Chapter 11: The Graduate?

Spring Break had come and went and it was almost graduation. All the excitement was roaring through the halls of harbor high. Only one person wasn't excited, Ryan Atwood.

He had found out that he had to take a test that said if he could graduate. He had been studying his ass off. No Marissa or Seth and Ryan time had been on the books for over two weeks.

"Ryan, you need a break." Sandy said. He had walked in the Living room to find 6 cups of coffee all half drank sitting beside Ryan.

"No, this test is to determine whether I graduate."

"Ryan, this came for you yesterday." Sandy handed him a thick yellow envelope.

"It's from NYU."

Ryan looked at it.

"I forgot I had even applied there. It really doesn't matter unless I graduate." He said.

"I sort of talked to Dr. Kim. She said if a college like NYU accepted you. You would have a better chance of graduating."

"Really?"

Ryan ripped open the envelope.

"I got in."

"Ryan, guess what you did it."

The next day Ryan went to take the exam it was hard. He was worried he wouldn't pass.

He walked up to Dr. Kim's desk.

"Ryan go wait outside and I'll check it."

A few hours later

Ryan paced back and forth in the hallway outside the classroom.

"Dude your going to make a rut in the floor." Seth said as he sat down on the bench by where Ryan was pacing.

"No I am not. I am just nervous your Salutatorian." Ryan said looking at him.

"Ryan I know that you are very nervous."

"Seth, you aren't the one who worked so hard for this."

"Ryan, you know I am surprised after what I did to Summer I still was Salutatorian I stopped working as hard towards the end of year cause I felt so bad."

"Seth, man she forgave you."

"Yeah she forgave me but I am on Probation and No Sex, do you know how much that sucks."

"Seth, I don't want to hear about your Sex life."

"Sure you don't."

"I don't."

"Ok." Seth said getting up and walking away.

"Dude call my cell when you know."

"Ok."

"Good luck." Seth disappeared down the hall.

Just then the door opened to the classroom.

Dr. Kim walked up to Ryan.

"Ryan you passed."

"Really."

"Yes, congratulations, you are graduating. Good Luck with all you do." She said shaking his hand.

"Welcome Alumni, parents, and students. Today we honor the Harbor High School Class of 2005. Today we have a few good students to honor. Sethala Milford Cohen, Salutatorian.

Seth got up and walked to the Podium.

"Today is the day we graduate from high school." Its been 12 long years, 13 years if you count kindergarten. I was always the big loser, as you all probably remember. I have changed over the past two years more than some of you have noticed. All of us have changed since we were in 1st grade. I would like to honor all of you who have changed from sweet little boys and girls into ass wholes and bitches." Dr. Kim got this look like Seth Cohen.

"But, I cannot honor you in that way. I cannot say that I will not miss you. I will miss you all. We all need to remember each other even if we were bitches and ass wholes. Without my friends and family I don't know how I would have gotten through this last year. A lot was taken away from me." He gave a look at Summer who noticed and gave her little evil smile. "My family, my friends, and my girlfriend all changed.

"Now I would like to commend the class off 2005." Dr. Kim announced.

"Ryan Alexander Atwood." Dr. Kim.

Ryan got up and walked up the stage.

"Marissa Nicole Cooper."

"Sethala Wilford Cohen."

Finally they had graduated.

"Congratulations Ryan. We are so proud of you." Sandy and Kirsten said hugging Ryan.

"Thank You." Ryan said.

He stood there looking at them. "I have to go do something."

He walked out to the Pool house. Marissa had planned on telling Ryan that she was pregnant, but he was going to NYU she didn't want to ruin it for him.

"Hey." He said kissing her.

"Hey. I love you."

"I love you too."

"Ryan, I have to tell you something."

"What?"

"You might want to sit down." He sat down on the bed.

"Ok."

"Ok, you know spring break?"

"Yeah. How we did it."

"Yeah, Well I am pregnant."

"Wow."

"Yeah I know."

"I love you Marissa an whatever you need we will take care of it."

"Yeah I know, but school."

"Sweetie that really doesn't matter now does it? I am going to stay in Newport and get a job."

He got down on one Knee "Marry me."

She looked at him.

"We can't have that baby being a bastard, can we? And besides I was planning on asking you just not this soon."

"Yes. Ryan I will marry you." They kissed.

"Marissa I am not going to let this kid go through what I went through." He said

I know this was a short chapter. I know I was supposed to have one more chapter but I decided to make this a series. Now here is the Epilogue.

Epilogue: New York here we come.

The Tiny Apartment in New York wasn't what Marissa had imagined as her first home. Her and Ryan had gotten married that summer and had decided that Ryan would go to school in New York. It was cozy 2 bedroom with one bathroom, a kitchen and small living room. She had bargained shop and got some pretty vintage looking furniture that made the place had a cozy feeling.

She managed. She was almost 6 months pregnant and soon she would be a mother.

She never thought a year ago she would be in New York married to the Love of her life and pregnant all at the same time.

January 1st was her due date. She was really hoping it wouldn't have to be a new years baby, but it was going to be. She looked out the window. Ryan was coming home.

"Hey." He said as he opened the door.

"How was school?" She asked

"Hectic, but it's nice to come home to you. I love you."

"I love you too." She said. Wishing that she could be at College in Arizona.