Hello readers!
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that this is the last chapter of A Lifetime. I have had so much fun writing this and it means the world to me that you enjoyed it. Thank you. This is finished because of you readers.
If you didn't read The Kids of The Kids of Degrassi, you might not understand the last section. Just a warning.
So this is going to reveal a lot about the characters and have a surprise ending. Also, something special in the last author's note!
Enjoy the Finale!
A squeal rang through the house up into LA's room. That could only mean one thing: Alli had arrived. LA smiled at the friendship his mother still held for her high school best friend, but envied her at the same time for still having her friendship intact. He looked down at the backyard, filled with family and friends that have known him his whole life all gathered for one occasion. Tomorrow, LA was graduating high school. He made it through all the drama that Degrassi High brings to its students, including the friends he made... well, one in particular.
He looked down at his wrist. It had been almost two months since he tried to commit suicide, but the scar for the most part hadn't got away. Reminding him of that day was a white outline of the cut where his skin was trying to heal. Calissa's initials where still engraved into his skin. When the cafeteria found out what had happened over spring break, he stopped trying to hide it. As soon as he could, he took off the bandages and let go of the long sleeve shirts and jackets. He didn't care who saw it or what they thought. He just didn't care.
But today was different. He wanted people to look at the better LA, not the remnants of who he was. He wrapped his wrist and threw on his favorite blue, zip-up, long sleeve hoody. He looked out of his window at his family and people who are so close to him, they could be family. His mom and dad were talking to his Aunt Alli and another guy with her, along with his Aunt Jenna and Uncle KC. Both of his grandparent's, sans Clare's real dad, sat in the lawn chairs LA spent all morning setting up. His uncle Jake and his wife, Samantha, were supervising Bryson, Melina, who was Ali's daughter, and their son Jack as they played with a beach ball. Brady and Julia were lounging around on a picnic blanket, Julia trying to feed Brady a strawberry. His Aunt Fiona and Uncle Adam just walked into the back yard, receiving hugs from his parents and Alli and her date. LA smiled at the scene. One big, happy family. He wanted today to be happy, not hectic and worrisome like the last months had been. To make everyone forget about bipolar LA was his goal for today.
"Uncle LA?" a sweet voice called in his room, knocking softly on the door. Slightly startled, LA turned away from the window scene and toward his door, revealing a little girl in a lime green dress and matching head band peeking into his room. Seeing her face put a smile on his.
"Niece Oliviera," he joked with her, picking her up. LA and Oliviera had a close relationship with each other. He was her playmate and he could tell her just about anything.
"Are you going to tell them today?" she questioned. His smile fell at the reminder of his announcement. "You have to tell them sometime. You wouldn't want them going all the way to Texas just to find out that you're here."
"You make a good point, little one," LA mumbled.
Out of nowhere, she kissed his forehead through his bangs. She knew he needed some comfort. Smiling, she said, "You know, you're going to make a better chef than football player."
He smiled. That's exactly the encouragement he needed. Today was the day he told his parents that he gave up his scholarship to Texas State University to stay in Toronto to go to Liaison Culinary School. In home ec and cooking club, he found that he was very good at it and he liked it. He felt like he was in control of what the concoction would become. The feeling of self-power ran over him and the excitement of the finished product pushed his excitement level over the top. He felt like he needed to cook. That was what he wanted to do.
"Okay, I'll tell them," LA answered, "today, but on one condition."
Oliviera's ice blue eyes opened wide. "Oh no. What's the catch?"
He smirked. "You help me tell them and escort me to the backyard."
Her features relaxed. She put on a smirk that matches his. "You're the guy. Aren't you supposed to escort the girl?"
He chuckled, then ruffled her hair. "You got that right. Don't let any guy tell you otherwise. He has to be a gentleman."
She scrunched up her tiny nose. "Who said anything about a guy? Ew."
LA laughed even louder as he set her down. "Stay cute, kid."
She took his hand, a goofy grin on her face, and they walked downstairs to the back yard. When he opened up the sliding door, he motioned her to go out first, to which she waited for him to walk out behind her. Everyone went "Aww" at the adorable sight. "Yeah, yeah, this is my date for this shindig," LA joked, watching as Oliviera ran over to the rest of the younger kids playing with the beach ball. "Well, I just lost my date..."
Brady smiled. "No dating until she's forty."
"Fourteen," Julia countered.
"Forty," Brady answered back.
"Okay, whatever," she gave up, throwing her hands in the air. Taking a pause, she smirked. "Fourteen."
"Grr..."
Fiona and Adam came up to LA, wrapping him in a huge hug. "Look at you! I remember when you were born! I feel so old!" Fiona exclaimed.
"Aunt Fi, you look the same now as you did when I was born," LA pointed out. "You shouldn't feel old."
Smiling at the compliment, Fiona let Adam talk to the graduate. "So how's my namesake doing?"
"Doing pretty well," he answered. "Getting ready for college."
That's right. You're going to Texas, right?" KC asked. KC was excited about his football scholarship, seeing as KC was the Degrassi football coach.
He tried to hide his nervous look on his face. He wasn't ready to tell them. Oliviera looked over at him, expectantly. Even with the look of disappointment he would see on the preschooler's face, he answered, "Exactly."
He mentally kicked himself. That answer brought many questions about what he's going to do all the way in Texas, stuff he knew he wasn't going to do. This went on for about an hour. His brain literally hurt from all the lies he had to make up. Finally, he was able to switch the subject and got all the focus from him to Alli and the man she brought with her, Dave. When given the chance, he snuck over to his sister and brother-in-law, who were still lying down on the blanket.
"Listen, I know you guys have an announcement to make. Do you think you can make it soon so my announcement doesn't seem as big?" he begged.
Brady's face paled, his eyes wondering the yard for anyone within earshot. "What announcement?"
"I told him," Julia confessed like it was the most obvious thing in the world. When his face turned from shocked to unbelievable, she defended herself. "I had to tell someone. And speaking of announcements, what is yours that needs ours to be spoken about first?"
He bit his lip. "You'll learn when everyone else does."
Immediately, Julia smiled. "You're gay, aren't you? I knew you were a little fruity!"
"I'm not gay," he deadpanned.
"There's nothing wrong with being gay, LA. We'll love you just the same. Aunt Fi went through a lesbian period," she tried to comfort.
"Unneeded information. Thank you so much, sister dearest," he said, monotone, "but I'm not gay."
"Then what is it?" she demanded.
"You will see!" he seethed. "Just hurry up."
She glared at her little brother, looking straight into his eyes, using the same expressions that used to scared the living daylight out of him. Now instead of breaking under the pressure, he stared back with equal power, shocking his sister in his defiance. She broke. "Fine. We'll say it now."
"We will?" Brady squeaked, obviously frightened by their news.
"Yes, we will," Julia answers through her teeth, still glaring at her brother. She gripped Brady's wrist and pulled him up. "Come on."
LA smiled as Brady and Julia moved over to the rest of people in the yard. Oliviera looked over at her parents, a confused look on her face. LA got her attention, using his hand to signal her over to him. Smiling, knowing what was going on, she ran over as fast as her little legs could to her uncle.
"Not to take away from LA's graduation, something I thought would never come..." She stuck her tongue out at him, causing him to react the same. "We have some news for you guys."
Eli groaned. "You're not pregnant again, are you?"
She scoffed, "Why does everyone think our big news is always another baby? We're not that horny!"
"TMI!" LA yelled out, covering his ears.
"Anyway..." Julia rolled her eyes. "You all know Brady's been working really hard with the record company. Well, they really love him."
Brady had sweat beads forming on his bang-covered forehead. "They offered me a big job as a songwriter and performer for a TV show..." He choked on his words. He never thought he would be this scared to tell his wife's family anything. His heart was racing. He had to tell them now or it would explode inside of him. "We're moving to Orlando..."
Everyone's eyes widened at the same time. Julia and Brady gulped loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Orlando? As in Orlando, Florida?" Clare asked.
"Yeah..." Julia answered seriously, instead of the normal sarcastic remark about a non-existent Orlando in Columbia.
"We leave next week," Brady sprung on. Everyone was speechless for a few minutes, processing how it's going to be without them. They've never lived far away from them. Everyone wanted to be happy for the family, but this was going to be difficult. "LA, isn't there something you wanted tell us?" Brady tried to fill the uncomfortable silence.
LA's face paled. "Oh, yeah, well..." he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "You see..."
"Hola, people!" a girly voice rang through the yard. Everyone turned toward the sound. A blonde shoulder length haired girl in a yellow sundress stood at the entrance to the house. "What? A girl can't come to the graduation party of someone who was like a brother to her?"
"Brookie!" Julia squealed, running over to give her best friend a hug.
"Oh, My God!" both squealed, jumping up and down in excitement.
Oliviera tugged at LA's jacket. "Who is she?"
"Right now: a murderer to eardrums everywhere," LA groaned, holding his hands over his ears. "She's your mom's best friend."
Oliviera tilted her head at Brookie. Cautiously, she shuffled over to them and held her hands behind her back. Tilting on the balls of her feet, she introduced herself, nervously. "Hi. I'm Oliviera."
"Oh, my god, Julia, she looks exactly like you," Brookie praised, ruffling the preschooler's hair. "But with those bright eyes that undeniably belong to Brady." She glared at him playfully.
"Hey, Brookie," he greeted, hugging her.
When they pulled apart, she ran up to LA and pinched his cheeks. "My, you've gotten big."
"Brookie, I was thirteen the last time you saw me," he tried to say as his cheeks were getting in the way of his speech. "I think I've grown a little, gained some muscle, but not enough to say I've gotten big."
She pouted playfully. "Fine, Mr. Party Pooper. No custom-made blanket for you," she said in a bad European accent, handing him a bag covered in tissue paper anyway.
"Thanks, Brookie," he smirked, giving her a hug.
"Though, you probably won't need it in Texas," she winked, dropping LA's stomach even more. He nodded, then placed the folded blanket on the table. He watched as Brookie ran over to her parents, hugging them and kissing their cheeks.
"Wuss," Oliviera whispered, standing next to him.
"Shut up," he groaned.
"Brookie," a male voice called through the house. "You left your phone in the car."
Brookie's smile engulfed her face as everyone gave her a questioning look. She ran through the house, appearing again with a man by her side. He had short light brown hair, wire glasses over his brown eyes, skinny khakis, a white button up and skinny black tie, and was a thin as a pole. He looked like he belonged behind a computer than in a backyard. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Derek."
"Nice to meet you guys. Brookie's mentioned a lot about you all," he smiled, mostly at KC, who was glaring at the boy.
"We met back in college sophomore year. He's a computer designer." She locked hand with him. "Since I'm moving back to starting my designing career at the fabulous Torres Designs…"
She hinted to Fiona and Adam's clothing company. Fiona was the main designer and Adam took care of the business information. After seeing some of Brookie's designs and looking at her arts degree from college, they hired her as a designer.
Brookie and Derek smiled at each other. "We figured it would be the perfect time to tell you guys, seeing that you'll be seeing us a lot."
"Tell you what, Brooke," KC glared, not even bothering to use her name she goes by.
Brookie, blushing, lifted both of their hands, revealing a huge diamond on her left ring finger. "We're getting married!"
KC turned bright red as Jenna and Julia shrieked. "Shut up. Shut up! Shut the front door! Oh, my God!" Julia exclaimed, hugging her and jumping at the same time. Derek just stood and watched, shuffling his tiny feet, too scared to look KC in the eyes.
As this celebration, and some Derek-bashing on KC's part, Oliviera pulled LA's sleeves, tugging him over to the bush. When making sure no one was looking, she took one swift kick to LA's groin.
"Oh, my god," he squeaked, falling to the fetal position on the ground. "What was that for?"
"For being a baby!" Oliviera complained. She kneeled down to his height on the ground. "Now that Brookie lady bought you some time. You better make your decision on when you're telling them soon…" She flicked his nose. "Or I will."
… … …
The night was dying down. It was around eight and everyone was crowded around the fire. All the couple were snuggled under blankets while the little kids roasted marshmallows around the fire in their pajamas. LA even joined in on the marshmallow toasting, using different types of chocolate to see which makes the best tasting smore.
He finished a full plate of dark chocolate graham cracker smores drizzled in melted chocolate on top. "Dark chocolate," he explained, passing one out to everyone. Once everyone took a bite, he bit into his. A big smile appeared on his face. "Nothing like good old dark chocolate. My personal favorite."
"You're quite a chef, LA," Fiona complemented, taking a finishing bite.
"Yeah, LA. A Chef," Oliviera hinted, chocolate running down her chin.
LA gulped, then shoved the rest of the cracker into his mouth. He still hadn't told them about culinary school. He knew he had to soon, but whenever he did, this brain couldn't form the words.
"You know, maybe you should go to a cooking school," Adam said, before noticing the marshmallow he was cooking had caught on fire. Quickly and in a panic, he waved it around, then blew it out. Everyone laughed at both the comment and the action. LA blushed, joining in the laughing awkwardly. He wished he could just get over this and tell them.
Oliviera gently blew on her light brown toasted treat. Without hesitation, she plopped it in LA's mouth. Confused, he tried to say something, but the marshmallow stopped him. "Okay, you have five minutes to tell them the truth," she whispered.
When he finally swallowed the food, he asked, "Why are you so eager for me to tell them?"
"First, they need to know that you've changed your life choice. Secondly, I go to bed in five minutes and I want to see their reaction!" She seethed through her teeth. "Now tell them. You'll feel better once you get it off your chest."
He took in what the four-year-old said. All this party he's been stressed because of his announcement. He needed to get this over with, no matter how hard. "You're right. Okay."
"Good, baka(1)," she smirked, eating an untoasted marshmallow.
"Don't use words I don't understand," he complained, going from his laying down position to standing up. "Um, I have something to say."
"You're gay, aren't you?" Julia smiled in excitement, slightly bouncing in her knees.
"No! What is with you and wanting me to be gay?" he exclaimed.
"Oh, come on! We need a gay person in this family!" Julia explained.
"Anyway…" He ignored his sister's remark. "First off, I'd like to thank you all for coming here to help send me off to college. I appreciated it so much." He took a deep breath, trying to find just right words to say. "But I… I…"
"LA, what did you do?" Clare asked nervously.
Scared, he blurted out, "I gave up my football scholarship!" He waited for an out lash of insults and remarks, but what he got frightened him even more. Silence. He looked out at the faces all looking at him, eyes wide. KC looked like he was about to pass out. "Say something, anything."
"So you're not going to college?" Eli asked, nervous.
"No, no, I'm still going to college," he quickly clarified, knowing how his parents were very determined for him to have a college education. "I was offered another scholarship. After a long and difficult thought process, I decided to do what makes me happy. While I love football, I couldn't see myself playing the rest of my life. The other school specializes in what I love, what I can see myself doing until I die."
"So what did you choose?" KC asked the question on everyone's mind.
LA gulped, nervous and anxious at the same time. "I'm staying here in Toronto. Liaison offered me a scholarship." With all the nerve he could gather, he looked his parents in their eyes. "I'm going to culinary school. I'm going to be a chef."
"LA, are you sure what you want to do?" Fiona bit her lip.
"I've never been more positive," he smiled. "I love to cook, to take simple ingredients and turn it into something beautiful and delicious. That feeling I get when it's done is amazing, something that feels better than after every winning game I've ever played." His smile grew wider. "I've made up my mind. This is what I want to do."
After a brief pause, Clare walked over to her son and hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder. Slowly, she started to cry. "Thank you, LA."
"Mom," he patted her back, trying to calm her, "why are you crying?"
"I'm happy, Adam," she cried. She pulled back and looked him in his confused eyes. "Not only are you going to be close to home, you're doing something you truly love. I'm proud of you."
"We all are," Eli smiled, coming up behind Clare and resting his hand on his wife's shoulder.
He let out a small, relieved sigh. "Thanks guys. It honestly means a lot."
He felt a tugging on his pants leg. Looking down, he found Oliviera smirking up at him. "Good job, baka."
LA looked at himself in the mirror of the school bathroom. This signature Degrassi blue of his cap and gown made his eye pop and his curly hair look bright in contrast. He played with a single curl that kept falling in his eyes. It kept his mind off of today: graduation. He wasn't ready to leave. There was still something he needed to do and if he didn't do it today, he never would.
Cayden popped his head into the bathroom. "Come on, dude!" he called.
"Coming!" LA answered. He took another hard look at himself. His skin looked pale and worried. The blue in his eyes that popped from the uniform looked dull up close and his under eyelids looked puffy and purple. The decision had him up almost all night. He looked almost dead. To look more alive, he splashed some water on his face and threw on a smile. Now he could pass for some calm, cool, and collected on the outside. Inside: he was a nervous wreck.
He ran out to the line, a few people behind Calissa and Cayden. Before he could make it to his spot, Cayden stopped him. "Good luck, man."
"You, too," he said, smiling over to Calissa. She blushed, then turned around, avoiding eye contact. He smirked and walked to his spot in line. This was going to be an interesting graduation.
... … …
"And now presenting our valedictorian, Calissa Fitzgerald," Mr. Simpson announced. Claps rang through the gymnasium as Calissa calmly walked up to the podium, speech in hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Simpson," she smiled, then turned to the audience. "I's like to start off with a poem by Nicholas Gordon that could pretty much some up what all of the graduates are thinking:
Give me my degree and let me go,
Release me from this prison of the mind,
All I know is all I want to know,
Depending on the wisdom of the wind.
Unburden me of words and numbers, please!
Allow me to hang out and do my thing.
To learn best, I should best be at my ease,
In touch with what in life makes my heart sing.
Open up the world so I can see
No further than I need to be just me."
A tiny laughter of truth buzzed through the room. Calissa smiled, pushing a long strand of curly hair behind her ear to finish reading. "Well, not to be cliché, but this is it. We're done here, done together. Some of us are leaving for college. Some are going directly to work. Some of us don't know what we're going to do, while some of us have our life planned out. Just think, for most of us, thirteen years ago, we started kindergarten. We were so excited to start school. And every day after that, all we wanted to do was get here." The crowd let out a small chuckled. "We've made great friends over the years," she looked over at LA, "and lost some special people to us. But this just a start. We have the rest of our lives ahead of us. Sure, we'll meet new people, new friend, new loves, but you'll never forget your high school years. So classmates, friends, from me and everyone else to you: congratulations."
Applause started as she walked back to her seat. Mr. Simpson went back up and started talking again, starting the diploma ceremony. Following procedure, he stood up, walked with the line, and waited as the names were called out. "Calissa Belle Fitzgerald." She went up, shook the principle's hand while grabbing her diploma, had her tassel turned, and walked back to her seat. "Cayden Bryant Fitzgerald." He repeated the process. A few people ahead of LA did the same thing before LA's turn. "Adam Skylar Goldsworthy." A small smile appeared on his face as he walked up to receive his diploma, but not because he was graduating, but because now everyone knew what the A stood for in LA, a big question asked. When Mr. Simpson moved his tassel over to the other side, he added, "Texas State University?"
Feeling proud, he answered, "No. Liaison Culinary." With an approving nod, LA walked back to his seat. Mr. Simpson took the next twenty minutes to hand out the rest of the diplomas. With each name that was read off, LA became more anxious for his plan to start. He had everything ready. This was the perfect opportunity. He didn't care about the trouble it would get him in. He had to do this.
"Noah Forest Zoe," Mr. Simpson called the last name. He went up, did what the rest of graduates did, and walked back to his spot. Watching him walk back, LA unfroze from where he stood. It was now or never. This had to happen, no matter what.
"Friends, family, I present to you the Degrassi graduates of…" Mr. Simpson started, the rest of the students waiting to throw their hats in the air and get out of there.
"Wait!" LA yelled, interrupting the ceremony. The room was quite, but soon a murmur of confused rang out.
"Mr. Goldsworthy," Mr. Simpson threatened.
Ignoring the threat, LA ran up to the podium. "I need to say something."
"LA, not now," the principle seethed.
Ignoring him yet again, he grabbed the attached microphone on the podium, pushing Mr. Simpson out of the way. The police on the edge of the stage were about to remove him until they heard what he said.
"I love you."
Everyone froze in their place and sentences. The gymnasium became silent at the boy's exclamation. The police started towards him, but Mr. Simpson held them back, letting LA finish.
"I've done everything I could possibly think of to get you back, but you want nothing to do with me." He held onto the sides of the podium for dear life, afraid he would pass out from nervousness. "I've loved you since the day I met you. Everything I've ever done for you was because I love you." A huge smile spread across his face. This was actually working.
"We met when we were nine. I-I almost knocked your head off with a football," he chuckled at the memory. "But as soon as I looked into your beautiful brown eyes, you had my heart instantly. Ever since then, my mind has been scheming on how to make you mine."
He looked out into his fellow students, taking a pause. He made sure not to look at her, saving that for last. "Not to bring back a bad memory, but the moment I knew for sure that this was more than just a crush was when you were kidnapped. I was devastated. I didn't know what to do. But even if it killed me, I knew I would be the one to find you. I would be the one you would see." He looked over a Cayden, remembering the search for her. "Seven months. Seven long months. Seven months without you, without your smile, that twinkle you get in your eyes when you laugh. Seven months of searching. They said you probably weren't alive, that you were a lost cause, but I couldn't give up. I wasn't about to. And guess what? I beat what everyone said. I didn't find. I was the first person you saw. That amazing feeling of knowing that you were alive was the greatest thing ever." He barely realized that he was starting to tear up, along with a few others in the crowd, including his mom and Cayden's mom.
"After that, my life was perfect, not because of my athletic ability or my social status. My life was perfect because you were in it… until this year." He turned away from the audience, not wanting to look anyone during this. He just stared at the dark wood that made up the podium. With a deep breath, he continued.
"Coming back from a dance, there was a car accident, involving you and me. I got hurt. You blamed yourself. But what you don't realize is that you weren't okay. You were traumatized by what had happened back at the dance. I was going to take you back home, get some ice cream, and put on the Little Mermaid, because I know that's your favorite Disney movie. I didn't have to take you home. I wanted to. It's not your fault. You were the drunken guy that crashed into us." He felt a small tear fall down his cheek. "But you still felt at fault. You said that you put me in so much danger and you couldn't live with yourself if I got hurt. You left my life..." He took another deep breathe, preparing for what he was about to pour out. "What you don't realize is that you leaving is what hurt me the most."
He brushed his cheek, making it look like an itch instead of wiping away tears. "I went into a deep depression. I was depressed for around six months. I tried to kill myself because I lost you. It couldn't be helped. I didn't know what was wrong with me. Then when I got back, we had a fight. I yelled at you. I scared you. Don't pretend I didn't. I saw it in your eyes. I was afraid, too. I was becoming a monster. Everyone thought I was crazy. I thought I was crazy. But I'm not." LA had the courage to look up, smiling. "You said all you did it get me hurt. You're wrong. You made me realize what was wrong. I get depressed for so long and have fits of rage because… I'm bipolar. I never would have figured that out without you.
"Also, while I was hurt, I couldn't play sports. That was basically what my life was filled with. But I found something else to occupy my time. I found my love for cooking." He looked over at all of his coaches lined up in the teacher area for the ceremony. "I gave up my Texas State scholarship. Football isn't my passion." Moving from his coaches, his eyes rested on his home economics teacher, Mrs. Small. "I'm going to Liaison Culinary School here in Toronto. I'm going to be a chef." She sent him a small smile before watching him turn back to the crowd. "You helped me find out what I love to do. You helped me more than I think you'll ever know."
He stepped away from the podium, wanting to walk down to her, but couldn't. He needed everyone to hear what he had to say. As if reading his thoughts, Ms. Dawes walked up behind him with a cordless microphone in her hand. She was panting. La figured she ran to the media room and retrieved it. With a nod and mouthed "thank you," he turned back towards the edge of the stairs of the stage.
"Going back to the accident. A few months before, I had a conversation with my older sister about love." He looked up at his sister in the crowd, finding her immediately. She was smiling down at him, looking proud, as were the rest of his family. "She told me real love is when you'd rather die yourself just to save them. That sentence was running through my mind right before the car hit us. I threw myself over you. I couldn't stand you see you get hurt. I'd rather it be me." He took another step down until he was at the level of his classmates. "But love isn't just wanting to do anything to keep them safe. While I would take a bullet for you, I want to be the guy who would live for you, who wouldn't leave you."
He took small steps down the aisle that divided the graduates. He wanted to stop at her row at a specific point in his speech. "Do you remember what I said right before the impact? Did you hear? I yelled at the top of my lungs. I wanted you to hear, just in case I didn't make it. I said 'I love you.'"
LA stopped. The room was silent. No one said a word. The microphone fell to his side in his hands. His head turned towards her, finally connecting eyes. Cayden, figuring out what LA was doing, grabbed her hand and led her out of the row to him. Placing her hand in his hand, Cayden whispered, "You've worked hard. She's important to me. I trust you."
"I won't let you down," LA smirked. As Cayden went back to his spot, LA took her hand in his and dragged her up to the stage.
"What are you doing?" she asked, blushing furiously.
"What I should have done a while ago," he answered. When they made it to the middle of the stage, he picked the microphone back up. "I love you. I don't care how many times I have to say it prove it to you. I just want to be with you. Please."
"LA," she begged, not able to finish her sentence.
He set the microphone on the podium. Taking both of her hands into his, he looked her in the eyes, like they were the only ones in the room, in the world. They were all that mattered to him and that was all he needed. He whispered just for her to hear, "Calissa Belle Fitzgerald, I love you."
Calissa couldn't fight it anymore. He had done everything he could to get her to take him back. He put himself out there just to prove he loved her. She couldn't deny it any longer. Right then, looking into his blue eyes and sincere facial expression, she decided to do something good for both of them. Wiping a tear from her cheek, she whispered, "I love you, too, Adam. I love you."
"Yes!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. He picked her up, a smile wide on both of their faces, spun her around, and they kissed. The crowd cheered as loud as they ever could.
Mr. Simpson, taking an opportunity to use this excitement, took the microphone from the stand and yelled, "I present the Degrassi graduates of 2033!"
The graduates threw their caps in the air and cheered, the clapping still remained the same speed. The caps flew in the air in a parade of blue, every cap except LA's and Calissa's. They stood on the stage, still kissing each other. LA was holding her up, so when the pulled apart she was looking down at him. Her cheeks were still red from embarrassment, but she didn't care. They stared into each other's eyes while all the commotion was going on around them. They didn't care about what everyone else was doing. They were in love and that's all that mattered. Calissa bit her lip mischievously before grabbing LA's cap and throwing it up. Scoffing, LA did the same with hers. After laughing at the incident, they looked over to find Cayden and Kari smiling at them. Both blushed at the sight, but soon Calissa pulled LA back into their kiss.
… … …
The gymnasium was now empty, except for the janitors folding the chairs. Eli and Clare watched from the bleachers at the empty sight before them.
"We did it," Clare smiled. "We raised a good son."
"And he finally got the girl," Eli smirked. "Not too bad."
"I've been waiting for that moment. They're perfect for each other," she giggled.
"Yeah, she's intelligent, pretty, careful, while LA is… well, LA," he joked. Clare laughed slightly, acknowledging the truth. Something about her tone held sadness to it. Eli picked up on it. "You know, it's not over. We still have Bryson to get through high school," he mentioned the second grader.
"Yeah, but it's still difficult," Clare sighed. "He was my first baby boy… and now he's going off the college, has a wonderful girlfriend. It's hard to watch them grow up."
"Tell me about it," Eli agreed. "Julia's leaving next week. It's going to be tough watching my baby girl leave."
LA and Calissa walked back into the gymnasium, hand in hand. "Hey, mom, dad, everyone's waiting for you," LA informed them.
"Yeah, yeah, don't get your boxers in a bunch," Eli teased, standing up. "We'll be out." With that, the new couple went back outside.
Eli held his hand out to Clare, helping her up. Holding her hand all the way down the bleachers, Eli wrapped his arm around her shoulder when they reached the bottom. "So are you ready for all the packing up?"
"Not at all. I hate packing," Clare groaned, causing both to laugh.
"Grandma, Grandpa, look what I found!" Oliviera ran in, holding something in her tiny hand. She opened her fist, revealing a shiny gold locket. It seemed familiar to Eli and Clare. "It's so pretty. And look! It has Mommy's initials!"
Eli and Clare quickly turned towards each other, eyes wide. They realized why it was so familiar. It was the locket Julia and Brookie used back when they were in high school. "Let me see this," Eli said, taking the locket from Oliviera. "It is pretty. I'll hold onto it for you."
Oliviera smiled and ran off. Once she was out of sight, Eli threw the locket on the ground and stomped on it multiple times, breaking it into tiny pieces. Clare reached down and picked up the tiny bits, throwing them into a nearby trashcan.
"We'll get her a pony," Eli smirked.
They walked out of the school into the parking lot. Oliviera and Bryson were chasing each other around the car. Julia and Brady were sitting on the bummer, watching the little ones. Cayden and Kari were sitting in Cayden's car, waiting for LA and Calissa, who were joining them for a post-graduation party. LA and Calissa were leaning against Eli and Clare's car, Calissa's arms around LA's neck and LA's arms wrapped around her waist, each stealing little pecks every chance they could. Clare looked over to Eli at this sight, kissing him on the cheek. "We did good, Mr. Goldsworthy."
Eli kissed her cheek back. "Yeah, yeah, we did."
The End.
There you have it. The end of A Lifetime. I hope everyone liked the ending. I hope that this story can get 200 reviews! That would make my day!
Yes, I'm a Dalli shipper. I just like them together! Also, I'm not a huge fan of Jake. Not because I'm an EClare fan, but I just don't like his personality.
So I bet you're wondering what the special thing I mentioned above is? Well, I have an idea for a small squeal to this, maybe around five or six chapters, just to tie up a loose thread. It'll mainly be focused on Bryson and Oliviera, and the whole adoption thing, and Eli and Clare trying to figure out. Should I do it? If you want it, tell me in the review!
Well, for the last time in this story, Thanks for Reading!