Calvin didn't get a chance to speak with Hayley before the final votes could be cast for class president, and with his speech coming up, there wouldn't be a chance to do it now. All he had to do was hope that this plan of his was going to work.

He had made a complete fool of everyone but himself the last time he had been on stage. He had put his real issue on the back burner in favour of being more comfortable. Now, no one was discussing partying responsibly and instead rumours about when Hayley had been pregnant and by who were spreading like wildfire and Calvin hoped this could put an end to it.

His name was called, reluctantly, by Principal Hastings. Hayley had already bowed out of the race, too humiliated by Calvin's speech the day before to continue. As much as she wanted to support him and his cause, it was his own mouth that caused this trouble, so there wasn't much guilt on her end for stepping down.

As Calvin made his way on the stage, Hayley stepped off. She was greeted by her friends. None of them were shocked by her decision.

Calvin walked up to the mic and looked to the crowd. Again, he was nervous. Again, he had to consult his cue-cards. However, this time, if he lost them, he knew to back out. It was better to say nothing at all then to throw someone else under the bus.

"We… um… we all make mistakes," he started. "Whether you're a student here, or a teacher. Whether you're grown or still young. Whether you have all the answers, or just think you do, we're all capable of making mistakes. And it happens. To all of us. There's not a single person here who has never made a mistake."

As Calvin expected, Victor threw his hand up in the air. Calvin gave a little nod of acknowledgement.

"Yes, Victor, even you. We all do it. And while sometimes they can make us feel stupid, or embarrassed, they always teach us something. We learn from our mistakes. When I built Nitro, my truck, I didn't get her right on the first try. There was smoke and grease and noises I don't think I've ever heard an engine make. But the more I messed up, the more I learned about trucks and though I'm still learning, Nitro runs now. She can make it from point A to point B, and that's all because of my mistakes.

"However, not all mistakes teach us lessons in a kind and gentle manner. Some mistakes are a bit harsh. They hurt you, they hurt the people you love, and while there's nothing wrong with completely messing up, you must take responsibility for what you did. You have to understand that mistakes caused by oversight, by a lack of preparation, or by running your mouth when you really should have just shut up can be absolutely devastating.

"A few weeks back, I was the victim of a mistake. We all know that at school dances, too many people get the idea to spike the punch. Teachers do everything they can to keep it from happening, but they can't keep their eyes on us and on the food all the time. Someone always gets past and the punch becomes toxic. Now, I can't tell you what to do with yourselves then. Drink it, don't drink it, that's really a personal decision, but if you do decide to have it, if you let yourself get so wasted, you aren't thinking straight, getting behind the wheel of a car is a mistake that can hurt. Someone made that mistake after homecoming and me and my friend got hurt. We dropped our girlfriends off at their house and I was on my way to drop her off. It was our first night to let go and relax, since it's been a pretty busy time for our group. She has a TBI. For those of you who've never suffered an injury in your life, that's a traumatic brain injury. Like when you sprain your wrist and it doesn't work right, the brain can be injured the same way.

"The people who decided to drink and drive made a careless mistake and put me and my friend in very real danger. We were lucky we weren't hurt, but we both could have suffered broken bones, bleeding, concussion, which could have killed my friend. Even worse, we both could have died. The person who made that mistake would have ended our lives and the lives of all the people who love us, many of whom are in this very room – who sit next to you in class.

"I ran for class president because someone didn't own up to their mistake and I wanted someone to take responsibility. More than that, I wanted everyone to take responsibility. Just because it wasn't you at homecoming behind the wheel, or you in my truck, that doesn't mean this isn't your problem. We're teenagers. We screw up all the time, but we can't let those mistakes hurt the people we love.

"Here I stand, now, as a candidate for class president. Here I am preaching about taking responsibility for your mistakes and yesterday, I made the biggest mistake that I could. Victor, I said some harsh things about you in my speech and for that, I apologize. Just because I don't understand your strategy as former president, that doesn't mean I have the right to mock you. Personal attacks are uncalled for and I was wrong.

"Hayley," Calvin turned to face backstage, where he could see Hayley watching him from behind the curtain. He knew in that moment, how lucky he was, that she stayed to listen to him. He knew he didn't deserve her, "I know what I revealed yesterday. I know I said some things that we promised would stay between us. I threw that in your face and it was so, so wrong."

Calvin turned back to the crowd, "Hayley and I did have a baby together and we did terminate the pregnancy, and while she did make that call, I supported her completely and still do. We both hated the decision we had to make, but it needed to be done. I went with her to the clinic. I held her hand as they explained what would happen to her. I sat with her in the car when it was done. I stayed with her at school. We spent months talking about it, going back and forth, wondering if we made the right call. There were times when she was weak, and I had to pull her up, and there were times when I had my doubts and she reminded me of all the reasons I had her back in the first place.

"Hayley, you made the absolute hardest decision any woman could make. It wasn't easy, but you were strong and I'm thankful you let me be part of that experience. I don't regret the decision we made. I know… I know that I can't take back what I said, but I promise, Hayley, I'm going to do everything I can to make it up to you. If anyone questions or attacks you for what we did, they'll have to deal with me. You weren't alone in the decision and I'm going to make sure that, from here on out, you still won't be alone. I swear, I won't let anyone make you feel badly for doing what you knew needed to be done.

"Yesterday, I was asked what would make me a better candidate than Hayley, since we were running for the same issue. Yesterday, I made a mistake. Today, I'm here to fix that mistake. I'm not a better candidate than Hayley. Both of us could do the job. We may do it differently, but our results would be the same. However, after yesterday, I do think Hayley is the best candidate, because if this has shown me anything, it's that she'll always do the right thing, no matter how hard it is for her. No matter what she has to give up, she thinks through her decisions and she finds the best solution. She is the most wonderful, thoughtful and amazing person that I ever met and it's with my whole heart that I regret the pain I caused her. I should have had your back yesterday, and I'm standing in front of everyone, today, telling you that I do, and I always will.

"Hayley, I'm so sorry you backed out. I wish this could have ended differently but I respect your choice and I'm going to follow it. I don't want to win with a dirty campaign and, to be honest, being president isn't worth jeopardizing my relationship. I've said what I needed to say. Thank you."

With that, Calvin stepped down and walked off stage, where he came face to face with Hayley. He took her hands in his.

"Hayley, I meant it up there. Every word. I'm so, so sorry for what I said yesterday. If I could take it back, I would. I'd change everything. I love you so much."

"You really meant all that?"

"All of it. If I could find a way to make it clearer, I would but… I can't. I can't express how badly I feel, or how much I regret what happened or even how much I love you for how incredibly strong and sweet and smart and forgiving you are."

"Forgiving, huh?"

"A guy can hope," Calvin said with a sweet smile as he squeezed her hand. "So, what do you say? An apology dinner from your favourite bonehead tonight? Friends or no friends, whatever you want."

"Wherever I want?"

"Yes," Calvin nodded. "No matter the price. I'll sell Nitro for parts. I'll sell my blood. Please."

"Pick me up at seven. I'll be driving," Hayley said. Calvin smiled and turned to his friends who all gave him a thumbs up. He knew dinner would likely be spent with Hayley talking to him about what happened. He knew he would get an earful, but he knew he deserved it. They needed to talk. He had done her wrong and he needed to allow her the time to learn to trust him again.

Still, though dinner would be uncomfortable, and maybe even a little painful, he was grateful for it. Hayley was truly amazing. Somehow, even through his worst mistakes, she could always tell when he was genuinely remorseful. Somehow, he had managed to hang on to someone so perfect for so long.

He truly didn't deserve he, but he was glad that it seemed she didn't agree.

"Wait," Kelly said with a frown and turned to the stage as Principal Hastings announced that it would be time to vote. "If both Calvin and Hayley dropped out, that means…"

"Four years straight, Monty!" Victor called out as he ran off the stage to celebrate his certain victory. "Can you believe it! That's a new record!"

"Another accomplishment for the amazing Victor Vincent," Monty cheered. "Clearly, you are the best!"