I'm back! For anyone who actually cared, sorry I haven't written anything recently. I got distracted, then kinda forgot about it, so I apologize for that. As for the SVTFOE story that I started but never finished, that one probably isn't going to get written. Forgot where I was going with the story so, again, sorry about that. But I digress. Here's my first story in quite some time. Hope you enjoy it!

Seventeen-year-old Mabel Pines paced around the attic of the Mystery Shack, nervous and unsure of herself, which was definitely not normal given her typically spunky and energetic nature. But something had been plaguing her thoughts for a while. Truthfully, the girl had thought about it more than once over the years, but recently, the last couple days to be exact, she couldn't get the thought out of her head.

It had been a few years since the events of Weirdmageddon. Gravity Falls had recovered and was back to functioning in its usual, not-quite-normal ways. Every summer since the almost-apocalyptic event, Dipper and Mabel Pines had made the trip up to the small Oregon town to visit their friends. This summer in particular was special, since Grunkles Stan and Ford had recently returned from their trip around the world, and were staying Mystery Shack, now run by Soos, to relax.

Almost immediately after settling into their usual room in the attic, Dipper disappeared into the basement to help Ford with his research, which is, of course, what both Dipper and Ford call "relaxing". Mabel, on the other hand, dashed into town to find Grenda and Candy, then proceeded to spend the next several hours in a flurry of laughter, glitter, and general pandemonium.

However, all that excitement soon came to a screeching halt for Mabel. The trio had stopped by the food court at the Gravity Falls Mall to rest. And that's when she showed up.

Pacifica Northwest.

She was with her usual entourage, flaunting her wealth, acting aloof. Basically, she was being Pacifica. Not much had changed between the Northwest heiress and the Pines twins over the years. They had gotten to a point where they might greet each other and have a brief conversation. A polite "How are you? What have you been up to? What's new?" but usually nothing more. On rare occasions, Pacifica might visit the Mystery Shack on her own, allowing the teens to engage in deeper conversation. They even exchanged phone numbers. But saying they were friends would be an overstatement.

In fact, Pacifica usually didn't want to be seen in public with them, especially if it was just Mabel. She'd been fairly comfortable with Dipper since the Northwest Manor Incident, probably since he was a hero as far as her family was concerned, but Mabel? Pacifica seemed embarrassed to be seen with her, and would only tolerate them being alone if they were in the Mystery Shack. It hurt a little that she couldn't make up with her former rival, but Mabel had accepted that they might never be friends.

At least, she thought she had.

Because, this time, for some reason, Mabel could take her eyes of the blonde heiress. And neither could anyone else in the mall, for that matter. Puberty had definitely been kind to her. She was built like a model: tall and thin, effortlessly beautiful. In terms of height, she had a few inches on Mabel, but her modest B-cup breasts were slightly smaller than Mabel's C-cup. But, of course, it wasn't just her body that caught people's attention; it was how she showed it off.

Pacifica was wearing a purple crop-top, showing off her perfectly toned stomach, and a pink miniskirt, just short enough to excite all the boys she walked by, all of whom were begging for an unexpected gust of wind to reveal what was hidden underneath. All that combined with her long legs in those white thigh-highs, diamond earrings shimmering on her ears, and a confident sway in her hips as she walked; Pacifica was drop-dead gorgeous.

Naturally, Mabel already knew Pacifica was beautiful. She had seen her every summer for almost six years now. But this year, Mabel really noticed the incomparable, elegant beauty that was Pacifica. Those legs, those hips, those eyes, those lips. Lips Mabel would love to just –

"Wait, what was I…?" Mabel wasn't sure where her mind was about to wander. But she was sure she didn't like. Something about Pacifica was throwing her off. It was a new, weird feeling, and she wasn't sure how to respond to it. She wanted it to leave. She wanted it to go away. She had to get away from Pacifica.

Before Pacifica could see her, Mabel excused herself, making up an excuse about helping Dipper test some invention, and hurried out of the mall, leaving her friends confused.

She spent the next few days helping around the Shack, refusing to go into town for any reason, much to the confusion of all the Shack's inhabitants.

And that's where she's been ever since.

"What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? What do I dooooooooooooo!?" Mabel mumbled to herself quietly as she paced. Her thoughts continued to haunt her. She needed help, advice, someone to turn to in her time of need.

But who would listen?

Dipper was the obvious choice, given that he's her twin. "Nah, asking him might not be a good idea on this one."

Ford would probably be the next best thing, being a genius and all. "But he's probably busy. And teenage girl drama probably isn't his forte."

Then there's Soos. "Probably not."

And Stan. "Definitely not."

That leaves Wendy. "And she's off work today." Mabel collapsed face first onto her bed. "And I can't go to her place, 'cause I'd have to go to town, then I might see Pacifica and – AAAHHHGGG!" Mabel yelled in frustration before burying her head in her pillows.

Just then, there was a knock on the attic door, and, behind her, Mabel could hear the old door creak open.

"Hey, Mabel?" It was Dipper.

"Hmm?" mumbled Mabel from her pillows.

"You alright? You've been acting weird – well, weirder than normal – the last few days."

"Mm-hmm," mumbled Mabel.

A brief moment of silence, then Dipper sighed, "Okay, so you're not alright. Want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"You can't lie to me, Mabel. I know you too well." Dipper walked over to her and sat her upright on the bed. Then he kneeled down in front of her. "Now, come on. What's wrong?"

"I can't tell you," said Mabel, avoiding eye contact, looking down at her hands.

Dipper frowned. "Because?"

Excuses flew through Mabel's mind. 'You'd laugh at me.' 'It's weird.' 'It's too personal.' None of those would work on Dipper. They are twins, after all.

In the end, all Mabel could say was, "I don't know."

Dipper's frown deepened. "Please, Mabel? I want to help you. You're not being yourself and I'm worried. We're all worried. Please, just tell me what's wrong."

Mabel couldn't stand the pleading in his voice. It was obvious that keeping her problem a secret was hurting Dipper just as much as it was hurting her. Mabel took a deep breath.

"I –" Mabel hesitated. "I think… I think I…" Once again, she took a deep breath and braced herself.

Closing her eyes, she declared, "Dipper, I think I'm in love."

Mabel opened her eyes, expecting to see Dipper laughing at her, but, instead, the boy was sighing with relief.

"That explains why you won't go to town. We thought someone might have… well… 'attacked' you while you were with Candy and Grenda. But at least now I know you're okay."

Mabel was confused, then confusion turned to shock as she blushed and stuttered out, "N-no, we weren't r—" Mabel choked on the word. "'Attacked'…or anything like that! Why would you even think that?!"

Dipper chuckled. "Well, a brother is allowed to worry, isn't he? But, anyway, about this whole 'love' situation, why keep it a secret? It's not like this is the first time or anything."

It's true. Mabel had gone through several boyfriends over the years, claiming she was in love each time she found a new one. But, every time, no matter how many dates they went on, how many times they hugged, how many times they kissed, the feeling would fade pretty quickly, and Mabel would break up with them. Something just didn't feel right. Somehow, no matter who she was dating, Mabel never really felt happy being with them.

"It's…different this time," Mabel whimpered, looking down at her hands again.

"Different?" Dipper was confused. "Different how?"

"I've…I've honestly never felt this way before. I can't get them out of my head, and my heart won't stop pounding." Her vision became blurry as her eyes began to water. "I don't know what to do! Dipper, help me!" Mabel was panicking. Tears started flowing down the girl's cheeks as she pleaded with her brother, covering her face with her hands.

Seeing her panic, Dipper grew worried once again, and reached out to hug his twin sister. "Hey, hey, hey. It's ok. It'll be ok," he said, as he held her, trying to comfort her.

After a few minutes of gentle weeping, Mabel began to gather herself. Sensing the opportunity to speak, Dipper suggested, "Can't you just do what you normally do? Just go up to the guy and ask him on a date."

"It's not that simple," replied Mabel as she wiped her tears.

"Why not?"

Mabel looked up, face to face with Dipper, making sure he was listening.

"I think I fell in love with Pacifica."