So, the day had finally come. Graduation. They all loved the sound of that word, knowing it was something desired from the very start of their school years. Graduation. Goals reached, families proud, and the most important-freedom. They sat in folding chairs on the football field. The school's colors surrounded the stage that had been set up for this special occasion. The football field was filled with graduating students, all in their cap and gowns.

Emily Bowen-Quartermaine smiled to herself as she listened to the Valedictorian's speech about going into the future with new goals, new determination, and much of High School experience holding them up. She twisted around in her seat to peer up at the bleachers. She held a hand up to her forehead to block the sun's rays, and squinted, searching the stands for someone in particular. At last, her eyes came to rest on a figure in the entrance. His strong posture and light smile stood out from any other person in the audience. Emily grinned, satisfied knowing that he was there for her, and turned back around.

So this was it, Lucky Spencer thought to himself. I finally made it through High School. It wasn't so bad, he thought as he reflected on his last four years. He glanced a few rows over and behind him at a female, who was paying attention to the Valedictorian's speech. It wasn't too bad at all. He glanced behind him at the bleachers and saw his parents and little sister sitting up in the stands. He supposed that he had a lot to be grateful for. During the past two years, his parents relationship with him had been rocky. Being the hot-headed Spencer that he was bred to be challenged their relationship once he found out all the secrets that the Spencers and Cassadines held. During the past year, however, things had changed. He had become allies with Nikolas Cassadine, instead of enemies, as they paired up to find out who had blackmailed Emily Quartermaine.

Emily Quartermaine. It was amazing that he had been so blind throughout the past few years, to see all the damage he had done to their relationship. But she had forgiven him, and everything in his future seemed bright. He turned back around to gaze at the female again, admiring how strong she had become through everything that had been thrown at her. After the rape, she had become withdrawn and dependent. Actually, he admitted, they had been pretty dependent on each other. However, through these past few months, he was starting to see signs of the old, fiery girl he saw when they first met. He chuckled to himself as he remembered her lines.

A female jabbed him in the ribs. "Shut up, Lucky." She hissed.

He muttered an apology and tried to pay attention to the speech, but his mind kept wandering...

What the hell is he talking about? Elizabeth Webber thought to herself as she listened to the Valedictorian's speech. What is all of this new determination and new goals crap? She shook her head in disgust and turned away, catching the eye of Lucky Spencer. She smiled and gave a small wave. Lucky Spencer. His name made her glow everytime she heard it. They had been through so much together. She helping him through his parents troubled times, and he helping her through her rape. The rape. It had been such a long time since she had really thought about it. Such a long time since she had been scared to go outside alone. She was getting better, she knew it. She believed that she was finally regaining her confidence, finally regaining her sense of pride. She no longer felt ashamed, she knew that what had happened wasn't her fault...

Elizabeth looked up as everyone began to applaud and realized that the speech was over. She rolled her eyes. Thank goodness, she thought as principle began to call each individual up to receive their diploma.

Finally, her turn came. Elizabeth Webber had received her diploma at last.

As she stood at her seat once again, diploma gripped firmly in her hand, she grinned as the last person stepped off the stage.

"And now," the principle's voice was magnified by the microphone. "we congratulate the graduating Class of 2001!"

Hats went flying, tears started streaming down people's cheeks, and shouts of joy were heard all over.

Emily Quartermaine grinned as she made her way over to Lucky. She embraced him and said,

"Congratulations, Lucky."

Lucky smiled. "You too, Em." he kissed her on the cheek and said, "I'll see you at Luke's tonight, right?"

She nodded. "Of course."

"Great." He waved and hurried off to find his parents.

Emily glanced around to see her family making their way over. She wanted to see them too, but they could wait. There was someone waiting for her.

Emily hurried over to the exit where she found Nikolas leaning against the fence.

"Hi." She greeted him.

"Hi. Hey, congratulations."

Emily grinned. "Thanks."

"I, um, I have to get back to the house, but I'll see you tonight as planned, right?"

She nodded and watched as he reached into his pants pocket for something. She watched him curiously as he pulled out a gift and offered it to her.

"A gift." He said. "your graduation present."

Emily excitedly accepted the gift and undid the wrapping to reveal a black jewelry box. She opened the box to see a beautiful gold ring inside, shaped like two hands clasping one another.

"It's a friendship ring." Nikolas explained, taking the ring out and putting it on her finger. "I never really do say how much our friendship means to me." He studied her face. "Do you like it?"

"Oh, Nikolas, I love it!" She flung her arms around him and smiled.

Elizabeth Webber grinned as she pulled away from her sister. "Great, now that all of the congratulations are done, can I get out of this thing?" She gestured to her gown. Her grandmother chuckled.

"Not quite yet, not until we get back to the house. We have tons of pictures to take, you know." Lizzie rolled her eyes, but she couldn't stop smiling. "Oh, Lucky!" she called out to the boy who ran past. Lucky turned around and embraced her.

"Congratulations, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth smiled. "You too, Lucky. Have you seen Emily around here?"

Lucky nodded. "Yeah, but she's probably with her family. She'll be by the club later."

"Great, I guess I'll see her and you then."

Lucky smiled and squeezed her hand. "You bet." He said, before he ran off to meet his family.

"Congratulations, Cowboy." Luke Spencer said as he patted his son on the back. "So you finally made it through High School. Good for you." Lucky smiled as his sister hugged him, her arms barely able to encircle his waist.

"Thanks dad, and thanks Lesley-Lu." Lucky said, picking up his little sister.

"So, shall we get to the club?" Laura asked. "I expect your friends will be showing up soon." Lucky nodded and the family left the field together.

Laura had been right, of course. Lucky watched the doorway from his seat at the bar as his fellow graduates entered the club. He said the occassional hello and congratulations, but he didn't have a real conversation with any of them. He was on the look out for certain people. Right as he turned his head to the doorway again, after saying hello to one of his friends, he caught sight of her standing in the doorway. He smiled and walked over.

Elizabeth Webber hurridly stripped off the gown and brushed her hair. "Gram!" She called out as she ran down the steps. "Gram, how do I look?"

"Lovely, darling. Why all the fuss?"

"It's nothing, Gram. I just want to look good for graduation party, that's all. Can we go now?"

"Sure, Elizabeth, what's the rush?"

"No rush," Elizabeth assured her grandmother. "Let's go."

Emily Bowen-Quartermaine stepped in the doorway to Luke's club. She scanned the crowd from the doorway, but couldn't find who she was looking for.

"Emily, will you please stop standing there and step inside?" her grandfather grumbled.

Emily stepped aside for them to pass through, and caught sight of Lucky walking over.

"Hi Lucky," she greeted him. "Is anyone else here yet?"

Lucky shook his head. "No not yet. Hey, is that new?" Lucky pointed out a ring that she wore. Emily glanced down at it.

"Yeah, Nikolas gave it to me."

Lucky grinned, happy for his friend. "So you guys are getting closer, huh?"

She smiled. "Yeah, I guess so."

"What do you guess?"

A voice behind them made them whirl around.

"Hey, Nikolas, how's it going?" Lucky asked.

"Pretty good, Lucky, and yourself? Congratulations on today."

"Thanks man."

Emily watched as the two interacted and smiled to herself. Glancing out the doorway, she saw a familiar car pull up and she hurried up to greet the occupants.

Elizabeth Webber grumbled as she stepped out of the car. "I'll see you inside, Gram." she called out, waving to her grandmother and sister.

She hurried up to the door when she saw Emily coming out to meet her.

"Hey, Em. I missed you at the ceremony today. Congratulations." The two hugged. "Is everyone else here?"

"Yeah, Nikolas and Lucky are inside."

"Well then, let's go." Elizabeth and Emily hurried inside, and followed by Nikolas and Lucky, slipped into the backroom.

"Well, congratulations to us. We made it through High School." Lucky handed out glasses of champagne.

"We're free now, finally." Elizabeth exclaimed, laughing.

"I don't know if I like this." Emily admitted. "I mean, just like everyone right out of high school, we're going to go our seperate ways."

"We'll all keep in touch, Em." Lucky promised. "And if you get too far away, we'll hunt you down." Lucky's grin was wide.

"And he knows how to do it too." Nikolas laughed.

Elizabeth held up her glass of champagne. "To new goals, new determination, and tons of High School experience holding us up." she toasted.

"To health, happiness, and success." Nikolas added.

"To new loves," Lucky continued, glancing at Elizabeth, "and close friends."

"To us." Emily finished. "The Class of 2001, friends forever."

A chorus of exclamations and the clinking of glasses drowned out the loud music as the four friends laughed and joked with one another.

They were four graduates, ready to face new journeys. They were four companions, ready to face the world together. They were four best friends, ready to stand by each other.