Painful Sight

28

Betty's POV
I had my cap and gown on as Veronica's mom and my mom took photos of us.

I laughed with Veronica as my mother said "thank you so much Hermione for allowing us to come, it's been a rough year."

Hermione scoffed saying "Alice your daughter is amazing to mine don't thank me at all."

I smiled and Veronica hugged me tighter as I laughed holding her.

We went to the school and Veronica said "your Valedictorian...I'm honestly shocked, first year and you made an epic appearance."

I smiled and she kissed my cheek.

Suddenly I heard "ladies I heard were graduating."

I smiled hearing Kevin's voice and he said "Archie is running late, his mom and uncle are bugging him about college."

I frowned and said "sorry."

Kevin said "no, Archie and I...are thinking about moving in together..."

Both Veronica and I screamed and hugged him all excited.

I said "I'll be back."

I walked away and pulled out my phone calling Jughead, I didn't get any response and I was confused and called Mr Jones getting a little worried.

He picked up and I said "Mr Jones where are you and Jughead?"

He then said "don't worry, Jughead is getting ready still we'll be there soon."

I smiled and hung up as I waited.

Soon I heard "Elizabeth..."

I heard my mom and she said "Jughead's here..."

I smiled and suddenly heard "hey Betts."

I smiled and he hugged me, I held him and smiled as I felt him kiss me.

I kissed him back as Veronica said "guys it's time come on!"

I smiled and Jughead asked "you ready?"

I nodded and we left. We were all seated well except for me I was helped to the stand because I was Valedictorian, it was kinda exciting. As Mr Weatherbee got me to the stand he walked off and I gulped lightly and sighed.

I smiled saying "thank you..."

I felt the mic and gulped lightly saying "so this is quite difficult because I don't have a script, however I've thought this through and a lot of times rethought over and over."

I sighed and smiled saying "I'm glad that were all or most of us are here to celebrate us graduating. It's  such a surreal moment for me because...I never would've thought that...I'd be able to accomplish much because I'm blind. I never thought someone like me could be with people here, or on this stand or even be going to a top university...it's unimaginable, it feels like I'm in some book where the blind girl gets the happy ending. It's been such a hectic year trying to manage my way here, trying to accomplish all I want and trying to figure out choices and how to accept the fact I may be blind forever...not being able to see my loved ones is an incredible loss however... over time I didn't need that. What I needed was support from them, the love they give me through their actions and especially their words. I have had some experiences with some students that...I hope one day will realize how they will affect me in the future. I have been bullied because I'm blind, I've been picked on for many other things and...it's made me grow and it's made me think about what people I truly need in my life, which is my best friends, my family...and the guy I really really...love. I just hope that we can all do better for our future, and I hope one day people will understand that they shouldn't have been rude and they should have been supportive, I see myself in a few years being a writer. To be somewhere like New York, in a big apartment...I bet some of you want to be happy, have the family you want, the perfect husband, wife, or another...I'm grateful for what I have and I hope everyone has an amazing time after high school. Thank you."

I smiled and Mr Weatherbee helped me walk off. As we grabbed our diplomas and all.

I was sitting down as I heard "students please rise."

I got up and so did everyone else.

"Move your tassel from right to left."

I did so and suddenly I heard "your are now all high school graduates of 2021."

I smiled and everyone clapped and as we were leaving the school I felt someone hug me and I knew it was my mom.

"I loved your speech Elizabeth..."

She kissed my forehead and I giggled gently.

I then heard "B!"

I felt someone hug me and I laughed as it was Veronica.

I then heard "nice speech Betty."

I turned my head again hearing Archie.

Kev said "I teared up..."

I heard them kiss and I lightly smiled asking "wheres Jughead?"

Suddenly I felt arms wrapped around me from behind.

"Right here..." we're the words he said.

I laughed and Veronica shouted "wait! Group photos come on!"

I sighed and we took photos and after that Jughead and I were about to leave in my moms car when suddenly we heard yelling.

Veronica yelled "wait! My parents and I got you a very special graduation gift."

I then said "what's is it?"

She then said "now that...summer is coming up...my mom and dad found the best doctors in New York... and...they said they have a 95% chance of bringing back your sight."

I smiled and said "but we have no money."

Suddenly I heard Ms Lodge say "don't worry about any of that Betty, we will cover it..."

I began frowning saying "really?"

I felt someone grab my hands and knew it was Veronica because of the nails.

"Your my best friend B...i want to give you this."

I smiled and hugged her, she hugged me back and I began crying as I held her tighter. When I got home my mom was already packing suitcases. I was in my room on my bed as I laid down and smiled.

"Hey dad...guess what? I'm gonna get my sight back..." i told him.

I smiled lightly and said "maybe I'll be able to visit your grave and see a picture of you again...because the only thing I know is that my mom for a fact does not take off her wedding ring...I feel it on her finger everyday...because she misses you..."

I smiled and frowned as a tear left my eye and heard knocking.

I turned my head slightly and heard "Elizabeth...I'm gonna pack some more do you need anything in particular?"

I shook my head saying "I love you mom..."

She then said "I love you to baby."

I smiled and heard her leave as I smiled to myself.