A/N Hey, everyone. Welcome back to more of the Degrassi Welcome Back Home Season One series. First before I get started, I hope you guys are continuing to stay safe out there, getting vaccinated, and continuing to follow the public health guidelines, social distancing, and not being stupid. Second, I've been really busy because I start my first year of university in the next two weeks, and I'm almost done getting things ready. But I will make more time to write this series before I focus on my other fanfics. But anyway, this is chapter number twelve and I hope you guys are ready for it because it's the back to school semi formal. So, this is chapter number twelve of the Welcome Back Home Season One series, and here we go.

James

Getting ready for the back to school semi formal, James putted on his black and white suit as he adjusted a bow tie around his dressed shirt. While he was getting ready, Pamela knocked on his bedroom door.

"So what's this I hear about the school's semi-formal?" she asked.

"It's for the new and returning students. And Mr. Simpson told everyone to dress formally for the occasion. Besides, I want to look handsome for tonight." he replied.

"Just make sure you don't get involved with the wrong crowd because I don't want you to go down on the same path I did." she said.

"Don't worry, mom. If I did get into trouble, you would yell at me for all day." he said.

After getting ready, James left his household and went to school to join the others at the semi-formal. Going to the gym, it was full of students who were talking amongst themselves as well as the balloons and the banner hung on the wall. James looked around to see if Janie was anywhere in the crowd since he had asked her to the dance.

Just then, someone tapped him on the shoulder. Taking a deep breath, he turned around and Janie stood behind him as he observed her thoughtfully. She was wearing a red dress with the matching red headband that pushed the side of her bangs. And she wasn't wearing her pair of glasses.

"Hey, I'm sorry for running late. I was getting ready." she said.

"No worries, you look really amazing." he said.

"Thanks. You look really nice, too." said Janie as she blushed madly.

"May I have your attention, please?" Mr. Simpson asked through the microphone.

The students stopped chattering as they drew their attention to their school's head principal.

"Thank you." Mr. Simpson said as he continued, "Good evening. Welcome to the Degrassi's annual back to school semi-formal. As you all know, Degrassi's been operating for decades for each of the staff and students. As a former student, it is my job as a school's principal to ensure that everyone here has a good year. I will not tolerate any form of bullying, or any kind of pranks, and fighting in the hallways."

"But if I see any of you causing trouble or smoking in the school building, I will punish each of you. And I will not hesitate on suspending anyone from school, because that is not what your parents or legal guardians would want to hear from me."

James stood beside Janie as they hear Mr. Simpson continued talking on the microphone.

"Anyway, enjoy your semi-formal and have a safe and a good time." Mr. Simpson finished.

The students clapped as Mr. Simpson stepped off the stage and allowed the music to continue playing in the background.

"Care to dance?" asked James as he offered his hand to Janie.

Janie

Accepting his offer to dance, James and Janie walked over to the dance floor as he placed his hands on her waist while she placed her hands on his shoulders.

"So uh, you liking the semi-formal so far?" he asked.

"It's okay. Better than the dance events I had in my old school." she replied.

"I wonder if this will ever make it on the school's yearbook." he said.

"We'll never know. And besides, Mr. Simpson hasn't announced the yearbook yet." she said.

The two friends continued to slow dance as the song Beside You by Marianas Trench played through the speakers. James glanced over at Serenity, who was sitting all by herself. Not wanting to leave Janie hanging, he continued to dance with her.

"Who are you looking at?" asked Janie, having noticed James drawing his attention away.

"Oh. No one." James replied as he continued to dance with her.

Janie looked over at Adam and Melody, both slow dancing and gazing at each other without a care in the world. Having noticed Janie drawing her eyes off of him, James slowly turned around and saw Adam and Melody having the time of their lives.

"Hey, Janie. You want to go out on a date sometime? There are a few things I can show you around the city." he offered.

"Really? A date? I would love to go out with you." she said.

"Awesome. I'll let you know when I'm free." said James.

"Sounds like a date." Janie agreed.

Janie got lost in James' gleamy eyes and she thought about kissing him, but it was too soon to do so because he had just asked her out. And she wasn't sure if she should be nervous or not since it was gonna be her first date with James McKay.

Melody

Having a good time in her first back to school semi formal with Adam, Melody went to sit back on the table as Adam joined her. She got lost looking at his dark brown eyes until he waved his hand at front of her blue eyes to get her attention.

"Melody. Melody!" he called.

"Sorry. Did you say something?" she said as she focused her attention to him.

"I asked you if you're having a good time so far." he repeated.

"Oh. Yeah, I am." she said.

"Do you want to go out and get some fresh air?" he asked.

"Yes. I need to take a breather." she replied.

The two best friends left the gymnasium and walked outside of the school entrance as they sat on the front steps. Melody couldn't control her blush as her heart had started beating faster since she is walking with Adam.

"You look really beautiful tonight." he said, admiring her purple dress.

"Thanks. You look nice too." she said as she continued to blush.

She then rested her head on her shoulder as she grabbed his hand and laced their fingers together. Melody then realized she's falling in love with secret crush Adam Hawthorne. Adam then noticed Melody resting her head on his shoulder, instead of letting go, he decides to spend some time alone with the girl he was in love with.

"I think I'm having the best night so far." he said to her.

"Yeah, me too." she agreed as she looked at his dark brown eyes and smiled.

Adam smiled back as they enjoyed their night together. Just then, they both hear the students leaving the gymnasium, as the semi-formal came to an end.

"You want to get out of here?" he asked her.

"Didn't need to ask." she replied as they both stood up.

Holding hands, they left the school building and went home without anybody interfering with their moment. And that was when Adam had finally realized that he has to move on from Monica because he had found someone who is special to him. And that someone is his best friend and secret crush Melody June Taylor.

"Where do you want to go?" she asked.

"My home? My family told me you're always welcome to my household anytime." he suggested.

"Sounds like a good idea." she agreed.

Continuing to hold hands, the two secret crushes continued walking to Adam's household for the rest of the night.

Peyton

Peyton was not having the best night of her life. She stood at the school's rooftop, smoking some weed. She was in disbelief that Adam Hawthorne had chose Melody June Taylor over her. Peyton didn't get what was so special about Melody, even though they both have blue eyes. She didn't notice a door opening and someone calling out to her.

"You shouldn't be out here, you know." a voice called out to her, drawing her attention.

"And why would a jock like you come out there, anyways?" she asked.

"I'm not one of those kids enjoying the best night of their lives." Ethan replied.

Ethan stood beside Peyton as they gazed at the moon in the sky.

"Do you have an extra weed on you?" he asked.

"You don't even need to ask." she replied as she pulled out an extra and gave it to him.

Ethan thanked Peyton as she gave him a lighter. The two friends smoked in silence, not giving a care in the world. A couple of minutes later, Ethan coughed as he removed the weed from his mouth.

"You're not much of a smoker, are you?" asked Peyton.

"It's my first time. Well, first time for everything like smoking weed." Ethan replied.

Peyton scoffed, not fully believing him. As she continued to smoke, she thought what would happen if her mother had found a stash of weed. But Peyton didn't care because she was only doing it because she had go through the pain of losing her father. And she knew that Ethan wouldn't understand her pain and heartbreak.

"I'm gonna be in so much trouble when I get home." Ethan muttered.

"For smoking weed? As long as your family don't smell the breath from you." said Peyton.

"Very funny, blondie." he said.

Serenity

Returning home from the semi-formal, Serenity walked in her household and took off her shoes and her jacket. She looked around to see if her father was home or not. Walking quietly upstairs, she discreetly opens the bedroom door and looks through her father's bedroom and finds him sleeping peacefully. Going to her bedroom, Serenity undoes her hair as she played Don't Stop The Music by Rihanna quietly on her phone's speakers without waking her father. While she was changing into her pajamas, her phone buzzed, she picks it up and gets a text message from Carter.

Carter - Hey, were you able to get home okay?

Serenity - Fine. My dad's asleep right now, and I don't want to wake him.

Carter - Nice to know. Aisha and I just got home.

Serenity - Thanks for the dance tonight. I think I owe you one.

Carter - You don't need to owe me anything. Besides, this is my first time at a semi-formal.

Just then, Damon knocked on her bedroom door, getting her attention.

"Hey, sweetie." he greeted her.

"Hey, dad." she replied, as she tried to smile.

"How was the semi-formal?" he asked.

"It was okay, dad. Everyone had a good time tonight." she replied.

"Good to know. You look like you had a lot of fun tonight." Damon commented.

"I did. And it was a good time." said Serenity.

Damon walked in her bedroom and sat down beside Serenity as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and rubbed it gently.

"Dad, do you miss mom?" asked Serenity.

"I miss her a lot, kiddo. But I don't know if your mom misses us." Damon replied.

"I really wished that we would go back and live the normal life we had as a family before high school and everything else." she said.

"Get some rest, kiddo. Don't stay up too late." he said as he got up and left the bedroom.

"Good night, dad." she called.

Serenity watched her father returning to his bedroom to sleep. Monday morning is going to be really hectic for her and the rest of the students.

And that is the end of the semi-formal. So what did you guys think? James has finally got the courage to ask Janie out and Ethan smokes weed for the first time. And Adam and Melody are getting closer. Let me know what you thought of the chapter in the reviews. More chapters are coming soon, so keep any eye out for that. Next chapter, the start of the weekend.