And here...it is...the last chapter...

First off, I want to thank all of you for reviewing and following the story. It really means a lot to me as a writer. You guys are all awesome! And don't forget that!

Second, I hope I can update more frequently then what I have been in regards to any future stories I write.

And third, enjoy!

Today was the day.

Malik adjusted his goggles, and took his position to dive in the water. Today was graduation.

Malik dove into the water, and began swimming. He wanted to get one last swim in before the summer, as he knew he wouldn't be doing any competitive swimming during the summer. Daniel had been texting him, but Malik was ignoring them, his mind focused on other things.

Like, graduation.

Malik pulled himself up, and looked at the clock. He had beaten his time, again, and now he had to shower, and get dressed before his parents picked him up.

"I knew I'd find you here."

Malik turned around and saw Daniel. Malik said nothing, and grabbed his towel, "You've been ignoring me," Daniel said, crossing his arms, "I thought we were friends," Malik stopped, and looked at him.

"What gave you that impression?" he asked, and began drying his hair.

"Come on. You know what," Daniel said, a smirk on his face. He walked over to Malik, and placed a hand on his shoulder, but Malik pulled away.

"We should only associate with things that involve the swim team," Malik said, and Daniel frowned, "You heard me. You're bad news, and you're not going to get everything you want. I'll see you in the fall," Malik said, and walked into the change room. Daniel glared at the door, then stormed out.

"Come on!"

Kadar was practically dragging his parents over to their seats. Altaïr's father and step mom had saved them seats. Mr. Ibn-la Ahad smiled at them as they took their seats, "I can't believe it," Mrs. Al-Sayf said, "Our boys are growing up."

"A little too quick for my liking," Mr. Ibn-La Ahad said, "I don't know if I can handle Altaïr being three hours away," His wife smiled, and placed a hand on his knee, squeezing it.

"You'll be alright," she said, "because you'll call him every night or text him every day."

Meanwhile, Ezio, Connor, Leonardo, Desmond, Rebecca, and Aveline were sitting on the bleachers, getting the best view, "I can't believe that day is here," Ezio said, leaning back against the bar.

"They're growing up," Rebecca said, "Our boys are growing up," Desmond rolled his eyes.

'You guys are acting like it's the end of the world," he said, "We'll see them over the summer and during breaks."

"But they'll be so far away!" Leonardo exclaimed, and they all burst out laughing.

Yes, they were all sad that three of their friends, Shaun, Altaïr, and Malik would be leaving them in the fall, but they had all summer to spend together. And even when they did go on their way, there was the beauty of text message and video chat.

Desmond looked over at Connor, "When did Haytham leave?" he asked, as the ceremony began.

"This morning. Me and Grandpa drove him to the airport. He said he'd call when he got the rehab center," Connor answered, checking his phone. He was really worried about Haytham, one because he had told them he hates flying, and two because he was going to the other side of the country, "I know he'll be fine, but it's gonna be weird without him. Even though he was working, it was still a comfort knowing that he would be coming home. Now, I don't know when he'll be home, and it's weird."

"Awww, Connor misses his dad," Rebecca said, giving him a little squeeze.

"Yeah I do. And I never thought I'd say that," Connor said.

"Ssssh, there they are!" Aveline said, pointing at the stage. Sure enough, Malik was one of the first to walk across the stage and get the diploma, then Shaun was a bit later and then Altaïr. After all the graduates had received their diploma, they tossed their hats in the air as everyone began clapping and cheering, with Desmond, Connor, Rebecca, Aveline, Ezio and Leonardo cheering the loudest of all.

Later that night, everyone was gathered at Desmond's house, having a potluck dinner to congratulate the three graduates. Bill and Giovanni were taking care of the BBQ, chatting and laughing. Connor had brought Edward along, and he was fitting right in with the others. He was telling a story to Altaïr's parents, and they were all laughing. Rebecca's parents and Malik's parents were setting the table, and putting out the food.

The group of teenagers, on the other hand, were outside, all crammed on Desmond's hammock, looking up at the sky.

"This has been one hell of a school year," Altaïr said, his arm around Malik's shoulders. Everyone nodded, "but I couldn't have asked for a better group of friends to go through it with."

"Aww, Altaïr has feelings," Ezio teased, and they heard laughter from inside. Kadar and Petruccio were tossing a ball back and forth, while Claudia sat on the picnic table, texting. Uncle Mario had just shown up, as they heard his booming laughter after Edward had told another joke. Ezio looked up, "Mario's here," he said, and lid back down, but a little bit too far, and the hammock tipped over.

Everyone landed on the grass, and began laughing. Desmond sat up, and took out his phone. He saw a text from Lucy, and opened it.

Hey Des, I'm at the airport now, getting ready to board my flight. I just wanted to say...that I'm going to miss you, and I'm sorry for everything that happened this year. I hope we can stay friends, and I hope you respond to this message.

Desmond stared at the text, "Des?" he turned around and saw Rebecca. She placed a hand on his shoulder, and sat down next to him, "She texted me too."

"Would be I bad person if I didn't answer?" he asked, and Rebecca didn't say anything for a while.

"It's your decision," she said, breaking the silence, "Do what you think is best," Desmond stared at the message, then closed it. He placed his phone in his pocket, and got up, brushing his shorts off.

"Anyways, I think the food is ready," he said, and he saw his dad motioning for them to come inside, "And I'm starved."

After all the food had been eaten, they were outside again, sitting around the fire Bill had set up for them. They were watching the stars, and listening to the fire crackle, "We have to make this the best summer yet," Leonardo said, "We have to do everything!"

"Or we could just take each day as it comes," Desmond suggested, "with some planned trips of course," Everyone nodded.

"Uncle Mario said we could always stay at his beach house for a bit if we wanted," Ezio said, "if that's something we wanted to do."

"I think that would be fun," Malik said, "But sometimes it's good just to do nothing."

"I like nothing. It doesn't do anything," Connor said, and Aveline chuckled, cuddling into him. He stroked her hair, and picked up his drink with the other hand, "I propose a toast," he said, and everyone picked up their drinks, "To... friendship."

"To everlasting friendships," Ezio added.

"To everlasting friendships and ridiculous adventures," Rebecca said, smiling. Connor looked around at his group of friends, looking at each other their faces, then smiled.

"To us, the strangest, weirdest, craziest group of kids I know, but we always have each others' backs, no matter what."

THE END!

Man, I've been wanting to post this for a while but I decided to hold off to make sure I knew how I wanted it to end, and I must say, I'm very happy with it.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and the story in general, and who knows? Maybe there will be a sequel?

Until next time!

PEACE! :)