nowhere else to go. They had just walked out onto the stage that had come to mean so much to them for various reasons.

"I know." Beck wrapped his arms around his girlfriend, his chin resting on her head, "It's weird."

"Time flies," Cat smiled sadly, "even when you don't want it to."

"I just wish I could freeze this moment, you know?" Jade replied, "Just stay at this point in time for just a little longer."

"Hey," Andre smiled broadly, wrapping his arms around his three best friends, "at least we'll all be moving forward together."

"Yeah." Cat smiled brightly, before starting to hum New York, New York to herself.

Jade laughed at the other girl, but joined her and soon the two girls were dancing around the stage singing the song. The guys laughed, watching the girls, thankful that their little group wouldn't be separated come May.

"I need to tell you guys something." Jade said after she and Cat had calmed down and the group was sitting in a circle in the middle of the stage, "I know I don't say often, if not never, but I love you guys. You're my best friends and I would not have been able to make it through the dark times without you guys. I don't want to think about what would've happened…"

"Neither do we." Andre replied as the three hugged Jade tightly.

"We love you, too, Milky Way." Cat continued, "And if you're ever in that dark place again, then we'll be there to pull you back out. We almost lost you once because of it; we're not about to let it happen ever again."

"Yeah," Beck kissed Jade's temple affectionately, tightening his arms around her, "I love you so much, Jadelyn."

"I love you, too, Beck." Jade gave him a watery smile.

Cat wiped her tears away and pulled the girl up, hugging her tightly. It wasn't long before the guys joined the hug.

The four best friends were content in the knowledge that where life took them individually, life would also take the other three. And that made graduation less scary.