I can't forget you

9: Few Years Later

7 years later
TONI POV:

I take a deep breath and knock on the door. The door slowly opens. "Toni! What are you doing home so early?" My mom ask excitedly. "They let me go a few day early." I joined the Navy after high school. College wasn't gonna happen. Mom pulls me into a long hug. "I'm so relieved you're ok." She whispers. "Besides the obvious, why are you home early?" She ask quietly. I look down. "Mom. We both know why. Also for the wedding." She smiles sadly. "Have you talked to Veronica?" She ask quietly. "Yeah. She picked me up and drove me here." I motion to Veronica who's standing by the car. Veronica waves. "I'm guessing you guys have plans?" Mom ask quietly. "Yeah actually." I whisper. "I'll be back in a hour or so."

I take a deep breath. I kneel down. "Cher." I whisper holding back tears. I rub my finger over her name. I sit there for a minute and cry. "Toni." I look back at Veronica. "It's going to snow, do you want to head to Pops?" I stand up. "You still haven't found anyone have you?" She ask quietly. I shake my head. "I don't know if I can." I whisper. "Maybe you should try honestly." We walk to the car. "I don't know." I whisper. "I just haven't wanted to." I tell her. "Toni." I look at her. "What?" She looks at me sad almost. "Toni." I realize what she's saying. "You and Betty." She shakes her head. "We broke up shortly after you left for the navy and we went off to college. She's with Jughead." She walks closer. "I don't know if I'm ready." I whisper. "She's gone. You have to move on." I look up at the sky and see that it's starting to snow. I pull Veronica into a kiss. I'm never going to find someone like Cheryl again, I know. But I should move on. "You don't know how long I've been waiting to do that." I whisper. "Than why did you wait?" She ask quietly. "I wasn't ready." I breathe out. "I don't know if I still am." I get in the car. Veronica sits next to me. "I'm not over everything, that's the problem." I whisper. "I know. I do but you need to find a way out of it." She tells me. "I knew this was a bad idea. I shouldn't have come home." I drive off. I take a deep breath. We go to Pops and Jason and Polly are there. "Come on." Veronica whispers. "I'm gonna head home." I whisper as I start to feel like I'm gonna throw up. I walk out and go home. "Hey Toni." I run upstairs before responding. I go to my room and panic. Mom walks into my room. "What's wrong?" I look up at her. "I kissed Veronica." I whisper. "I'm not ready to move on." She sits in front of me. "Cheryl." I nod. She takes my hands. "This is the same daughter I sent off to the Navy right?" I shake my head. "I thought I could go home and be ok. I thought I could be strong. Than I realized I was in the Navy hiding how I feel. Same reason why I quit football. Cheryl was my soulmate." She looks at me.