Spring(ing) Ahead (Read 8,211 times)

[fluffysmom]

The twists keep coming. I wonder what surprise you have in store for us next André DiMera.

[André DiMera]

It was a bit annoying, Kpatch, but I guessed going in that Christopher's name would eventually be changed. I just didn't know what to. Actually, until a few days ago, that part of the chapter was left empty, with a placeholder name in it. Once they announced the baby's name, I changed it to Tate.

I'm glad you're all liking this story so much! The majority of the graduation scenes will be occurring this week, and then the story will be ending next week. After that, I've got another story planned. More on that later, though.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 23

SALEM P.D.
It is now a few days later. Bo, Hope, Shane, Andrew and Jeannie were in Bo's office, celebrating. Each held a glass of wine in their hands.
ANDREW: So, Uncle Drew's been incarcerated.
JEANNIE: We won't be seeing him for a long time.
BO: Christopher is in a juvenile detention center. Also, Brady's been informed that he has a son.
SHANE: How'd he take the news?
HOPE: He was shocked, to say the least. It'll take some time.
BO: It always does. I remember when we found out Chelsea was alive. That took some getting used to. And Chrstopher's younger than Chelsea was we found her.
SHANE: Young Johnny has also been sent to a juvenile detention center, one in England, close to where Susan and Edmund live.
JEANNIE: So, we got all of them.
BO: It certainly looks that way, yes.
SHANE: Yes, we got all of them. The five of us together were able to take them down. Good work, team.
Shane smiled at his children.
SHANE: I'm proud of the two of you. You've displayed excellent work over the last few years, especially this week. Which is why I am more than proud to give you this...
Shane walked over to one side of the room and got two bags. He gave one bag to each of his children.
JEANNIE: Thanks, dad.
ANDREW: Thank you, father.
The two looked inside and their faces lit up.
JEANNIE: Does this really mean?
SHANE: Yes. You two are being promoted to special agents.
JEANNIE: Awesome!
Jeannie and Andrew high-fived each other. Bo and Hope clapped.
HOPE: Congrats, you two.
BO: So, Shane, what's the plan for now?
HOPE: Going back to L.A.?
SHANE: In a few days. However, there are other matters to attend to, first.
HOPE: Like what?
SHANE: Well, word from upstairs is that they'd like to start recruitment and training here in Salem.
ANDREW: So, you're gonna stay and help with that, right?
SHANE: Well, I'll stay until it's open. But, once it's open, I'm going back to L.A. However, we do need someone to lead the new recruitment center. And, as we already have some of my best agents here, I was wondering if you two would do it.
JEANNIE: Dad, that would be so col! I'd love to.
ANDREW: Father, you know I'd love to, but I just can't.

SALEM HIGH
The car parked outside of Salem High. Sydney, Sami, Lucas and John got out.
SAMI: Well, here we are.
SYDNEY: Yep.
They saw Ceri, Rhiannon, Nicholas and Nicole walking up.
CERI: Hey.
SYDNEY: Hey.
Ceri and Sydney hugged.
CERI: How are you?
SYDNEY: I'm really nervous.
Ceri hugged Sydney tighter and kissed her on the cheek.
CERI: You'll be fine. I read your speech last night, and it's awesome. You've got this.
Sami and Nicole walked over to each other.
NICOLE: Sami.
SAMI: Nicole.
The two stared at each other.

[Kpatch]

Loved Sami and Nicole's greeting!

That's great that Andrew and Jeannie have new jobs and Shane is staying longer.

[heroicmuse]

I can't wait to see Sami and Nicole get into it!!!

[fluffysmom]

Congrats to Andrew and Jeannie. I wonder if everyone will behave during the ceremony.

[Minako98]

I wonder why Andrew can't do it.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 24

SALEM P.D.
SHANE: Why not, Andrew?
ANDREW: I have a baby on the way. Greta and my upcoming son are still in England.
SHANE: I know. But, there's a reason why I chose you for this. The building where the training center will be has yet to be built. By the time it's finished, Little Andrew will be born. In fact, he'll probably be a year old, at the rate the permits are going.
ANDREW: So, I have a whole year to get everything together?
SHANE: Certainly.
ANDREW: Does Greta know?
SHANE: I told her a few weeks ago, and she agreed that she'd be willing to move back to Salem.
ANDREW: Well, then it looks like I will be, too.
Jeannie and Andrew hugged their father.

SALEM HIGH
Sami and Nicole stared at each other. Rhiannon walked over by Sydney and Ceri.
RHIANNON (whispering): Ooh, Clash of the Titans: The Return.
Sydney and Ceri coughed to hide their laughter. Sami and Nicole looked over each other.
SAMI: I see you've aged.
NICOLE: It appears I'm not the only one.
The two circled around each other, never taking their eyes off one another.
NICOLE: How long do you think we can keep this going?
SAMI: Don't know, graduation starts in an hour.
The two continued staring. Sami was the one who broke first.
SAMI: I can't do this anymore.
The two smiled, laughed and hugged.
SAMI: It's so good to see you!
NICOLE: Good to see you, too!
As Sami and Nicole caught up, Nicholas walked over to John and Lucas.
LUCAS: Um, what just happened?
JOHN: Well, either the apocalypse is nigh, or Sami and Nicole are actually getting along.
NICHOLAS: Or, both, in fact.
SAMI: Did you guys get pictures yet?
NICOLE: Most of them. But, of course, Ceri wanted one with Sydney.
SAMI: Well, we were just about to start.
Everyone got out their cameras and took pictures with Sydney, Ceri and Rhiannon. Within a few minutes, Will and Sonny arrived, and joined in the picture taking. After a few more minutes, Lucas looked at his watch.
LUCAS: Okay, guys. We'll take plenty more pictures later.
CERI: We gotta get in there.
Everyone walked into the school. Sydney, Ceri and Rhiannon walked into the cafeteria, where their fellow classmates were getting ready. They got in line and listened as a teacher gave last minute instructions. Sydney gripped Ceri's hand.
CERI: Hey, it's okay.
SYDNEY: I know. I'm just really nervous.
Ceri gave Sydney a kiss.
CERI: You'll be fine.
Then, the teacher called them in.
RHIANNON: So, this is it.
CERI: Ready?
SYDNEY: As ready as I can be.
The group processed into the gymnasium. The room was full of people. On one side, Sydney could see Sami, Lucas, John, Will and Sonny. Nearby were Nicholas, Nicole, and J.J. On the other side of the room were Patch, Kayla and Stephanie. The students all took their seats. On the stage of the gymnasium sat Max, Rex, Mr. Woods and several other teachers. Rex stood and walked to the podium in the center of the stage.
REX: Welcome parents, students and faculty. My name is Rex Brady, and I am the Assistant Principal of Salem High School. It is my honor to welcome you to Graduation Ceremony for the Salem High Class of 2027.
Everyone clapped.
REX: We will begin the ceremony with some words from Salem High School's Principal, Max Brady.
Everyone clapped again as Rex sat down and Max got up.
MAX: Thank you, Rex. And thank you, everybody, for coming. You know, as I stand here, looking at these students, I'm reminded of my own high school graduation. And I remember listening to the principal of my high school go on and on and on for what seemed like an eternity. Well, don't worry. I'm not gonna do that. I'm gonna keep this short and sweet.

[heroicmuse]

That was quite the fakeout between Nicole and Sami!!! Love it. Can't wait to hear Sydney's speech

[Kpatch]

Clash of the Titans! Love it. I got chills when Nicole and Sami hugged. Aw.

I love Max's brevity. I hope he means it. LOL.

I'm excited about graduation. Thanks for the chapter André DiMera!

[fluffysmom]

I enjoyed the shocking Sami and Nicole reunion. LOL at Lucas and John's comments.

I hope Sydney isn't too nervous when she gives her speech.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 25

SALEM HIGH
MAX: It has been my great honor and privilege over the last two years to be principal at this school. And, the two years before that, I was assistant principal. And, I can say, without a doubt, that this class, the Class of 2027, has been one of the best classes I've ever seen. You have all worked so hard for this, and now it's your time to celebrate. We've all learned a lot over the last four years. They say that a teacher's proudest moment is when they see their students learn and use their lessons in real life. And, while that was nice, I think that my proudest moment as a teacher have been the moments where my students have taught me something. We still learn everyday, even when we get older. I'm very proud of you. All of you. You should be proud, too. Now, I've gone on long enough, but I want to leave you with one more thing. When I was growing up, one of my favorite shows was Boy Meets World. And the main teacher on that show, Mr. Feeny, was a pretty amazing guy. Now, I could never be like him. But, at one point, I realized that I don't have to be. I just have to take what I learned from him through the eyes of the other characters on the show, and use it. So, this once, I'm going to take a leaf from Mr. Feeny's book. These are my final words to you: believe in yourselves. Dream, try, do good. And, yes, I mean do good. I love you all. Class dismissed.
Everyone cheered and clapped as Max sat back down in his seat. Sydney gulped
SYDNEY (whispering): Here it comes.
CERI (whispering): Like I said before, when you get up there, just find one person in the audience and act like you're telling them a story.
After waiting for the applause to die down, Rex went up to the podium.
REX: Thank you, Principal Brady. And now, I would like to introduce...
Ceri gave Sydney's hand a squeeze.
REX: Salem High School's Class of 2027 Valedictorian...
CERI (whispering): You've got this...
REX: Sydney DiMera.
CERI (whispering): Good luck.
There was a brief round of applause as Sydney made her way up to the podium.
SYDNEY: Hi, everyone. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Sydney DiMera.
Sydney looked out to the audience. She saw her family in the stands: Sami, Lucas, John, Will and Sonny. But, there was a sixth person, sitting at the end of the bleachers, next to John. A person Sydney hadn't expected to see. In fact, it couldn't be. But, whether it was or not didn't matter, as the sight of this person gave Sydney comfort.
SYDNEY: We made it. How about that? We really actually made it. It's been quite a ride. So much has happened, that it almost doesn't seem real. Like Principal Brady said, we've learned a lot. More than any of us ever thought that we would. And it's more than just what the circumference of a circle is, or why World War III started, how the chemicals mix together to make nitroglycerin. We've learned how to make friends. We've learned about life. We've spent the last 18 or so years of our lives learning. And now we move on. Some of us will move to other states, other countries. Some of us will get jobs straight out of high school. Some of us will go to college. But, just because some of us won't be in school anymore, doesn't mean that we won't still be learning. We learn something new every day of our lives. People often ask, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who gets asked this, “what do you want to do once you leave high school? Once you get into the real world?” Well, first of all, I believe that this is the real world. It felt real. Every experience we've had our whole lives has felt real. So, even though we're kids, we're still living in the real world. We just haven't learned enough about the world yet. And, to be honest, we still haven't. There's still a lot for us to learn. So, what do I want to do after I leave high school? I want to keep learning. And my hope for all of you is that you do, too. I know that I don't know very many of you. In fact, I don't know half of you half as well as I would like. But, we've all been in this together. And we've made it. Congratulations, everybody. Let's keep on learning.
Everyone clapped.
SYDNEY: Thank you. Now, before I go back to my seat, there's just one thing I want to do. Every class as a song. And, I wanted to play our song. I know it's cheesy and it's played a lot. But, here it is.
Sydney pulled a CD player out from the podium and pressed “Play”. The CD player was hooked to amplifiers, so everyone could hear. A flood of memories of the last four years came back to everyone who was there. Click here to hear the song that's playing.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS – FLASHBACK (MONTAGE)
A 13 year old Sydney walking into Salem High on her first day.
A 14 year old Joey walking in on his first day.
Sydney and Joey sitting in class, writing in their notebooks.
J.J. and Joey scoping out girls in the hallways.
In the park, J.J. accidentally bumping into Ceri.
In Salem Place, J.J. accidentally bumping into Rhianon.
Sydney and Ceri bumping into each other in the park.
Sydney, Joey, Ceri and Rhiannon in health class.
A food fight in the cafeteria.
Sydney using her plate as a shield during said food fight.
J.J. holding Rhianon in the park.
Sydney and Ceri's first kiss in an elevator.
J.J. and Joey sharing a bro hug outside Salem High.
Sydney and Ceri's first dance with each other at turnabout.
Joey dancing with a girl at turnabout.
Sydney proposing to Ceri.
Sydney, Ceri, Joey and Rhiannon walking the halls of Salem High the first day of senior year.
Joey high-fiving Sydney, Ceri and Rhiannon on the last day of school.
A group hug between Sydney, Joey, Ceri and Rhiannon.

SALEM HIGH
SYDNEY: The memories we've made here are ones we'll carry with us all the days of our lives. Thank you.
Everyone clapped and cheered. Sydney couldn't keep her eyes off the figure in the bleachers. She smiled and went back to her seat.

[Kpatch]

Great speeches. Very moving, especially the montage.

I wonder who's in the bleachers.

[krw627]

OK, you've got me very interested...who is in the bleachers???

[heroicmuse]

I loved the montage.

I kinda assumed it was Nicole in the bleachers but I'm probably way off.