Mabel hadn't gone to school in over two weeks, and she didn't think she ever wanted to go back again.
Having had ignored all the text messages and calls she had been getting, and trying her best to heal from the injuries Dark Star had caused, the last thing she wanted was to go back and hear the familiar ''I'm so sorry'' and ''I'm here for you''. You could say it had to do with the fact that she'd caused her own brother's death in the first place, and had she been more careful, he would've still been alive. Either way, Mabel didn't want to go back, even if Dipper's accusing voice only seemed to get louder the longer she spent in the lonesome apartment.
Her parents hadn't been home in a while, and she was beginning to wonder if they even knew she'd been absent from school for a while now. Last time she'd really spent time with them was the day of Dipper's funeral, and even then her mother had made it clear that she didn't want to be around her and her father had only managed to send her a few sympathetic looks. Ever since then, her mother had begun to drown herself in work, waking up earlier than she ever had and coming home near midnight. Her father hadn't been so cold and usually arrived back at around nine at night. He'd go to her room and do some small talk, and once he even embraced her and assured her everything would get better. But either than that, her parents seemed to never be around, and Mabel couldn't help but blame herself for it.
On the other hand, it was good, seeing as she used that time to plan out just what she was going to do with Dark Star. She knew she'd been bluffing when she'd said she'd end the person he cared for the most (because deep down in her damaged heart, she knew she couldn't take someone else's life simply because it lid up someone else's), and instead chose to focus the anger that came with Dipper's death towards how she'd kill his murderer. She'd spent endless hours thinking about cutting him limb by limb and watching as he cried out for mercy. She'd thought about slicing his throat open and watching him fall to the ground as the life drained from his face. She'd even thought about simply shooting him in the head and getting all the messy stuff out of the way, and yet Dipper's face always seem to resurface when she did so.
Because, if she were honest, she knew Dipper wouldn't be happy knowing just how much hatred she was holding inside, and he certainly wouldn't had been happy to know that she was planning on killing someone, even if it was Dark Star. Dipper had always displayed compassion and forgiveness even when it was hard, and she'd always admired that about him; too bad she wasn't him.
She heard her phone vibrate from the drawer next to her bed, causing her to blink a few times and let out an exhausted growl. The morning sun, despite the closed curtains, had made its way in and now shinned down on the mess that was spread throughout her bedroom.
Glancing at the caller ID, she sighed before answering the call. ''Hello?''
She rubbed her eyes tiredly, hearing his acquainted chuckle from the other side of the line. ''Wow, Mabel, I don't think I've ever told you just how amusing your morning voice really is''
Mabel yawned, sitting up on her bed. ''What is it, Bill?''
''I've come to pick you up''
She raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. ''What do you mean?''
''I'm taking you to school today'' his voice was so serious; she was having a hard trying to fake a giggle.
She suddenly stopped, however, once she realized he wasn't joking. ''Bill, you can't be serious-''
''Oh, but I am. Look out your window''
Mabel rapidly jumped off bed, opening her curtains and looking down to find Bill leaning against his car. He had on a dark pair of sunglasses, along with his red and black flannel shirt she'd bought him some time ago for his birthday. One hand was in his jean pocket and the other held his cell phone in place. His lips tucked up into a slight grin once he saw her, to which she could only respond back with a small grin of her own.
''Look, I appreciate it, but I can't go back to school'' she said, leaning her hand against the glass window.
He ran his fingers through his blond hair, showing off more of his attractive features. ''You can't, or you won't?''
She shrugged her shoulders, looking down at her feet. ''same difference''
''No, it's not. You've got ten minutes to get dressed, or I'll go up there myself and make you''
Mabel rolled her eyes, to which she saw him smirk, and closed the curtains. ''Please, don't make me do this. I'm not ready''
''Mabel, you can't hide in your room forever. It's time to get back to reality''
''But what if I don't want to?''
''I'll help you through it''
Everything inside of her wanted to hang up on him and go back to sleep, but she also knew he had a point. If she was going to get her revenge, she'd eventually need to begin acting normal and get her mind back together. ''Alright, fine. But don't expect me to look good''
And with that she hung up.
Bill had come over a few times to check up on her (besides Pacifica, who usually left in tears), and had tried his best to make sure she was alright, whether it be by asking her if she'd had dinner or entertaining her with whatever board game he could find. He was the only one she'd even bothered to answer to on the cell phone, and if it wasn't for him, she would've surely gone insane on her own. She at least owed him this much.
She splashed her face with some cold water, then brushed her teeth and applied some concealer on the heavy circles under her eyes. Mabel then walked over to her closet, and pulled out a black dress with a floral pattern over it that reached half way down her thighs. Over it, she put on her most comfortable gray sweater and then simply placed on her black flats. Grabbing her untouched backpack and placing it over her shoulder, she wasted no time rushing down her stairs and out the door.
Bill was still leaning against his car, sighing in relief once he saw her walking towards him. Glancing at her, the seventeen year old lowered his sunglasses to get a better look at her. ''Well, you took your time''
''No, I didn't. I took like two minutes''
''Yeah, in girl time'' he murmured, opening the door to the passenger's seat. ''Come on, get it. We're going to be late to school''
She didn't say anything and just did as told.
It wasn't until Bill started the engine and began to drive off, that a sudden feeling of anxiety rushed through her. ''Bill, I can't do this''
''Yes, you can.'' He turned to look at her for a few seconds, then turned back to look at the road. ''If there's someone I have faith in, it's you''
''But it's too hard! I had Dipper for two classes, and we hung out with the same people. How am I supposed to go to school and act like my twin was never there?''
''Mabel,'' Bill sighed, and he could see his grip on the steering wheel tighten. ''I know it's been hard on you, and no one understands what's your going through, not even me no matter how much I try to. But you have to stop feeling sorry for yourself. Everyone in school has been mopping and asking about you. It's been hard on your friends too''
''You think I feel sorry for myself?'' she snapped. ''Dipper's dead, and it should've been me instead!''
The car suddenly came to a stop, and it remained still despite the angry honks. Bill turned to stare at her, a mixture of anger and another emotion raging from his eyes. ''Don't ever say that''
Mabel would've been lying if she said she didn't feel the least bit frightened at that moment, hearing Bill's sudden cry. He usually yelled at everyone else around him, but he'd never done so with her. Just the sight of it made her stomach turn the same way it did when she thought about her parents.
Bill continued on driving, and once they stopped at a red light, he turned to her and took a deep breath. ''Mabel, I didn't mean to yell at you''
She stared out the car window, gulping. ''so why did you?''
''Even if I didn't like that brother of yours, he did the right thing protecting you. Just hearing you say that it should've been you, and just thinking about what that gang could've done to you, pisses me off. Don't you realize how special you are?''
She felt him tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. ''So was he''
''But you were more, and Dipper knew that'' Bill began to drive, but his voice remained just as firm. ''Please, promise me you'll never say you should've been the one killed.''
His voice then softened, however. '' I swear if something ever happened to you, I'd lose my mind''
''I'm sorry, Bill' she whispered just loud enough for both of them to hear. ''I promise''
''Is that really her?''
''Oh my gosh, she looks so dead! Poor her!''
''I heard her parents sent her away to get some help after Dipper's funeral''
''She obviously hasn't been doing well''
Mabel walked down the hallway, trying her best to ignore all the stares that came her way. She felt like her heart was beating out of her chest just hearing everyone else's murmurs, and the only thing that stopped her from running out was Bill's grip on her arm. He didn't seem affected by it all; instead, he did his best to push everyone out of the way in the halls.
''Mabel?'' she heard Robbie, a friend of hers. ''you're back''
Bill pushed him aside, causing the dark haired guy to fall onto his group of friends. ''Move it, Valentino. She doesn't have time for this''
A small part of her felt bad for him, but at the same time she was relieved she didn't have to talk to him and fake that everything was alright.
A few others tried to come up to her, some starting out with a few questions and some just flat out giving her their condolences, and thankfully Bill was always there to push them away(literally).
Then Mabel's eyes made contact with Pacifica's, and the blonde girl was quick to rush towards her. ''Mabel, you're here''
''Beat it, Northwest'' Bill growled, standing in front of Mabel.
Pacifica huffed, placing her hand on her hips. ''Go to hell, Cipher''
''Bill, its okay'' she said, placing her hand on his arm. His tense shoulders relaxed almost unconsciously, as he said nothing more and simply moved aside.
Pacifica pulled her into a tight hug, and Mabel didn't realize just how much she had missed her close friend's hugs until then. Pulling away, her brother's girlfriend grinned, not one bit plastic like mostly everyone else's. ''I can't believe you're back! We've all missed you''
''Yeah, well, Bill convinced me to come'' she said, lightly nudging Bill. ''I guess it was time to come back around''
''I bet everyone's dying to ask you how you've been'' Pacifica looked at all the faces that stared their way. ''Don't worry, I'll make sure they don't bother you until you're ready to talk''
''thank you,''
The bell rang, and everyone began to disperse and go to their first period classroom. Mabel took a deep breath, sending her two friends a small grin. ''Well, I guess I should get going''
''Sit with me at lunch like always?'' Bill asked, beginning to walk away.
She nodded, to which he smiled. ''Like always''
''I'll see you in second period then'' Pacifica said, fixing her posture. Her face broke out into the most sincere smile, one she hadn't seen since Dipper had died. ''It's really nice to have you here again, Mabel''
''Yeah,'' Mabel replied. ''It's nice to be back''
''Well if it isn't Shooting Star'' Dark Star taunted, throwing the man who he had by the neck against the rocky wall. ''I was beginning to wonder if you were dead too''
Shooting Star scowled, cracking her knuckles. ''Miss me?''
''Nearly,''
The dark alley was pitch black, except for the dimply lit street lamp at the end of it that displayed just enough light to make out the figures. A few motionless bodies were scattered around the villain, and a few other men were pinned up against the wall with their mouths unable to open. She pulled out her metal bar, holding it in front of her ready to fight him.
''Tell me, why are you in a dark alley hurting random men?''
''Oh, these aren't random men, and let's just say I owed a friend a favor''
''A friend? You don't seem like the type to have any. Are they just as pathetic as you are?''
Something dark crossed the man's eyes, as a wide smirk evaded his face. ''On the contrary, I'd say they're better than myself''
With that, Shooting star began to fight Dark Star, attempting to hit him in the head with the metal bar. Dark Star brushed her off easily, throwing one of the motionless men at her. She fell down, but as soon as she fell, she was teleported behind him. Hitting him in the head with a bar, she watched as he fell to the floor while holding onto his throbbing head. She smirked, kicking him in the stomach and laughing as he rolled onto his side.
She then stopped, once her eyes landed on a knife that had been pulled out of a pinned man's pocket and begun stabbing him several times. She managed to teleport it away, just before the man was able to lose all unconsciousness. Grabbing his blond hair and pulling his face up to face her, she gritted her teeth with force. ''Stop it with your little games''
''What are you going to do? Finish me off? Because if I'm right that man will bleed to death by the time you're done killing me, and I know your little conscious wouldn't let you do that''
He tapped her nose, to which she responded by punching his face. But she did know he was right, so without hesitation, she rushed to the man's aid. ''This isn't over''
''Not until you're dead it's not'' Dark Star remarked.
She teleported to the hospital and handed him off to a startled nurse, but by the time she returned, he was gone.
Now, don't think Shooting Star only had Dark Star to worry about. There were plenty of other crimes to deal with; she just didn't think she'd have to deal with someone worse than Dark Star himself.
But there was more to come; and oh was she wrong.