CHAPTER ONE: RETURNING THE FAVOR
Saturday, February 13, 2010. 10:20 PM. Piedmont, California.
It's late at night, and only ten minutes left until Dipper needs to be in bed. However, the ten-year-old is at his desk busy working away on something that he needs to have completed soon.
Dipper is not the most artistic person – at least compared with his sister – but he's not bad either. And besides, what he is making is not meant to be too complicated. Something simple, but holds great meaning.
The fifth-grader looked over to his side and picked up a massive heart-shaped craft made of pink letters and envelopes. On it, in aqua-colored paste, says "FOR MY FAVORITE BROTHER."
Dipper smiled as he remembered receiving this special gift one year ago, in fourth grade. For the first time, his school decided to engage in a "card-sharing" activity…something that the poor boy knew he was not going to like. He made a bunch of cards for several girls he liked…and to this day, he still doesn't know how those girls reacted to getting a card from a lonely nerd like him. But the actual worst part was finding out that he himself got no Valentines' cards at all, and was the only boy in his homeroom to not receive any. And not surprisingly, his classmates were very quick to pick on him for that. He felt terrible; he was always self-conscious regarding how girls viewed him, but that day confirmed his fear that no girl liked him at all.
He hid in a janitor closet, not willing to face the fact he is alone and his peers who have always ostracized him for being weird. He cried for a few minutes…he wasn't sure exactly how long. Then something slid from beneath the door: a custom-made Valentines' Day card from Mabel. It touched his heart deeply. He will never forget the moment that there was indeed one girl who cared for him, and that was his sister.
It didn't take long for Dipper to realize that he should have made a Valentine's Day card for Mabel, but he didn't. Well, that problem is going to be fixed this year, because Dipper is going to make an exact replica – well, not exact, but close enough – of what Mabel had made for him. A large heart, made up of a bunch of smaller pieces of pink paper and envelopes, and using a greenish paste to create "FOR MY FAVORITE SISTER." It only seems right to return the favor like that.
Dipper put down the original piece and returned to work on his version. He really can't wait to give it to Mabel – secretly, that is. His plan is to slip it underneath her door after her bedroom lights are turned off, and then tomorrow – the real Valentines' Day – she will be met with a surprise. Mabel deserves it, after all she has done for her brother. Dipper knows his sister will be thrilled by this small act of appreciation and sibling love.
After a few more minutes, Dipper completed his piece. He set the craft down on his desk to allow the paste to dry.
"Dipper, have you brushed your teeth yet?" Ms. Pines poked her head into Dipper's bedroom.
"Not yet, but I'm going to right now!" Dipper responded as he got up from his desk.
"Remember to brush your back molars; they are hard to reach!" Ms. Pines reminded as Dipper passed her on his way out.
Dipper went into the bathroom to find Mabel already brushing away. He stood next to her and prepared his toothbrush and cup. Mabel smiled a foamy grin on seeing her brother, but said nothing and continued brushing. Dipper also smiled slightly, but because he's eager to find out her reaction when she finds his card the next morning.
The rest of the night went by routinely. Dipper and Mabel said goodnight to each other and went to their respective rooms. The boy slipped under his covers to give his parents the impression that he is going to sleep.
After Mr. and Ms. Pines said their good-nights and retreated to their bedroom, Dipper immediately got up and went to his desk. He carefully picked up his Valentines' gift and made his way into the hallway. He went to Mabel's room, bent down, and slid the piece under the door. Dipper than tiptoed back to his bed, unable to help himself from grinning widely.
Sunday, February 14, 2010. 8:15 AM.
Dipper is still asleep, curled up underneath his blankets against the morning cold. His bedroom door opened to reveal Mabel.
"Dipper? Dip-dop?" Mabel said softly. When no reply came from her brother, she simply went up to his bed, climbed on top of his covers, and started to gently poke his cheek.
"What? Huh?" Dipper opened his eyes. He made a small yawn and sat up straight. "Good morning, Mabel," Dipper said, rubbing his eyes.
"Good morning, bro-bro. And thank you so much!"
"Thank me for what?" Dipper tried to regain his train of thought.
"For this!" From behind her back, Mabel revealed the gift that Dipper had made.
"Oh. Yeah, I wanted to return the favor, for everything you've done," Dipper said. "I never really liked Valentines' Day…but now I see it as a chance where I can show my favorite person how much she means to me."
"Aww," Mabel smiled. "Thanks! And you did amazing on this. You've come a long way in your art skill, Dipping Sauce."
"I guess I have," Dipper smiled.
Mabel let out a sigh. "I knew today was going to be Valentines' Day…but I didn't think to make you a card! I'm so sorry."
"Don't be, Mabel. You already did. Last year."
Dipper slipped out of his bed and went up to his desk. He picked up the inspiration for his gift to Mabel and walked back towards his bed.
"Remember this?" Dipper asked as he sat back down onto his blanket. "I was the only one in my class who didn't get a Valentines' Day card. I felt so bad…and you went out of your way to make me one, using all of the ones that you received. I can never fully express how thankful I am for that."
Mabel shifted herself next to Dipper and put her arm around him. "You are my brother. I simply can't let him go through the Day of Love thinking that he is not loved! That's why I made this. Yeah, I got a bunch of cool guys' cards, and I made plenty to those same ones…but no guy means more to me than you!"
"And I thank you very much for doing that, Mabel. You mean a lot to me as well. That's why I made this. I thought it'd be nice to do something similar, to show you how I share the same feelings. So I used your card as a model for mine. Now we have matching twin Valentines' Day gifts!"
"I guess we do now. Thanks again, Dip-Dip," Mabel grinned. "Happy Valentines' Day."
"Happy Valentines' Day to you too, Mabel," Dipper put his arms around his sister and pulled her into a hug. "I love you."
"I love you too, bro-bro," Mabel responded.
Next chapter: Gym Class is Monkey Class