I've decided that this is the last chapter of this story...but there will be a sequel. ;D

10. Graduation

"Hi Degrassi," Holly J's voice sounded around the classroom. Clare looked up at the screen of the television to see a slightly teary-eyed Holly J Sinclair wearing her graduation cap. "While President Sav Bhandari helps finish setting up for graduation outside, I'm here to give my last announcements before I leave Degrassi.

"First, we ask that you please completely clean out your lockers before you're all let off for summer break. Anything left behind will be thrown out.

"Teachers will be distributing report cards and the supply lists for next year before you leave - please remember them! You will not be given another copy.

"Don't forget to thank your teachers for everything they've done for you this year. Fellow Degrassi students, this is your vice president Holly J Sinclair signing off for the last time. Good luck and have a great summer," Holly J ended, waving to the camera before she faded from the screen.

"That said, I will be calling each student up in alphabetical order to get your papers," Ms. Dawes told the class, and began calling off names.

"Hey," Adam mumbled, and Clare turned her head to look at him. "Are you and Eli coming to graduation with me?"

"To see Fiona graduate, I presume?" Eli asked, turning around in his seat.

Adam nodded, and Clare could see a shadow in his eyes. It wouldn't be easy for Adam now that Fiona was going off to a designing college in France, and Clare didn't want to see her friend unhappy.

"We wouldn't miss it," Clare assured him, "but we don't have tickets."

"I covered it," Adam said, pulling two tickets out of his pocket and giving them to Eli and Clare.

"And Fiona's family won't mind that we invaded her graduation?" Eli commented curiously, staring at the ticket.

Adam made a face. "No, I don't think so. We better get going though -"

"Clare Edwards!" Ms. Dawes called.

Clare excused herself and went up to Ms. Dawes's desk.

"It's good to see you were able to pull your grades back up in the last two weeks. Good work, Miss Edwards," Ms. Dawes said, handing Clare her papers.

"Thanks," Clare mumbled, returning to her seat.

Eli and Adam grew quiet when she sat down, and Clare looked at them suspiciously.

"Eli Goldsworthy!" Ms. Dawes called again.

When he got up, Clare automatically looked at Adam. "What were you guys talking about?"

"Nothing, don't worry about it," Adam said, shaking his head.

"Adam!" Clare pressed.

"Just your well-being, please don't hurt me!" Adam said quickly right before Eli took his seat again.

Clare wrinkled her nose but didn't say anything. She didn't see why they had to be all secretive about how she was holding up, but whatever.

They waited until Adam got his papers and such before they left class early for Fiona's graduation, Clare complaining that she wasn't dressed nice enough.

They took their seats, watching Holly J give her valedictorian speech. Clare teared up, knowing in a year that Eli would be leaving them too. Clare smiled at Alli from across the lot when Sav went on stage and received his diploma, and Adam cheered loudly when Fiona got hers next.

Once the ceremony was over and Fiona had greeted her family and received congratulations from them, she hurried over to Adam, Clare, and Eli, bouncing around excitedly. "I'm finally done here!" she exclaimed.

"Take your time, Fi. We don't want you leaving just yet," Adam joked, though there was a trace of seriousness in his tone.

"Oh Prince Adam, don't you fret. I'll visit whenever I can," Fiona laughed.

"Congratulations, Fiona," Clare said, smiling kindly. Eli nodded his congratulations instead of saying it.

"Thanks, guys. Oh, I'm having a graduation party tonight. Will you all be coming?" Fiona asked.

Eli and Clare shared a look. "I think we'll have to pass this one, Fiona," Clare told her.

"And I have a dinner with my grandmother tonight. Sorry, Princess," Adam piped up, looking tortured at the fact that he wouldn't get to spend every waking moment he could with his girlfriend.

Fiona frowned, thinking for a moment before her face lit up. "I've got it!" she exclaimed. "I leave for Europe next week - my mother wants me to get settled in…why don't you all come with?"

"All…all of us?" Eli exclaimed.

"I couldn't dare take Adam away from his friends," Fiona replied with a wink.

"Fiona…are you sure?" Clare asked, blue eyes wide.

"Absolutely. It's my mansion, and I'll do what I want with it," Fiona insisted.

"I'll ask my parents right away!" Adam said, his eyes alight with excitement. Eli gave him a look, and Adam stared at him back in confusion. "What?"

Eli burst out laughing, as did Clare and Fiona, and Adam's face flushed.

After awhile, Fiona cleared her throat. "Well…don't any of you worry about a thing. I'll get the tickets, the arrangements…all you've got to do is pack. I'll send somebody to pick you all up in a week," Fiona instructed. She gave them all a warm smile, kissed Adam on the cheek, and left to go back to her parents.

Clare watched her go, and when Declan caught sight of her, he waved slightly. Clare waved back, grinning, and he returned the smile before his family turned to leave.

Eli wrapped his arms around Clare's waist, resting his chin on her shoulder blade. "Look's like we have a big summer ahead of us."

Clare nodded slightly. "I suppose so."

"Things are going to get better, Clare," Eli told her for what seemed like the millionth time.

"I know," Clare whispered, and Declan's words from two weeks ago returned to her.

Life's a bitch, but it has its ups and downs.

THE END...for now

Author's Note: Yes, end the story on a sort of high note! I didn't want to make a bunch of chapters of their trip in Europe because that wasn't the purpose of the story. Soooo the sequel will be their summer, and trust me, it will be(I hope!) a light and happy story, unlike this depressing one. Clare should be back to her old self. ;) Review please!