DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything related to "Meet the Robinsons" or "High School Story," I only own Diana and Karena.
All's well that ends well. While Ashley Faris was in the jail at TIME headquarters, the local police were able to recover the lost funds, and the band was able to go to their competition. Michael had gone to the sports bar where Ms. Hughs and Coach Burke worked on Sunday night after our rendevous with my dad and Detective Flores at the high school, and he had convinced her to return to Westport High yesterday. After capturing Ashley, the student body convinced Ms. Hughs to come back to Westport High as our principal. Coach Burke, however, decided to stay at the sports bar, so we would be getting a new sports coach. I also ran into Aiden's parents. Aiden's mother had taken the rest of the day off after receiving an email about Ashley and wanted to be sure Aiden was okay. They apologized for not listening to their son, and they invited me to go with them to the roller rink, which served as the start of a renewed friendship.
I had just gotten home from the roller rink when I saw both my parents sitting on the couch.
"Mom? Dad? What are you doing home? And where's Wesley?"
"Wesley's still at school," Mom explained. "We're going to pick him up when school's out. I got home because—"
"You got an email about Ashley and you were worried about me?" I guessed. "Aiden's parents had the same concerns."
"As for me, I spent the entire morning trying to recover the money Ashley stole from all of those different time periods," Dad explained. "And I was thinking about you."
"How's that going?" I asked.
"With Amy's help, we managed to track down every place Ashley had traveled to and caught her stealing every time." Dad paused as she gave us a big grin. "But now I'm exhausted."
"Wilbur, it's only 1:00!" Mom exclaimed.
"Diana, I wanted to say, I'm so, so sorry."
"Huh?" I asked in surprise.
"You were right all along," Dad explained with a downcast look on his face. "You had every right to be suspicious about the timing of my finding out about the break-in."
"No, Dad, you were right. I should have told you both that night where I was really going, and I paid the price. I deserved to be punished."
"But we had no idea Ashley was using that as a reason to expel you. I thought she was joking!"
"She told you about expelling me?"
"Yes, she had threatened to expel you," Dad answered. "But I told her about how you never get in trouble and how you are always honest. I told her that I would handle it. You are my responsibility, Diana, not the school's. And the way you handled things even when things seemed to be at the breaking point? Diana, we are so proud of you!"
"Even after discovering that Ashley wanted to expel you, you still displayed your strength and courage, and you never quit," Mom chimed in.
"I wouldn't be surprised if you followed my footsteps to become a special agent," Dad said with a smile on his face.
"Oh, Mom, Dad," I replied as we drew in for a big hug, and we continued to celebrate the capture of Ashley Faris.
From there, everything kept getting better. Caleb's expulsion application was immediately dropped after Ashley's capture, and Payton had convinced her parents to let her throw a huge party at the same time the winter ball was supposed to be, so I got dressed in a green dress that my mom bought for me.
Mom had dropped me off at Payton's house, which was a Tudor-styled mansion, and I walked inside to find a lot of pink and black balloons. There was an Eiffel Tower cutout in one corner of the living room, where most of the student body were gathered, and there was a string quartet playing music in another room.
"Diana, you're here!" I turned to see Payton rushing over, and we gave each other a tight hug. "Welcome, welcome, welcome!"
"Hey Payton! You're house is huge!" I happily exclaimed. "I don't know whose house is bigger: my grandpa's or yours!"
"Is your grandpa's house just as big?"
"If not bigger," I answered.
"Does he often hold parties?"
"No, but he held my parents' wedding rehearsal and ceremony!"
"Ooh, you'll have to show me pictures!"
"Yeah! I'll have to have you come over and take a look some time!"
Payton paused, looking around.
"I need to go greet some other people. Go enjoy yourself, Diana!"
We hugged again, and Payton walked away just as Maria walked up to me with a big smile on her face.
"Diana! It's so good to see you!"
"Likewise!" I replied. "Are you having fun?"
"So much fun. I can't get over how amazing everything looks!"
"Payton really went all out."
"I'm going to find some snacks and a mocktail," Maria replied. "I just want to relax!"
"Oh, before you go, did the school board ever reach out to you?"
"Yes! I got all of my leadership positions back with a profuse apology from the school board."
"Congratulations! Now, go! Relax! You deserve it! I'll catch up with you later."
My eyes darted to the couches where Ezra, Myra, Julian, Michael, and Autumn were all playing spin the bottle. As I approached the group, the bottle pointed to Ezra, and Myra kissed him.
"So that's what everyone's talking about!" Myra exclaimed.
"Wait, who's talking about my kissing skills?" Ezra asked with a grin. "I'd like to be a part of that."
"Careful, Ezra," I chimed in. "You might not like what you hear."
"Don't you know there's a list of 'best kissers' in the girls' bathroom by now?" Michael asked, and I instantly remembered there being a list in the bathroom. That explains everything.
"We all know I'm number one," Julian beamed with pride.
"Here, Diana, go!" Myra exclaimed, dropping the bottle on my lap.
"Well, here goes nothing!" I said, spinning the bottle, which pointed to Julian.
"Do your worst, Diana," Julian said, and I decided to do that dare and kiss him on the lips. "You're not a bad kisser, Diana."
"Neither are you," I replied. "Maybe that's why you're on the top of the 'best kissers' list."
"Let's be real," Michael said, leaning back and putting his feet on the table. "We all know I deserve to be at the top of that list. Like I know you're just dying to kiss me right now. Isn't that right, Diana?"
"Michael, I already pushed it with Julian," I replied, remembering the four kisses I shared with Caleb.
"You're missing out," Michael said in a singsong voice.
"Not going to happen," I replied in the same tone. "Autumn, would you like to go next?"
"I wouldn't say no," Autumn answered as she spun the bottle, which also landed on Julian. Both of them exchanged awkward looks.
"Autumn, you don't have to if you don't want—"
"It's fine, Julian," Autumn replied, drawing in for a kiss. Julian complied, but they had even more awkward looks when get pulled out. I turned to see Wes staring at them, and then he disappeared into the crowd.
"I… need some air," Autumn said awkwardly as she and Julian got up and went to two different sides of the house.
"Well that didn't go how I planned," Myra said sadly. "I guess it's time for plan K."
"Plan K?" I asked as she got up.
"Don't bother asking for an explanation," Michael replied. "Myra's been trying to get them together ever since Autumn broke up with Wes."
"Well, I guess I'll go to the mini bar," I said out loud, walking away and to another part of the house where I saw Caleb, Frank, and Aiden chatting.
"Frank, you know how to make a mean mockmosa," Caleb complimented him, taking a drink.
"This cherry soda is amazing, too!" Aiden exclaimed with surprise in his voice.
"That's because it's shaken, not stirred," Frank explained.
"Cheers, Aiden," Caleb said.
"To a restart on our friendship," Aiden replied, clinking his glass with Caleb's.
"The gang's back together!" Frank exclaimed happily. "Time for another drink!"
"Maybe you can make me something," I said, approaching the bar. "Playing Frank the Bartender today?"
"Ever since our big fight, Payton and I have been taking some cooking classes," Frank explained. "And I started making mocktails to go with our dishes!"
"That's a good idea! So, what can you make me?"
"Anything your heart desires!"
"He's not kidding," Caleb explained. "You should've seen what Maria just walked out of here with."
"Well, maybe something simple… and refined," I told Frank and I watched him open a soda can and pour it into a small glass. He added a few ice cubes, and then he handed the drink to me.
"Thank you, Frank."
"Nothing beats a cold glass of soda," Caleb said.
"Except for a cherry soda, perhaps," Aiden said, still talking about his drink.
"This hits the spot," I said after drinking it.
"I call it the… actually, can you help me with a name?" Frank asked.
"Sure! This tastes like Pepsi, so how about… Refined Pepsi."
"Refined Pepsi? Hm, Refined Pepsi. It's perfect!" Frank exclaimed.
"Can I get my own Refined Pepsi?" Caleb asked as I took my drink to where Sakura and Emma were at on the computer.
"Ha! Try getting out of the pool without a ladder!" Sakura yelled at the laptop.
"You two enjoying the party?" I asked.
"Hey, Diana! We're having a great time," Emma answered. "I got Sakura hooked on a game!"
"Shouldn't that be the other way around?" I asked with amusement.
"Apparently, Sakura doesn't do games that aren't competitive—"
"Fear me, tiny characters!" Sakura yelled again. "I am your master!"
"—Until now." We watched a character walk into an open flame. "You literally just made that avatar!"
"I made her, and I can break her just as easily," Sakuraa shot back, and I couldn't hold the laugh in my throat.
"Emma, what is going on?" I asked.
"You create tiny people and control their lives," Emma explained the game. "I played it a lot in middle school. Here, let's make you an avatar."
I watched as Emma and Sakura worked together to create my avatar, which almost looked exactly like me.
"Now, try doing things!" Emma encouraged me. "You can talk to people, get a job, do whatever you want. My character's over by the house."
"Sakura makes me curious," I replied, dragging my character into the pool and drowning her.
"Isn't it satisfying?" Sakura asked with a grin.
"It kind of does!" I replied back.
"The same thing happens when you don't let them go to the bathroom."
"Oh my!" I exclaimed as Sakua and I both cracked up laughing.
"Both of you, I swear there's more to this game!" Emma exclaimed as we continued playing.
"Can I have everyone's attention?" Payton yelled from the top of the stairs, and the house got silent. "I have a surprise for you all! It's time for… a taste of Paris!"
We all watched as the robot waiters wheeled in two tables with sparkling cider and one table with cupcakes in the shape of the Eiffel Tower.
"I've never seen so many cupcakes in my life!" I exclaimed.
"Or such pretty, bubbly fountains!" Sydney exclaimed, standing next to me.
"If everyone will grab a glass, I'd like to propose a toast!" Payton said, and it took about ten minutes for every student to grab a glass of sparkling cider. Payton then raised her glass. "To everyone who helped take down Isa. We wouldn't be partying if not for you."
"Hear, hear!" We all yelled, clinking our glasses and drinking them. Payton then taps her glass again.
"I hope everyone's enjoying themselves tonight! It's no winter ball, but I think it's just as fun!
"Hear, hear!" I heard Nishan cheer out.
"So these past couple months have been super crazy… but I think we all know who to thank for getting us out of this mess. So instead of our winter formal royalty, I propose a guest of honor instead… So give it up for Diana Robinson!"
"Me? Oh no—"
"Diana! Diana! Diana!" The whole student body chanted my name
"You deserve it, Diana!" Emma cheered as I walked up the stairs and stood next to Payton.
"Thanks, everyone! Let's quiet down." I waited until the house was silent. "You know how to make a girl feel special. We've been through a lot together this quarter: Isa, fighting between the activities, more Isa. I just want to take the time to thank each and every one of my friends. Taking Isa down was a team effort. I wouldn't be here without you guys.
"I mean, you're not wrong," Michael shouted, and I laughed.
"Here's to Diana!" Payton cheered, and we all raised our glasses and drank more cider. "And now for the best part… cupcakes! Dig in, everyone!"
Each student got a red velvet cupcake with pink frosting on top, and then we all dispersed to all sides of the house, returning to what they were doing before. I walked up to Emma, Michael, and Maria by the staircase.
"I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a change of pace," Maria said.
"Maybe some kind of game?" I suggested.
"There's always truth or dare," Michael suggested with a smirk.
"You know, I've never played that before," Emma replied.
"Okay, it's settled! We're playing truth or dare!"
"I think it'd be a lot of fun!" Emma said enthusiastically.
"Well, I'm not a fan, but I can think of a few things already," I chimed in.
"They better not involve Michael and me," Maria said, pointing a finger at me.
"No promises," I replied in a singsong voice.
"I think we've already shown we're only friends," Michael explained.
"I don't know what more we can do to prove it," Maria added.
"Settle it through truth or dare!" Emma said with enthusiasm. "I really want to play! I bet Caleb and Aiden would join us too!"
"On second thought, I think I'm gonna pass," I said. "I've never been a fan and I'm not in the right mood for it. I'll catch you guys later."
I had asked Frank to make me another Refined Pepsi and I sat in a chair, thinking about Caleb and me. We had met on the first day of school and clicked immediately, though he was dating someone else at the time, and he had a rough time getting over Zoe. I had always imagined how my love life would go: I would meet someone in college, fall in love, get engaged after three years, and then have my first kiss at my wedding ceremony a year later. I chuckled to myself, knowing that meeting someone did not happen in college; it happened 6 months ago, and my first kiss was almost two weeks ago. I took another sip of my Refined Pepsi, and my eyes fell on Caleb, who glanced back at me as I put a strand of hair behind my ear. As Caleb walked away, I thought about how my parents fell in love. They fell in love on only the second day they knew each other but waited for three and a half years before they got engaged, and another one and a half years before they got married. So just maybe, the same scenario can happen with me and Caleb.
"Whatcha thinking about, Diana?" I jumped at Myra's voice on my right.
"Oh, nothing."
"You sure? Because I saw you making eyes at you know who."
"Myra—"
"Why are you just standing there? I know you're not official, and this is your chance to fix it!"
"You think so?"
"Yeah! Just imagine it: the two of you going outside to get some air, you confess your feelings, and then go in for the big kiss!"
"Myra, I'm asking Caleb to be my boyfriend, not saying 'I do' at our wedding!"
"So what? It's all so romantic, but you're wasting your time. You know who is right over there! So go!"
I was hesitant at first, but I felt myself walking up to Caleb on the other side of the room, and I saw his face light up at the sight of me.
"Hey, Diana. I was wondering where you went."
"I was just talking to Myra," I answered. "I wanted to step out and get some air. Care to join me?"
"Sure. Let's go."
I followed Caleb out the front door and walked in the snow.
"Is everything alright, Diana?" Caleb asked. "You look like you've got a lot on your mind."
"Caleb, I want to talk to you about something big, but I don't know how to describe it."
"What's it about?" I looked over and saw that Caleb was smiling, and I knew he was not going to judge me.
"Something tells me, that from that smile, you already know what I am going to ask you."
"I think I do, too. Actually, I was planning on asking you to come outside with me to talk, but you beat me to the punch."
"Well, alright, then go on."
"I've wanted you for a long time, Diana. More than I think I've ever wanted anyone. But I was scared."
"Scared?" I asked, my smile quickly fading and stopping to face him. "Why?"
"I was scared that I'd break your heart," Caleb explained, and I gasped. "Scared that, if we made this official, I'd do something to screw it up. Having my own heart broken would be worth it. I couldn't live with myself if I broke yours."
"Oh, Caleb. You have been so kind to me the last six months. I trust you with my heart." I paused, letting out a sigh. "Are you still scared?"
"Absolutely terrified."
"Caleb, hey." I placed my right hand on his left cheek, which was absolutely cold. "There's nothing to be afraid of. It's just me."
"Just you? Don't sell yourself short, Diana," Caleb said with a chuckle. "You're one of the kindest, smartest, hottest, most talented girls I've ever met. You have always made me feel that I can tell you anything, and you have always been there for me."
"And you've always been there for me," I replied. "You're my best friend, Caleb. I'm ready to take the next step."
Caleb took my hand and laced his fingers with mine, and he did the same with my other hand.
"Diana Robinson, will you be my girlfriend?" I gave him a big smile.
"Yes, Caleb! Of course!"
"Yes?"
"Of course, yes! You thought I'd say no?"
"No, but… it's nice to hear 'yes' all the same."
"Just kiss me, Caleb," I told him, and we pulled in for our most passionate kiss yet – our first kiss as a couple. We chuckled as we pulled away from each other and gazed into our eyes.
"Finally. Caleb and Diana. Boyfriend and Girlfriend," Caleb said, putting his forehead on mine.
"I like the sound of that," I replied as we heard a cheerful shout from Payton's house.
"Sounds like people are having fun in there," Caleb said.
"Want to go in and tell them the news?"
"I don't know. Maybe not yet."
"Oh? What's on your mind?"
"There's a trail near here that leads into town. You did say you wanted to go for a walk."
"No, I didn't!" I exclaimed, letting out a scoff. "I said I wanted to go out for some air! It's a little cold for a walk anyway without our coats on."
"I understand," Caleb replied, laughing at my tone. "Let's go back inside."
We went back to the house, holding each other until we got to the door. When we opened the door, all eyes fell on us. Well, this is a little awkward. Whelp, here goes.
"It's official!" I shouted as Caleb grabbed my hand and lifted it in the air as everyone cheered.
"Finally!"
"I knew it would be tonight!"
Then we got slammed with all the questions.
"So, which of you asked?"
"What are your prom plans?"
"Did Caleb read you a poem?"
"Come on, all of you," Maria shouted over everyone. "I think that's enough. Give them some space."
"No, really, Maria, we're fine," Caleb shouted back, still with that smile on his face.
"Okay, okay, but really, one question," Sydney asked. "Diana, how are you feeling?"
"I'm just… grateful to have Caleb in my life," I answered as he kissed me on the cheek. "See what I mean?"
"Ten out of ten," Myra said, nodding her head. "Cutest couple at Westport High."
"Okay, seriously now," Maria said. "Let's give these two some space."
"I should go catch up with the others," Caleb said.
"So should I," I replied as we pecked each other on the lips and went into the crowd.
I socialized with a lot of my friends. I spoke to Sydney and Emma, who revealed that the latter was going to rejoin the squad after spring break after the bank found a solution to her family's mortgage problem. Maria and Payton revealed that they were planning prom together, and it was something I was already looking forward to. I spoke to Autumn, who was having doubts about whether to give either Wes or Julian a second chance at dating, and I told her that she should try to give Wes another chance, since Wes had always been there for her. Then, I rejoined Caleb, who was talking with Mia.
"Hey, Diana, good news," Caleb said, kissing me on the cheek. "Julian, Mia, and Ezra all picked people to be their second-in-command next quarter."
"Oh?"
"Well, Aiden's the junior student director for band, obviously," Mia explained. "Caleb is going to help with sports, and you, Diana, are going to be my junior cheer captain!"
"Are you serious?" I asked, at first with shock, but then in awe.
"Duh. I said it would be the cheerleader who performed the best and showed the most loyalty to the team. That was you."
"Even after the way things went at the game?"
"Especially after the way things went at the game. You taught me something, Diana: no matter the situation, you never give up on your team, and I did the complete opposite, only because of how I felt about the funding. Will you forgive me?"
"Of course I forgive you, Mia," I replied, hugging her. "But that's all in the past. Keep moving forward."
"Okay, everyone!" Payton yelled as the house went silent again. "I promised my parents you'd all be out of here by 1:00 AM."
"Wait!" I yelled. "Before we go, what do you say we have one more dance? There's a song I've been waiting for you to play."
"Is it our song?" Caleb asked.
"Not exactly," I replied, pushing a few buttons and playing The First Day.
"Oh, of course," Caleb replied. "This song."
"Come on, everyone! Let's dance!" Payton yelled, and we all did our own dance moves. Caleb grabbed me by the waist, and I turned around. I placed my right hand on his left shoulder and my left hand in his right hand, and we 'waltzed' around the floor.
"I'm so happy you're my girlfriend, Diana," Caleb told me with a smile. "So, so happy."
"Me too, Caleb. Me too."
We pulled in for a kiss and ignored everything else in the background.