The events of prom night spurred the beginning of graduation season. With Polly and Cindy receiving treatment it left us time to study for finals. And there was a lot. It was the last semester which meant lots of study parties. The garage was transformed into the ideal study area with a fridge full of energy drinks and snacks of various kinds to help keep them energized and awake. We ordered pizza pretty much every night and drank way too much black coffee. We hunched over our laptops typing away at final papers, and studying for quizzes, barely making time to take breaks.

Since the danger was behind us and Betty was healed, we found our own way to get our brains working. We took frequent study breaks, and then took them again. Good god that girl had stamina. As time drew closer, there was less time for intimacy, and we buckled down. Betty finished her essays and quizzes first. Then it was me. Cheryl and Toni next. We checked on the high school students, and as always Jellybean was the only one really studying. She had her Shakespeare book open to her right, and her European history book on her left with the laptop in the middle. I knocked on the door and she looked up.

"Hey Jug," she smiled.

"Hey, there's pizza downstairs. Come take a break."

"I can't. I'm working on my speech. The interim principal wants it tomorrow."

"What speech?"

"Oh my god," Her eyes widened in realization. "With the prom drama and everything, I totally forgot to tell you. Well this is the kind of thing that dad needs to know too. I'll see you downstairs."

I didn't say anything and waited. But in the process I gathered the family in the dining room. Jellybean emerged after a few minutes and we turned our attention to her. She sat at the table and dished a couple pieces of pizza onto her plate. After taking a bite, and washing it down, she grinned at us.

"So what's the big news?" My dad asked with anticipation.

"This is my fault, of course," Jellybean said. "With the prom drama and all the studying, I forgot to tell you guys, that I've been chosen as class valedictorian."

"Jellybean!" I pulled her into a hug. "Look at you! I'm so proud of you!"

We all surrounded her, wrapping her into an embrace, pouring our love out. And it's possible that a few tears were shed at the news.

"Thanks guys," She mumbled into the circle. "I just wanted to tell you. But if I'm going to do this, I need to finish." She grabbed her plate and headed upstairs. We didn't see her for the rest of the night.

"Hey, has anybody checked the mail?" Betty asked. "It's probably been a while."

And it was. Our mailbox was stuffed to the brim with magazines, bills, and a couple of sealed envelopes from our prospective colleges. There were also two packages addressed to each of us. Betty opened hers first, pulling out her robes with the sash but there was one extra addition.

"Oh my god," Betty held the braided rope in her hand thoughtfully. "I mean I always dreamed I would but I'm graduating with honors."

I dropped my package swept her up in an embrace, twirling and nearly knocking the drinks off the table. Then I kissed her. Hard.

"Just when I thought you couldn't get any more perfect." I kissed her again. "My genius girlfriend."

"Open yours," She tapped my arm lightly. "Maybe you did, too."

"Okay,"

As I lifted the top to the box, I pulled out my black robes, and just like Betty, I had made Summa Cum Laude. Before Betty I hardly saw myself as a student which made perfect sense considering my living situation. As Maslow would tell you, the need for comfort outweighed the need for success. But Betty made it possible for me to study. We spent many nights in high school pouring over the American Lit books which I had already read, because what else was there to do when my father was absent most of my life?

But the more time we spent together in high school, the more I saw a different side of myself. Even in joining the Serpents I felt I had something to prove, so when I was accepted into Stonewall prep on what I thought was merit, I was thrilled. But it was only when I entered college life that I thrived. I was surrounded by intellectuals, by equals. And even though it was just a state school, the experience was something I would never forget. Meeting the Serpents, discovering Iowa's famous breakfast pizza which I ate way too much of, and of course the lectures.

Having such contrasting subjects made for an interesting group of people. On one-hand you had the quiet poetic types, much like myself, typing away in the corners of various coffee shops or the library, working on the next great American novel. On the other side of the spectrum we had the crime fanatics—the people who were sure they knew the perfect way to dispose of a body and how to commit the prefect murder. Obviously not in that order. Yet I excelled in both environments. And as I held the rope indicating my success, I couldn't help but smile.

"I am so proud of you Jughead." Betty reached up and kissed me on the cheek.

"So am I, son." My dad clapped me on the back. "First Jones to go to college, and first Jones to graduate with honors."

"Yeah, well, hopefully not the last. Where's JB going?"

"She wants to stay local. There's a trade school in Greendale that she's been accepted into. They're gonna teach her all the mechanics. But she's also going to take a few business courses at community college." He explained. "It's not what I would've wanted for her, but if it makes her happy…"

"Well not everybody can do Ivy League education." I said. "And as a mechanic, she'll always have a job. The Serpents bikes are constantly breaking down. Thankfully I've got my own mechanic." I smiled affectionately at Betty before placing a kiss on her forehead.

We put our robes away and then checked the timing of everything. My graduation was first, followed by Veronica, Cheryl and Toni's, Betty's, and then we would finish off in a week with Jellybean's. It was a lot of travel, but worth it. Betty and I would have to leave the following day in order to make mine. The trip from Riverdale to Iowa was less than a day, but Betty had never been in my state or on my campus, and I had to introduce her to the wonders of breakfast pizza—something I was going to miss when I left.

Betty turned in before I did but that was good because time was running out. Veronica and I had been texting and calling often to get the details in place. Veronica suggested making a food scavenger hunt with "impromptu" shopping trips along the way. While I introduced her to Iowa's best cuisine, Veronica was going to get the pieces for the perfect 'graduation party' outfit. She knew of the perfect jewelry store in Iowa which was the ruse. Of course it would be a gift from Veronica claiming that every woman needs…whatever she decided on.

After cementing phase one, I crawled into bed with Betty, setting the alarm for early. Veronica had booked us the best hotel with the nicest view and check-in was early in the afternoon. So around two AM, after sitting down to a hearty breakfast, we packed our bags into the trunk of the car and started our road trip. Sixteen long hours later, we arrived. Normally I would have taken the opportunity to show her around, but by the time we checked into the hotel we crashed.

When we woke up the next morning, Betty told me that Veronica wanted to meet us for breakfast at some restaurant. I was expecting the crème de la crème but what I got was a simple mom and pop shop with some of the best breakfast pizza I'd ever had. It was the easiest way to eat eggs, sausage, bacon, and cheese. Like an omelet on bread. The perfect way to keep us filled up. Veronica rivaled me in her pregnancy eating habits as she reached for her fifth slice. Apparently her child had a black hole for a stomach. After breakfast Betty and I parted ways while I spent some time with Archie.

We wandered along the quiet streets, taking in the sights, sweating in the sweltering heat. I missed Riverdale, already. At least the temperatures rarely reached above 80. Here it was pushing 100 and I could feel it. I stopped in a gas station to get us some water and then turned to Archie.

"So has Veronica told you our plan?" I asked

"Yeah, man. I'm so happy for you. You and Betty deserve each other."

"Good," I smiled. " 'Cause I know things were a bit…tumultuous between us in high school regarding her, but I love her."

"Jughead." He stopped me in my tracks. "I'm marrying Ronnie. She's having my baby. There's nothing better than that."

"Good, 'cause if she says yes, I'm gonna need you to be my best man."

"You know she will. And only if you're mine."

I showed him around campus, the towering buildings, the expansive library, and everything else. I introduced him to some of my friends who sought refuge in the student center despite the end of classes, and we chatted. Then, as the day wound down, Betty texted me. We met for dinner and turned in early. She showed me the necklace that Veronica had purchased for her—a simple silver chain with a small pink diamond pendant. She told me that she felt guilty but I assured her that Veronica was just feeling motherly and to let her do it.

Then came the day I'd been waiting for—graduation. We lined up in alphabetical order, pomp and circumstance played and I crossed the stage receiving my diploma. It felt weird having everything built up for such a simple thing, but I couldn't help but tear up at the loud voices erupting in the crowd as I accepted the piece of paper. As I looked out at the audience there was everybody I had loved—my mom and dad, Alice cooper, Archie, Veronica, Toni and Cheryl, Jellybean, and of course Betty. She beamed at my accomplishment. But like al things, it was short lived because right away we had to pack up, check out, and head to New York for the three girls'.

Cheryl and Toni were first with Toni receiving her master's in political science and Cheryl majoring in business, and announcing that she had been accepted into law school in Virginia where Toni had found a job in a small office focusing on political activism. Veronica's graduation was later in the afternoon where she completed her degree in business. We celebrated New York style with takeout and beer.

The next day, Veronica introduced Betty to Katy Keene where Katy designed the perfect dress that she swore I would see later. Veronica held onto it until the time was right but I had a feeling that Betty was getting suspicious. She asked me point blank if something was going on, to which I kissed her on the forehead, told a little white lie, and hoped to god that we could pull this off. We crashed early and then the next day headed up to New Haven where Betty received her diploma.

And then we headed home—back to sleepy old Riverdale, where Jellybean anxiously awaited her turn. She fidgeted with her cap and hair so many times that Veronica had to pin everything into place. As we crowded into the gymnasium, the interim principal took the stage. We stood for the pledge of allegiance, and then the class of 2024 entered single file. Jellybean was announced as valedictorian, and as she took the stage, she took a deep breath.

"Most of you don't know me," She started. "I mean you do. I'm Jellybean Jones. Head cheerleader, straight A student, and lover of drama." Then she smiled. "I mean the class, not the attitude. I am a Serpent." She stated. "And for a while I didn't know what that meant. But it means that I have honor. That I stand up for what's right, and I stick with my friends. And I've come to find that I consider each of you friends. These past four years have been about breaking boundaries, and more importantly, self-discovery. I think it's safe to say that we are not the same people we were four years ago." Her voice echoed in the gym. "Maybe we had dreams that were shattered, or maybe we found new ones. Some of you are going to Ivy League. Some of you are going to community college. What's most important here, is that we don't forget what we've learned. I'm sure that as valedictorian you expect me to go to Harvard, or Yale, or Brown, but that's not who I am. And when it comes down to it, I think that self-identity is the most important part of this journey. I won't forget a single minute in these halls. I won't forget the heartbreak, and the mending. And I hope this class doesn't either. Because when it comes down to it, these painful experiences make us who we are. They create the drives that make us human and fuel our passions. As we move on to the next step of our path, let us forget where we came from. And let's do better. And as I finish this speech I'd like us all to take a moment of silence for the lost community members this year. We have faced a great tragedy and these young men and women need to be honored."

The whole gym went silent as a powerpoint with the faces of the lost Serpents flashed across the screen. The members who attended raised their arms bending their fingers in the Serpent Fangs position. Soon the crowd joined in. I looked around. People who didn't even know them cried tears of loss. Jellybean had brought awareness to the true nature of the Serpents and in that moment I couldn't be prouder.

"Thank you everybody, and congratulations to the class of 2024!"

She took her seat, and then row by row the rest of the class stood, ready to accept their diploma. When the ceremony was over, she re-joined us.

"That was a beautiful tribute, Jellybean."

"I thought so," She said. "People needed to know that these were human beings, and not just some gang member."

"If anybody could have done this, it was you." I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "Alright, graduation party tonight. Let's go home."

Jellybean joined the other adults leaving me alone with Veronica. She assured me that everything was going to be fine but my heart raced thinking about what I was about to do. I had run the gauntlet, been beaten to death, faked my own death, come up against kingpins and drug lords, but none of that compared to the question I had to ask. I reached into my jacket pocket and squeezed the ring box. This was it. Tonight was the night. And I had to make it perfect.