Here we are at last: the finale of the longest story I have written so far. Thank you all for reading this far. So for writing Diana's junior and senior years, I may have to wing it a little since the game I got the storylines from are not making any more books on the series. But I do have so many more questions for Diana as she has a whole bunch of careers to choose from based on what we have discovered. I will continue to make one-shot stories if I end up having writer's block. We'll see what happens! Enjoy the rest of the story! DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Criminal Case," "Meet the Robinsons," "High School Story: Class Act," Yaz's "Only You," or Kelsea Ballerini's "Dibs," I only own Karena, Diana, and Wesley.
I was shaken awake on the plane when we arrived back in New York, and I found that my mom had already done my hair in the same crown braid as in the play. We found both Russell and Amy Crane waiting for us when we arrived back in New York.
"Hey there, guys!" Amy said happily as I gave her a hug. "How was London?"
"It was amazing!" I replied as Russell shook hands with my grandpa. "It was definitely a trip to remember."
"I would love to hear all about it!"
"But, someone has to get ready for prom," Russell reminded us as three of us followed him and the other three followed Amy. I rode with my dad and Wesley.
"Dad, we need to talk about something," I said, and he gave me a raised eyebrow. "You said I was still going to be grounded when I got back from London. I don't want to go to prom worrying about what my punishment will be."
"Did you actually drive to Pittsburgh?" Dad asked.
"No. Maria drove the car I rode in."
"Well, I was going to take away your license and not have you drive the rest of the school year," Dad explained. "But now that I know you didn't drive, that's not a good punishment."
"Dad, all I did was go to Pittsburgh and not tell you the truth," I replied.
"If I may, whenever my daughter went somewhere and didn't me where she was going, I would ask her what she thinks her punishment should be," Russell suggested. "I would ask her how she felt going to that place, how she felt while she was there, and how she felt coming back. So, Diana, how did you feel throughout all that?"
"I was opposed to going to Pittsburgh, but I went along to help the play. The farther we went, the guiltier I felt about not telling my dad. But if I had told him, he would have told me to come right home. So, I didn't tell him, and we arrived at Pittsburgh. I don't regret going there, I mean it did get us to London after all, but I do regret not telling Dad right away where I was going."
"Did you even read my texts while you were away?" Dad asked.
"I was asleep," I answered. "I'm sorry I didn't reply right away. If I had to guess, you'd be taking my phone away until I learn how to use it."
"Diana."
I watched Dad turn to face me and put his hands on my shoulders.
"Listen, I'm not going to take away your phone. You need your phone so that Mom or I can call you if we need you or need to know where you are at. And it's the same way with your license. I think I have the appropriate punishment."
"What is it?"
"You are going to be my intern."
"Wait, what?" I asked, shaking my head thinking it was a dream.
"You are going to be my intern," Dad repeated himself. "You are going to learn how to respect your bosses as well as me and Mom."
"Dad, if I'm going to be your intern, that would mean I'd be staying here in New York," I said with realization.
"That's correct. You will only spend one month in Todayland."
"Dad, my friends and I were talking about doing a road trip."
"After that stunt you pulled on me and your mom?" Dad replied with a raised eyebrow. "I don't think so."
"Dad, can't I just spend two weeks in Todayland and another two weeks on the road trip?"
"Diana, you are all under 18 years of age. How are you going to pay for your hotel rooms? You need to be 21."
"Oh." I hung my head in shame.
"You can take the trip when your friends are 21. Trust me, the time will fly by."
"Why must you be right all the time?" I asked, with tears streaming down my face.
"Oh Diana. Don't cry. You've got prom tonight, and your mom did an amazing job with your hair." I looked up to see my dad smiling at me. "Just have a good time at prom tonight. The internship doesn't start for a few weeks."
"Of all the things that are my punishment, why an internship?" I asked with confusion. "An internship exists for experience."
"Diana, the takeaway from all of this is how you talked to me and your mom. You were demanding to be treated as an adult, and I don't take that lightly. I trust your judgment. Your attitude? Not so much. The internship will help you learn how we should be treated."
"I don't like it, but I get it," I replied, and Dad gave me a hug.
"Just focus on having a good time at prom. Worry about the internship when school gets out. I love you."
"I love you, too," I replied as we approached the house.
I quickly went up the stairs, ditched my clothes, and put on my red evening dress. I quickly applied foundation, red eyeshadow, and black eyeliner and mascara before putting on the gold necklace my godmother gave me. After I put on my red heels, I walked down the stairs to be greeted by my family, plus Russell and Amy.
"You look sensational!" Amy said with a smile on her face as Russell held her.
"You really do," Mom said in agreement as she put my hands in hers. "Well done."
"I believe this is yours," Grandma said as she handed me a red masquerade mask. "This was my mom's, and she gave it to me when I was sixteen. Now, it's yours."
"Oh, Grandma, it's beautiful!" I replied in awe, putting the mask over my eyes as Dad snapped a picture with his phone.
"Let's take some pictures!" Grandpa suggested, and we gathered in the living room for pictures. Before we started taking pictures, we heard a knock on the door.
"Oh! That must be Caleb!" I said, running to the door and opening it to find Caleb wearing a black tuxedo.
"Whoa, Diana, you look like a goddess once again!" Caleb said in awe as he handed me a black rose corsage.
"That's 'Miss Scarlet' to you," I replied teasingly, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Now come on in! My grandpa's taking pictures!"
"We only have time for a few pictures since you two have to be off," Grandpa said as we gathered again in the living room and snapped some pictures. First, Grandpa took photos of me and Caleb, and then we all gathered together for photos, with and without Caleb in it.
Then, Caleb and I rushed off in his car to head to the docks.
"We're not stopping for dinner?" I asked.
"I'm sure there's food on the boat," Caleb replied as we arrived in New Haven and got on the boat, which was already booming with music.
"Diana! Caleb! You made it!" Myra said, running over to us in the same purple dress as last year's and giving both of us hugs. "And you are both so stylish!"
"Apparently, Diana is Miss Scarlet," Caleb replied with a smirk and I gave him.
"Shush! Thank you, Myra. It looks like the party is underway already!"
"The only thing missing is the president!" Luis said just as Adam, his twin sister Amy, and their friends arrived on the boat just before the doors closed.
"Oh my gosh!" Mia exclaimed approaching me and my friends. "This is so regal and romantic!"
"I'm digging the touch of mystique," Skye, who wore a dress with a black laced top and red skirt, said happily. "It feels like a sophisticated murder mystery might happen here."
"Ack, this slips off as soon as I move around!" Amy, who wore a pink dress with her sleeves having leaf designs, yelled in surprise as she attempted to put the mask on. "Not super practical for dancing."
"Still, it's a splendid theme," Ajay, wearing an emerald-green suit, replied with a smile. "I'll be sure to hold this in front of my face tonight when I'm feeling secretive."
"Adam, you seriously knocked this out of the park," Rory said, wearing a black tuxedo with gold designs on the shoulders and clearly happy with the theme.
"Oh, you haven't seen nothin' yet," Adam replied with a smirk. "Let's rock n' roll!"
I heard the ship honk as it began sailing away from the dock and into Long Island Sound.
"Look, we can see the Statue of Liberty from here!" I gasped and pointed in that direction.
"You're right!" Maria exclaimed with excitement as a song came on the speakers. I saw my friends forming a circle, and Amy and her friends joined in.
Looking from a window above
It's like a story of love
Can you hear me?
Came back only yesterday
I'm moving further away
Want you near me
All I needed was the love you gave
All I needed for another day
And all I ever knew
Only you
Maria and I joined our circle of friends and put our dance skills to the test.
"Floss! Floss! Floss!" Myra chanted.
"I can't do it in real life!" Luis whined. "Let's do the Electro Shuffle instead."
"I'm ready to let loose!" Ajay exclaimed as he put himself out there and started to freestyle wildly.
Sometimes when I think of her name
When it's only a game
And I need you
Listen to the words that you say
It's getting harder to stay
When I see you
All I needed was the love you gave
All I needed for another day
And all I ever knew
Only you
"I had no idea you had those moves in your serious, uptight body," Erin, wearing a sparkling red dress, said with surprise in her voice.
"Oh my gosh!" Amy replied with shock. "This is probably the first time Ajay's really partying in his entire life!"
Amy then put her dance moves to the test and danced to the beat.
All I needed was the love you gave
All I needed for another day
And all I ever knew
Only you
"Look who's prepared," Ajay said with a smile.
"What can I say?" Amy replied as Ajay followed her lead. "I'm feeling the beat!"
This is going to take a long time
And I wonder what's mine
Can't take no more
Wonder if you'll understand
It's just the touch of your hand
Behind a closed door
All I needed was the love you gave
All I needed for another day
And all I ever knew
Only you
"THIS IS AMAZING!" I heard Cameron scream above me.
"YOU MEAN TERRIFYING!" Aiden screamed back, ziplining behind her across the top of the ship.
"Talk about an adrenaline rush!" Rory exclaimed excitedly. "We have to try that!"
"No offense, Rory, but nothing in the world can convince me to whizz around in that contraption while being strapped to you," Ajay replied with nervousness.
"Don't look at me, either," Skye replied with a smile as the song winded down and transitioned to another rock number. "The view must be insane, but I don't wanna risk my dinner coming back up."
"Amy, as usual, you're my only hope when it comes to doing anything fun," Rory pleaded with his childhood friend, nudging her with his elbow. "Unless you're too much of a scaredy-cat."
"How dare you!" Amy replied teasingly. "This cat is just looking out for her nine lives."
"Then how about you do it for your very good friend who really wants to try it out?"
"I might need a moment to build up the courage," Amy answered with some nervousness.
"Fine by me. We have all night," Rory replied with a smile. "Whenever you're ready, I'll be waiting."
"In the meantime, let's explore the rest of the ship," Ajay suggested. "There's supposedly a recreation room open to us. I could use a breather from dancing."
"Seeing the way you were dancing, I'm not surprised," Skye replied as the group went downstairs.
"Did you bring your swimsuit?" Caleb asked in a whisper.
"Caleb! No, I didn't. It's prom."
"I didn't think so," Caleb replied with a smile. "I was curious because we're on a boat and there's a pool up here."
"Maybe another time," I suggested. "Meanwhile, we could take Ajay's suggestion and explore the ship. Maybe even put our votes in for prom king and queen?"
"I'm down for that. Let's go!"
I went down the stairs to the lower deck where I saw a few different rooms. There was an entertainment room which had an ice hockey table and some vintage arcade games, and we heard Mia, Sydney, and a few others shouting in there. By the staircase was the polls, and Caleb and I did not hesitate to vote.
"Voting for prom king and queen?" Amy asked as she and Ajay approached us.
"Yes, ma'am," Caleb answered with a smile. "I wonder if I'm going to win prom king this year."
"You voted for yourself?" Ajay asked with some shock in his voice.
"No, I would never do that!" Caleb defended himself, and I giggled.
"Come on, Mr. Homecoming King," I said, pulling his arm toward another room, which looked like a theatre. "If this was a cruise ship, I wonder if they play movies in here."
"That could be very possible," Caleb replied as we sat down on the couches to rest, and we heard Amy and Skye walk in.
"I have too much willpower to be hypnotized," I heard Skye say.
"Hypnotized?" I asked. "As in the psychology theory that doesn't work?"
"You've heard of hypnotism?" Caleb asked with surprise.
"My dad has worked with three different profilers, and we also know a profiler personally," I explained. "The profiler we personally know does a terrific job with hypnotizing them to get a criminal to talk. The first profiler my dad has worked with does not believe in hypnotism."
"I guess it depends on the experience a psychologist has," Caleb replied. "Would you want to be hypnotized?"
"You know, I'm not sure," I answered, pondering in thought. "I kind of want to maintain my consciousness, but at the same time, I want you to see me be hypnotized so that you can tell me how I am when drunk."
"Drunk?" Caleb asked, cracking up in laughter. "Being hypnotized is not the same thing as being drunk, Diana." He paused, looking at his watch. "We should get back up to the upper deck."
"I agree. We don't want to miss the coronation."
Caleb helped me get up and we linked arms as we walked up the stairs to the upper deck. We had decided to sit on the lounging chairs by the pool while everyone else was dancing away.
"Boys and girls, I have an important announcement before tonight's last dance," I heard Principal Hughs say at the bow. "Let's find out who this year's prom king and queen are!"
We all looked at the principal, anxious about who would win the crowns this year.
"This year's prom king and queen are… Rory Silva and Maria Flores!"
"I… me?" Maria asked with a mixture of surprise, shock, and happiness in her voice.
"WOOT, MARIA!" Caleb cheered. "All your campaigning paid off!"
"You've earned this!" I cheered. "What a way to finish high school!"
"I've always wanted to be prom king!" Rory yelled with a happy cheer.
"Kind of like how you've always wanted to be an actor, an astronaut, and literally a dog that one time," Amy replied amidst the cheers.
"I'm a guy with many dreams," Rory replied. "Now excuse me while I go claim my crown."
I watched Rory and Maria walk up to the bow to claim their crowns. Rory looked so excited while Maria looked anxious.
"This is a huge honor!" Rory said in the microphone. "Thanks for making me your prom king. My first decree is that you dance your hearts out!"
"I… thank you," Maria said, still anxious. "Things in the spotlight usually aren't for me, I didn't think I'd win."
"We adore you, Maria!" Emma yelled happily. "You deserve your crown!"
"All hail Queen Maria!" I yelled with support, and I caught a smile from her.
"Go Rory! You're my hero!" Amy yelled excitedly. "You're amazing! You really can do anything!"
"Popular, successful actor, now this," Erin said proudly. "All Rory needs now is to join a sport."
"I'll start working on him," Adam replied with a smirk.
Afterwards, a slow romantic song played on the speaker. I watched as Michael took Maria's hand while Skye took Rory's.
"May I have this dance, Miss Scarlet?"
I turned to see Caleb with his hand out.
"Of course you may… Dr. Black," I replied with a smile, taking his hand.
"Dr. Black?"
"I promise, I won't let anyone here kill you," I said with a laugh as he pulled me in close.
I know everybody wants you
That ain't no secret
Hey baby what's your status?
And tell me are you tryna keep it?
Well they can all back off
'Cause I know what I want
And while I've got your attention
Did I mention
"I've you've got a kiss on your lips that you're looking for somebody to take," I sang along. "If you've got a heart that ain't afraid of love, ain't afraid to break. If you've got a Friday night free and a shotgun seat, well I'm just saying, I ain't got nowhere to be. So baby I'll take whatever it is you've got to give. Yeah, I'm calling dibs on your lips, on your kiss, on your time. Boy I'm calling dibs, on your hand, on your heart. All mine."
"You're good at this," Caleb said with a smile as the song went on. "Country really does suit you. I thought your favorite was jazz?"
"It's one of my favorites," I explained. "My grandma and my dad taught me about jazz. I can do the swing pretty well."
"This I have to see," Caleb replied with a chuckle. "But not right now."
"I agree. I'm so in the moment with you. Oh, and I'm calling dibs."
I pulled Caleb in for a kiss and embraced him while at it. His lips tasted like vanilla and I felt so comfortable in his arms. We pulled apart after a few moments.
"I'm going to miss this," Caleb said, looking down at me with those brown eyes.
"Me too."
"Did you get an internship, too?" he asked with surprise.
"Actually, yes. But it's actually my punishment for talking back to my dad when he reprimanded me about the trip to Pittsburgh."
"Well, you'll get experience regardless," Caleb replied, still smiling.
"What's your internship for?"
"I'm interning with Michael as a productive assistant."
"Really?" I asked with surprise. "I didn't take you as someone behind the scenes."
"That's just in case football doesn't work out."
"Ah gotcha. Caleb, can you hold me for just a few more moments?"
Caleb smiled at me before he complied and wrapped me tightly in his arms. Suddenly, as the song ended, I heard an explosion above us!
"DUCK AND COVER!" Amy screamed as I saw fireworks.
"Amy, breathe, look up!" Erin assured her. "It's just fireworks!"
"And right where the Statue of Liberty is too," I said, taking Caleb's hand and walking to the rail.
"They're majestic," Ajay said in awe. "Now that's a romantic way to end prom.
"Not that I ever want it to end," Amy said with sadness in her voice.
"There's always the afterparty," I suggested. "I heard Amber rented a theme park, but I'm exhausted. And besides, I think my dad is still recovering from the last time I stayed out past midnight."
"I'll take you home," Caleb said, and we waited until the boat docked.
The last few weeks of school passed by, and before I knew it, it was my last day as a high school sophomore. I had gotten dressed in my dad's shirt, eaten my breakfast with the family, and drove to school. I greeted my friends and went to homeroom, where Maria, Adam, and Principal Hughs thanked us for another great school year and to have a great summer. The rest of the day was spent doing whatever we wanted to do, so I gathered up my friends, and we exchanged yearbooks for us to sign for each other.
"Mind if I get in on this party?"
We all turned to see Amy walking towards us with her yearbook with a big smile on her face.
"No, not at all! Come here!" I answered enthusiastically. "We were just talking about our summer plans. "They're all leaving for a big road trip tomorrow."
"They're?" Amy asked with surprise on her face. "You aren't going with them?"
"I'm doing an internship at TIME pretty much the whole summer as punishment for the way I talked to my dad about Pittsburgh," I explained as Caleb placed an arm around my waist and kissed me on the cheek.
"After the rest of you head home, I'll keep traveling on my bike," Michael announced. "I'm making a documentary about competition in student theatre across the East Coast. Doing Spotlite got me curious about acting, and I'm glad I got out of my comfort zone. But I'd still rather be behind the camera."
"I'll be joining him as a production assistant," Caleb explained. "It'll be good on my college applications if getting a football scholarship doesn't work out."
"Maria and Aiden, you two are graduating," Amy started to ask. "Where are you going?"
"Aiden and I both got into Terman U, my dream school," Maria answered with a big smile.
"I'm going for music conservatory," Aiden explained. "I must say, it's a relief that I'll have a friendly face there."
"And someone to have late night study sessions with. We're going dorm shopping together too!"
"I've gotta know, did you always know your future dreams?" Amy asked with curiosity.
"Heh, dreams? I don't even know if I'm applying to college," Michael answered with a smirk. "I'm taking things a day at a time."
"I, on the other hand, have had journals filled with my personal goals since elementary school," Maria answered. "But those goals haven't stayed totally the same. I've wanted to be a lawyer, a politician, a doctor, it's so hard to choose!"
"I'm still figuring out what I want, too," Emma answered. "I'm doing a biology internship this summer to see if I might be interested in being a doctor like my sister."
"Whoa, that changed after two months," I replied with surprise in my voice. "You wanted to go into the culinary arts!"
"I like keeping my options open. If biology doesn't work out, then I'll consider culinary arts."
"Even though I've done music my whole life, I sometimes wish I'd tried other things," Aiden chimed in. "Maybe I'll experiment in college."
"I've always just focused on what I loved the most," Caleb answered. "Looks like that's what you're already doing with theatre."
"Thanks for the advice," Amy replied. "I look up to you guys a ton, you know."
"Aw, that's so sweet!" I replied with a smile. "You're gonna do great things, Amy. I can tell."
"Amy, mind if I sign your yearbook?" Emma asked with a smile after seeing her yearbook.
"Hey, me too!" I chimed in.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot!" Amy answered with a chuckle. "That's what I came over for!"
We all traded yearbooks with each other and wrote sentimental and silly notes. Shortly afterwards, Amy left to try to get other signatures, and we walked toward the courtyard.
"So, Diana, what would you be doing at TIME?" Maria asked. "First you help your dad stop Isa and now you're interning. Are you thinking of going into criminal justice?"
"Ever since I've heard the news that I would inherit Robinson Industries, I've felt like my future is overwhelming to think about," I explained, putting my hand on my forehead. "Should I go into business? Communications? Public relations? Or should I follow my dad's footsteps instead? I've been doing what Michael's doing: taking one day at a time. Now I feel like I can't do that anymore."
"Take advantage of the next two years," Aiden advised me. "You'll take all these tests about your personality and also about your intelligence to help you choose your career path. Have you thought about what you wanted to be when you were a kid?"
"No. I just went to school, played with my friends, played with Wesley and my mom, and looked forward to when my dad came home from work. Although, my dad always called me 'princess,' so I guess at some point I wanted to actually be a princess, but that's definitely not happening."
"Hey, look!" Emma said, pointing to the courtyard where Troy was, and we found new cement being placed on top of the worn-out concrete.
"I think I have an idea," I said, and I tried to find Amy and flag her down.
"Hey, Diana! What's up?"
"Hey! It looks like they put in new concrete in the courtyard by Troy," I explained.
"I'll be careful not to step in it. Thanks for the tip."
"I was going to suggest the opposite, actually. A bunch of us are going to write little messages in it before it dries. The seniors want to leave their mark on the school, and the rest of us mostly think it looks like fun. Wanna come?"
"Diana, that's too much pressure," Amy answered. "I can't think of anything I'd want people to see everyday when they go to the courtyard."
"It doesn't have to be anything special, but I understand. If I don't see you before the bell rings, have a great summer!"
"You too!"
Amy and I went our separate ways, and I joined my friends at the courtyard.
"You be the first to write a message, Diana," Maria suggested with a smile.
"Maria! I'm not graduating," I replied with surprise.
"But you've made a big impact on my high school career. And not just mine. You've made high school a happier place for everyone. You deserve to write the first words."
I took the big pencil that Maria was holding, and with a smile, I wrote down my message.
"Keep moving forward."