Forever Boy- SP 4 ✔️

Chapter 79- Graduation Pt2

"And this Nana has been my locker since the end of sophomore year" Toni says showing her nan around the school. Pea, Fangs and I walking behind them in our gap and gowns
"Hmm.
It's a lot nicer than the one you had at Southside High, But all your things are still in it"
"I know. I'll clean it out over the weekend. A lot of special memories with a lot of special people. Including my girlfriend" I turn to see Cheryl behind us
"Hey why don't we go find my mom and Archie. Let Toni have some privacy" I pull Sweet Pea and Fangs away to my mom and Archie. Archie's looking off at Mr Keller taking photos of Kevin
"Hey you ok?"
"Yeah. Just missing dad"
"So am I" I hug Archie "I wish he was here"
"He's here" mom says "let's get you guys into the auditorium and sat down" I nod my head at mom and follow her.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it imbues me with such pride and joy to invite to the stage the senior class's valedictorian, Miss Elizabeth Cooper" we call clap watching her walk on the stage where Mr Weathererbee was
"Hi. I admit, I've been struggling with what I wanted to say today. High school is supposed to be this amazing, safe time. But our years were co-opted with heartache and drama and even death" Pea takes my hand in his while I take Cheryl's in mine It's not fair that so many of our classmates aren't here to walk with us today. It's not right
that some of our parents aren't here to watch those of us who are" I let go of Peas hand to wipe a tear from my face before taking his hand again "Those younger than us have known no Riverdale other than the one steeped in violence. Our class is lucky enough to remember a time before the era of tragedy. When this was just a small, sleepy, slightly boring town. That's the Riverdale I wish upon the generation coming up behind us. And the one I want us, our class, to remember as we head into the future. So, please, stay young, for as long as you can. Stay innocent for as long as possible. Even If it's only for one more moment. Thank you" we all cheer for Betty's speech, then it's time for us to get our diplomas while Archie's voice is playing. First Betty, then Veronica, Jughead, Cheryl, Toni, Fangs, Sweet Pea, Kevin, Reggie, then me. We take a group photo before throwing our hats in the air.

"Did everyone bring an item?" Betty asks as we stand round a hole and freezer box "I'm putting in I am putting in today's copy of The Riverdale Register and a Bobby pin in case anyone needs it"
"I've bought a photo of me and Pea in Heathers with the program" I say placing them into the freezer box. Pea puts in a photo of all the Serpent. Reggie puts in a football signed by all of the bulldogs. Kev puts in all the play bills apart from Heathers. Veronica puts in a Pops menus and a La Bonne Nuit match book. Toni puts in her Pretty poisons jacket while Cheryl puts in her HBIC cheer top. Jug puts in his beanie and finally Archie puts in a guitar pic and a hammer from dads tool box. The freezer box is lowered into the ground and we all grab a beer.

"Let's make a vow. The 6 of us in 1 year, no matter what's going on in our lives, we will meet back at Pops. 1 tears from today and every year after that" Archie says we all make the deal "There's something else"
"You're very dramatique this evening, Archie"
"I'm joining the Army" Archie says causing me to spit my beer out
"Did I just hear that correct?"
"I know it's sudden, but I enlisted and I leave for basic training in the morning"
"Tomorrow?" I can already feel the tears threatening to spill
"It's kind of the same plan I had going to the Naval Academy"
"Hardly. In fact, it's nothing like the Naval Academy"
"Yeah I'm with Veronica on this one"
"I can get my degree without repeating
senior year, which I was gonna have to do. I'd be set up for collage. Look guys. For the first time in a long time, I don't feel scared or uncertain
about my future"
"You might not but I am. Archie I can't loose you as well as dad"
"You won't"
"I can't sit here and support this" Veronica gets up and starts to walk off
"Ronnie wait"

The next morning I get on the back of Peas bike following Archie and Jughead to the bus stop where Archie will be leaving. We wait for a little bit before the bus turns up
"I know I didn't agree with this, but I'm just so scared Arch"
"I know you are, but I'll be ok. Promise" I wrap my brother into my arms and squeeze him as tight as I possibly can
"I love you Archie"
"Love you to Rory. I'll see you soon" I pull away and hug Pea, crying into his chest as Betty and Veronica also turn up in a car. They speed down the road to Archie waving at him, I get on to peas bike again with him and he drives as fast as he can so I can also wave goodbye.

Archie's gone, Veronica left to spend the summer with her mom. Toni left for uni after Cheryl broke up with her, Fangs and Kevin have gone away for a holiday, Betty and her mom have left for a road trip and I leave for uni in 2 days
"Where do you want this babe?" Pea asks holding up my hair curlers
"That can stay here. Only time I'll ever be dressing up is for when I come home to you"
"I'm gonna miss you you know"
"I know and I'll miss you"
"We're going to be ok aren't we?" Pea asks with a frown
"Course we are" Pea pulls me away from my draws where I was packing some clothes. He sits me on my bed and kneels down in front of me. He takes the ring off his pinkie and places it on my ring finger
"It's not an engagement ring so don't panic. But a promise ring. A promise that your always come home to me"
"I promise" I take his head in my hands and kiss him
"I love you Aurora Rose Andrews"
"And I love you Nathan McCall" (I don't remember if I ever gave Sweet Pea a name. Please let me know if I already did)