Hey all! With the amount of near death experiences I had while on holidays, it's amazing I'm actually here to finish the story! This is their graduation- more important in one of the last chapters. Oh, and I didn't make up Libby and George's surnames- since they're never mentioned in the series, I'm using the actors' last names (Belinda Bromilow and Michael Booth).

Now for the big question: what do you think the bub is going to be called? And to tell me that you need to review! Mwa ha ha! See my plan?

Love Rhyleigh xoxox

Flashback

"I can't believe we're graduating tomorrow!" Libby Bromilow said sadly.

"I know!" George Booth said.

"What are we talking about?" Rachel Rafter asked, coming into sight.

George slipped off his chair and Libby burst into giggles.

"Hi Rachel", George said breathlessly. "We were just talking about graduation- are you excited about graduation? You should be, you're making the big speech".

"George", Jake Barton, Rachel's best friend, said sternly.

"Sorry".

George had been crushing on Rachel ever since they first started kindergarten together. He tripped over his feet when he was standing and saw her, and fell off whatever he was sitting on when he was sitting.

"I am excited for graduation", Rachel said softly, "But I'm scared, too".

"Really scared", Libby echoed.

Jake draped his arms around the girls. "My favourite girls. We'll all be here for ya, Rach. That reminds me, where the hell is Camel?"

Camel was Jake's other best friend- they had met when they first started playing football together at the tender age of five. Rachel had been to every one of their games, cheering both of the boys on.

"Haven't seen him in hours", George shrugged.

"Yeah, the question wasn't really directed at you, George".

"I bet Rachel will cry", Libby said suddenly.

"Libby, there's a higher chance of you crying than Rach", George said. Libby cried over everything.

"Five bucks its Libby that cries first", Jake said confidently to George.

"You're on".

Mr Sheridan, the principal of Carrs Park High School, stood on the stage, facing the students, teachers and parents, ready to announce the graduates of 2000.

"I have never been so proud of students", he started. "All of them scored highly on their exams, and their formal was definitely a night to remember. They partied in style at school- and safely at the after party, I was assured".

A chorus of laughter went through the graduating class- their after party was one they wouldn't be forgetting in a hurry.

"But, all good things must come to an end, as Carrs Park High School farewells year twelve, 2000!"

There was a round of applause and then he began to call their names.

"Jake Barton".

Rachel shrieked. "Woo! Go Jake!"

Jake grinned at his best friend, from up on the stage.

"George Booth".

Libby and Rachel clapped long and hard for George.

"Libby Bromilow".

"Go Lib!" Rachel called.

"Natasha McNeil".

Rachel sent her enemy glares, as Tasha made her way onto the stage. They had hated each other since primary school- the feeling was mutual.

"Rachel Rafter".

Up on the stage, she looked down at her family, who were smiling up at her proudly. Her parents, Julie and Dave, her brothers, Nathan and Ben, and her grandparents, Ted and Louise. Her whole family- including the Bartons. Grace and Alex, Jake's mother and brother.

Once all the year twelve students had been applauded and sent back to their seats, Mr McLaren called Rachel up to the stage again, to make their graduating speech. She stood up, butterflies flapping around her stomach. Jake squeezed her hand tight, and she smiled at him, making her way towards the stage.

"Good evening teachers, students, parents and the graduating class of 2000", Rachel said, standing up proudly behind the podium. "Well, we did it. We can all breathe sighs of relief, as we clutch our portfolios, ready to head out into the big, bad world- whether we go to uni or TAFE to further our education, or head out into the workforce. It seems like only yesterday that we were standing out front of this very hall, wearing stiff, new school uniforms, worrying about making new friends and forgetting teachers' names. It was so long ago- although it was only six years ago. Six years flew by so fast, and I know I'm not the only one who thinks that! As high school graduates, we are ready to break away from the protective bubble the walls of Carrs Park High School have had over us".

Jake smiled up at his best friend and laughed- he couldn't have been prouder of her.

"When we meet in ten years for the reunion, we'll compare how much our lives have changed, and how much they will have stayed the same. The friendships made in this school are unbreakable, and will last a lifetime- we started out as mere acquaintances, but became close friends. Together, we have conquered the impossible, facing whatever life threw at us. With that, I wish the best of luck to all my fellow graduating classmates, as we head out to start our futures apart".

Everyone in the hall was clapping, as Rachel headed back to her seat. She knew it was time to leave, and as much as she wanted to leave the hall, she wasn't sure if she was ready.

Celebrate good times, come on!
It's a celebration
Celebrate good times, come on!
Let's celebrate

The music started playing, as the year twelve class headed out of the hall- some laughing, some crying (Libby was one of the criers), and some in between.

Jake and Rachel met their parents in the foyer of the hall. Julie and Grace were both eager to take photos of their graduates- the kids posed; like they had been doing since they were little.

"Your speech was amazing, darling", Julie said, pressing down the shutter.

That was all it took for Rachel to start crying. Jake wrapped his arms around her, laughing.

"I knew you were gonna cry!"