I woke this morning and my stomach rumbled. I rolled out of bed and walked into the kitchen, I held the jug of orange juice in my hand as I took a sip from the carton. My gram made sure to get my own carton after she found out I didn't use a glass. I took the carton and a bagel from the fridge before I closed the door. I was working at making breakfast and I heard a laugh behind me. I turned and saw Liberty with her hand over her mouth trying to stifle her laughter. I looked at her and was just questioning why she was laughing and then it hit me I looked down and I was standing in white boxers with hearts on them. My hands went to cover me up as I walked back to my room and pulled on clothes. That woman would be the death of me someday but today I'm glad I have her back.

"Say are you busy after school?" I said not facing her going back to preparing my breakfast.

"Student council, but other than that nothing really." I smirked thanking the stars I wasn't facing her.

"Good, then you wouldn't mind dinner with me at Delphina? Say seven be ready by." I shoved the bagel in my mouth and walked to my room to finish getting ready. I knew I should be excited to go back but in truth I was nervous, Lakehurst thugs still beat around my school even though they kicked them out once they caught wind of all the fighting. I knew Mia would be there and in a way I felt bad for Bella because she got to know me and now I couldn't hang with her. I knew I would of loved to hang with the little one. It brought me back to my son where ever he was, he would be one soon. In truth I missed my son and wished that I had never messed up, I had tried harder and did the right things instead of the wrong. I walked to the bookcase and pulled out an album. I missed those days, I hardly saw Liberty, I saw a woman carrying my child. I opened the book and it was of photos when Liberty and I were still on speaking terms. Then there were ones right after he was born, the perfect mix of Liberty and I. I held the book in my hands as I walked out, I nervously approached Libby and she just stood there waiting for me.

"Here Libs, you may want to look at these, I know its a sore subject for us but." She turned and looked at me questioningly I knew I was rambling but I just held the book out to her. She slowly turned the pages, seeing all.

"Thank you J.T. I didn't get to ever really look at my self back then." I knew I wanted to wait till dinner tonight but with Lib and I nothing ever goes to plan.

"I was wondering, would you give me a second chance? I know I don't deserve it after I screwed up but, I love you Lib and I never stopped." She gave me the sweetest smile, her eyes were alight with an inner flame.

"I wanted you to say that for so long. And J.T. You got your second chance." I hugged her and spun her around. I put her down on the ground and our eyes locked. It was as if the world dissolved and it was only her and I. I leaned down for a kiss and took her warm lips on mine. But all to soon I had to pull away knowing I shouldn't give into lust and desire. I leaned my forehead on hers and just smiled at her.

Walking the halls of Degrassi, was a great thing after you thought you would never graduate. Thought you would never tell the person who meant the most to you that you love them. But as I took those first steps on to the tile floor I knew that things were right and I would walk with my class and graduate. I had six months to go till I never had to walk these halls and I walked as a changed man, into a darkened Degrassi. The fighting left its mark and most here wounds were to fresh. But slowly face by face, smile by smile hopefully one day the school will forget the scars of this year. My locker was a mess, that was saying little. I pulled out the old lunches and tossed them in the trash across the hall, I moved useless papers that had done nothing but clutter my space till all that was left was books and loose papers. My books wouldn't fit in my locker so I reached in the back to find the offending piece of trash and my hand grasped a tape. I pulled it out and it was the one Mia gave me when I played with Bella at the park. I wanted to trash it but something in me stopped me. I just put it back up in my locker and closed the blue door. I walked to homeroom where everyone was seated. They all had their backs to me. I slipped into my seat and Liberty was going to say something but I stopped her. Mr. Simpson started calling out names.

"Liberty?" She gave her faint here. He totally skipped my name. He was about to begin but.

"Your forgetting someone." I spoke up and heads all turned in my direction.

"What you act like you've seen a ghost." I smiled. Emma and Manny ran to me and hugged me.

"Relax ladies there's enough of me to go round." They laughed and let me go.

"Very funny J.T." Shrugging my shoulders I turned to Simpson.

"What no hug for me?" The class laughed.

"Mr. Yorke. As much as I love my job here, having you back is great." I smiled and settled down in my seat. Six months wasn't to long was it?

Seven o'clock rolled around and I was nervous I wanted this date to be perfect for Liberty. I screwed up so much that one day couldn't be so hard not to mess up right? I sat at the table waiting for Liberty since she said Emma would drop her off after they hung out. I checked my watch and the clock turned seven. By seven thirty I believed I was stood up. I grabbed my phone and saw that there were no messages. I got up and left, depressed more than I had been since I got out of the hospital. I was driving back home.

I cant believe she stood me up. I thought she would at least care I mean I did ask her out on my birthday, maybe she planned me a party and that's why she didn't show. Yeah that had to be it.

The drive home was a long one. But once I reached the small house I saw no one was home. There was a note on the fridge though.

Hope you had a good birthday James I went out to play bridge tonight I will be back later- Grams.

She was gone to. What a great birthday, first I got stood up by my girlfriend again of mere hours, then my Grams is gone. I went back out to my car knowing I didn't want to be alone I called Toby.

"Hey man. It's JT I'm just wondering where everyone is tonight, Liberty stood me up so I don't know dude. Call me when you get this." I hung up the phone and called the last person I thought I would.

"Hello?"

"Hey mom. Can you meet me?"

"Oh JT! Sure, where are you I expected you to be with friends on your birthday."

"They seem to have disappeared. Its no matter, I think we should talk before you leave, bring dad along." We agreed to meet at the Dot. I drove there and walked in Spinner was behind the counter as usual.

"Hey man."

"JT, Cup of Coffee?" I nodded and sat down at the bar. He handed my coffee to me and I took a sip of the hot dark liquid.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out celebrating? First day back and all. Full recovery." I just shrugged.

"I had a date planned but I got stood up. So much for great birthdays and as for a party I'm not to big on that right now especially after the last one. I don't need to risk death right now." I heard the bells open and saw my parents walk in. I slid off the stool and sat with them at a table.

"So how are you feeling James."

"Please if were going to talk call me JT everyone does, and I am fine."

"So why aren't you out partying its not everyday a boy turns to a man at Seventeen."

"Party's aren't my scene right now, yah know don't feel like getting stabbed again." He looked down.

"Where were you all my life? Why did you never visit?" He looked up.

"After I ran, your Mom put a restraining order on me so I couldn't see you. I wanted to especially when you grew I wanted to own up to my mistake and be a man a father. I hadn't been in contact with your mom till a year ago when she came to me. She left you because well you know why. I did want to see you, its only now that I realize I've missed my sons life."

"Mine was given up for adoption, I wanted to keep him so bad, but I screwed up and made my girl hate me. She left me and I lost everything. My son now lives in Seattle. I have little contact with him. I hate that I will never see him grow or be the dad that I could have been, had I matured a year ago. I guess its for the best, this family can help raise him better then I would. It just hurts that he will be out there without me or Liberty."

"I know how you feel JT. How do you think I felt when we had to give up our son." I turned to someone who was in the booth, Liberty stepped over to the table.

"I'm sorry I stood you up, I was afraid I didn't want to go down that path again since I lost one son I don't want to lose anymore. It hurt me JT that I couldn't depend on you, you kept messing up and I was so stressed, I never hated you, I just thought that it was way to much."

"That was the same way I felt Liberty when I stepped out on JT's mom. Crystal and I were a lot like you two. But one day you can travel to your son and explain to him like i'm trying to do to you now JT. Your my blood, my son and I miss that I never could teach you ball, or anything. I'm sorry I didn't fight for you. But I'm sorry you never learned my history so that you could change and make sure that your mistakes weren't mine. We are so alike and you can't be mad at your mother. Just like you never stopped loving Liberty, I never stopped loving your mom. I hope one day you can look me in the eye and Call me dad. I hope one day we can have a relationship. Son life is to short to hold regrets, its best we try to live for the moment never knowing which one is our last." He got up and I had the urge to hug him. I got up and hugged him, it was strong and it was what I always imagined it to be. I turned to my mom and hugged her.

"I don't blame you, I was a mess. But next time don't just come round when you find me on my death bed." I pulled away and she wiped at her tears.

"You are a great man JT and I sad I missed you growing up. Take care of him for me Liberty, no one will ever compare to my son." I sat down next to Liberty.

"So care for some dinner now? You look beautiful by the way." Her hair was down like it was at the party and she wore jeans that seemed to hug her every curve and a nice top that just suited her.

"I won't pressure you into anything we can take this as slow or as fast as you want Liberty. I just want you to be happy." I shared a Spinner special dinner with the girl I loved. Once we finished she led me upstairs where I saw the rest of our friends.

"Small party no crazy people just us friends." It truly was an enjoyable evening. Friends that broke off into groups, and separated became united. Jimmy and Spinner were talking while he doted to Paige's every whim. Sean and Emma were talking with Manny and Jay. Toby was here also and talking with Liberty.

"What you thinking JT?" I turned to Peter.

"I'm glad all these people became friends again. They separated for a long while. Its good to see them happy."

"I know what you mean man. Bridges were mended."

Overall it was an enjoyable evening where the non- alcoholic drinks and music flowed. Friends became one again till the dawn rose. I couldn't think of anything better for my seventeenth birthday.