Let's just get down to the point: I don't own Drake & Josh characters or anything like that. "Collide" is sung and written by Howie Day.
Last chapter. So, um, there's another story after this, but I'm worried my characters are starting to fall out of character, so I'm rereading my stuff from the beginning to help me. It shouldn't take too long. I'll finish editing the next story after this. I'm working on a Christmas story too, so that will go up here soon.
"...and as I look at the senior class, I see a great generation, ready to step out into the real world, ready to spread their wings and..."
Drake shifted his weight in his seat. He was waiting for the principal to finish her speech. It was the same, "hope you all do well, we'll miss you all" principal graduation speech. He glanced down at his robe and smoothed a crease. He sat waiting for Cassandra to give her speech. He glanced around. His mother, father, Megan, and Josh's grammy were sitting watching the boys...er young men, as Walter put it earlier...graduate. Cassandra's mother and father were there for her, along with both sets of her grandparents. He finally looked up at Cassandra. She looked a bit nervous. She could do this though. After all, she was braver than he was.
"Now," said their principal. "I would like to turn things over to the class valedictorian, Ms. Cassandra Blane."
Several people applauded. Cassandra stepped up to the podium and took a quick glance around. She caught Drake's eye, and he gave her a wink. She smiled and got ready to give her speech.
"Teachers, family members, friends, and fellow graduates," she began. "I came to Belleview High last year as a junior. Believe me, at that time I had no idea I would be standing in front of all of you today. I was nervous and scared. I was a bit closed off until I got to know the people in this class. I don't think I've ever been to a school where I felt more accepted. For that, I am thankful.
"Most of us will be moving on to college next year. Some will be leaving home to take on a university, while others will stay at home a little while longer to prepare at a community college. What ever path you choose to follow, the crossroads have been reached. Relationships will be put to the test, some will end, some are destined to remain. Friends will learn the difficulty of staying in touch, and enemies will wonder why they couldn't stand each other in the first place. It's all a part of moving on. Some of us are scared and wonder if we can do it. The truth is, most of us know how to move on. Whether we've lost someone close to us, or a friend moved away. I can promise you, that no matter how scared we are of growing up and moving on, we'll be greeted by many open doors, and while many may close, a new one will always open. Congratulations everyone. We've just opened many."
The audience applauded for Cassandra again. Her speech hadn't been too long, which made the class happy. She talked about what a lot of them were feeling. It was true, some were worried about moving on.
The principal stood up to the podium again.
"...and now," she began. "If the graduates will please line up and remain in alphabetical order, we will begin." The students lined up and Cassandra quickly found her place. Drake stood in the middle of the line. He was there, about to walk. Drake absent-mindedly continued to move forward and snapped back to reality when the principal called his name. "...Drake Parker..." she called. He smiled and accepted his diploma happily.
Afterward, everyone ran to meet their parents. Some were crying, and many of the graduates were jumping for joy. Drake approached his parents, where Josh had already found them, and he was met with hugs from everyone.
"Wow," said Megan. "I don't believe it. Drake has his high school diploma."
"Ha ha," said Drake. "Very funny Megan."
Josh pulled Drake away to where Mindy was standing with Cassandra. Alexa also stood there with Mark.
"Hey guys," said Alexa.
"Hey," said Josh. He gave Mindy a hug. The hug seemed a bit, how could it be put? It seemed a little uncomfortable. Drake was worried about his brother. As much as Drake couldn't stand Mindy, Josh really cared about her.
Drake and Cassandra got caught up in their own hug, and Drake let his thoughts slip toward them. They'd been dating for a while. It had been about a year. Kind of hard to tell since there was the period when they weren't allowed to see each other. When Drake thought about it though, he realized they had started dating back in November the year before, then Sam got between them sometime in December. January came and the Zero Gravity concert blew up in his face. In February, a few days after Valentine's day, they were finally together again. Then after they got back from Michigan in July, Cassandra's parents told them they couldn't see each other anymore. Finally, in October they were allowed to see each other again and had been together ever since. So, about a month, then from February to July, making a total of six months. Then came October to June, another eight months. So, a little over a year, with rough patches. Drake wondered how far this would go. Could they possibly go all the way? Two things he knew for certain were that they loved each other, and that by trust and compassion, they would always collide.
Okay, look for my Christmas story soon. Then, the next story in this series, "All About Loving You." Please, some reviews. Let me know if anything could be made better. I can use it while editing the next story in the series.