This is probably the shortest chapter in the story. Enjoy! DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Meet the Robinsons" or "High School Story," I only own Diana and Karena.
The time finally came for the homecoming game as the squad got lined up at the tunnel to watch the football game.
"Come on, team! Beat Staples!" I cheered as the team ripped apart the banner we were holding up. "Goooo Trojans!"
"Caleb!" I heard a voice that was not from our squad call out, and Caleb stopped in the middle of his tracks and turned toward Zoe, who was pushing her way toward him.
"Oh boy," I said out loud as she hugged Caleb, who did not hug her back. I started to walk toward them to be sure Zoe was not going to hurt him.
"Zoe, what are you doing?" Caleb asked. "Shouldn't you be over with the other Staples cheerleaders?"
"Before this all goes down, I really need to talk to you," Zoe answered. "I'm sorry for everything I did. I was wrong, and… it's over with Brian… because I want you back."
"You can't be serious," Caleb replied.
"You have to believe me, Caleb. I've been such a fool. You're the only man I can ever really love. If you give me one more chance, I promise I'll be the perfect girlfriend."
I stood next to Caleb as he tried to find the right words to say.
"Diana. Come to steal my boyfriend again?"
"Last time I checked, Zoe, he was your ex-boyfriend," I answered with ice in my voice.
"We'll see about that," Zoe replied with a smirk.
"Listen, Zoe, this isn't the time. In case you haven't noticed, we're about to start a football game."
"Way to state the obvious."
"All I'm saying is that there's a better time for this conversation."
"Zoe… I can't do this right now," Caleb said, pushing me aside. "I've got to focus on the game."
"I know. Let's talk afterward," Zoe said, blowing him a kiss and returning to her side. I cannot believe her…
"Are you alright?" I asked Caleb.
"I'm fine… I have to be. I'll catch up with you later. I've got a game to win."
We went our separate ways to do our jobs in the game.
"Okay, everyone! It's almost kickoff time," Sydney, the temporary captain, announced with a smile on her face. "I want to hear you get pumped up! Who are we?"
"Trojans!" we all shouted.
"And what are we gonna do?"
"SHOOOUUT!"
"And here. We. Go!" I shouted as the game began. We had chanted cheers to pump up the crowd and the football team, though I was a little nervous. Because of my experience in tumbling and gymnastics as well as ballet, I was chosen to replace Mia to do the Trojan Pike. My thoughts went back to the game when I watched Brian evade a play from the defense and score for Staples.
"There's no way Brian could've seen that coming!" I exclaimed. "It was a solid play from our defense!"
"At least it's only 7-0," Emma replied as the game continued on into the second quarter, and I watched as the opposition kept evading our defense and was prepared for our offense.
"Seventeen to nothing," I stated with depression. "This is not how I expected the game to go."
"It's like they know our moves before we do!" Emma exclaimed, and we both turned to our left to watch the football coach frantically searching for something.
"Where's my binder?" I heard the coach ask. "It's got all of our plays!"
Then I looked across the field where I found Brian looking through the binder!
"I don't know how Staples got ahold of our playbook, but I'm getting it back!" I exclaimed, telling Sydney where I was going and running the track to the other side of the field.
"Decided to come to the winning side?" Brian asked with a smirk.
"You're only in the lead because you stole our playbook!" I exclaimed angrily.
"Not my fault Burke kept it in the same place as before. Your football team has some nice plays, by the way. I'll have to thank Coach after we win."
"Give it back. It doesn't belong to you."
"Let me think about that… no."
"Brian, don't make me take it from you," I replied, clenching my fists.
"I'd like to see you try," Brian taunted me, and I went after the book. We wrestled until it slips out of our hands into the mud.
"Look at what you've done!" I exclaimed, raising my voice to him.
"It's fine. I already have all the plays memorized. Good luck winning!" Brian ran off to join the team while I jogged back to my side of the field where I met Wes at the gate.
"I saw what Brian did. But, I have something from back in the day that'll help take 'em down a notch." I watched Wes take out an old book out of a worn backpack. "This is Westport High's very first football playbook from the 2010s. A few plays in here would make it much easier to defeat Staples."
"Wes, what's the catch?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Believe it or not, it's better for business if our school wins. You'd be surprised how much goes on after a homecoming game. So, if Staples wants to play dirty, you'll need all the help you can get. Use this to beat Staples, and I'll consider the debt paid."
"It's generous, Wes, but we have enough spirit in our hearts."
We went our separate ways to continue to watch the game until it was almost halftime. I watched as the defense returned to the field. My heart sank as Brian caught the ball and swerved around our defense and runs into the end zone, scoring again. On his way back up the field, he knocked over Frank and towered over him.
"Cheap shot, Brian!" I shouted. "The play was over! There was no need for that!" I glanced around to see the stadium silent.
"That's half," Emma said with sadness in her eyes. "We'd better get ready to perform."
I followed the squad onto the football field to perform our routine with smiles on our faces.
"Ready?" I shouted. "Okay!"
"T-R-O-J-A-N-S. Stand up and cheer!" we all cheered. "Now shout out loud for all to hear!"
"I can't hear you!" I shouted as we continued on.
"B-E-A-T! Beat those Wreckers and fight! Fight, fight, tonight!"
I watched as Payton and Sydney performed roundoffs, and then I did my own routine with a cartwheel, a roundoff, and three flips.
"Let's go, Trojans! Lead us on to V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!" We all jumped up and touched our toes. "Westport Trojans are number one. We'll keep those Wreckers on the run! The gold and blue will wave bye-bye. Or else our name's not Westport High!"
We kicked our legs in the air, and then I got into position as Emma and Payton helped Sydney up while two other cheerleaders lifted me up. We jumped in the air and performed the Trojan Pike! We finished our routine and posed for the crowd, who cheered loudly. I searched for my parents who were standing up and cheering for me, and I could tell they were proud of me. We ran to the sidelines as the marching band marched onto the field and performed their routine, which sounded united and so much better than it did a few weeks ago!
"They sound so good!" I exclaimed with a smile on my face, recognizing the song that the band was playing.
"I love this song!" Emma said, doing the wave with her arms.
"My mom is thinking about becoming the music teacher here, too," I told her. "She had taught both the lower levels and higher levels before we moved here."
"She should! I love your mom."
As the band got off the field, the football team returned, but Caleb looked distracted. I got up to talk to him.
"Are you feeling any better?" I asked.
"Honestly, Diana, no. I can't stop thinking about Zoe. She's got this hold on me, and I can't seem to shake her. It's not fair to you, but I want to be upfront."
"She didn't exactly pick the best time to show up," I replied, appreciating his honesty.
"No, she didn't. Every time I turn around, there she is again. How am I supposed to focus now?"
"Think about me," I suggested, giving him a smile and a kiss on the cheek. "Whenever you start thinking about Zoe, just find me cheering you on! I'll keep your head in the game."
"Thanks, Diana. I knew I could count on you."
We went our separate ways with smiles on our faces, and I continued to cheer the team on. Even more so, I cheered Caleb up whenever he looked my way, even to the point of scoring a touchdown. We were able to catch up with Staples in a tight game. The score was 41-34.
"Last play of the game," Emma announced quietly. "I can't watch!"
"But we can win this!" I replied enthusiastically. "We just need a touchdown to stay in the game."
I watched as Michael passed the ball to Julian, and he ran as fast as he could to the end zone, scoring a touchdown just in time!
"We did it!" I exclaimed.
"If we can kick the extra point, we'll be tied!" Emmaa said, as the offense lined up at the two-yard line.
"That's not the kicking team out there!" Sydney exclaimed.
"Why would they go for two?" Payton asked.
"We'll either win or lose right here," I replied.
"I thought I was nervous before," Emma exclaimed. "But this is so much worse!"
We watched as Michael was handed the ball and tosses it to Caleb, who caught the ball in the end zone!
"He caught it!" Emma exclaimed.
"We pulled off the upset!" I exclaimed, hugging Emma. Then I watched our classmates pile onto the field to cheer on the football team.
"Go Trojans!" Frank shouted. "It's our homecoming! We're gonna party like it's our homecoming!"
"Staples will never forget this," Ezra said with a big smile.
"Let's give it up for our football team!" Sydney cheered, as we chanted our mascot's name and lifted Michael and Caleb over our heads.
"Diana, get up here!" Caleb yelled down, holding out his hand for me to take.
"You brought us all together," Michael yelled with a smile. "We couldn't have done this without you!"
I was lifted up and instead of the mascot's name, my name was being chanted. I couldn't help but look for my parents again, who clapped when they saw me.
"This win belongs to all of us!" I shouted. "Everyone had their part to play. I'm just a small piece of the puzzle!"
"To the best school around… Westport High!" Julian shouted as the three of us were let down. I couldn't help but find my parents in the crowd, and they ran out to greet me. We pulled into a group hug, and both my parents kissed me on each cheek.
"Diana, you are full of surprises," Mom said with a big grin on her face. "Just like your dad."
"From being a new freshman to being part of the homecoming court to that stunt you pulled off," Dad said, also with a big grin on his face. "And it looks like you played a big part in everyone working together. Diana, we are so proud of you."
"You are having quite the first year of high school," Mom chimed back in. "How are you feeling?"
"Pretty amazing," I replied, giving my parents another hug, and then something hit me. "Oh my lord. Caleb! I should go check up on him."
"Meet us in the car, alright?" Dad asked, and I nodded, heading back on the football field to find Caleb, who was standing at the end zone, staring at the scoreboard.
"Good game, Caleb. That last play, though…"
"I still can't believe we won," Caleb replied with a big grin on his face. I turned to find Zoe walking towards us, and I did not hesitate to give her a glare.
"Caleb, can we talk?"
"Do you want some backup, Caleb?" I asked.
"No need. This will be quick." He turned towards Zoe.
"Caleb, I love you. Why don't we—"
"Save your breath, Zoe. We're never getting back together."
"Is this because of Diana?" Zoe asked, returning the glare.
"No. This is about us. We don't work together. Maybe we used to… but I've changed and moved on." Caleb paused to take my hand, and my heart fluttered at the touch.
"But we were so happy together!" Zoe cried.
"Be honest, Zoe. Were you really happy when we were dating? Because I look back, and I realize I wasn't."
"You're the only guy who's ever made me happy. That's why things are over with Brian—"
"What?!" We all turned to see Brian standing right behind Zoe.
"Brian! Listen to me—"
"You're breaking up with me? Thanks a lot, Zoe. I thought what we had was special! I opened my heart up to you, I left Westport High for you… I gave up my best friend for you!"
"Brian, if you'd just—"
"No. Forget you."
"Hey, Brian, it serves you right," I said, remembering everything that Zoe did to Caleb. "Karma's a… well, you know."
"Screw this," Brian replied, stomping off toward the rest of his team.
"For what it's worth, Zoe," Caleb spoke up. "I wish you the best."
The next day came, and it was a big day: my first homecoming dance. But I didn't want to dress up yet. I just slipped on a white t-shirt and black shorts, and I walked down the stairs to eat my breakfast. I already saw Wesley at the table, and Mom was almost done cooking.
"Mom, that smells heavenly," I said after taking in the smell of peanut butter.
"I made scrambled eggs and peanut butter toast for you kids," Mom explained as I took a seat, and she placed a plate in front of me.
"Thanks, Mom."
"So, Diana, are you gonna kiss your boyfriend?" Wesley asked with a smirk on his face, and I gave him a glare.
"Wesley!"
"Kids, remember what Daddy told you both on your first day of school," Mom sternly told us. "No fighting at the kitchen table. And Wes, that was not an appropriate question. What Diana and Caleb do is their business, not ours. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mom."
"Hey, Mom, where did Dad go?" I asked, noticing his absense.
"Dad got called in to work. But he shouldn't be too long. All he needs to do is analyze a journal."
"Wait a minute, why did Dad analyzing a journal?" I asked. "Isn't that the profiler's job?"
"It is, but Lillie is on vacation," Mom explained. "So, Dad is handling all the psychological stuff."
"How does Dad know psychology?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"He took some psychology classes in college. But he also has had a lot of experience dealing with time-travelling criminals, so he's studied their behavior."
"I would have pegged you for the type to study psychology," I replied, pointing my fork at my mom.
"That is true," Mom said, taking a bite of her bagel. "Psychology and music go hand-in-hand. In fact, music enhances learning, and it helps your brain develop more quickly."
"Fascinating!"
"But your dad has had more psychological experiences than I have, so, yeah."
"I wonder if any of that has to do with him hanging out with Russell," I suggested, remembering our family friend who was a profiler for a police department on the Pacific coast at some point in his life.
"That is possible. Russell might have given your dad some tips on profiling."
"What are you talking about?" Wesley asked with a perplexed expression on his face.
"We're talking about you," I answered sarcastically.
"No you're not!"
"Kidding! We're talking about Dad."
"I know you're talking about Dad," Wesley replied. "But what's profiling?"
"Profiling is looking at clues from a psychological point of view," Mom explained. "The clues might help you figure out what a bad guy was thinking when he left the clue. Or simply, a clue could help figure out what a bad guy likes to do."
"A bad guy likes to hurt people!"
"Maybe, but remember Wesley: bad guys have lives, too. Even they listen to music and eat food."
"So, Mom, what are the plans for today?" I asked.
"Besides homecoming? Oh, we're going to have some company."
"Mom, I already know that Maria, Myra, and Emma are coming over to get ready."
"I know, too. But, we're going to have two more special guests tonight."
"Who?" I asked with surprise in my voice.
"You'll find out later," Mom answered with a wink as she took our dishes and walked to the sink. Wesley and I gave each other shrugs before we got up to enjoy our day.
