AUTHORS NOTE:

THE CONTENT IN THIS CHAPTER IS FOR A MATURE AUDIENCE.

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 12

"Keep Holding On Pt. 1"

Scene 1: Degrassi (Main Foyer). Morning

Students somberly enter Degrassi.

Emma (over PA system): Good Morning Panthers. We have set up grief counseling sessions during all free periods for the remainder of the week.

Ke'Anna makes her way into the building. All eyes were on her. She notices Brandon's locker decorated with balloons, cards, and bears. She stands in front of the locker looking at a blown-up picture of him.

Her emotions take over and she starts to destroy the memorial. She tosses items at the nearby students.

Ke'Anna: Everyone here is phony! None of you cared about him!

Alicia breaks through the crowd. Ke'Anna starts to kick and punch Brandon's locker. She slams against the locker sliding to the floor. Alicia takes a seat next to her.

Alicia: Hey. It's going to be okay.

Alicia wraps her arm around Ke'Anna comforting her in her time of need.

Ke'Anna: How? Brandon is dead. And I'm – I'm…

Alicia: I know, but you are not alone. I am right here.

Ke'Anna buries her face into Alicia's shoulder.

OPENING CREDITS

Scene 2: Degrassi (Gymnasium). Morning

Students are seated in a circle. Some students are silent and others are shedding tears.

Mrs. Gupta: You all went through something traumatic. I am not here to tell you what to feel or how to feel. I'm here to simply listen. Does anyone want to share?

Everyone looks around. No one wanted to be the first to share. Xavier raises his hand.

Xavier: I don't mind sharing.

Mrs. Gupta: Thank you, Mr. Matthews.

Xavier: Brandon and I weren't always close, but we became friends. He is…I mean he was a fierce competitor.

Mrs. Gupta: Thank you for sharing. Anyone else?

Harriet: I was scared.

Harriet draws the attention of Amina who is sitting across from her.

Harriet: I tried to call my mother, but she wasn't answering. I felt like I couldn't breathe, but I had a friend…another student to help me through it. I think it made me realize that we're never safe. Any day could be our last. I think we should tell people how we feel more often.

Amina smiles as the bell begins to ring.

Mrs. Gupta: Services are also available before and after school.

Students gather their things and begin to exit.

Scene 3: Degrassi (Hall). Morning

Amina sprints to Harriet's side.

Amina: How's your mom?

Harriet pauses.

Harriet: She is still shaken up. She was hiding in a janitor's closet.

Lily makes her way towards the gymnasium. She overheard their conversation, as she got closer.

Harriet: She said she heard the gun go off.

Lily: Excuse me? What did you just say?

Xavier notices Lily starting to becoming worked up.

Xavier: No…No…No…Lily calm down.

Lily (furious): Her mother could have done something to help! Let me go! Brandon is gone because her mother was scared to get out of a closet! I said let me go!

He grabs her and takes her away as she kicks and screams.

Xavier: You need to calm down.

Xavier carries Lily away. Tears begin to roll down Harriet's cheek.

Amina: It's alright. Everyone is just going through the motions. She is not mad at you. She is just looking for someone to blame.

Harriet: I should get to class.

Harriet wipes the tears from her face and makes her exit. Amina had a concerned look on her face.

Scene 4: The Dot. Afternoon

Ivy races into the Dot. She wraps her arms around Jack.

Ivy: How are you? I was worried.

They take a seat at a nearby booth.

Ivy: I can't believe Brandon was shot.

Jack: You dated him?

Ivy (chuckling): That was a long time ago.

Ivy looks over her shoulder noticing Jordan is missing at the counter.

Jack: He doesn't work here anymore. I guess seeing me is too hard for him.

Ivy: I can't believe he broke up with you. You were so cute together.

Jack lowers his Ivy.

Ivy: You're hiding something.

Jack: I think I still might have feelings for Decker, but I'm not sure what I should do about them.

Ivy: I think you should follow your heart.

Jack sighs in frustration as he bangs his forehead on the table.

Jack: How did I get myself in this situation?

Ivy places her hand on Jack's shoulder.

Scene 5: Degrassi (Gymnasium). Afternoon

Shay leads the Power Squad routine. Lily enters the gym with confusion.

Lily: Who started practice without me?

The girls stop. Shay gestures them to take a break.

Shay: Hey. We didn't know if you would be at practice with everything that has happened.

Lily: I'm the captain! This is my squad.

Shay: I was just trying to help out.

Lily: Well I don't need your help. Matter of fact you're off the team.

Shay chuckles.

Shay: Fine!

She did not want to argue. She grabs her bag and proceeds to exit the gym. The squad watches from afar. Lily turns her attention to them.

Lily: Get to work!

The team resumes its practice.

Scene 6: The Ravine. Night

Ke'Anna navigates her way through the ravine. She takes a seat in front of the bonfire. She observes everyone. Maddox makes an appearance exiting a parked van with a girl. They kiss before going their separate ways.

Manny sneaks behind Ke'Anna taking a seat behind her.

Manny: Are you sure, you should be here?

Ke'Anna ignores him. Her eyes are locked onto Maddox.

Manny: You need time to process.

Ke'Anna: Please don't tell me what I need.

Manny: Brandon was my friend too. You don't think I want justice for him. We can't let our feelings blind us.

Ke'Anna rises. She storms towards Maddox.

Maddox: Hey! If it isn't my favorite ex.

Ke'Anna pushes Maddox to the ground.

Maddox (laughing): Someone is upset?

Manny: Let's get out of here.

Manny tries to hold Ke'Anna back, but she was a tough one.

Maddox: Let her go. She has something to say so let her say it.

Maddox rises from the ground.

Ke'Anna: I know you killed Brandon!

Manny takes ahold of Ke'Anna and leads her away from everyone. Ke'Anna fights Manny until he lets go of her. She storms off.

Scene 7: Degrassi (J.T Memorial Garden). Morning

Jack makes his way through the hall. He notices Decker sitting inside the memorial garden studying. He knocks as he stands at the door threshold.

Jack: You weren't here yesterday. Is everything okay?

Decker closes his books.

Decker: Reporters have been surrounding our house trying to ask questions about Brandon. I just need to catch up on school. Looks like I might be repeating my senior year once again.

Jack moves further into the room. He takes a seat next to Decker.

Jack: I've been meaning to talk to you. I heard about what you did… running back into the school to find me.

Jack reaches for Decker's hand, but he pulls away. Decker rises from the bench.

Decker: I just didn't want to see you hurt again. It's been a rough year for you.

Jack: Yeah… It has, but you've been there for me.

Jack stands and moves closer to Decker.

Decker (softly): Jack…

Jack and Decker lock lips. Decker pulls away from Jack.

Decker: I need to get to class. I'll talk to you later.

Decker races out of the room leaving Jack confused.

Scene 8. Degrassi (Science Lab). Afternoon

Students are entering the classroom.

Ms. Teague: Everyone please take a seat at your stations.

Amina makes her towards Harriet, but Harriet quickly takes a seat with another person. Amina shakes her head and process to grab her things and exit the classroom.

Scene 9: Degrassi (Ladies Bathroom). Afternoon

Amina runs into the bathroom. She tries to hold back her emotions. She takes deep breaths. The door opens. Harriet approaches Amina.

Amina: I can't keep doing this back and forth, Harriet. I get that you're scared of your parents, but I like you.

Harriet: I like you too, but my parents are everything to me and you are asking me to go against everything I have been taught.

Amina: I'm asking you to choose to be happy.

Harriet: Happiness?

Harriet without thinking presses her lip against Amina.

Scene 10: Degrassi (Cafeteria). Afternoon

Ke'Anna takes a seat in front of Manny.

Ke'Anna: I should apologize for the other night.

Manny: It's alright. When my mom died, I felt like everyone was to blame for my pain. I started to use drugs, hang with the wrong crowd, and skip school. I was a mess, but it got better. It's still getting better.

Ke'Anna: I had a bad feeling. It just feels like I let this happen. He would have never been involved with Maddox.

Manny: Is that what you think? Brandon was the most hard-headed and stubborn person I know. You couldn't change his mind if you wanted to.

Ke'Anna starts to smile.

Manny: There we go… a smile.

The two continue to eat their lunches. Ke'Anna felt at ease with Manny.

Scene 11: Degrassi (Hall). Afternoon

Xavier approaches Lily. She rolls her eyes as she closes her locker shut.

Lily: I do not need a lecture from you.

Xavier: You shouldn't be here, Lil. You've been lashing out and being a bitc—

Lily: -Don't you even think about finishing that sentence. I didn't date Brandon long, but he was special to me. I'm tired of people saying I'm being dramatic. Meanwhile, Ke'Anna is walking around destroying everything in her path.

Xavier tries to speak, but Lily stops him.

Lily: I don't care. Just leave me alone.

Lily storms away.

Scene 12: The Dot. Afternoon

Jack is clearing tables. Decker enters the Dot.

Jack: I'll be right with you.

Jack looks up to see Decker.

Jack: Hey. Sorry. We're a little understaffed today.

Decker: I just wanted to say sorry for earlier. Everything just caught me off guard. I didn't even know you still felt that way about us.

Jack: I'm sorry. I should not have just kissed you.

Decker: It's not the first time.

Jack starts to chuckle. He moves closer to Decker.

Jack: If I'm not mistaken you kissed me.

Decker smiles and moves closer to Jack. They lock eyes. Decker takes ahold of Jack's hand.

Decker: You need some help?

Jack nods as Decker grabs one of the bus pans. Jack and Decker work together to clear tables.

Scene 13: Degrassi (Main Foyer). Afternoon

Harriet and Mrs. Morton enter the school. Amina and Nolan are sitting on the steps.

Nolan: There go your girl.

Amina smiles as she glances over to Harriet. Harriet notices Amina but doesn't say anything. Amina looks at Nolan. She rises and makes her way to Harriet.

Amina: Hey.

Harriet: Morning.

A moment of silence. Harriet looks over to her mother.

Harriet: I'll see you in class.

Harriet continues to walk down the hall with her mother. Amina turns around making her way back to Nolan. She receives a notification on her phone. "Meet me in our spot." Amina turns around to see Harriet looking her way with a smile.

CLOSING CREDITS

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