Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to Gravity Falls.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. But, of course, why stop when it's just so much fun?
Hot pink oversized sweater, glittery blue headband, ginormous triangle earrings. Mabel Pines was in a good mood. Fresh out of high school, the eldest of the Pines twins was now moving to Gravity Falls permanently – specifically into the room her and Dipper used to share during the summer vacations in the Mystery Shack, that is, until she found herself a place to set up shop. The citizens of Gravity Falls were in some dire need of a new wardrobe, and Mabel believed she was the gal who could remedy that.
Dipper had successfully gotten into the college of his dreams with a full scholarship and was now attending a summer semester, and though Mabel was starting to feel a tad lonesome, she was truly happy for her brother. She knew college wasn't for her, but she would be lying if she said she hadn't tried to get in. A dark cloud hung over her otherwise sunny day. Shaking the unwanted thoughts away, Mabel made her way to the door of the place she called home. Home with mom and dad was fine, but nothing could compare to the many adventures she had here.
"Grunkle Stan! Guess who!" she called out, slamming her fist against the door until a rather disgruntled Stan opened it, clad only in a stained white shirt and boxers. She grinned and pulled him into a bear hug.
"Ah, kid. Did ya have to come at six in the morning?" he groaned, but gladly returned the hug nonetheless.
"And risk dying of heat stroke? No thanks. It's so hot that the AC in my car gave out earlier this week." Mabel heaved a sigh and skipped to her car, popping open the trunk. It wasn't much, but she was glad to call it her baby. Her second baby. "How's Waddles?"
"We can bring your car over to Steve to fix up later. Anyway, the pig's eating everything, as always. Wouldn't mind having some bacon myself."
"Grunkle Stan!" she scolded, shaking her head. Stan went back inside to his usual spot in front of the television, muttering something about the pig eating all his money away. Unable to control herself any longer, Mabel ran inside to spend some quality time with her pig, who'd grown quite large since she last saw him.
Half an hour later, as she lugged one of several suitcases upstairs and into the well-familiarized room, a twinge of pain struck her. She'd never once moved her things in without Dipper doing the same. The two twin beds were still tucked away in opposite corners of the room (Stan didn't want to waste a dime on new furniture) and so where all the knick-knacks that they refused to take home with them. The only thing that they did take home was the journal, which was with Dipper now, as always. Now that Dipper was away at college, half the room felt empty. "Get a hold of yourself, Mabel," she mumbled. "I can give him a call whenever I want." So with that in mind, she pushed the two small beds together to the center of the room, right underneath the triangular window.
The wind blew outside, and she swore she heard a faint laughter bounce off the walls. After casting a nervous look around, she laughed it off. "Just the wind."
"And so I said, 'Boom! There's your lucky duck, Jerry!'"
Laughter ensued, spitting of soda was had, and Mabel crossed her arms with pride enveloping her face.
"Good one, Hambone!" Soos sputtered, slapping his knee while Wendy gave her a thumbs up.
They had all gathered for dinner at Greasy's Diner in order to catch up with Mabel. It wasn't that strange to her, being the center of attention, but it just wasn't the same without Dipper. Still, they all shared crazy stories and hysterical laughter. By the time they were dozing off, it was almost midnight. Mabel had to admit that Lazy Susan was too good-natured for her own good – except for that one time during Summerween, but Dipper really was to blame. But if Lazy Susan had any sense, she would've kicked them out hours ago.
"Ever get that feeling you're being watched?" Soos asked, alert even when he was half-asleep. "'Cuz I'm getting that feeling now."
Mabel stared out the window, peering through the darkness. "Yeah, I guess so," she yawned, stretching up towards the ceiling. It was true, she did get that feeling sometimes, but her mind was elsewhere at the moment. She was thinking about crawling into bed and never getting out of it, which was surprising, considering how much energy she usually had. So after saying goodbye, she and Stan headed back to the Mystery Shack to catch up on some needed sleep.
"Mm… My pillow is a marshmallow." Mabel smothered her face against the pillow on her now double bed and closed her eyes, awaiting her usual bubbly dreams.
When her eyes fluttered open, she stared up at the ceiling for a long three minutes in confusion. No dream. She had no dream. Since when did she not have a dream?
"Dipping Sau-" Mabel cut herself off, tears of frustration building up in her eyes. She didn't have a twin to talk to. No one to confide in. No one.
No.
She snatched her cell phone off the nightstand, grinning at how much of a genius she was. After admiring the fuzzy kitten phone case she had gotten recently, Mabel went to her contact list. The smile dropped from her face. Blank? No, that was impossible. She had at least seventy contacts saved. And now they were suddenly deleted?
She put the phone down, eyes darting around in suspicion. "Alright, what kind of joke is this? Who did this?"
No answer.
She grumbled in annoyance and picked an outfit out of a suitcase that she had neglected to unpack. She stripped out of her pajamas and pulled a sweater over her head.
Ever get that feeling you're being watched?
Mabel went rigid and turned her head, staring at the window. Not out the window, but straight at the glass pane that just happened to be the shape of someone she knew. She narrowed her eyes, watching as it began to change color into a familiar yellow hue. Taking in a breath of fear, she quickly pulled her leggings on and dashed for the door.
Only to find it locked.
Maniacal laughter met her ears. The window had now grown an eye and a pair of arms and legs – and a signature bowtie. With her back to the door, Mabel watched as a tiny top hat and cane materialized out of nowhere. The triangle peeled itself from the wall, grinning at the Pines twin with its eye.
"Bill Cipher," she practically growled.
"Long time no see, Shooting Star. My, how you've blossomed. How long has it been? A month? Two?"
"Seven years, you stupid, evil triangle." She tried the door again. No luck. "Wait. If you're here then this must be the dreamscape. I'm dreaming!"
"Finally starting to use that head of yours, huh? Good job. I'm impressed. Want a reward?" Bill floated towards her, keeping his eye the same level as hers.
Her lips pressed together tightly. "No thanks."
"Aw, that's no fun. Let me see," he hummed, turning to glance around the room, his lone eye landing on a poster of the Sev'ral Timez boy band. "Well, why didn't I think of that in the first place?" He laughed and snapped his fingers, his yellow body beginning to glow at an unnatural brightness. Mabel had to shield her eyes to avoid being blinded.
"So what do you think, Shooting Star?"
When Mabel pulled her hands away from her eyes, a furious blush crept unto her face. Instead of the flying nacho that Mabel had grown accustomed to in the past, the Bill that stood before her had taken on a human body that was undeniably the most attractive thing she had ever laid eyes on. With blond hair that was swept to the side in a messy sort of way that actually fit his personality, a black eyepatch covering his right eye, black dress pants, and a long yellow tailcoat with lining that was threaded with the universe itself, all complete with his bowtie and hat, Bill could now make any woman turn every shade of red and any man green with envy. To put it bluntly, the dream demon was dashing.
"I- I think…" She shook her head, trying to make the unwanted blush leave her alone for eternity. "Why are you here?"
Bill hummed, tapping gloved fingers against the top of his cane. "If I told you, it'd ruin the surprise."
She definitely didn't like the sound of that. "Tell me now!"
He smirked, and now Mabel got a full view of his sharp teeth. "The time has finally come, Shooting Star. You and Pine Tree are going to get a show. That is, if Pine Tree ever comes."
"Dipper and I will always be here to take you down!"
She blinked, and Bill was looming over her, his eye staring down into hers. "Do you think Pine Tree cares about you? Let me tell you. He's made countless friends in that grand college he left you for. Who's to say he'll care enough to come to your rescue?"
A shaky breath left her lips, fear slowly creeping into her. "I know Dipper… He'd never leave me."
"But he already has."
Mabel shot up in bed, her chest heaving like it was only moments ago in the dream. A nightmare. Maybe it was only a nightmare. But as she stood and began to get ready for the day, she knew no ordinary nightmare could feel so real.