CHAPTER ONE: BEANS SPILLED PREMATURELY

Friday, March 29, 2013. Piedmont Middle School. 1:20 PM. Lunchtime.

Dipper and Mabel are sitting at one of the open-air tables in front of the old gym of the main school building. They had just finished their lunch, and are now doing their own thing as they wait for the end-of-lunch bell to ring. Mabel is doodling in the blank spaces in her math notebook, while Dipper is sitting beside her reading one of his mystery novels.

Dipper was approaching a climax in the chapter he was on when he suddenly heard a familiar sound of laughter. He looked up from his book, and saw a girl with light brown hair and glasses laughing away with one of her friends. She is sitting by an open-air table near the one he and Mabel are at.

"I know who you're looking at," Mabel's voice suddenly interrupted Dipper's half-mesmerized state.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Dipper responded.

"Ah, it's okay Dipper. No need to feel ashamed. Kate is a very beautiful girl, I can see that myself," Mabel simply shrugged.

Dipper has a crush on Kate Houghton; he realized that on Valentine's Day earlier that year. He found Kate in a secluded area of the school, weeping. And being the compassionate person that he is, Dipper approached her. He learned that Kate had been dumped by her boyfriend on the day of love, and feels bad. Dipper managed to provide her with some comfort, and Kate seemed to have appreciated him being there for her. Dipper had known Kate since they started middle school; they have shared some classes, but other than that, they aren't really close. However, that evening, looking back through his brief interactions with Kate, he realized that his heart seems to have fallen for her.

Throughout the first semester of grade eight, Dipper hasn't really been interested in romance. Occasionally he may have brief pings of affection for girls he finds good-looking or have showed him a rare act of kindness, but no more than that. Part of the reason why he felt disinterested was because of Wendy's rejection in the summer before. He may have moved on, but that experience nonetheless weakened Dipper's already-low confidence with girls.

But now, Dipper is back in the whole crush business, and is viewing Kate the same way he had viewed Wendy. Except he and Kate still do not interact much. Dipper knows that unlike Wendy, Kate would not consider him a friend. And that is adding to his fear that Kate wouldn't be interested in him. But the two are in the same grade, so age shouldn't be a reason they can't be together.

"You know, Dipper, it's been several weeks since you've told me about your feelings towards Kate," Mabel continued. "How much longer are you going to keep this a secret from her?"

"Well, I just don't know the right time. Earlier this week I had promised myself to come clean before the weekend begins, but…"

"But you still have time," Mabel interjected. "I mean, school is not out yet. You have until 3:13 to tell Kate you like her."

"Well still, I'm not sure if I would be able to do even that, confess to her before we leave school today. I mean, it seems so sudden all of a sudden, and I don't even know how to start…"

"Relax, Dipper," Mabel placed her hand on her brother's shoulder. "You don't always need to have a plan for everything. Sure, that may be your habit, but, you got to learn how to be flexible sometimes. Step out of your comfort zone. And I know that as much as you fear being honest to Kate, deep down in your heart you desperately want her to know what she means to you."

"True, but, it's just that…," Dipper sighed. "I just don't want to endure another rejection. I mean, Wendy turning me down the nicest way possible was already heart-wrenching enough, and, the last thing I need is to repeat something similar."

"Dipper, forget about your confession to Wendy. You've already moved on from her," Mabel replied sternly. "You two are just good friends, and you seem fine with that. Now is the time to move forward. Kate is your new focus; therefore, stick with her."

The bell indicating the end of lunch rang. Almost all the students in the area started getting up and heading towards their next class.

"It's okay, Dipper. You want to tell Kate you like her before Spring Break starts; well, you have until after school. Think about it, but don't be so stressed. I'm sure it will all work out."

"Yeah. Thanks, Mabel."

Dipper and Mabel picked up their things and started to head off to their respective classes. However, the twins did not notice a girl nearby had been eavesdropping on their entire conversation. After the twins got up and parted ways, the girl headed over to Kate and her friend, whom have also gotten up.

"Hey Lucia," Kate greeted as the girl joined by her side. "How's everything going?"

"Pretty grim," Lucia responded.

"Why's that?"

"I have something I need to tell you. Something regarding Dipper."

"Mason Pines?"

"Dipper, Mason, whatever. Yeah. I have some urgent bad news I need to tell you about him."

3:15 PM.

The school day is out. After Dipper and Mabel's English teacher dismissed the class, the twins packed the stuff they will need to take home with them and headed towards the open-air tables in front of the old gym.

"Now, relax Dipper, you will do fine," Mabel continued to reassure her brother.

"But why are we waiting here?" Dipper asked. "Shouldn't we just head directly to the PE-Music building? Kate's last class is advanced orchestra – logically she would be there."

"Nah. Let her pass by, and then you approach her," Mabel responded. "If you go directly to where her class is, then, well…Oh! Here she comes."

Dipper noticed Kate with her violin case. She spotted the twins, and started fast-walking towards their direction.

"Well, she seems to have spotted us. What gives?" Dipper asked.

"Doesn't matter. Get up!" Mabel pushed Dipper off his seat and gestured him to walk towards Kate.

"Hi, Kate!" Dipper uneasily said. "How was…"

Before Dipper could finish his sentence, he received a quick slap to his face.

"Mason Pines!" Kate growled.

"Y-Yes?" Dipper rubbed his cheek, confused.

"What the heck is wrong with you!?" Kate continued angrily. "You're a weird, retarded, and annoying freak, and you dare to have a crush on me?!

"Kate, slow down," Dipper tried speaking. "Why are you so mad? And who told you?"

"Lucia overheard you and Mabel's conversation during lunchtime, and she told me that you plan to reveal your feelings to me before school ended! And I'm glad she found out; she literally saved me from what could have been one of the most embarrassing moments of the eighth grade!"

"Okay, so you're not interested in me…must you make it such a big deal?"

"Big deal? I'd say I'm being quite reasonable in handling a prick like you!" Kate retorted. "Dipper, I have tolerated your traits for long enough. Do you have any idea how hard it is to even show kindness to you? Sometimes when I lay my eyes on you for even one second I just want to kick you in the nose! But I have managed to control myself, and even complimented and treated you well even though you totally don't deserve it. But boy, you, Dipper Pines, having romantic feelings for me? That is the last straw. It's so disgusting I can't even bear to look at you in the face anymore!"

Kate shoved Dipper to her side and continued on her way. Mabel ran up to Dipper to help him up.

"Are you okay?" Mabel asked her brother.

"I'm fine," Dipper insisted. He brushed Mabel's hand off of his shoulders.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Let's just go home."

Dipper went over to his bag and hoisted it up. Mabel followed suit and ran after Dipper, who is already heading towards the stairs leading up to Magnolia Avenue.

Mabel caught up with Dipper and appeared side-by-side with him. However, Mabel did not say anything else. The two boarded the sidewalk on the elevated road and started heading home.

The twins passed by Piedmont's alternate high school building, and then the main high school campus. Several older teens are scattered on the sidewalk talking with each other or glued to their phones.

Dipper and Mabel shuffled pass the main entrance to Piedmont High School. After walking by the entrance sign saying SPRING CONCERT ROLE REHEARSAL 3/29, DRESS REHEARSAL ONE 4/5, SPRING BREAK 4/6 – 4/14, Mabel shot another glance at her brother's frowning face.

Mabel's heart sank when she saw a tear roll down Dipper's cheek. The boy let out a sniff, but continued staring ahead and walking in a very rigid manner.

"Dipper," Mabel finally spoke. "Dipper, please."

Dipper stopped in his tracks. He let out a sigh, and turned towards his sister.

Mabel used her thumb to wipe away any more tears that have formed at the edge of her brother's eyes.

"Mabel," Dipper quietly spoke up. He let out another sigh. "I knew it. I knew Kate didn't feel the same about me. Let alone think I am a worthy person." Dipper sniffed. He feels bad, having the urge to cry in public like that.

Mabel wrapped her arms around her brother and pulled him towards her. Dipper buried his face into Mabel's shoulder, and started crying for real.

The two held each other for a full minute, with Dipper weeping in his sister's warm, reassuring embrace and Mabel patting her brother's back, assuring him that she is there for him.

After some silence between the two, Dipper finally spoke again. "I knew I would get rejected. Or slapped in the face. I should have seen it coming."

"No, Dipper. No one saw it coming. I certainly didn't. Kate seems too nice of a person to have done such a thing," Mabel said.

"Well, she said so herself. She was only pretending to be nice to me. Otherwise, deep down, she secretly wishes I die."

"That was very harsh indeed. Nothing is worse than a deceiving facade. Especially one that shows kindness to her supposed enemies," Mabel commented. She then sighed. "And that crummy Lucia. How did she overhear us? Man, she always ruins everything."

Dipper made a murmuring sound. Mabel patted her brother's back once more.

"Why does this keep happening to me? I fell in love two times; both ended in tragedy," Dipper whimpered. "I guess I should just give up on girls. It's obvious they don't like me."

"No Dipper, don't give up yet. Two times is not much, actually. And we are only in eighth grade. You still have high school and college. You have plenty of time."

"I guess," Dipper puffed.

Mabel detached herself from her brother, and smiled. She then leaned forward and gave Dipper a soft kiss on his cheek. Dipper finally broke a smile upon receiving his sister's sincere act of affection.

"Yeah, you're right. Maybe I shouldn't be so caught up yet. I wonder why I was so upset," Dipper shrugged. He made another sniff.

"It's perfectly normal, Dipper. No one likes to get rejected by a crush, no matter how young. And we are all bound to have these feelings of romantic attraction anyways," Mabel answered. "I mean, I personally don't have a crush on any particular boy right now, but I'd still classify myself as in my 'boy crazy' phase. It's all part of growing up."

"Yeah."

Mabel slipped her fingers between Dipper's. "Come one, bro-bro. Let's just enjoy our weekend together."

"Right," Dipper straightened himself. He made another small smile at Mabel, and Mabel in turn smiled back. The two continued to walk back home with their hands linked.

…

Next: Winter Formal Rejection