A week had past since graduation. School was out for the summer. Clay came back to Liberty one last time to clear out Justin's lockers and pick up Justin's diploma. Clay returned home with a box of Justin's belongings as he's sitting on his bed, looking at Justin's diploma.
Justin Foley: It was a nice speech.
Clay looks up and sees Justin sitting in his bed as he sets Justin's diploma down.
Clay Jensen: Thanks.
Justin Foley: I mean, it was super dark and... a little meandering, but very... you.
Clay chuckles at Justin.
Justin Foley: What's all that?
Clay Jensen: Uh, it's just stuff from school. They had me clean out your locker today.
Clay takes out some of Justin's stuff, including his crouch cup from the box.
Clay Jensen: Both of them.
Justin Foley: Oof! Sorry about that.
Clay Jensen: And... I found this.
Clay takes out a letter.
Clay Jensen: Your college essay. The one that got you in. I didn't read it. It's personal.
Justin Foley: Dude, I mean, we have literally breathed each other's farts. You've walked in on me jerking off more times than you even know, and now you draw the line?
Clay Jensen: Yeah.
Clay begins to read Justin's college essay.
Clay Jensen: (Clears Throat, Clicks Tongue) "I didn't really grow up with much positivity in my life. And if I had influences around me, they were definitely bad. My mother was a drug addict. Her revolving door of boyfriends, mostly drug addicts too. I had a best friend I used to look up to, but then he hurt people close to me, and now he's dead." Jesus, Justin, talk about dark.
Justin Foley: Just... keep going.
Clay Jensen: (Inhales Slowly) "There was a time in my life I truly had nothing but the clothes on my back and the regret for the people I'd hurt. And then a person came into my life. A person named Clay Jensen." You wrote about me?
Justin Foley: They, uh... They said to write about a positive influence in your life.
Clay Jensen: (Sighs) "Even when I was puking all over his room, he was there. He's always been there, which is why even though I've never had a proper family, I know what it feels like to have one because Clay gave that to me. Because he's my... He's my..."
Clay begins choking up as Justin finishes reciting the essay for him.
Justin Foley: "He's my brother. He's my positive influence. He's the reason I'm alive and able to write this college essay in the first place."
Clay Jensen: (Choked) I miss you. (Sobs) How am I supposed to do this without you?
Justin Foley: Clay, it's like you said. You'll survive.
I arrive to the Jensen's home as I make my way to the outhouse. I knock on the door as Clay answers it. I take a look at his face and I can tell that he was crying.
Hannah Baker: What's wrong?
Clay Jensen: Nothing.
Clay let's me in as he closes the door behind me. He then makes his way to his bed where he had a box lying there.
Hannah Baker: What's that?
Clay Jensen: Justin's stuff. I went back to Liberty to clear out both his lockers and pick up his diploma.
Clay picks up Justin's diploma and shows it to me.
Hannah Baker: I wish he was here.
Clay Jensen: Me too.
I look down on his bed and I see a letter lying there as I pick it up.
Hannah Baker: What's this?
Clay Jensen: That's... his college essay. The one that got him in. Read it.
I take a seat on Clay's bed to read Justin's essay as he sits down next to me.
Hannah Baker: "I didn't really grow up with much positivity in my life. And if I had influences around me, they were definitely bad. My mother was a drug addict. Her revolving door of boyfriends, mostly drug addicts too. I had a best friend I used to look up to, but then he hurt people close to me, and now he's dead." Jesus, Justin, talk about dark.
Clay Jensen: That's what I said when I read it.
Hannah Baker: "There was a time in my life I truly had nothing but the clothes on my back and the regret for the people I'd hurt. And then a person came into my life. A person named Clay Jensen." (Chuckles) He wrote about you?
Clay nods as I continue on.
Hannah Baker: "Even when I was puking all over his room, he was there. He's always been there, which is why even though I've never had a proper family, I know what it feels like to have one because Clay gave that to me. Because he's my... He's my..."
I begin choking up as I'm having a hard time finishing it.
Clay Jensen: "He's my brother. He's my positive influence. He's the reason I'm alive and able to write this college essay in the first place."
I wipe away the tears in my eyes.
Hannah Baker: (Sniffs) That was... that was beautiful. I never thought Justin had it in him to write something as beautiful as this.
Clay Jensen: I know. I don't know how am I gonna do this without him. But I'll survive.
Hannah Baker: We'll survive.
I hold on to his hand.
Hannah Baker: You and me. Together.
Clay Jensen: You and me.
Hannah Baker: Come on, I promised Jess & Ani that I was gonna drag you to help them pack.
We both stand up.
Clay Jensen: Alright... wait, what?
Hannah Baker: Kidding. We're only helping Jess pack. And she's bossy as hell.
Clay Jensen: Like that makes it better.
Hannah Baker: (Giggling) Come on, Helmet.
We both go to Jessica's house to help her pack. With her going to Cal, her dad will be moving to Seattle to rejoin his family, Jessica's mom & her brothers. Me, Clay, Ani, Alex, & Tyler helped out Jessica pack up all her stuff. And yes, the boys did all the heavy lifting. Over the next couple of days, we would all say not goodbye, but see you later to each other. While we may be away from each other, we will be back in Evergreen County over the holidays. The first one to leave was Ani. Zach offered to drive her to Stanford and help her get settled. The day after, Jessica, Alex, & Tyler left together as they headed for Berkeley. The only one not leaving is Zach. The music school he's going to isn't far away which is perfect since he's also going to be an assistant coach for Liberty's football team under Coach Kerba. Me & Clay each had one last session with Dr. Ellman before we leave Evergreen. We decided to have a joint session with Dr. Ellman. We talked about how our lives had been since Justin died, how graduation went for us, & how we buried the tapes. We would also talk about how we will survive in the real world. Once we were done, we were making our way out.
Dr. Ellman: You will, you know. Survive.
Clay Jensen: Yeah. I know it now.
Dr. Ellman: You're out of town next week?
Clay Jensen: Yeah, we're driving with Tony to see his school. He's starting summer quarter because he's still got some stuff to... make up. Um... (Clicks Tongue) But you said we could maybe still FaceTime?
Dr. Ellman: Sure. Let me know what works.
Clay Jensen: I'll be back in 2 weeks for the summer, but then, um...
Dr. Ellman: We can meet online as you settle into school. And then... I'm sure there are resources on campus.
Clay Jensen: Yeah. Yeah, no, I'm sure.
Dr. Ellman: And you, Hannah?
Hannah Baker: I'm taking a flight from Reno to New York next week. I'll be saying bye to my dad, Valerie, & Bridgette before we leave for Nevada. I'll FaceTime you as well.
Dr. Ellman: You can count on that.
Clay Jensen: (Chuckles Lightly, Clicks Tongue) All right. See ya.
Dr. Ellman: See ya.
I will always be grateful to Dr. Ellman for helping out both me & Clay, especially after the past 2 years we've all had. I am going to miss him. The next day, it was time for us to leave Evergreen County. My dad & Valerie drove me & Bridgette over to the Jensens to see us off. When we got there, Tony & Caleb were already there as they were waiting for Clay.
As they were waiting for him, Clay finishes packing his bags as he's about to step out. Clay opens the door as he stops and takes one last look at Justin's bed, knowing that wherever he goes he'll be there in spirit as he leaves the outhouse.
As we wait for Clay, I begin saying my goodbyes.
Andy Baker: You'll call once you get to Nevada and New York.
Hannah Baker: Yes, dad. I'll call you once we arrive.
Laine Jensen: Hannah, I just want to say thank you for being there for Clay.
Hannah Baker: I should be thanking him as well. And thank you too, Caleb. For helping me with my recovery and the self defense classes and training.
Caleb: It was my pleasure.
Laine Jensen: We're sure going to miss you, Tony.
Tony Padilla: And I'm going to miss all of you as well.
Andy Baker: Tony, I just want to say thank you. For being there for my daughter and taking care of her.
Tony Padilla: What can I say, she saved me once. I wanted to return the favor.
Clay Jensen: Hey. You guys ready?
Clay came out with his bags as we begin to say goodbye to everyone. I got a little teary when I hugged my father. I am going to miss him. I then hug Valerie & Bridgette. Bridgette is going to miss me a lot. I told her that we can FaceTime while I'll be living in New York. I just hope she has a better life here in Evergreen than we had. I then went to hug the Jensens & Caleb as Clay & Tony hug everyone. After we were done saying our goodbye, we go to Tony's Mustang...
Clay Jensen: Do you want shotgun?
Hannah Baker: What a gentleman. I'll take the backseat. More space for my legs.
I hop on in the backseat as Clay takes shotgun. Tony gets in the drivers seat and turns on the ignition and begins driving away. Me & Clay look back as everyone waves bye to us and we wave back at them. The 3 of us just sit there in silence as both Clay & Tony pull down the windows. We still remain silent as we see Evergreen County passing us by until we finally make it to the freeway.
Hannah Baker: Are we going to be silent for the next 3 hours?
Tony Padilla: Want me to pop in a tape?
Me & Clay look at each other and just smile. I think we've all had enough of tapes. But in this case...
Hannah Baker: Sure, you do have good taste in music.
Tony puts in a tape as the music starts playing. For the next 3 hours, we all took turns driving as we finally arrive to Reno, Nevada. I called my dad and told him that we arrived safely. We helped Tony get settled in his dorm as we have one final hangout before I leave for New York. 2 Days later, it was time for me to go to New York. Clay & Tony drive me to the airport as it was time for me to say goodbye to them.
Hannah Baker: I guess, this is it.
Clay Jensen: Yeah.
Tony Padilla: Can't believe this is it.
Hannah Baker: Tony, I just want to say thank you. For taking care of the tapes. Helping me out. And Jessica, and Tyler.
Tony Padilla: Anything for you guys.
Me & Tony hug each other as I begin to get teary. We then let go of each other.
Tony Padilla: I'll give you guys a minute.
Tony leaves me & Clay alone to have one last moment together.
Hannah Baker: I wish we had more time.
Clay Jensen: Me, too. Remember, we're only going to be 3 hours away from each other. We'll still be close by.
Hannah Baker: I know. I just want to say... I love you, Clay Jensen.
Clay Jensen: And I love you, Hannah Baker.
We kiss one last time.
Hannah Baker: I'll look forward to seeing you back east.
Clay Jensen: Same here.
I give Clay & Tony one last hug as I then head off to my flight to New York. Within hours later, I arrive to New York. I find my mom waiting for me at the airport as I immediately hug her.
Olivia Baker: Welcome home, Hannah.
Hannah Baker: I'm home.
We take a cab to my new home where my mother lives. It's in the suburbs and the house is small, which is perfect for us. I'm ready to begin a new chapter in my life as I leave Liberty High behind in the rear view. I cannot wait to get started.