Author's Note: This is it, the last chapter. It's taken over a year. Wow, it seems like yesterday I started this thing. I want to thank each and everyone of you who reviewed. I couldn't have done it without your input.
Chapter 30.
Dr. Tommy Oliver stood before his first period science class with mixed emotions. He looked to the clock and noticed that there were only five minutes left. It was the last day of the year and this group along with hundreds of others would be graduating later that day.
"Class, with only five minutes left, I want to leave you with some words of wisdom. Later tonight, you all will be graduating
and I probably won't see much of you after that. I just want you to know that I have enjoyed teaching you and watching you
grow and mature this past year. You are my first class that I have taught, and for that I thank you because I couldn't have
asked for a better one. Your lives are just beginning and each and everyone of you have the potential to be something special.
In my eyes, you already are. Take care."
(Bell rings)
With that, the students stood up and exited the room. Each one, individually thanking him for being their teacher. Last to leave were Conner, Kira, Ethan and Anna.
"What?" Tommy asked.
"Just what everyone else said. Thank you. And don't ask what for because you know what we're thanking you for." Conner said.
"We'll see you tonight, right?" Ethan asked.
"Yeah, I'll be there. Got to be, I'm the one reading the names."
"Cool, we'll see you later Dr. O." Anna said as they walked out.
"Yeah, we'll see each other soon." He said to an empty classroom.
(In Conner's Car)
"Alright, so where to?" Conner asks his friends.
"I need to get home and get ready for tonight." Kira said.
"We've got like three hours." Conner protested.
"I know but I need more time than you do."
"Alright, anyone else need to go home?"
"Yeah, I do. Mom said she had something for me to wear tonight or something like that, I don't know, she really didn't explain." Anna said.
"Me too man, got to finish up my valedictorian speech." Ethan chimed in.
"So, you're all going home, is that what you guys are saying?" Conner asked.
Three heads shook yes.
"Okay, home it is."
With that he drove off towards their respective houses.
(Kim And Jason's)
"Mom! I'm home." Anna yelled as she walked in the front door.
"In the kitchen with Jason." Came the reply.
Anna walked into the kitchen to see her mom and Jason talking about how they both missed graduation at Angel Grove and now they would be seeing Anna graduate from Reefside.
"What are you two talking about?" Anna asked.
"You and we were reminiscing." Jason said.
"What about me?"
"Just the fact that we never got a chance to graduate high school with our friends because I was in Florida and Jason was in Geneva. And now you get to graduate with your friends. It's something special." Kim said.
"You're gonna get all mopey aren't you?"
"Later, not now. When Tommy calls your name, oh yeah but not till then."
"Deal."
"Is Hayley coming tonight Jason?" Kim asked.
"Yeah she'll be there. Apparently after the ceremony, she's got a surprise for us or at least the kids at the cybercafe. So we're going there after. She said no one can get out of it."
"And you don't know what the surprises are?" Anna asked.
"Nope, she wouldn't even tell me, her own boyfriend."
"So mom, what was it that you had to give me for tonight?"
"Oh yes, hold on one moment."
Kim went into her bedroom and brought it back out to show Anna.
"Oh mom, it's beautiful." Anna gasped at the diamond necklace that Kim was holding.
"It was grandma's. She gave it to me to wear on special occasions and now i'm giving it to you."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. You can't get much more special than graduation."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, now go get ready."
(Reefside High School)
Conner McKnight stood by his science class, waiting on his friends. They had agreed to meet in front of the class before lining up for the ceremony. As he looked to his watch, he noticed that for once he was early and he was stressing for no reason. They still had a good twenty minutes to show up before he had to start worrying. As he was lost in his thoughts, he failed to notice Tommy come up to him.
"Hey Conner."
"Oh, hey Dr. O. What are you doing here? I thought you would be out at the field getting ready."
"Well I was. But everything is set up now, so I'm not needed at the moment. Thought I'd come by here and make sure I'm not leaving anything. You know how I am."
"Yeah."
"What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for everyone. We agreed to meet here before lining up."
"Do you want to come in while I look around?"
"Sure."
Tommy unlocked the door to his classroom and ushered Conner in. Tommy started to look around. He just had a feeling he was forgetting something but wasn't sure what. As he was looking around, Conner watched his mentor and teacher with reflective eyes.
"Dr. O, can I talk to you about something?"
"Sure, Conner. What's up?"
"Well, I've been doing a lot of thinking. When all this started, I was just a dumb jock with no other ambitions than to be a soccer player.
Now, I've matured and look at life with new eyes. I still want to be a soccer player, but it doesn't seem as important to me as it was this
time last year. Now, the most important things to me are my friends and just when I realize that, I lose them."
"Conner, you're not losing your friends. Trust me, I thought this exact same thing when I graduated. Yes, you will go on and do seperate things but you will always have each other. It's just like Jason told you guys at Prom. Conner, you, Kira, Ethan, and Anna have forged life-long friendships. And nothing can tear that apart or take that away. In time, you will realize that what I say is true. It's hard for you to beleive it right now because you haven't actually lived it. In time, you will."
"So, no matter what, we'll always be there for each other?"
"That's not a guarantee. Everyone is different from the next person, but I think that yes, you will always be there for each other in some way."
"Thanks Dr. O."
"Anytime Conner."
"Did you find what you were looking for?"
"Actually, yes. Here take a look."
Tommy handed a framed photo of the group that was taken at prom, the month before.
"See, a group like this can't stay away from each other for too long."
"What is this doing on your desk?"
"It's like I told Kim and Jason, I love you four like you were my own. Why wouldn't I show that?"
At that moment, Ethan and Kira arrived at the classroom.
"Hey, what's going on in here?" Ethan asked.
"Just talking before the ceremony." Conner said.
"Did you finish your speech?" Tommy asked.
"Sure did."
"Can't wait to hear it."
"Thanks Dr. O."
"Me either. You've been so secretive about it." Anna said as she walked in.
"It's important to me." He argued.
"Guys, it's getting close to time. You should start lining up. Is your mom and Jason here yet?"
"Yeah, they went up to the stands."
"Ok. I'll see you guys out there."
"See ya, Dr. O." Kira said.
The four friends were left alone in the classroom looking at one another. An unspoken agreement said between the four.
"Let's go graduate." Conner whispered.
Family and Friends had jammed into the stands at the football field, anxiously waiting for their son or daughter to graduate.
About ten rows up, Jason sat with Kim, Hayley and John. Kim was so excited she reminded Jason of the valley girl he had come to know when
they were kids.
"Kim, calm down." Jason said with a laugh.
"I just can't beleive that my baby is graduating."
"She's not a baby anymore."
"Jason's right, Kimberly. Somewhere along the way, she turned into a beautiful young woman." John added.
Before Kimberly could get another word in, the band started playing the graduation song, and the class started making it's way to the field.
Soon, all the kids had been seated and the focus was on Tommy, who had stepped to the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, first off, I would like to thank all of you for coming out tonight to see your student graduate. It's been quite a
year for these students and I'm proud to say that I was a part of it. In a few minutes, we're gonna get our valedictorian, Ethan James
up here to say a few words but first, I want to say a few words on my behalf. The class of 2004 was my first as a teacher. I couldn't have
asked for a better class. I know I didn't teach every student that is sitting out here, but even if you never spoke a word to me or likewise,
you will always be special to me for that reason. Each and every one of you has potential, you all can go on and live great lives. I just hope
that when I see you next, you will some interesting stories. I think it's time I give up the microphone because I can go on forever. Ladies and
gentelmen, our valedictorian: Ethan James."
Ethan walked up to the podium and gave Tommy a hug. After being released, he made his way to the microphone. He stole a quick glance towards Conner, Kira and Anna before beginning.
"'The future belongs to those who beleive in the beauty of their dreams' Eleanor Roosevelt once said that. I don't think she could have fathomed just
how true those words would become. Tonight, we say goodye to the past and hello to the future. I beleive in dreams and I know that my future is
very bright. But there's one thing wrong. I'm not ready to say goodbye to the past. For the four years I was here, I was looked at as an outcast,
someone who didn't belong. This year, I was lucky enough to find a group of friends that made me feel like I belong here at Reefside. And just
when I finally feel like I belong, we have to say goodbye and face the world alone. Sure, we've all made friends that will last a lifetime, myself
included. But the harsh reality is, we're not gonna see each other as much as we did when we were confined in the walls of Reefside High. I know
that those friends will be there for me when I need them. They're just a phone call away but it's not the same. Tonight, we make the change. We
go from being ourselves in a group to just being ourselves. I want to thank those of you who helped me this year because you made me feel like I
belonged. You know who you are. For that, I thank you and I love you."
With that, Ethan stepped down from the podium and took his seat. Tommy took over on the microphone.
"Thank you Ethan, very well put. Now, we move on with our ceremony. When I call your name, please come up and receive your diploma."
As Ethan sat waiting for his name, Kira's row was called and she made her way to the stage but not before grabbing Ethan by the shoulder.
"Beautiful speech, Ethan. I love you too." she whispered.
"Thank you, go graduate." he said with a smile.
"Kira Ford!" Tommy announced.
The crowd clapped as Kira accepted her diploma and hugged Tommy before walking off stage. As she passed Conner, she blew him a kiss. A few rows were called, then it was Anna's turn. Much like Kira, she told Ethan how much she enjoyed his speech.
"Anna Hutchins!" Tommy announced.
The crowd reacted and Tommy could swear he could hear Kim all the way up in the stands. When he looked at Anna, he realized it wasn't just him. They shared a laugh before Anna hugged him.
"Take care of mom for me, will ya?" She whispered.
"I will. And if I don't, Jason will." He reassured.
Again a few rows were called and it was Ethan's turn. Before walking up, he stole another glance at his friends. All of which were smiling for him.
"Ethan James!" Tommy announced.
Ethan received his diploma, shook Tommy's hand and hugged him before walking off stage. It seemed to take forever for Conner's row to be called and
Ethan could tell his friend was getting impatient. He quietly chuckled to himself at how Conner was reacting but he knew where it was coming from.
He had sat there and watched his girlfriend and two of his best friends graduate and now he has to play the waiting game. Finally, it was his turn.
As Conner passed Ethan he pointed at him and smiled, which was returned by Ethan.
"Conner McKnight!" Tommy announced.
Conner received his diploma, and much like Ethan, shook Tommy's hand and hugged him before walking off. A few minutes later, all the names had been read off and everyone had received their diploma. Tommy once again took to the microphone to end the ceremony.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce to you the graduating class of 2004!"
The students stood and threw their caps into the air. The gates then were opened and parents and friends could come down and be with their student.
Conner, Ethan, Kira and Anna stood to the side of the stage, waiting for Tommy to come down. When he did, they enveloped him in a group hug. A few
minutes later, Jason, Kim, Hayley and John came up to the group. Ethan's parents, Conner's parents, and Kira's parents were not far behind.
After a few minutes of talking with their parents, the kids decided that they wanted a group picture. Conner asked his mom if she would take it and
she was glad to. John stood on the end with Kimberly on his left. Jason stood next to her with Tommy standing next to him. Hayley was on the other end.
Kneeling in front of them were Conner, Kira, Ethan And Anna in their cap and gowns.
"Ready? On three. 1.2.3!" Mrs. McKnight said as she took the picture.
"Guys." Jason whispered.
As they looked to him, they noticed that he had stuck his hand out in the middle of them. Kimberly placed her hand on his, Tommy, Hayley, and John soon followed.
"Friends."
They looked at the kids with expectant eyes. Ethan placed his hand on John's. Anna and then Kira soon followed. They all looked at Conner.
"Friends? No, we're a family. Forever." He said as he placed his hand on top of the pile. They shared a smile with one another before jumping in the air.
"FOREVER!" They yelled.
The End.