Author Note:

Hello All! I do really appreciate the continued support. Degrassi: The New Era premiered in 2015. This is the 5th year doing this FanFic. With that said I do appreciate any feedback that you provide. I want this story to continue and hope that you too are enjoying it.

Thank you for being on this journey!

Degrassi: The New Era

Season Five

Episode 6

"Breathe Again"

Scene 1: Degrassi (Student Council Office). Afternoon

Alicia is eating lunch alone. Papers are scattered across the desk. She is so focused that she did not notice Red entering the room.

Red: Are you spending your lunch working?

Alicia: I have university essays to finish, plus I have a Student Council meeting after school.

Red starts to gather the papers from the desk. Alicia is confused.

Red: All right that is enough of that. I need you to take a break.

Alicia: I can't. I need to get this done.

Red starts to take deep breaths as Alicia stops and starts to calm herself down. Red takes a seat across from her and pulls out his lunch. Alicia smiles feeling at peace. She leans over the desk and kisses Red.

Red: What was that for?

Alicia: Thank you for being you and helping me get through all this.

A smile comes across Red's face as he looks into Alicia's eyes.

OPENING CREDITS

Scene 2: FabDesigns Office Building (Main Lobby). Morning

Dev escorts Ivy to the entrance of FabDesigns. They are holding coffee and having a conversation as they enter the building. They approach the elevator. Ivy turns to Dev with a smile.

Ivy: I'm serious Dev. You did not have to walk with me to work.

Dev: I know, but I wanted us to have some to catch up.

Ivy tries to hide her smile.

Ivy: Catch up, huh?

Dev: Yes, I mean it's been a while since we hung out. Maybe if you're free tonight we can catch a movie?

The elevator arrives, as she is about to give him an answer. She gives Dev a promising smile. Dev turns around with a smirk as he proceeds to exit the building.

Scene 3: Scott's House (Porch). Morning

Red approaches the Scott's residence. He starts to knock on the door but no answers. He tries knocking again. Shay opens the door with a surprised look on her face.

Shay: Red?

Red: Morning. Is Alicia around?

Shay: Yeah, she's upstairs getting ready for school.

Red: Can I see her? It's important.

Shay nods her head as she enters the house. Alicia arrives at the door confused.

Red: I thought we could walk to school together.

Alicia smiles and raises an eyebrow not believing his story.

Red: Fine! You caught me. I think you and I should take the day off, so let's skip school and hang out.

Alicia scuffs at the idea. She looks at Red with hesitation. Red gives her his best puppy-dog eyes, which makes Alicia smile.

Red: Alicia Scott, will you please join me in this fun excursion.

Alicia and Red share a kiss. Alicia appreciated the support Red has given her during her family issues.

Scene 4: Degrassi (Hall). Morning

Shay is sitting on the ground near her locker finishing her homework. Maxwell approaches from down the hall. He notices her on the ground and slides beside her. He lifts the book on her lap to see what she is reading.

Maxwell: Pre-Cal?

Shay: Alicia and her parents have helped me a lot. After everything with my mom and after I was expelled, so I just need things to go differently this year.

A flood of memories returns to Maxwell as he looks at Shay's maturity. Shay pushes her hair behind her ear. She notices Maxwell adoring gazes. She blushes and rises from the ground.

Shay: I should get going to class.

Shay starts to walk off.

Maxwell: Hey, Shay?

Shay turns around.

Maxwell: Do you want to hang out tonight?

Shay smiles as she continues to make her way down the hall. Maxwell tries to hide his excitement.

Scene 5: FabDesigns Offices (Conference Room). Afternoon

Ivy quietly sneaks into a meeting. All eyes were on her as she maneuvers her way to Maura. Maura was presenting not facing everyone else. She places a to-go container in front of her. Ivy tries to sneak back towards the door. Maura turns around to see Ivy.

Maura: Did you think this was an appropriate time to bring my lunch, Ivy, and interrupt my meeting?

Ivy turns to face her boss. Embarrassment was all over her face. Francesca chuckles.

Ivy: I'm sorry, Mrs. Dean. I wasn't notified that your schedule had changed, so I got your lunch as normal. Then I saw you were in this meeting and assumed that you -

Maura gestures her to stop speaking. She takes a seat at the head of the table. The room was silent. Everyone was hanging in suspense. Maura opens her lunch. She makes a smirk that could be confused as a frown.

Maura: I didn't hire you to assume, dear. I hired you as an intern who showed a promising future in Fashion. You have once again shown that you deserve to be here.

Ivy smiles in surprise. Francesca's smile disappears as her mood shifts.

Maura: Cons is usually beyond busy during this time of day, yet you managed to bring a meal from there.

Maura rises up and starts to walk towards Ivy.

Maura: I have an assignment for you, Ivy. If you do good, then I'll promote you to Head Assistant.

Francesca rises in anger.

Francesca: I'm the Head Assistant, Maura. Ivy does not have the experience to work with someone of your caliber so closely.

Maura: Stop by my office. I'll provide the details then.

Ivy tries to hide the excitement she was feeling. She leaves out the conference room.

Scene 6: Degrassi (Gymnasium). Afternoon

The Power Squad is practicing their routine. Members are performing tumbles, flips, and stunts. Lily watches intently. She wanted perfection. Shay takes her spot. Three other Power Squad members take their spots and lift Shay above their heads.

Lily: You are wobbling, Amanda! Try lifting more than a pint of ice cream.

Shay rolls her eyes at the comment. The girls place her back on the ground. Maxwell sneaks into the gym taking a seat on the bleachers.

Lily: Practice is over! You girls need to be better tomorrow or you are cut from the squad.

The girls start to disperse. Lily takes a deep breath and turns to see Maxwell. She makes her way over to him. Shay notices the flirtation. Kenzie approaches beside her.

Kenzie: She is the worst captain ever. I'll see you tomorrow, girl.

Kenzie makes her exit. Shay prepares herself as she makes her way to Maxwell and Lily. Lily takes notice of the two staring at each other.

Lily: Give me a call, Max.

Lily proceeds to make her way to the locker room.

Maxwell: I just stopped by because you never gave me an answer.

Shay: I thought I did. Sure, yeah, we should hang out.

Maxwell: It's a date.

Maxwell kisses Shay on the cheek. He quickly makes his way down the bleachers. Shay has a concerned look on her face.

Scene 7: The Dot. Afternoon

Alicia and Red enter the dock laughing.

Red: Find us a table? I'll get us some drinks.

Alicia heads towards one of the empty booths as Red is at the counter placing their orders. Amina is sitting with Nolan. She notices Alicia and approaches her.

Amina: I've been looking for you all day, Alicia. We had a council meeting after school.

Alicia: I wasn't feeling well. I just needed the day off.

Amina: You're the President, Alicia. Harriet has been harassing me about social events for the semester. You also missed the deadline for the next issue of the Degrassi Grapevine.

Alicia: Email me the proposals. I will look at them tonight. The Grapevine will be fine missing one issue.

Amina sighs in frustration. Red joins them at the booth. He places a drink in front of Alicia.

Red: Everything okay here?

Nolan: Let's just go, Mina.

Amina rolls her eyes and walks off with Nolan. Red takes a seat.

Red: We've seen a movie, had lunch and hit up the arcade. I think today went pretty well.

Amina tries to force a smile, but Red knew something was wrong.

Alicia: Today was a mistake, Red. I had fun. Probably the most fun I had in a long time. And that is because of you. You are the best boyfriend.

Red starts to smile as he takes her hand.

Red: I'm your boyfriend? This the first time you said that.

Alicia: In the last few weeks we've been spending a lot of time together, so I just assumed.

Red leans across the table and kisses Alicia. She is pleasantly surprised. They continue to kiss.

Scene 8: FabDesigns Office Building (Main Lobby). Afternoon

Dev stands in the main lobby patiently waiting. He turns to the opening elevator to see Ivy. He has a concerned look on his face as he approaches her.

Dev (worried): I got your message. Is everything okay?

Ivy's blank faces turn into a smile. She jumps into Dev's arms. Dev is confused but shares in her excitement.

Ivy: I got my first design assignment.

Dev: That's amazing, Ivy. I'm so proud of you. We should celebrate.

Ivy: Yeah, we should.

Dev: Great. Let's meet tonight. I'll text you.

Ivy smiles as Dev leaves. She could not contain her excitement. Francesca approaches with a scowl.

Francesca: You're not in the office.

Ivy: No. I was going to meet a friend. Maura gave me my first design assignment.

Francesca: I wouldn't celebrate too soon with your little boyfriend. Maura frowns upon relationships. If you're not focused it could be the end of your time here.

Francesca leaves with a satisfied grin.

Scene 9. Scott's Home (Porch). Night

Shay and Maxwell approach the porch in silence. Shay opens the door. She turns around to face Maxwell.

Shay: This was nice, Maxwell. I appreciate you taking me out.

Maxwell leans in for a kiss as Shay tries to hug him. The moment becomes even more awkward. Maxwell extends his hand for a handshake.

Maxwell: I should probably get going.

Shay enters the house. Maxwell has a defeated look on his face. He starts steps of the porch.

Scene 10. Scott's Home (Alicia's Room). Night

Shay enters Alicia's room and falls onto the bed. Alicia is a seat at her desk.

Alicia: Bad date.

Shay: The worst date ever. There was no spark. He even tried to kiss me, but I went in for a hug.

Alicia moves from her desk to the bed.

Alicia: Red and I are officially a couple.

Shay bounces up and releases a screech.

Shay: That's great. I'm happy to see you back out there. I thought Jack was your prince charming.

Alicia: I'm happy with Red. He makes me…I can't even describe it. I feel bubbly when I'm around him. If you're not feeling that with Maxwell you should tell him.

Shay sighs and falls back onto the bed.

Scene 11: The Dot. Night

Ivy is seated at a booth sketching. Jordan approaches with a cup of coffee and places it in front of Ivy. He takes a seat.

Jordan: You know I love you, Ivy, but we're closing soon. I want to go see my boyfriend.

Ivy pushes her sketchbook in frustration.

Ivy: Maura asked me to design a collection that represents me. I don't know who I am, Jordan. I was this awkward girl in high school.

Jordan (sniffles): You were far from awkward. You were by definition the queen bee at Degrassi. You were the Vice-President, Valedictorian, and the Captain of Spirit Squad.

Jordan starts to wipe down a nearby booth table.

Jordan: I'm closing up, so wrap it up.

Jack enters the Dot. He notices Ivy and waves.

Jack: Hey Ives.

Jordan: I'll be done in five.

Ivy looks at her sketchbook. She receives a call from Dev. She flips the phone over ignoring the call.

Scene 12: Degrassi (JT Yorke Memorial Garden). Morning

Shay passes the memorial garden and notices Maxwell. She takes a moment to collect her thoughts before entering. A smile comes across Maxwell at the sight of Shay. He approaches her and the two have an awkward kiss.

Shay and Maxwell take a seat on the bench. They remain quiet for a quick moment both trying to figure out what to say next. Shay turns to face Maxwell.

Shay: I think –

Maxwell takes her hand. He takes a deep breath.

Maxwell: This isn't going to work.

Shay is relieved.

Shay: I feel the same.

They both snicker in their slight humiliation.

Maxwell: We both changed.

Shay: And we should be moving forward and not backward.

Maxwell: I could not agree more. I will always want you in my life, Shay.

Shay: Me too.

The two hug glad they could remain friends.

Shay: Walk me to class?

Maxwell grabs his book bag and the two start to walk down the hall.

Scene 13: Degrassi (Student Council Office). Morning

Red knocks on the door as he enters the room. Alicia turns around and smiles. They share a kiss.

Alicia: Hey, Boyfriend.

Red: Good Morning, Girlfriend.

Alicia: I'm super busy today playing catch up due to our little adventure, so I can't stand here and kiss you like this.

Red wraps his arms around Alicia pulling her body closer to his.

Red: I thought the kissing was a benefit of a girlfriend.

Red and Alicia kiss once again, but Alicia pushes him back.

Alicia: I'm serious, Red.

Red pulls Alicia closer to him again.

Red: I know, which is why I joined the student council. Meet your new Secretary.

Alicia burst into laughter. Red started to smile seeing Alicia once again having fun and laughing. Red holds her in his arms as he joins in the laughter. They proceed to exit the office with Red arms around Alicia.

CLOSING CREDITS

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