My little note to you…Here is the graduation chapter (finally), it will feature the class of 2007(Emma, Manny, Toby, JT, Liberty, Peter) and the original 2006's that had to repeat (Jimmy, Ashley, Spinner, Sean…if you remember back to season 1, Sean had to repeat the seventh grade), so he should have been a 2006'er.

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

CHAPTER 20: NEVER SAY GOODBYE

"Do you believe this is our last day here at Degrassi", Manny sniffled as the group sat down for the annual senior breakfast. "After tomorrow, we'll never be back here again", she cried, resting her head on Emma's shoulder. "Not me…I'll be back in September", Jimmy announced. "Yeah, me too", Spinner replied. "So will I", Sean stated. "What? You guys aren't graduating…again?", Manny gasped.

They all looked at one another and laughed. "Of course we're graduating, Manny", Sean answered sarcastically. "I'm taking night classes so I can help Mr. Ehl with his automotive classes.…it counts as a college credit, anyway", he explained. "I'm still gonna coach the junior girls and Spin'll be my assistant coach", Jimmy stated. "My mom's principal, so I'm sure I'll be back to visit", Peter added sarcastically.

"Mrs. H said I can come back to student teach next September….and in the mean time, I get to come to all the basketball games", Ashley chuckled, giving Jimmy a sweet kiss. "Danny's got one more year, so I know I'll be back", Liberty chimed in. "So will I...because Mia also has one more year", JT said quietly, looking away from Liberty. The group looked over at Toby. "I've already signed up for the recruitment committee at university….and Degrassi's on the top of my list", he explained. "I'm not taking any classes on Fridays, so I can meet Snake for lunch once a week...it'll be like I never left", Emma quipped.

"Everyone has a reason to come back, but me", Manny groaned. "Why don't you want to leave Manny?", Liberty asked with a small laugh. "I don't know", she sighed. "This place has been our entire lives for so long…I'm just gonna miss it all so much". Emma nodded and put her arm around her best friend, "We all will Manny".

"But it's all a part of growing up….moving on", Ashley added with a shrug. "Yeah, I know. It's just this school has some sort of gravitational pull on us...look at you three", she stated waiving at Spinner, Ashley and Sean. "Ashley you came all the way back from London, Sean left his parents just to come back here and Spinner came back after being expelled", Manny pointed out. "School wasn't the only reason I came back", Sean chuckled, looking at Emma. Ashley giggled and nodded, putting her arm around Jimmy's shoulders.

"Okay, so that's beside the point…I just don't want it to end", she choked out. "So you take your memories with you, Manny….", Ashley stated, running her fingers across Jimmy's back. "…the good and the bad". She looked around the table at each of these familiar faces. "It's what's made us who we our today….and we will forever be linked to one another, and this school…". Ashley glanced over at Jimmy and gave him a slight squeeze. "….and that will never end".

The whole table sat in silence as Ashley wiped a tear from her eye and gave them a small smile. "That was beautiful Ashley", Liberty complimented, taking some tissues our of her purse and handing one to Emma and Manny. "Would you mind if I used it in my valedictorian speech?", she asked with a small chuckle. "Not at all Liberty…I'd like that", Ashley smiled as she accepted the tray of pancakes and bacon being passed down the table.

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Ashley bit her lip and paced, looking from the lonely gown hanging on the rack to the clock on the wall. "Relax Ash...he'll be here", Spinner chuckled, patting Ashley on the back. He gave her a goofy grin to try to hide his slight concern. Ashley nodded and smiled back at Spinner as he walked away.

"Ashley, sorry I'm late", Jimmy said breathlessly as he pushed through the doorway. "We were halfway here and had to turn back...I forgot something", he added, holding up a little gift box. "It's for you", Jimmy stated, pulling up to Ashley and handing her the present. "You almost missed your high school graduation...to give me a present?", she asked sarcastically.

"Just open it", Jimmy urged. Ashley smiled at him and unwrapped the package. Jimmy bit his lip and watched as she opened the box. "Jimmy...it's beautiful", she gasped, pulling out the gold and platinum bracelet he'd bought for her. Ashley's eyes started to tear as he took the bracelet from her and began to clasp it onto her wrist. "I wanted you to wear it for the ceremony", he stated, looking up at her.

Ashley sat down on the bench next to Jimmy, and blushed as she admired her gift. Jimmy turned it around on her wrist, revealing a small heart-shaped, gold charm near the clasp. Ashley ran her finger across the inscription...Forever. A few tears fell down her cheeks as she grabbed Jimmy's hand. "Guys...c'mon, we're gonna line up soon", Spinner ordered as he walked over to the couple. "Aw Dude, you made her cry", he scolded, and jokingly smacked Jimmy on the shoulder.

Ashley and Jimmy both smiled at Spinner. He smiled back and handed Jimmy his graduation gown. "Hurry", he smirked, nodding over to the group of graduates that had congregated near the doorway. Jimmy slipped his arms through the sleeves and zipped up the front of the gown. He looked behind him and frowned...the back of the gown was awkwardly bunched up.

Ashley smiled and got up, wiping away the remaining tears on her cheeks. "Here, let me help you ", she chuckled. Jimmy pushed up with his arms and Ashley tucked the rest of the gown underneath him. She smoothed the front of the gown over his lap, making sure none of it would get caught in his wheels. She placed the gold stol around his neck and unfolded the cap. Ashley straightened the cap on his head...tassel on the left.

Jimmy gave her a huge smile and pulled her onto his lap. Ashley cupped his face with her right hand, and he instictively placed his hand aroud the bracelet on her left wrist...she new what he was saying, without any words. Ashley looked deep into his eyes and smiled, running her thumb across his cheek and tendely kissing him. She looked down at his hand around her wrist, then back up to his eyes. "I love you too Jimmy...Forever".

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The author's note...this was supposed to be the last chapter, graduation...just like on the show. But I will add, at least one more chapter, that deals with the gang in the summer...and may have a cliffhanger-ish ending.

I know this one is short...but it's sweet and I like short and sweet. I was going to write about the actual graduation...but this ending just seemed right, so I stopped it here. Hope you all liked it!!

Reviewers...theyoungandthehopeless...I love writing the JimAsh scenes, but the other characters are fun too...Ellie's one of my favorites. Ktgymchick...thanks for the offer, I might take you up on it. As for the supporting charaters...I cant believe, after all Jimmy's been through, his parents(on the show), especially his mom, aren't a bigger part of his life...but that's just my view. Raina-Bess...thanks for the review. I like to keep the previous storylines going, it seems to make the story flow better. I'm so glad you liked it. Basement Gutiar Star...wow, I'm so glad you converted to a JimAsh fan(I like Jellie too, but I looooove, JimAsh). Thanks for the awsome compliment and review, I really appreciate it.

Disclaimer...I don't own Degrassi or 'Never Say Goodbye'...that belongs to Bon Jovi.