AN: Hey everyone! Wow…thanks for the reviews (once more), I know the last two chapters have been pretty out of it so I took a slight break from writing this one to clear my head of all worries of school (which has now started, sadly…but at least the first two days are over…I actually had this chapter done a few days ago but I forgot all about it, I couldn't get any sleep the night before school started, so I feel asleep at 3 AM and then woke up at 7 for school…very sad indeed).

Later on in this chapter, Ms. H is mentioned, sorry but I don't know how to spell her name so it more than likely is spelled wrong!

Anyways, here's Chapter 23…hope you like!

R&R and please, no flames!

Lotsa love, degrassichick

P.S. Has anybody seen Miriam McDonald (Emma) in the Lifetime Movie She's Too Young? I was watching it with a friend of mine earlier; she was pretty good in it…true she once again had an STD caused from oral sex but…oh well.

-x-

Chapter 23

-x-

Emma leaned her back against the headboard of her bed, her eyes closed and humming along to The All-American Reject's Stab My Back, trying to clear all thoughts and worries of graduation…and still trying to decide whether or not her parents were aware she wouldn't be living with them the following year.

And every time he held you close…

Were you thinking of me?

She immediately thought of Jay and Alex's previous relationship, true the song mentioned a 'he' but she had replaced it to 'she' and wondered the same thing.

"Emma!" Dinner's ready!" Spike called down the stairs.

Emma removed her headphones and turned off her portable CD player, sitting it on her bed before swinging her legs over the side and slowly dragging herself up the stairs.

Her hair was up in a ponytail and she was wearing a red tee shirt and a pair of white pajama pants with red hearts on them and a pair of rainbow colored socks.

She entered the living room and saw Jack in his high chair and Spike and Snake sitting at the table.

"What's for dinner?" she asked, sitting at the table.

Snake leaned down and brought a brown paper bag back up with him.

"Take out…we got you lo mein noodles and egg rolls just like you like…" Snake said and pulled out two take out containers and handing them to her.

"Thanks…" she said with a slight smile and opening the containers.

"So…" Spike started, "are you planning on going to Jay's graduation next week?"

They don't know…

Great…just great…

"Uh…yeah…about that-"

Just then the phone rang.

"Hold that thought…" Spike stated before getting up and walking to the phone, answering with a cheery "Hello?"

Emma twirled her chopsticks around in her container and watched as Jack stared determinedly at his chicken on a stick, as if trying to figure out how to get it off of the stick.

Snake eventually leaned over and removed it, cutting up into small pieces for him.

"Thanks daddy." Jack said giddily with a smile on his small lips.

"That is great!" Spike exclaimed enthusiastically over the phone, "Yes…yes…I'm telling him right now. Thank you so much, Dr. Greenly, goodbye."

Emma glanced at her confusingly as she made her way back to the table and sat down, "What was that all about?"

Spike smiled up at Snake happily, "You're in remission."

Snake's eyes widened, as did Emma's.

"What?" both asked in unison.

Spike nodded, "It's true. They got your blood tests back."

Snake smiled and pulled Spike into a hug before giving Jack and Emma big smiles.

Spike turned to Emma with a smile, "Now honey what were you going to say?"

Emma glanced around at her family before shaking her head, she couldn't tell them now, not when they were so happy, "Sorry I forgot what I was going to say. I'm really happy for you dad." She said and turned to Snake with a smile planted on her lips.

-x-

"You haven't told them?" Manny exclaimed over the phone the next afternoon.

"I haven't gotten around to it yet…" Emma drifted.

"Emma, graduation is in a week!"

Emma rolled her eyes, "I know Manny."

"Well you have to tell them." Manny stated firmly.

"I know Manny." Emma drawled.

"Are they going to it even?" Manny asked.

Emma sighed, "Yeah, Snake wants to watch his old class graduate."

"And his daughter apparently." Manny added in, a smirk coming through her voice.

Emma rolled her eyes, "Yeah I guess."

"So when are you going to tell them?" Manny asked.

Emma sat up in her bed quickly, "Manny I don't know!" she exclaimed.

Manny laughed through the phone, "Alright, alright."

Emma sighed and leaned back on the bed, "Tonight."

-x-

That night wasn't good either, due to Snake's good news, Spike had invited Joey, Caitlin, Craig, and Angela over for dinner.

"This is great chicken Christine." Snake stated with a smile, placing his fork in his mouth.

"Thanks Archie." Spike said with a smile, "So, Craig…how's school going?" she asked, turning to the brunette.
Craig shrugged, "Normal…everybody's pretty pumped about graduation. I'm betting Emma is."

Emma kicked him under the table.

Craig's eyes widened and his mouth formed an O.

"Is Jay staying in town?" Caitlin asked turning towards Emma.

Emma nodded.

"But you're not, right Emma?" Angela asked.

Emma's eyes widened and Craig turned to Angela, "How did you know?" he asked in a whisper.

"I heard you and Jimmy talking about the people graduating over the phone." Angela stated factually.

"You bugged my phone?" he asked.

Angela giggled and nodded.

"Well Emma was planning on going to University of Montreal after graduation but that's not for over a year Angie." Spike said with a smile.
Emma sighed.

Might as well just do it right now.

Yup.

"Actually…" Emma stated, sitting her napkin that she had been dabbing her mouth with down on the table, "I'm um…I'm graduating early."

Snake's fork dropped, "What?"

"Honey why didn't you tell us?" Spike asked worriedly, turning towards her daughter.

Emma nodded, "I did, way back in October."

"I don't remember that, Emma. We need to talk about this." Spike said.

Emma shrugged, "There's really nothing to talk about. I'm graduating early and moving to Montreal this summer. That's why I was tutoring Jay, to get the money for it."

Spike's face held an expression as if her heart was slowly breaking, "Emma…honey…"

Emma scooted her chair back and got up, turning on her heel and walking out of the kitchen and towards the basement.

"I'll go talk to her…" Snake said, slowly getting up.

Craig shook his head, "I will." He stated and got up, following her downstairs.

-x-

"Mom, I don't want to talk about it right now!" Emma exclaimed, her head buried under her pillows, lying on her stomach.

"Well you don't have to worry about that, it's Craig." Craig stated, walking into her room and sitting at the foot of her bed, "I remember this room."

Emma scoffed, "Don't bring that back up."

"Why are you moving?" Craig asked.

Emma lifted her head up, sending pillows flying before she turned to glance at Craig, mascara ran down her cheeks leaving black streaks, "Because I just can't stand it here!"

Craig rolled his eyes, "So you're just running away from your problems?"

Emma shrugged, "All I know is Toronto, I need to get out."

"We've been to Stouffville." Craig noted offensively, "And I know you've been to Wasaga Beach."

Emma rolled her eyes, "I've already been accepted at the University of Montreal. I'm sharing an apartment with some freshmen there, and I'm going to get a job and leave Toronto just in the past."

"What about Jay?" Craig asked.

Emma sniffled, "I wasn't planning on Jay when I decided all of this."

"And now…?"

"And now it's too late to change my mind and even if I still could I wouldn't."

"But you love him…right?"

Emma nodded, "Yeah but I'll keep in touch. This is just something I have to do for me."

Craig sighed, "Well…I guess it's up to you."

Emma nodded once more.

"Well when in doubt you can confront Craig." He said with a smile and nudged her shoulder with her hand.

"Or us." Two other voices said.

Emma glanced up and saw Spike and Snake standing at the foot of the stairs.

Emma jumped up from her bed and ran towards them, pulling them into a hug, "I'm sorry." She whispered.

Snake patted her back, "It's okay, I just wish we would have listened earlier."

"I'm sorry Emma." Spike whispered as well, hugging her tighter as Emma cried onto her shoulder.

-x-

"So how'd they take it?" Jay asked as the two of them sat in his Civic the following day.

Emma shrugged, "Okay I guess. I mean they're not the happiest people in the world right now but…"

"I can't believe I'm graduating in less than a week." Jay said, wide eyed.

"Well so am I." Emma stated and leaned her head against his shoulder.

Jay nodded, "Yeah, but I'll hardly see you this summer, when are you leaving."

"July first." Emma stated.

Jay sighed and leaned his head against his head rest, the two remaining silent for a short amount of time.

Jay looked down at her blonde head, "You know I'll miss you right?"

Emma nodded against his shoulder, "Yeah…"

"And you know I love you right?"

Emma nodded once more, "Yeah."

-x-

Ms. Hatzakolos called off the names as they stood in the auditorium.

"Hazel Aden." She said with a smile on her face as Hazel stood up to the stage and accepted her diploma, smiling genuinely.

She went through the rest of the list, naming a sort of students before landing on Jason Hogart.

Emma clapped loudly from where she sat sandwiched between Ellie Nash and Amy Olsen, who was continuously shooting her dirty looks.

Suddenly it was as if Ms. H just zoomed through Craig, Spinner, Paige and Ellie's names and suddenly landed on Emma Nelson.

Emma stood up and walked towards the stage, glancing back at all of her friends standing in the audience cheering, she saw Manny, Toby, Liberty, and JT all clapping and smiling at her.

Emma walked up on the stage, smiling at Ms. H who whispered 'good luck' in her ear before she smiled for the camera, hugged Ms. Hatzakolos and made her way back down the stage steps, smiling at Jay who's facial expression was nothing but happiness for her.

-

"I now present to you Degrassi Community School's Class of 2006!" Ms. H exclaimed as all the students tossed their hats into the air.

As soon as Emma tossed hers she spun around and saw Jay standing right behind her, tossing a cap into her hand.

Emma glanced at him confusingly.

Jay rolled his eyes, "Consider it a souvenir." He stated.

Emma laughed before leaning down and grabbing hers, tossing it at him.

"There have one for yourself." She said with a smile.

"Emma!" voices shouted from behind.
Emma spun around and saw Manny, JT, Liberty, and Toby running towards her and all grabbing her into one big giant hug.

"Hey guys…" she said, her voice wheezing from lack of breath.
They let go of her and all beamed at her with happiness on their face.

Emma smiled right back at them.

"How fair is it that she got to graduate before us?" JT asked, "I mean seriously, oh these hollow halls of stone-"

"-make me want to dial home." Manny, Emma, Toby, and Liberty all finished for him.

JT rolled his eyes, "Well fine."

"Remember, we're throwing a party in your honor tonight at my place." Manny stated, grinning, "So be there around six."

Emma nodded, "Alright I'll be there."

"It's just a close party…" Toby stated, glancing over at Jay warningly.

Manny slugged his arm, "You can come too if you want Jay, Sean will be there."

"Because he will love to see his ex with his best friend." Toby noted.

Manny rolled her eyes, "He's moved on."

"Guys, I'll see you tonight, okay?" Emma answered.

Manny nodded, "Sure. See you. C'mon guys." She said and turned walking off, the others following closely behind.

Emma spun around and walked back towards Jay, smiling at him, "So are you going to come?"

Jay sighed, "If I have to."

Emma rolled her eyes, "Well you don't have too…I'll just hang out with my friends."

Jay nodded, "My mom wanted to take me out to dinner anyway, with my dad and my uncle."

Emma smiled, "Sounds fun."

Jay nodded before turning and seeing Mrs. Hogart smiling at him, he turned back to Emma quickly, "So I'll call you tomorrow or something, okay?"

Emma nodded, "Okay." she stated before placing a small peck on his lips before she watched him take off.

Just then she felt two arms wrap around her waist, she turned and saw Snake smiling at her.

Emma hugged him back.

"I'm so proud of you." He stated into her hair.

"We both are." Spike said with a smile, coming up behind Snake.

Emma grinned and nodded, "Thanks."

"So I was thinking we could go out for a graduation lunch, how does that sound?" Snake suggested.

Emma smiled, "That sounds great."

-x-

The four Simpson-Nelson's all sat around a nice restaurant in downtown Toronto, accompanied by JT and Manny who Spike had asked to come along.

"No, no, no Jack…you do it like this." JT stated to the young boy, he ripped off the top part of the straw wrapper and placed it to his lips before blowing.

The paper from the wrapper flew straight into Manny's hair.

Manny took it off and ripped it up, setting it aside, "We can't take him anywhere nice can we?" she joked with a laugh.

Spike laughed along with her, "Certainly not."

JT rolled his eyes, "Well thanks, I see how much I'm wanted."

Emma laughed, "We love you anyways JT."

"Aw thanks, that makes me feel better." He scoffed sarcastically.

Manny glanced over at Emma, "So when are you leaving?"

"July." Emma responded.

Snake smiled at her softly, "We're gonna miss having you around."

You're barely even around.

Be nice! He's in remission.

I wasn't trying to be mean.

"I'll miss you guys too, but don't worry I'll call and visit a lot." Emma reassured.

Spike sighed, "It still won't be the same honey."

Emma nodded, "I know."

-x-

A few hours later, Emma could be found on the doorstep of the Santos residence, ringing the doorbell.

The door swung open and she was face to face with Sean.

"Hey Em." Sean acknowledged coolly, holding the door open for her so she could step inside.

Night Drive by The All-American Rejects was blasting through the speakers and she saw tons of students from Degrassi dancing around the living room.

"Hey Em!" Manny exclaimed, running over to her.

She was wearing a brown conductor cap, a white asymmetrical top with one long sleeve, leaving her other shoulder bare, a pair of brown flip flops and a brown and tan pinstriped skirt while Emma was in a cyan tank top with a white jacket over it that fell to her chest bone and a white skirt along with plain white sneakers and her blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail.

"Hey." Emma responded with a smile as Manny led her over towards her friends.

"Is Jay coming?" Manny asked over the music.

Emma shook her head, "He already had plans."

Manny eyed her suspiciously.

"With his mom." She finished.

Manny's face softened a bit.

"Well don't worry, there are tons of people here to hang out with." She stated, gesturing around the room.

Emma saw people from grades ten and eleven, but none from grade twelve, they more than likely had their own parties to attend.

"Did you go to anyone else's party after lunch?" Emma asked.

Manny nodded, "I stopped by Hazel's, Jimmy's, Marco's and then over to Paige's."

Emma nodded, "Thanks for throwing this party for me, Manny."

Manny grinned at her and pulled her into a hug, "You're my best friend, what'd you expect me to do? Just sit around? Uh…no, I don't think so. But besides, this isn't just my doing either, JT, Toby, and Liberty helped."

"Remind me to thank them later." Emma said with a smile as she bobbed her head along to the music which had now changed to Jerk it Out by Caesar.

"I will." Manny stated with a smile, "But for now, we've gotta dance." She said and looped her arm through Emma's.

The two walked towards the dance floor and joined up with JT, Toby, Liberty and Darcy.

-x-

Emma stepped through the front door of her house around one in the morning. She made her way down the hallway and to the basement door, slipping off her shoes and carrying them in her hands, stepping down each step lightly, hoping to not wake anybody up.

She entered her bedroom and tossed the shoes onto the floor before flopping down on her bed and sighing.

She was excited about Montreal, but not excited about anything else about it.

After tonight she had realized she had some of the best friends in the world and she didn't want to lose them. She didn't want to leave her family behind. She didn't want to leave Jay behind.

Just then she noticed an envelope on her bed.

She opened it up and pulled out a paper, reading over the handwriting.

Hey Emma…my name is Lanie; I'm going to be your new roommate here in Montreal. Just figured I'd give you all of my address info and such so you would know where to find me once you got here. I'm on 1515 Gerard Place, it's a tall brick townhouse style apartment and I'm on the second floor room 213. I'll see you in a month!

-Lanie

Emma sighed and sat it down, that letter had just made everything more realistic than it already was.

-x-

Okay so what'd you think?

Once again, sorry I can't give out the shout outs…sorry! But you all know that I love your reviews so much and that I thank each of you with gratitude and an imaginary Godiva chocolate bar (Godiva…sigh…good stuff, lol).

Thanks so much!

R&R and please, no flames!

Lotsa love, degrassichick