So, this is "technically" the last chapter. The last chapter is an epilogue, sort of to wrap everything up. To no one's surprise, the last chapter of this story is a graduation.


Toby's POV

It was time. Finally. After three months of dealing with them. I was finally leaving this school.

At first, I was happy, eager to finally leave, before I realized the possible, yet uncertain future ahead of me. Was I ready? I asked myself, but I shrugged it off, hoping the feeling of leaving those Lakehurst students behind would outweigh my worries.

Three months of dealing with them, I had successfully managed to avoid another confrontation afterwards. There were, of course, time when I wanted to launch a blow at them, for them to shut up, but I held it back.

They may have called me a Degrassi nerd, but that was what I was to them, and they knew beyond that that if they got me on the wrong side, they would be on the floor in pain. They knew it.

Emiko had been a nice assistance and girlfriend. Over the course of those months, our relationship had blossomed, like the flowers had during these times. We would go out, enjoy ourselves and somethings hold each other.

Our favorite past time, was actually bowling, it was unexpected, but wasn't the entire thing unexpected for the two of us?

It was shocking, but something I accepted.

As for Craig, learning he was also dating Ellie, at long last, I cheered for him, happy that he had finally taken the plunge.

Regardless, I knew that this would be an interesting time.

To my surprise, after Sean had left, Emma had found comfort in Spinner of all people. Very shocking in my opinion, but I shrugged it off, not caring really.

If anything, the friendship between Spinner, Jay and I was actually at its best ever since. We were more on the joking end of it. Jay and Spinner were clear jokesters that I learned not to take seriously, and even fire back at a joke of my own. I began to understand the kind of people they were whenever we hung around.

That's not to say that everything was positive between the three of us, but it was better. A few arguments, that quickly got solved.

I heard a pair of crutches in the background, and I turned around to see Jimmy. Apparently, he had gotten a controversial surgery that was helping him to walk again. It wasn't perfect, clearly, but it got him off the wheelchair, which he said was always a positive.

His girlfriend, which wasn't Ashley anymore, but Trina had recommended it to him, and he agreed after some hesitation, both from himself and his parents.

I sighed; it was the last day for us seniors. It was crazy.

I looked in the yearbook, seeing myself in grade 9, and even younger, realizing how much of a nerd and a geek I was. Of course, that wasn't a bad thing, it had its positives, but the transformation I had was clearly there.

I remember showing Emiko this, hesitantly, of course, only for her to laugh and pout at how cute I was. Yes cute, she saw my grade 9 self as cute. Thank God that changed.

But a good look at the past and present was astonishing in my opinion.

Grade nine had the look of a clearly chubby, nerd with glasses on his face, jawline absent, covered by skin, with unremarkable features.

However, grade twelve was a transformation. A taller, leaner, but more muscular figure, standing more upright, the glasses absent, replaced by contacts, a jawline now noticeable, as the strength in my body, from years of exercise was now noticeable.

When I saw it, I was shocked, but so was everyone else. Emiko was of course the biggest reactor, going from "wow he's so adorable!" to "oh my god, how did you get so handsome?!"

It was kind of funny, except being called cute by your girlfriend.

Of course, the others knew what I used to look like, and now, so they didn't have a surprised reaction. Instead, it was more of acceptance and praise.

"Good job, Toby, you really improved yourself." Were among the most common reactions I would get, even from my own parents, as they smiled at how healthy I had gotten.

It was a journey, but one I would do again. It was a turning point for me, a turning point for myself to show myself to Degrassi, to prove myself as more.

With graduation, Emiko's was actually a week earlier than mine, so I went alongside her to show her appreciation. Her parents and older sister were there as well, with that being the first time introducing myself as Emiko's boyfriend. It felt like a crazy thing to say, but in reality, it just flowed right, and I found myself proud at that.

They accepted me, complimenting me on how good I used to look. Of course, when I showed them a photo of a younger me, they were shocked at the change, but praised me for my efforts.

As for Emiko, she was also somewhat different when she was younger, but like me, also appeared to have had a glow up.

"Aww, your so cute looking." I teased Emiko, mimicking what she said to me prior, which caused her to blush in embarrassment.

I could see the faces of graduates onto me, but the only face I was staring at the entire time was Emiko's, she was smiling to me, as I saw her talk with a few friends before she walked with me, as we enjoyed the ceremony.

And don't get me started on prom. When a boy asked Emiko for a dance, I was so jealous, and Emiko laughed it off saying it was one of her few classmates she knew, and that he knew of you.

I grumbled, telling her I got to dance with a girl named Emma then, and she laughed in response with a sure.

But interestingly, our prom was shortly after Emiko's graduation, or a week before ours, and so that's when most in Degrassi got ahold of my relationship status.

The faces on everyone when they saw Emiko, and heck, even I was shocked at how beautiful she looked.

I remember it clearly, I was with Craig, Jimmy, Spinner, Manny, Emma, and Ellie. Jay managed to get in after asking the principal and miraculously was accepted.

"Come on, I told my girlfriend if she wanted to dance with a guy, I got to dance with a girl from my school. Can I have a dance, Emma?" I asked, a bit serious, but also joking, knowing Spinner may get a little jealous.

"How do I know you're not lying; I have never seen your girlfriend before." Spinner replied, and Jay chuckled.

"He said her name was Emiko."

"I have seen her before, and I'm not joking Toby's got a fine one." Craig nonchalantly said, which earned him a stare from Ellie, which he eased with a kiss and a hand over her shoulder.

I nodded, "Emiko's her name, and she said she would be a bit late."

"How do I know you're not bluffing and trying to get away with my girlfriend?" Spinner grinned at me.

I chuckled, "Oh trust me, it's not me you should worry about, but rather you pleasing Emma with your half nut."

I heard Jay spit his drink out after that and Jimmy's mouth widened in pure shock at that statement. Manny and Craig burst into laughter while Spinner later joined in as well. Emma simply blushed and hid her face, while Ellie simply stared in a sarcastic 'really' tone.

"Good one, Toby." Was all Jay said, as he patted Spinner on the back in an attempt to show his laughter as well.

I chuckled as well, as even I found the joke a bit funny.

"Hey Toby!" A familiar voice to me, but not for the rest, except maybe Craig, as I turned around and saw Emiko, in a light blue prom dress. She clearly had some accessories on as well, like a necklace and some earrings to further add to her beauty.

All I simply did was blush.

"Wow, you look amazing." I said as I wrapped my arms around her. Her giving me a peck on my cheek shortly afterwards.

I turned around to see the reactions of the others, and sure enough they were shocked.

"Okay, wow girl you are beautiful." Manny was the first to speak, as I saw the boys, expect Craig stare.

"Thank you." Emiko said a bit nervous at the way that compliment came out.

"Okay, stop your horny adventures you dirty animals." I joked to them and they shook their heads, laughing at what I said.

"Uh, wow, damn Toby you actually-" Spinner said, giving me a smile. "Nice one."

"So, your name is Emiko, huh?" Jay asked, and she nodded.

"Yep, didn't believe it?"

Jay shook his head, "No I did, considering Toby told me when I went to the hospital."

Emiko smiled, "Yeah I volunteer there."

"Wait you volunteered at the hospital I was staying at?!" Spinner asked, and Emiko laughed.

"Yeah, I know you had ball cancer, you called it, or at least that's what Toby told me." She smirked, looking at me, which I laughed off.

"Toby you mischievous brute." Spinner merely replied with, which caused the rest of us to laugh.

It was funny seeing Spinner being the one picked on for once, even if it was playful, it was funny.

I saw Jimmy give Emiko a simple nod of appreciation, for being there for me, before we went off and enjoyed our prom night.

And yes, I got to get my dance with Emma, much to the displeasure of Emiko and Spinner.

When we got home, everything felt hopeful.

This was it. One week before Graduation. I had actually planned to meet up with Emiko to spend time with her before, as she was in my room right now, helping me get the right suit. I was a bit nervous considering this was a graduation, something my parents would show up for, but I had Emiko to help me.

"It's honestly not that bad, trust me, nerve wracking, yes but you get over it." She said, and I smiled, as I saw her enter my bed with me.

Her arms wrapped around me, as she was on top of me, her face embedding in my neck, as she initiated a cuddle.

It was something I wasn't used to, but something I grew to enjoy a lot. Those became more prevalent after I stopped fighting with Lakehurst, and began to spend more time with the others, even Jay and Spinner.

"Hey Toby, what do you plan to do after this?" Emiko asked, her face to the side of mine.

"I don't know honestly, what about you?" I replied.

She gulped, "I got into a university in LA, so I'm going there."

I gasped, "Wait, you're going to LA?" I shrieked; a bit too loud, thankful that no one was home at this time.

"Yeah, I wanted to tell you sooner, but with everything I didn't want to ruin or worry you," she said, and all I could do was smile.

"It's okay, I appreciate it. It's surprising but fine. I know your smart so you'll do fine there." I said, and she smiled, but it faltered a bit.

"I don't want to leave you." She said, mumbling, but I couldn't hear.

"What?" I asked.

"I don't want to leave you." She said a bit louder, and I understood.

"I don't want to as well, but we have to in the future." I spoke.

"But we're dating! How are we going to stay together when I'm across a continent!" She asked, getting a bit teary.

"I don't know, but we'll find a way," I said, smiling to her, trying to hide my worry for her sake.

But of course, she saw through it, "Will we? What if we can't, how will we go out bowling? How will we go to arcades, how will we go out on dates? How will we be together?"

I sighed, not realizing the extent of this, and suddenly I felt a bit worried as well. "I don't know, but we have to be a bit hopeful and optimistic."

"But the fear is still there, isn't it?" She asked, and I nodded.

"But we have to learn to let the fear go, find some way to mitigate it." I told her, rubbing my hands across her face, wiping away the tears she had accumulated.

Suddenly, as fast as a blur, I had found Emiko on top of me, looking at me, with her eyes slightly closed.

"Emiko..." I said, feeling my cheeks burning, as she lowered her head to kiss me tenderly.

But unlike the other times, it didn't end with one, or a couple. It wasn't. Once one kiss ended, another was initiated. With each kiss, it became more passionate, intense, and forceful.

When I finally had the time to talk, I saw Emiko removing her clothing's, I blushed mad, and by instinct looked away, but her hands brought me back, to her topless chest, that she brought onto me.

The action may have been through fear, lust, or love, or a combination of all, I didn't know.

However, it became more apparent when Emiko whispered in my ear, "At least tonight, let's be together, can you promise me that?" She asked, clearly meant as a double entendre.

I gulped, unclear of this, but her face in fear, said it all, and I nodded.

What happened next, was filled with nothing but heat, compassion and fear. With every second, we found ourselves closer. With every heartbeat, we saw each other. With every touch, we felt the electrical and heat in each other's body.

And with every motion, we felt the fear, and the understanding of each other to its fullest extent. Through it all, we found ourselves closer than we could have ever imagined, and we enjoyed every second of it, our love between us growing stronger, and more p

When I woke up, I saw Emiko next to me, hugging me tightly, our naked bodies covered by a blanket. I looked around and saw no evidence of my parents walking in when they had gotten home.

Graduation went by what you would expect. It was, despite my fears, a relatively smooth process that we quickly learned.

In a way, it was a sort of walk to adulthood, which I admit is kind of terrifying to think about.

"We're like adults now." I mumbled, and Craig chuckled putting a hand on my shoulder, as the rest of the graduates got closer for a photo.

I looked at the frame, smiling. Unlike that other one I destroyed all those years ago, this one, at least now was giving me a happy moment. It would remind me of a happy moment.

I looked to my side, seeing Craig, hug Ellie, giving her a kiss. I smiled at their relationship ship, and how well suited they were together.

I looked to Manny, Emma, Liberty, and the rest, enjoying their times, knowing their next chapter awaits them.

I turned my head, down to see my father, step mother, and Emiko. Heck even Ashley was here as well, and I smiled.

I went down to meet them, for them to congratulate me. I was met with a hug from my step mother, who despite those tumultuous years, began to get over it, and my father and Ashley, who smiled at me.

I gave Emiko a brief kiss before I went back with the group.

I stood next to Craig, giving him a handshake.

"Well Craig, you finished school, your career awaits." I said, and he smiled.

"Yeah, at this point, with the album release and tours, I might set up shop in LA, or somewhere." He said.

"Wow." Was all I said, as I had refrained from telling him Emiko would attend post secondary there as well.

I remember asking Emiko, what she would do, simply stating that she would be somewhere in the medical field, which made sense, I agreed.

As for me, however I've wasn't too sure.

I looked towards the group, yet again as we all went out for a post graduate party. It was strange, if you asked me all those times ago, I wouldn't have though any of this would happen.

Truth me told, after the shooting, I thought that I would spend the rest of my time in Degrassi alone, isolated with nothing but my thoughts, unliked because I had befriended a shooter and an abuser in the eyes of everyone.

However, now I was with a group of people, ranging from those I had since how long I knew, to those who unexpectedly came in my life, to even those I originally hated.

I saw Spinner and Jay, oddly enough, the two people who had, in my opinion made my life in Degrassi hell, now we're just like any other person.

If anything, I saw the Lakehurst students as more of a troublemaker than Jay and Spinner.

It was strange, but regardless of the circumstances I would not be complaining.

I sat next to Emiko, who gave me a smile, before we ate our dinner, ready for the future ahead of us.


Craig's POV

Well, this was it.

The school year, no the era, was over. Our time in Degrassi was no officially over.

It was a strange thing to say. And thinking over my journey, it was definitely surprising how it went.

From the best moments to worst, there was definitely some sort of drama in this school, that while should have not happened, have taught us all some lessons in life.

For one, cheating was a bad thing, and two try not to fight someone with a weapon. Not the smartest decision I made, but being a rockstar was the best one I made.

Our post graduate dinner was over, and we took another picture to cherish this moment, before we all separated, evidently to walk our own paths.

Of course, not all of us were alone. Toby left with Emiko, and I left with Ellie.

"Your still able to ride a motorcycle after eating?" Ellie's voice snapped me out of my thoughts as I simple smirked.

"Obviously, if I couldn't why would I drive here in the first place?" I asked, to which she simply sighed, but not replying.

I chuckled, before we drove back. At first, I insisted I bring Ellie back to her dorm, with Marco and Paige, however, she insisted she could stay at my apartment for the night, which I didn't mind.

Therefore, making our way towards my apartment, I was a bit nervous, made a bit worse by the food in my stomach, but I shook it off.

I opened the door to my room, and Ellie went in, admiring the simple design of it. Looking back at it, it didn't seem like a Rockstar was living here, but that's what was nice. It was humble and good enough to live in.

And sometimes, good enough is better than trying to aim for perfect.

I smiled to myself as I stared at Ellie, who seemed a bit uncomfortable in her clothes. Not that I blame her of course, wearing a suit isn't the best feeling in the world.

To my surprise and shock, Ellie began to strip herself in my room.

And I had first seat class to it, conflicting on whether or not I should respect her privacy, or watch.

I decided the former was safer. "Sorry!" I mumbled, quietly closing the door, before I took off my suit, in for a more casual attire.

My skin felt much for comfortable in a simple white shirt, and long grey pants, it wasn't stylish, but more for comfort.

Ellie came out soon afterwards wearing her own casual attire, that even then made her adorable.

"Hey." She greeted, before sitting on the couch. "Sit next to me." As she tapped the seat next to her.

I simply smiled before I came up close to her, and wrapped my arms around her waist, as she brought her head close to my shoulder.

"What movie do you want to watch?" I asked her, and she simply moaned an inaudible response.

"I just want to spend as much time with you before you leave." She said, clearly a bit sad.

I sighed, knowing that the long-distance relationship would be difficult. With touring, due to the music, I would be going elsewhere, while Ellie would remain here in Toronto.

It was a bit scary, knowing I wouldn't be able to see Ellie a lot, but I had hope.

"Do you want to go with me?" I asked her, and she flinched, clearly not expecting that answer.

I sighed, "It's fine if you don't want to, I understand, however, I also understand you want to see me a lot more than we can currently."

She nodded, "I wish I could, but with your touring and my university, it seems almost impossible."

"We'll find a way, we can find plans, and besides." I pulled her closer, "I don't want paparazzi trying to get an interview with my girlfriend."

She blushed, and scoffed, "Well that is unless you beat me to it."

I laughed at her sarcastic response, as Ellie as ever, which I loved.

I rubbed her shoulder, as she began to get tired.

"Craig, are you really sure we can do this? With the long distance and all?"

I looked to Ellie, who clearly was still worried, "I think it is possible, I can call you, check up on you."

"I know, it's just-"

I put my finger to her lips. "I understand your worries, but right now, until next week, it is just me and you. Okay?" I tenderly replied, and she nodded.

I smiled, "Great, now let's watch a movie together, or something."

She smiled, as the night sky turned dark, and the climax of the movie went on, I could feel Ellie's hold on me getting tighter.

I looked down and I could see that she still was given the reassurance that she wanted.

She still feared the long-distance relationship, I can understand.

"Hey." I started. "In truth, I'm just as terrified of being far away from you as you are. I already dealt with this, and it was horrible."

Ellie looked sadly at me, "I just don't want you to return saying you found someone better."

I looked at her, a bit guilty, not because it was true, but because the chances were there. Who knows what or who I could run into during my tours?

"Ellie." I said, bringing her face up to mine. "When I went off the last time, to tour, you were the only person I truly missed. Sure, I missed Toby, Sean and the others, but it was you I felt the most alone without."

I could see her face blushing a bit so I continued, "It didn't matter if I had a crowd of people cheering me on, as I played with a designated group or what, I felt incomplete without you. You were all I was thinking of."

I looked down on her to see her face blushing like crazy. I smiled at her, leaning my head down softly, expecting our foreheads to touch each other.

But Ellie took it a different route, and instead of our foreheads touching, it was our lips.

"I love you Craig, please know that." She said after a bit, and I smiled, seeing the tender, redhead girl in my arms, whom I loved very much.

"I love you too Ellie, and if you have any problems remember you can talk to me, okay?"

She simple nodded.

The next thing I could remember was waking up to the texts of Marco, asking if Ellie was alright, and the sight of Ellie, cuddling next to me, asleep.

I made sure to text Marco that she was with me, before I wrapped my arms around Ellie, who moaned awake.

"Your awake?" I asked, and she nodded.

"What happened after?" She asked, and I chuckled slightly.

"You fell asleep, so I took you to my bed, I was originally going to sleep elsewhere, but you wrapped your arms around me tighter than I expected from you, Nash."

"Oh," Was all she said before she got up.

To my amazement, she had chosen to only wear her pants to sleep, as she was mostly topless on her upper body.

I stared in amazement like an idiot, before I saw the fading scars on her arms.

My mood changed a bit after seeing it, knowing the self-harm Ellie had put herself through. It wasn't a happy time, I remembered, and I felt somewhat mad at myself for not being there for her.

It was back then, however, but the sight was there. I walked up to her, grabbing her arms softly as I rubbed the marks on her arms.

The scars of the trauma and stress she went through. The jagged skin texture, like a small mountain on a surface, painting a memory in my mind as to how she got it.

"Ellie." I started, "Did you cut after he cheated?" I merely asked, and she sighed.

She clearly didn't want to reveal, but her silence gave me the answer.

Without thinking I hugged her tightly, getting a bit teary. "Why?" Was all I asked.

"I thought I wasn't good enough. Like how I wasn't good enough to help my mom." She said hastily, trying not to get teary, but I knew she was failing, as I could feel her wet tears soaking my shirt.

"That. Wasn't your fault, Ellie, it's his for not telling you he didn't want you." I firmly stated.

"But then why would he cheat on me?" She asked.

I rubber her arm, specifically on the area of her cuts.

"I wish you didn't do this; you know you have people who care for you." I somberly said, and she put her head down in shame.

"I'm sorry." Was all she said, and I shook my head.

"Why are you sorry for? This isn't your fault." I said, then kissing her arms where her scars were. "You shouldn't be. You may have hurt yourself like this, but I hope I don't be the cause of this."

I saw Ellie smile a bit, "Right now, you're the main reason I didn't want to."

I smiled right back, "Well you can start one day at a time, and maybe eventually you don't have to go through this ever again, okay?" I asked Ellie, and she nodded, a bit teary.

I sighed, before leaning down and kissing her as passionately as I could, with her returning the intensity.

"We may be a while apart, but I'll always make sure you are okay, got it? Once Marco gives me the red light, I am rushing my way back here to you, okay?" I tell her, and she nods.

"But I don't want you to jeopardize yourself for me." Ellie said.

I chuckled, "Even then, I can make a choice, whether or not to see you, and right now, I know every time I would choose to see you for as much as I can." I said, with no hesitation.

I sigh, raising her to my face, "Please, even if you feel like that, I want you to know I will be there for you, so don't think about it. Think about me, or Marco, or anyone else. Okay?"

With a teary smile, I saw Ellie nod, whispering a yes.