Thank you everyone for reading "Hope" and "Disaster!" I hope you enjoyed them. And thank you for reading this story up to this point! There is one chapter left in this story, and then... get ready to discover Diana's fate. I have been creative outside of work and wrote chapters of Diana's future, but I won't reveal anything... yet. DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Meet the Robinsons" or "High School Story: Class Act," I only own Diana, Karena, and Wesley.
Caleb and I still hung out together after his marriage proposal. We attended homeroom together, we met up to attend the classes we had together and we had lunch together. Of course, I also spent a lot of time with my senior friends, and we had quite a few get-togethers since they were graduating soon.
Today was the last day of school for everyone, and I met up with Emma and Caleb in homeroom.
"Diana, this is the last day we'll get to say 'hi' to each other," Emma said with tears in her face.
"Emma, it's going to be okay," I replied, patting her back as we hugged. We broke apart, and then she hugged Caleb.
"I can't believe this is it," Caleb said to both of us. "Four years of high school flew by."
"It was worth it though," Emma replied, smiling through her tears. "I made so many new friends here and we've made so many memories together."
"I've found who my true friends are," Caleb said with a smile. "And I have a gorgeous girlfriend on top of that."
"Let's quiet down, class," Ms. Maddox said as the monitor turned on to reveal Adam and Principal Hughs.
"Good morning, Trojans!" Adam greeted us. "Welcome to the last day of the school year!"
"Today is a half day, so everyone will be dismissed after lunch," Principal Hughs explained. "We'll be having our favorite meal for lunch: pizza!"
"We want to wish all the seniors the best of luck in the world as they pursue their future in all corners of the world," Adam said with a smile on his face.
"Until August, it's a great day to be a Trojan!"
The monitor went black, and we discussed how much the school year had changed us all.
After we were released from homeroom, we exchanged yearbooks. Amy was the first classmate to approach me. We signed each other's yearbooks.
"What are your plans for the summer, Diana?" Amy asked me.
"I'll be touring two colleges," I answered. "One in Pacific Bay and the other in Boston."
"Boston? Are you talking about the University of Massachusetts?"
"Correct. My mom wants me to stay close, so I'm at least giving it a chance. What about you, Amy? What are your plans?"
"I got a summer job at the Golden Griddle!" Amy said happily.
"Won't it be hard, working with your parents?" I asked with worry in my voice.
"Nah, I've helped them before. Adam and Skye are working with me too, so it'll be fun!"
"Just don't have too much fun," I advised her. "You're working to get paid, remember? Even if your bosses are your parents."
"It'll be fine," Amy replied. "On top of that, I can spend as much time as I can with Ajay before he goes off to Hollywood. It's not going to be easy, having a long-distance relationship."
"I know. I have to go through that myself. Caleb's going to the University of California on a football scholarship."
"Which University of California?"
"Berkeley. He'll be playing for the Bears. I'll miss him, but I know he'll do great things."
"Oh, speaking of which, did I hear that he proposed to you?" Amy asked with shock in her voice.
"Yes, he did," I answered hesitantly. "I said no."
"Good! You need more time to yourself before you find yourself a married woman."
"That's what my dad told me," I replied. "I don't want to be a married woman right now anyway. I just want to be Diana Robinson and focus on right now, something I should have done all year long."
"Hey, next year will be exciting! You don't have to take any tests. Your only challenge will be finding a college that will work for you. Other than that, you have all the fun stuff! Your senior photos, your senior prom, senior nights, graduation. I'll bet you fifty dollars that next year will be full of excitement for you and absolutely no stress."
"Thanks, Amy. I'm glad we got to know each other the last two years."
"You are my inspiration, Diana. It's the least I can do to return the favor."
We hugged, and we went our separate ways to find more people to sign the yearbook.
"Diana! Wait up!"
I turned around to see Michael heading towards me.
"Michael! Hi! Excited about graduating?"
"Oh heck yes," Michael replied with a big grin. "But I enjoyed my high school experience more than I thought I would, and it's all thanks to you."
"Aww, Michael."
"I'm serious. I came to this school after being kicked out of Fairfield and Staples and found the one thing neither school had: hope. And you helped me see that. You convinced me to join the football team when we needed a quarterback, and you convinced me to come up with my own type of school spirit. I'm glad I met you, Diana, and I'm gonna miss you."
"Hey, you're still part of the band!" I replied enthusiastically. "We're performing in the Fourth of July festivities here in Westport! Right?"
"The mayor did approve it, yes. She says if we're a hit, then she may contact us to perform at the annual festival."
"So don't miss us too much. You're going to do great things in Hollywood, but it will be great having you back here."
"Any chance we can perform at next year's homecoming dance?"
"I'll have to bring that up with Adam," I replied with a smile. "But I think the chances are high."
We exchanged yearbooks and signed them before we went our separate ways. I found Sydney approaching me with a big smile on her face.
"Diana! My co-captain!"
"Hello, co-captain!" I replied, hugging her.
"You are going to be an amazing captain," Sydney told me with confidence. "You already are an amazing captain."
"That means a lot coming from you, Sydney," I replied with a smile. "But if I need advice, I will definitely call you and Mia up."
"Please do! Mia says she misses you."
"I know! I ran into her at prom! It was nice seeing her! You're going to be in the same program as her, right?"
"That's right!" Sydney replied. "Of the three colleges you told me you were touring, which one would you want to go to?"
"I already toured Todayland University, thanks to my grandpa," I replied. "But I can't really say yet until I see them for myself."
"You're going to do great things, Diana. The world of psychology deserves you."
"Thank you so much, Sydney," I replied, hugging her.
I continued to walk down the hallway when I found Rory walking up towards me.
"Hi, Diana!"
"Hey, Rory!"
"I can't believe it's official: we're seniors!"
"Rory, it's not official yet," I replied with a big smile on my face. "But I am so happy this year is over."
"I don't blame you for that. You've done a lot. Can we expect you to try out for the fall play?"
"I think the chances of that shot back up," I answered with confidence. "I'll need to be occupied since all of my friends are going to college."
"Hey! You have me, Amy, Adam, and Skye! Natalie and Clint will still be with us, too! You're already a great fit with my group."
"You really think so?" I asked, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
"I know so. We are going to rock this senior year."
"Heck yes, we are!"
We signed each other's yearbooks, and then Emma walked up to me.
"Diana, I'm going to miss you so much!" Emma said, her face full of tears as we pulled into a hug.
"Emma, you'll just be in the next town over," I replied, patting her on the back. "If you ever need a break from studying, just shoot me a text or give me a call. I'm always down for hanging out with my best friend."
"I will take you up on that," Emma replied, wiping her face. "Are you going to be okay here without us?"
"Oh, I'll be fine," I answered. "I was just talking with Rory and he assured me that I'm a great fit with his friends."
"Oh good! I was afraid you were going to be alone all year."
"I actually went to the same elementary school as Rory did, so we've known each other a while. I'm glad I have him as a friend and not an acquaintance."
"This is your year, Diana. Make the most of it and have fun!"
"That is my plan."
After we exchanged yearbooks, Ajay approached me.
"I'm proud of you, Diana," Ajay told me with a smile on his face. "I'm going to miss working with you."
"I'm going to miss you too," I replied. "Who's going to be the student director next year?"
"I haven't told anybody else except for Amy, but Rory is going to take over. He's confident about being both a lead role and the director."
"I can see it! Good for him! So, Amy told me you two are going to try a long-distance relationship. Since I have to do the same thing with Caleb, I have to ask: how do you feel about this?"
"I already promised her I would talk to her every morning and every night," Ajay explained. "As they all say, absence makes the heart fonder. I'll be excited when I come home to Westport to go to dances with Amy. We'll both have so many stories to tell."
I smiled at his response, for I had never thought of a long-distance relationship like that.
"Is Caleb planning on returning for school dances?"
"Yes, that is the plan. But we'll see how well this works out."
"Good luck, Diana. I hope you find what you're looking for."
"You too, Ajay."
We went our separate ways, and I ran into Myra.
"Diana! Hi!"
"Hey, Myra! You know, you never told me your summer plans or what you are doing next year."
"I was hoping someone would ask!" Myra replied with excitement. "I'll be going to the University of Massachusetts to become a marriage counselor."
"A marriage counselor? Good for you!"
"You've inspired me, Diana, to help me find my path. You've taught me to be honest and be responsible for my actions, but to have fun on top of that and go after my passion. Since one of my passions is matchmaking, I could provide therapy to single, engaged, and married couples."
"Myra, I think that is amazing," I replied. "And you're still close to home! How's Nishan doing?"
"He and Sakura are engaged to be married!" Myra answered, jumping up and down. "I'm going to be one of Sakura's bridesmaids."
"Congratulations!"
We gave each other a big hug.
"When's the big day?" I asked.
"Sometime next spring," Myra answered. "They don't have a set date yet."
"Well, keep me posted!" I requested, handing her my yearbook and vice-versa.
"I definitely will!"
The next person to approach me was Skye.
"Hi, Skye! How are you?" I asked with a smile.
"I'm actually really happy," Skye answered with a big grin.
"Let me guess: Brian's graduating and you no longer have to deal with him?"
"Yes! Thank God! He'll be all the way in Michigan on a football scholarship!"
"Isn't Max Warren in Michigan?" I asked with a perplexed expression.
"Max is the only friend Brian has," Skye explained. "That was mostly why he chose Michigan."
"So how about you? How have you and your family been?"
"We're getting there. Not on hugging level yet, but our relationship is getting better. They actually attended the spring musical, and they liked it."
"I'm glad things are improving," I replied with a smile, signing her yearbook.
"Amy is my main reason for deciding things for myself and being myself, but you inspire me too," Skye told me with a smile. "You are definitely a Robinson at heart with your 'keep moving forward' motto. Because of you, I've never looked back."
"Skye, hearing you say that makes me so happy!"
We hugged each other, and then Caleb approached me just as the lunch bell rang.
"Hey, Diana," he said with a smile on his face.
"Hey, Caleb. We need to talk."
"I need to talk to you anyway," Caleb replied, and I was surprised.
"Oh! Well, then you first."
"I am so sorry about proposing to you out of the blue at prom," Caleb said, having a look of guilt on his face.
"Caleb, marriage proposals are all about the element of surprise," I replied. "I was definitely surprised."
"But I had no idea I was supposed to talk to your dad first. He was pretty mad when we talked."
"I know, I heard."
"I know we've been getting along great, but I feel like I put you on the spot, and for that, I am sorry."
"Caleb, it was just the two of us outside," I replied. "I wasn't put on the spot. It was an excellent proposal. It just wasn't the right time. Which brings me to what I need to talk to you about."
I paused, letting out a sigh.
"Caleb, this whole year, I've done nothing but think of my future. Wes helped me realize that by thinking of my future, all I'm doing is putting stress on myself, because I'm thinking of the Diana Robinson of the future, not the Diana Robinson you know right now. I never had time to just… be in the moment. I don't know Diana Robinson in the future. So what can I do about it? Fly to Todayland and then take the time machine to the future? Find my answers there? My dad had always told he would never travel to the future because he did not want to know his fate, and I hold that same belief. When you proposed marriage to me, I tried to think of my life with you in it, but I couldn't, because I was too stressed out to do so."
"Diana, do you want to take a break from us?" Caleb asked, and my eyes widened in shock.
"How did you know I was going to ask for one?"
"Sometimes a relationship needs a breather, and it sounds like you need one. Especially since you're travelling all summer. But I do hope we'll spend time in Boston before I head to California."
"Well, so far our Boston get-together is still on, but I'll have to see how well I handle myself in Pacific Bay and Todayland first. I'll let you know before August."
I had not realized how fast time was going, because the final bell rang, and I heard the seniors in the cafeteria cheering. Caleb and I wrapped ourselves in an embrace, and we kissed passionately before letting go.
"Good luck, Caleb," I told him, caressing his left cheek.
"You too, Diana."
We went our separate ways. I walked outside to my flying car, and I drove home.
I was sitting on the couch when my mom and my brother walked through the door.
"Yes!" Wes cheered. "Goodbye, seventh grade. Hello, biggest year of junior high!"
"Hi, Wes! Hi, Mom!"
"Oh, Diana! I didn't see you there," Mom replied, letting out a laugh. "How was your last day of junior year?"
"I'm so happy it's over," I answered. "Mom, can we talk?"
"Sure."
"I'll go up to my room and look at my yearbook," Wes said, heading up the stairs as Mom sat on the couch with me.
"So, what's on your mind?"
"Mom, have you and Dad ever… taken a breather from each other?"
"Well… we have broken up once and got together again when your dad was in high school."
"Really? You two actually broke up?"
"I know Dad has told you so many times about the Bowler Hat Guy," Mom explained. "Well, this bowler hat had a name: Doris, or DOR-15. And she had a mind of her own. She helped this Bowler Hat Guy try to get revenge on your grandfather before your grandfather and your dad fixed the past. In the process, she reproduced a mini-hat, which your grandma's frogs trapped in their car. The hat escaped, and it wreaked havoc on both me and your dad. According to your dad, I had amnesia and could not remember anything because the hat took control of me. The hat also controlled your dad, and he was really rude to me, so I broke the relationship off."
"Didn't you try to work things out?" I asked.
"Not at first. But then I felt guilty and almost killed myself."
"What?! You almost committed suicide? What made you change your mind?"
"Your dad changed my mind for me," Mom answered. "Just as I was about to stab myself, your dad took my place. The knife went in his left shoulder. He still has that scar if you want to ask him about it."
"Dad sacrificed himself for you?" I asked in awe.
"Yes, and I regretted everything I said to him. We made up in his hospital bed after I finally remembered that I was in love with him. We also took a break for a week before I found out I was pregnant with you. I was nauseous and moody, and I didn't want anything to do with your dad because he kept annoying me. So, he and your grandpa went to Disneyland for the week while I stayed home and tried to nurse my nausea."
We paused, and I was still taking in the story where my dad sacrificed his life for my mom's.
"Why do you ask if we took a break?" Mom asked.
"Because Caleb and I agreed to take a break from our relationship," I explained. "Since I'll be in Todayland most of the summer, I figured that would be a good start in believing in myself."
"Taking a break is never a bad thing," Mom replied in agreement. "As they say, absence makes the heart fonder."
"Ajay said that earlier today since he and Amy are going long-distance."
"And so will you and Caleb. Are you going to go through with it?"
"Well, as of right now, yes. Of course, it won't be easy. But he'll be back for dances and breaks."
"It will seem like a long time before either of you see each other again, but time will fly by."
"So Dad tells me," I replied, and we both chuckled.
"But hey, I'm proud of you for not giving up," Mom said with a smile on her face, and she pulled me into a hug. "Do you think you have a better picture of what your future will look like?"
"Just that you guys are in it and that I'll either be a profiler or a counselor."
"I know you will go where your heart calls you to go."
"How did you know?" I asked.
"Your dad. There was something in him that brought hope to my heart."
"Maybe it's his confidence?"
"You'll find your calling, Diana. I know you will."
"Thanks, Mom," I replied as she got up and walked to the kitchen.
I, on the other hand, walked upstairs and into my room. I sat down on the chair next to my desk, and I took a look around my room. All around my room were picture frames with photos of Caleb and me. I reflected on how Caleb and I met: it was on my very first day of high school, and he had asked me if I thought he and Zoe, his girlfriend at the time, were destined to be together forever. Their relationship quickly dissolved at a party that night, and I gathered up a search party to look for him all over town. Caleb and I started hanging out together, and he eventually asked me out to homecoming, telling me he was ready to open his heart up again. We didn't make our relationship official until after Valentine's Day.
We had enjoyed getting to know each other through our relationship and love for each other the last three years. But this year wasn't easy for us. While I was testing, Caleb was applying to colleges and choosing which college was suit him the best, and he chose to go to Berkeley, California to pursue a career in either football or production. I have not graduated high school yet, so I have one year left in Westport before I follow my heart. Right now, Caleb and I were taking a break, and like my mom said, it will be okay. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I hope that statement will be true when Caleb and I meet up again in August.