Shaggy read and reread the letter, satisfied that he had said all he had to say. He folded up and was about to seal it when he remembered something. He looked through the top of his dresser. Hidden under a pin he won in gymnastics class was a small friendship bracelet that Freddie had braided for him and the girls when he was in the boy scouts. He dropped the bracelet into the envelope and sealed the flap. He even put Freddie's name on it.If he hadn't done that, he might have lost his nerve and not have carried it down the stairs at all. He walked down the stairs slowly. He thought he might cry, but found he didn't need to. He didn't feel wonderful, but he didn't feel bad either. Deep down he knew he had done the right things.

Shuggie met his eyes as he came out the door. "Hey, bro."

"Like, hey, Shug."

"You al ready, bro?"

"Like, I think so, Shug." he handed over the leter "Like, give this to Freddie when he comes for the stuff, Shug. Like you said, he'll read it and send it to the girls."

"Will do, bro. Like, how are you feeling?"

"Like all right, Shug."

"Well, like, I got a surprise for you, like, look who's here!" Shagy turned to see several more of his friends come down the lawn.

"Like, ney you guys, what brings you all here?"

"We just wanted to say, 'Have a great trip!' Chuck said happily.

"Yeah, have a safe trip!" Eric cried out

"Well,like, it's cool you all came here to see us off!"

"Yeah, and we have going away presents!" Sharon said, prodicing a bag of food.. Everyone there have Shagy some form of food. He had to laugh.

"Like, thanks man!"

"Don't forget to write to Shugie, we made her promise to tel us everything!!" Eric said.

"Can we go now, Shaggy? Is it toime?" Scrappy asked eagerly.

Shagy had to laugh. "Like, let's say goodbye to Mom first!" and, as if he were magic, his Mom did come out with a HUGE bag of food.

"Like, have a good adventure, Honey, and like, be careful, ya dig?" she asked asshe kissed him goodbye.

"Like I will, Mom."

"Don't forget to write to us all!!"

"LikeI won't." he turned to Shuggie and gave her a big hug. He then turned to the dogs. "Like, ready to go, guys?"

"Rah, rets ro!" Scooby said, running into the van.

"Let's go, let's go!" Scrappy said as he climbed in as well.

"Srap, Scoob? Ok, like, let's hit the roadand blow this jiont!" he started up the van and took off. Everyone waved hapily calling out, 'Have a good trip, Shag! Se you soon!'

Shaggy drove the van carefully and watched his hometown fall futher and further behind him. As he watched and rove he thought again about Fred, Vel., and Daph. He thought about the friendship and his letter. His friendship didn't just change, he thoght sadly. It was now officially over.

He was fairly certain he would never see Coolsville, Ohio, again.

Sad, huh? Well, be sure to wipe your tears by the time the next chapter comes!