The Only Beanie - Book 4 (Riverdale Season 4/5)

Graduation - Part 2

The student lounge was cluttered with students and families as they looked at yearbooks and took pictures, the seniors in their caps and gowns. Just like at prom, Alice insisted on getting a bunch of pictures, mixing and matching them with their friends and families.

"If the families would please report to their seats, the ceremony will begin in ten minutes," Weatherbee said over the PA and people started filtering out of the room. Aminity stood on her tiptoes as she tried to fix Sweet Pea's cap. She said goodbye, giving him a quick kiss and turned to walk out of the room when her brother caught her arm.

"You seem strangely okay with all of this," he said as he looked at her. "Are you really?"

"Yeah," she admitted. "I mean, I'm gonna miss you guys, but nothing can stay the same forever. Besides, where's the fun in that? Just 'cause you're graduating doesn't mean I'm losing you. Any of you." He smiled at her, giving her a hug before she went to rejoin her father as they found the seats in the auditorium.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Weatherbee said from the podium on the stage, "it imbues me with such pride and joy to invite to the stage the senior class' valedictorian, Miss Elizabeth Cooper." The crowd clapped as Betty walked onto the stage and took Weatherbee's spot.

"Hi. I admit that I've been struggling with what I wanted to say today." She took a breath. "High school is supposed to be this amazing, safe time. But our years were co-opted with heartache and drama and even death." She looked at the crowd, eyes passing over Cheryl. "And it's not fair that so many of our classmates aren't here to walk with us today." She thought of Midge. "And it's not right that some of our parents aren't here to watch those of us who are." She thought of Fred and even her own father. "Those younger than us have known no Riverdale other than the one steeped in violence." Betty looked at the crowd, finding Aminity. "Our class is lucky enough to remember a time before the era of tragedy," she continued, looking at where her fellow students sat in one section of the room. "When this was just a small, sleepy, slightly boring down," she smiled. "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." Everyone cheered and clapped as she sat back down and the graduation song that Archie had recorded started playing.

One by one, the students walked across the stage and received their diplomas. Alice took so many pictures of Betty and their friends as they posed with their diploma and moved their tassel to the other side of their cap. Aminity cheered loudly as Betty walked the stage, then Veronica. She laughed and clapped as Jughead pumped his arm as he stepped onto the stage before shaking Weatherbee's hand. Cheryl walked proudly across in her red gown and Toni displayed her diploma proudly. Fangs smiled as he heard Kevin, Sweet Pea, Toni, and Aminity cheering for him as he moved his tassel. Aminity couldn't help the swelling in her heart when she saw the grin on Sweet Pea's face as his name was called and he received his diploma. He found her in the crowd, giving her the biggest smile of all and she smiled back. Kevin smiled bashfully as he got on stage whereas Reggie invited the rest of the school to cheer with him and they did. Archie smiled for his mom, knowing she was taking pictures even though there was no diploma in his cover. After the ceremony, the friends gathered for more pictures as graduates before tossing their caps in the air.

***

"I gotta hit the road if I'm gonna make it by sun down," FP said as parents and students lingered around the parking lot.

"Dad..." Jughead started before FP wrapped him in a tight hug, tears welling in both men's eyes.

"You're going to college, being a success, it's good for us Jones'."

"I love you."

"I love you too, Jug." He hugged him tighter before pulling away.

"I'm gonna miss you," Aminity said as she took her turn.

"I know, but you can call me all the time. Besides, Mary's gonna take great care of you." She nodded, hugging her father tighter. "I love you, sweetheart."

"I love you too, Daddy." He kissed the top of her head before she pulled away and she joined her brother with Betty and Sweet Pea. Betty had said goodbye to her mother, giving her one last hug before Alice joined FP in his sidecar, putting on her glasses and helmet. FP took one more look at his children before putting his sunglasses and helmet on, turning on his bike before driving off, leaving the four to watch them as they went.

***

"Why did you want to meet here before we met Betty and the others?" Aminity asked as Veronica walked into La Bonne Nuit.

"I wanted to talk to you about something. Well, more like show you." She pulled a stack of papers out of her bag before sliding them over the table as she sat down.

"What... What is this?" she asked as she skimmed over them.

"They're the ownership papers for La Bonne Nuit. I want you to have it."

"Veronica-"

"I'm drawing out of Pop's too. You've been so dedicated to this place and can give it what it needs while I'm at college." Aminity hesitated. "I've talked to Reggie and he doesn't want any ownership, so she's all yours. A, I couldn't think of anyone better to run La Bonne Nuit."

"Thank you," she said with a smile.

"All I ask is that I have a booth waiting for me whenever I come back."

"Done," she chuckled, shaking her hand.

***

"Did everyone bring an item?" Betty asked as they gathered around the time capsule that Betty had planned based on the one that had been shown to the seniors before graduation. "I am putting in today's copy of the Riverdale Register and the Blue and Gold. My last addition as editor in chief. And a bobby pin in case anyone needs it."

"I'm putting in a football signed by all of the Bulldogs. Long may they roar."

"I'm putting in a Pop's menu and a La Bonne Nuit matchbook," Veronica put her items in after Reggie.

"I'm putting in programs for my musicals as well as a pair of Josie's cat ears. I wish she was here with us," Kevin smiled sadly.

"Oh, HBIC shirt, I found no one deserving of you. Therefore, toodles."

"The Pretty Poisons were fun, but, uh, I'm gonna keep my Serpent jacket 'cause I'll always be one at heart," Toni shrugged, setting the leather jacket in.

"Well, it's getting pretty full in there, but..." Jughead sat down the final draft of Saving Mr. Honey.

"Putting in a guitar pick and a hammer from my dad's toolbox," Archie went next.

"I've got a copy of the Swords and Serpents club photo," Fangs set it in.

"I brought one of the cue balls from the Whyte Wyrm," Sweet Pea went last, setting it in before wrapping his arm around Aminity's waist.

"And I am planning next year's time capsule," she said and the other smiled before Kevin and Veronica closed the lid and placed it in the hole that Archie and Reggie had dug.

One more chapter! Sorry for the delay. Life is just crazy right now, so I make no promises on consistent uploads anymore, but I hope they will be lol. Hope you all enjoyed!