Ep 1 Graduation Day: Part 4
Darien surprises Kristen at graduation.
SCENE 13. EXT. MOVIE THEATER
NARRATOR: Later in the same day, they had decided to go to a movie. Once the movie let out, Darien realized what time it was.
DARIEN: Shit! We're going to be late for graduation! It's 5:30, graduation starts in thirty minutes. Everyone in the car!
NARRATOR: They all ran to the car, piled in and peeled wheels out of the mall parking lot. On the way back to the high school Chad remembered something.
CHAD: Wait, we need gowns for the ceremony.
DARIEN: Where are your gowns? Mine and Kristen's are in the trunk.
MAX: I left mine at home in my closet.
CHAD: Mine is at my house in the front hall closet.
DARIEN: Ok here is the plan, I am going to quickly get you two to each of your houses- you will each run inside and then come straight back out as soon as you have your gown. Does that work?
NARRATOR: Darien had a way of taking command of every situation no matter how small. Today he didn't have a lot of empathy for his friends due to his proposal plans and it took everything he had to stay calm and methodical.
CHAD: Lucky thing we all live in the same neighborhood.
NARRATOR: Darien drove as fast as he safely could, careful to avoid any speed traps. The last thing he needed right now was to be pulled over for speeding. That would take forever. His patience was so thin today. Max's place was first on the list. Max jumped out and ran past his parents and then straight to his closet to grab his gown. Max's parents were on their way to their car, getting ready to head to the graduation ceremony. Darien saw them and attempted to explain Max's urgency.
DARIEN: Hi Mr. And Mrs. Knight, Max forgot his gown.
MRS. KNIGHT: You guys are going to be late. Why don't you let us take him? We're headed there ourselves.
DARIEN: That would save us some time. You'll tell him?
MRS. KNIGHT: Yes, that would be fine.
DARIEN: Ok, see you at the ceremony.
NARRATOR: He returned to the car and drove toward Chad's house. When they arrived, they saw that his parents were getting into their car and getting ready to leave.
CHAD: Dad, wait!
DARIEN: What are you doing?
CHAD: Giving you guys a chance to get there on time. I'll go with my folks, it's totally cool.
DARIEN: Ok, we'll see you there.
NARRATOR: As soon as Chad was out of the car, Darien drove away. Darien was nervous about his plan after graduation. If Kristen said yes, he would be all about partying tonight. If she said no, he would not even want to show his face. He was so nervous that a part of him just wanted to ask her now while he drove just to get it over with; but he decided that it would be best just to wait for the planned time. He was lost in thought most of the drive through his neighborhood and on to the high school. Kristen wanted to tell Darien about her dream; not the one about the strange school... the other one, where he proposed to her. She imagined saying yes, over and over again. She didn't know if he was ever going to ask her.
SCENE 14. INT. SCHOOL
NARRATOR: Finally, they arrived at the school and they went to an empty stairwell, where they had made out many times before and began changing into their gowns. Darien couldn't help but stare at Kristen as she stripped down to just her bra and underwear.
DARIEN: God, you're beautiful.
KRISTEN: Later honey...believe me, later...
NARRATOR: As soon as they were in their blue graduation gowns, they ran as fast as they could through the halls toward the auditorium. The squeaking of their shoes could be heard several hallways from where they were. When they arrived at the auditorium, they pounded the door open only to see that there was no one there.
KRISTEN: It must be outside in the courtyard.
NARRATOR: They ran as fast as they could toward the courtyard. Once there, they saw that everyone had been seated already. Darien looked at his watch and it was 6:01 PM. They were supposed to be in their seats one minute ago. They ran to their seats as quickly as possible knowing full well that if either of them missed Denise's speech, she would murder them in cold blood, or at least it would feel that way.
SCENE 15. INT. SCHOOL
NARRATOR: The principal of the school stood at the podium.
PRINCIPAL: Ladies and Gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness the graduating class of 1995 receive their diplomas. First and foremost is the speech from our valedictorian: Denise Winters.
NARRATOR: She was sitting in a chair to the left of the podium. She stood and walked over to it.
DENISE: Hello students of the class of 95 , today we graduate and move on to the next stage of life: be it college, work or maybe trade school or the military. Most of you are familiar with at least one of these things, and as for the rest of you, well I'm sure you'll find your way eventually.
NARRATOR: She smiled wryly and the crowd laughed a bit.
DENISE: What I really want to say to you all is; we've had a good time here at Thomas Johnson High. Granted, not all the times were good, but over all, if you've made it this far...if you're here with us today... you should feel accomplished. However, it is not over...there is more to go. Some of you already have the skills that can help to carry you into the next millennium; the rest of you will hopefully get there one day. During the course of the past four years, we have all forged friendships and some have even forged loving relationships that have seemed like they would last forever...after tonight, we may never see each other again. It's okay...I know it's okay because those who matter the most to us will never really go away. They will always remain in our hearts and our memories. So I say to you the graduating class...good luck. Work hard for what you want because it doesn't come easy.
NARRATOR: Denise stepped aside and allowed the vice principal to get in front of the microphone. He had to wait until the cheering of the crowd finished.
VICE PRINCIPAL: Good evening parents, friends and graduating class. I would like to begin calling the students up to the stage to receive their diplomas.
NARRATOR: The Vice Principal began calling names in alphabetical order. About five minutes in, she called Chad Ender. Chad walked to the stage and received his diploma. Darien knew that this was his opportunity. As soon as it was Darien's turn, he would start walking over toward the stage and as he passed Kristen, he would drop to one knee and propose to her. The list of names went on for a while before finally getting to the 'K's. He was nervous to say the least, but he knew that his name would soon be called. He wanted to stick to his plan. Finally, his name was called.
VICE PRINCIPAL: Darien Kaine.
NARRATOR: the vice principal called, her voice projecting through the microphone. Darien walked toward where Kristen was sitting, fake tripped and landed on his right knee in front of Kristen. Without, letting her see, he silently got out the black box. Kristen was concerned when she saw Darien trip. She immediately attempted to help him to his feet, but he would not budge.
KRISTEN: Darien, you alright?
NARRATOR: He repositioned himself to face her, but still down on one knee continued.
DARIEN: That depends Kristen...
VICE PRINCIPAL: Darien Kaine. (Irritated)
NARRATOR: Darien's friend James urged him to get on with it.
JAMES: Darien, go get your diploma.
NARRATOR: Darien looked up at James, then the stage, then back at Kristen.
DARIEN: Kristen...
KRISTEN: Yes?
NARRATOR: Kristen thought about her dream. Her eyes began to water.
DARIEN: Will you marry me?
NARRATOR: As Darien spoke, everyone who heard- who had known the two of them through all of high school smiled, and it was easy to tell that they all saw this coming. A few people cried; a few laughed. Kristen however, was stunned still. She was happy and crying but also in shock. She couldn't speak, so she did the only thing she could do- she nodded and then burst into tears. Darien caught her head and held it close as he slipped the ring on her finger and wiped her tears away. By this time, the whole audience knew what was going on and they all cheered for Darien and Kristen. All that is, except one person; Justin. Justin was jealous as hell. He wanted Kristen and now he knew that he would never get the chance. He decided that it was time he took that chance anyway. They would all be at the graduation party tonight. All he had to do was give her a taste. She would want more whether Darien knew about it or not.
VICE PRINCIPAL: Mr. Kaine, please take this.
NARRATOR: The vice principal was still attempting to pry him from Kristen long enough to get his diploma so that they could get on with the ceremony. Darien ran to the stage, grabbed his diploma and went to shake the vice principal's hand.
VICE PRINCIPAL: I suppose for you and Ms. McKay, congratulations are truly in order.
DARIEN: Thank you, ma'am.
NARRATOR: Darien walked off the stage and went to sit by Kristen. The person sitting next to her respectfully moved to let Darien sit there. A few more names were called, and then...
VICE PRINCIPAL: Maxwell Knight.
NARRATOR: Max walked to the stage, got his diploma, whispered to the vice principal who then gave him the microphone.
MAX: Darien, Kristen, congratulations from the class of 1995.
NARRATOR: After he spoke there was a loud applause and then he got off stage. Darien and Kristen were smiling. Kristen still had tears streaming down her face. As the graduation ceremony went forward, Kristen was called up to receive her diploma. When she got to the podium and received her diploma, there was another loud roar from the crowd. She still felt a bit shaky from everything, but managed not to tear up. She then left the stage and returned to her seat. About a half hour later, the graduation ceremony came to a close after Denise received her diploma. The crowd clapped for the valedictorian, however the reaction was far inferior to the one Darien and Kristen had gotten. Denise was happy for her friends, but just wished they hadn't taken the spotlight from her. After graduation ended, the principal stepped to the mic.
PRINCIPAL: And now, I'd like to present, the graduating class of 1995.
NARRATOR: Cheers were heard all over.
SCENE 16. INT. DARIEN'S HOUSE
NARRATOR: Later, pictures were taken and gifts given. Darien's parents gave him the title to his car and said that he'd earned it. They had been holding it for him since he wasn't 18 yet. They also gave something to Kristen. Since her parents had died over a year ago, she had been like a daughter to them already. Kristen was given a beautiful wedding dress. Kristen was a bit surprised.
KRISTEN: Did you guys know about this?
EUGENE: Are you kidding, he told us a month ago.
NARRATOR: Mr. Kaine informed. Mrs. Kaine added...
ANDREA: I'm just sorry your parents couldn't be here to see you today. They would have been very proud of you.
KRISTEN: Thank you Andrea, you don't know how much this means to me.
EUGENE: Well, we also decided that since you two are engaged now, we don't see a problem with you moving in to our place, at least until you get a place of your own or go off to college or whatever."
KRISTEN: Eugene, thank you, but Darien and I haven't decided what we are doing after he turns eighteen.
NARRATOR: Kristen had turned eighteen the previous December and had since been living in an apartment with a few roommates that were all in college.
EUGENE: Well, you can stay with us tonight and until you decide, if that is ok with you both, it's no problem for us.
DARIEN: Oh, Dad, we are actually going to the graduation party tonight.
EUGENE: When are you coming home?
DARIEN: Not sure, but don't worry, it's over at James' place. It should be fine. It's just across town.
EUGENE: Alright, but we'll be up for a while, so if you drink too much and feel that it is unsafe for any of you to drive home, give us a call and we'll be there to pick you up. Have fun.
DARIEN: Thanks Dad.
KRISTEN: Thanks Eugene, I appreciate that.
EUGENE: Kristen, you can call me Dad if you are comfortable enough with it.
KRISTEN: Ok... Dad.
NARRATOR: Kristen replied with a smile.
MAX: We gotta go, the party starts in half an hour and we've still gotta pick up snacks. Remember Darien? We promised to bring something.
NARRATOR: They all said their goodbyes and got into Darien's car. Darien started the car and drove to the party. He was careful not to speed until he got out of his parents' sight.