Hey guys,

Well this is the end, my final chapter of Never. Still haven't decided whether I should do a sequel or just end it with an epilogue. Some suggestions?

I really wanted this to get to 100 reviews by the end but oh well. Thanks to all that have reviewed! I really appreciate it. Well here you go, chapter 24.

Chapter 24 Graduation Day.

General POV

It's been 2 weeks since prom night, and Casey and Derek have hardly spent a minute apart from each other. Casey is very sad today though. Today is the day that they all graduate from high school. Normally it's a great day for a teenager but for Casey that meant that her time seeing Derek everyday was about to be cut short as they are going off to different colleges. Little does Casey know, Derek already has that all figured out.

Derek's POV

"So you really got a scholarship to that college that Casey got accepted into?" Sam asked me.

"Yeah, pretty weird huh? Derek Venturi going to one of the top schools on a scholarship?"

"Don't flatter yourself too much. It's a hockey scholarship, not an academic scholarship."

"True, but still. Full ride man. I got a full ride to the Harvard of Canada. I guess slacking at school and focusing on hockey really helped me out huh?"

"Ha-ha I guess so. When are you telling Casey?"

"At the airport tonight."

"It sucks that she has to leave tonight."

"What about me? You don't seem too bummed that I'm leaving."

"You'll be back tomorrow for the biggest graduation party ever. I won't miss you too much."

"Maybe I can get Casey to come back with me. She should have one huge, crazy night before college. Everyone should. It's like a rule."

"Ha-ha true. So I'll see you in an hour at graduation."

"Aight see ya."

Sam walks away from me and I sit and start thinking about college. Boy Casey is going to be surprised when she hears that we're going to the same college and living in the same dorm. God bless the guy that thought of co-ed dorms. I start getting all of my things for the day all together and make my way to the shower. As I am leaving my room I walk right into my dad.

"Oh sorry son I was just coming to make sure you were getting ready."

"Yeah just about to take a shower."

"I am so proud of you son. You really have gotten yourself together this year. You got a good girlfriend, good grades; you got into a good college. Hell I'm just proud you made it to actually graduate."

"Gee thanks dad." I say sarcastically, "Well I have to go take a shower and get ready. I'm graduating in an hour."

"Okay. Are you all set for tonight?'

"Yes I just have to get my plane stuff ready."

I head off to the shower but someone must've beaten me there.

I knock on the door, well rather pound and start yelling for the person to come out.

"Smerek I'm making your gladjation present. Hold on!"

"Smarti its graduation and I really need to get in there we have to leave soon."

"Okay Smerek."
Marti then opens the door and I look at her and start to laugh. She is covered in shaving cream, bubbles, and lotion. Man she can make a mess but I just love her more for her craziness. I hug her and pick her up.

"Smerek I don't want you to go."

"I don't want to go either but I have to. But I'll come back all the time to visit you and I'll call…a lot to say goodnight."

"Okay…" I can tell she's on the verge of tears so I start to tickle her and then put her down once I know she's smiling and laughing. Then I head into the bathroom. I almost kill myself slipping on Marti's "present", which is all over the floor, but I manage to make it to the tub. I start running the water and getting undressed. I climb into the shower and let the hot water run all down my body. I begin washing myself when my mind drifts off to Casey and how I can't believe we're graduating today. This has been such a hectic year and I'm glad it's over. Now we can have a fresh start at college and just focus on school and each other… okay and hockey. I finish my shower and turn the water off. I reach out and grab my towel and wrap it around me. I dry myself off and then walk to my room to get dressed.

I go into my closet and pick out my clothes, which are somewhat nice but not too fancy. I get dressed and go back to the bathroom to dry my hair.

After drying and styling my hair I walk downstairs. There is my cap and gown on the dining room table. I see my dad scrambling around the room with a cup of coffee in his hands. I run over and grab my cap and gown quickly, just as coffee was about to be spilled all over it.

"Careful dad!"

"Sorry Derek, I'm just nervous."

"Why? I'm the one graduating."

"Yes but it still is a nerve-racking day for me. Are you all ready?"

"Yep, just got to get this on."

"Wait till we get to the school before you put that on. Marti, Edwin let's go!"

"Coming dad!"

I grab my keys and go over to the car. Normally I'd let my dad drive us but he seemed more frazzled than I was so I figured it was better if I drove. I get in the car, start it and then honk for my family to move along faster.

We pull up to school and I see Emily and Sam standing by the door. They both looked insanely nervous and insanely excited at the same time.

"Derek! Hey!"

"Hey guys!"

"Can you believe we're graduating?"

"No. I especially can't believe they're actually letting Derek graduate."

"Ha-ha, very funny. Has anyone seen the valedictorian?"

"Na Casey isn't here yet."

"She's probably home freaking out about giving her speech Derek. Everything is going to be fine."

"I'm just going to text her just in case."

"Do what you want, but I'm telling you she's fine."

I get my phone out.

'Excited Ms. Valedictorian?'

I wait a couple of seconds and then thankfully my phone starts to vibrate.

'Excited? More like nervous.'

'Case you'll be fine.'

'I know but its scary reading a speech in front of everyone.'

'You'll be fine.'

'I am now.'

'Oh really? Why's that?'

'Because I have the perfect view of a nice ass in front of me.'

It takes me a second but then I turn around and see Casey pulling in with her mom, Joe and Lizzie. She gets out of her car and walks over to me.

"Scared me there for a minute."

"Aw, sorry baby."

"All ready?"

"Yeah. I can't believe this is really our last day together."

"Na, we'll still see each other Case. It'll work out. I promise."

"It better."

"Come on Miss. Valedictorian, they're waiting for you."

Casey and I walk into the gymnasium, hand-in-hand and take our seats. The worst part about all this is that not only do I have to sit through all this boring mumbo jumbo but I have to do it with Casey two rows away from me.

Then before I know it, it's her time to shine.

"Next we will hear from our valedictorian, Casey McDonald."

Roars of applause could be heard throughout the audience. Casey walked up gracefully and shook the principal's hand. She then steps up to the microphone and takes out her speech.

"Students and Faculty of Sir. John Sparrow High School, parents, friends and guardians of the graduates, I welcome you to the 2008 graduation. I came to this school in ninth grade and I didn't have the best relationship with everyone or have the best reputation. I was looked at as Klutzilla and a grade grubber. But as everyone grew and matured, those names faded away. Now I am just known as Casey McDonald, who occasionally trips over things. This school is just like one big family. This school has really become like my second home. As many of you know I had a hard year last year and this year as well. I don't think I would've been able to get through it if it weren't for the people here at this school. I know some people may have thought I was weird, quirky, whatever. People still came through for me and helped me through my hard times. That's what families do. They help one another when someone needs them. They come together and help in any way they can. People don't really know how much of an impact they can make on someone else's life. But honestly, a smile really does go a long way. A helping hand is something that really makes an impact. Whether it's helping someone in school when they are being bullied, lending someone a shoulder to cry on, or simply just trying to cheer someone up when they've had a bad day. This school really knows the meaning of family and the meaning of care. You have no idea how much I thank all of you for all you have done. You all have accomplished so much this year. As hard of a year it was for me, you all had a tough year yourselves. Yet here we all are, about to receive our diplomas and then we're done. Then we go and we are on own then. But all of us will be able to do it. Not only just because we all are very smart and will all be very successful but because we learned well from the amazing people here at this school. This school helped all of us grow up into very mature, amazing men and women. I want to congratulate all of you on all that you've done. You all are amazing. Also, I do want to thank you all for being there for me in my time of need. Good luck to all of you. Congratulations to the class of 2008. WE DID IT!!"

Casey laughed as well did most of the audience. She stepped down and received a standing ovation from everyone. As she returned to her seat, she received a hug from almost every member of the faculty and I could see her mom crying and taking pictures. I have never been so proud of Casey then I was at that moment. Casey is absolutely amazing and deserves everything that she gets. Casey finally makes it back to her seat, her eyes watery, she then sits down and everyone starts to settle down.

Then the big moments were coming, the distribution of the diplomas.

"First row please stand."

"Alyssa Aviles." People clapped and cheered.

"Gabriella Corella…Tiffany Costanza…Nicholas Douglas…Michael Faust…"

Then after what seemed like forever,

"Casey McDonald."

The room filled with cheers and screams. I rose to my feet and screamed as loud as I could for her. When her diploma was handed to her I yelled out, "I love you." I know it probably embarrassed her but oh well. Once she returned to her seat, she turned to me and blew me a kiss.

"Okay now second row."

Everyone was called up, Sam, Emily, Trevor etc.

Until finally,

"Now the last row."

"Kyle Washington… Caitlyn Weissner…"

Then finally,

"Derek Venturi."

I walked up to get my diploma and people were all cheering and clapping for me. I really only heard one voice though.

"Yeah baby. I love you Derek!"

I looked down and smiled at my beautiful girlfriend. I took my diploma and stood for my picture. I returned to my seat and Casey looked back at me again and I mouthed 'I love you.'

'I love you too.'

Then before I knew it, we had graduated. It was over. No more high school. We're out of here.

"Now I present to you, the graduating class of 2008."

We all cheered and threw our caps up in the air. I can't believe it. I'm done! It's all over!

Once everything calmed down I found Casey and swooped her up in a huge hug.

"Ahh man, we graduated."

"Great observation Sherlock."

"No Casey really. We're out of here. We can start all over."

"Yeah unfortunately we will be doing this separately."

"It will work out I promise."

"No Derek it'll be too hard. How will this work?"

"Casey listen!"

"I don't think I can be away from you all this time."

"Case! Okay I wanted to surprise you at the airport and do the whole amazing, movie like move but you I hate seeing you sad."

"What?"

"Case I got into UT."

"What?!"

"I got into UT. We're going to college together. We will never be apart baby."

"But…hockey…"

"I got a scholarship for hockey to UT. How else did you think I got in?"

"Ha-ha. Oh my god Derek. So we're not going to be apart?"

"Nope."

"Ahh!!!!! Oh my god! I can't believe this!"

"You're happy about it right?"

"I'm ecstatic Derek!"

"Good."

"Oh my god." She then took me in a huge hug and I picked her up and swung her around.

"I thought for sure we'd be separated."

"Never Case, never."

There it is. Sorry if you didn't like the ending. I'm really not sure if I like it either but I had to write something. I still don't know if I'm doing just an epilogue or a sequel. As you can see I made the last chapter a whole lot longer than my other chapters. If I do a sequel every chapter will be this length. I have an idea of how I'm going to write it. If I do a sequel it will be 5 years into the future. Tell me what you think.

REVIEW PLEASE!

Love you all.