Chapter 9
Dipper was worried. This was not unusual, but for him this was not the everyday sort of worry. Mabel was nowhere to be found, and it was twilight, getting darker. Grunkle Stan was closing up the Shack.
"Did Mabel tell you where she was going?"
"No kid but hey, she can't get far. She'll turn up. Relax. Well, not yet, punch out first, then you can relax."
Now that Dipper was actually doing a better job than Soos around the Shack and sales have gone up, Dipper was actually earning his keep and making a little profit for the place. But Grunkle Stan and Dipper (And Mabel) had made a deal that the pay they earned went towards paying Stan back for the airfare, so to Stan, "it's a win-win kids!".
Since the top of the Shack had a great view Dipper went upstairs to Wendy's old "break room" to survey afar.
Once on the roof he sat down and realized that sunset would be great up here, if Mabel were here with him. He began scanning…
…
As the girls walked out of the forest and into the clearing of the Shack premises, Candy began processing all that Mabel had divulged to her, and when she noticed Dipper on the roof she saw him with new eyes.
What a lover! Such a romantic (and handsome) boy. Mabel is lucky. She tugged on Mabel's sweater and pointed up at the roof.
"It must be you he is searching for! You are rarely apart." When Mabel saw him she turned and smiled to her friend.
"I know. And even though it will be tough I will take your advice to…not…hang out with him so much, so people won't suspect. Thanks for your advice Candy." And the girls hugged again.
In the Oregon summer there was no need for the vest. Dipper was wearing the more practical work clothes suitable for helping Stan out around the Shack: dark polo green tank top, blue jeans and black steel toed boots, and a thick black leather belt. As the girls approached, Candy could not help but notice Dipper's muscled arms and shoulders as he swung himself down into the roof door. The boy was slim and trim. Even from this distance his muscles rippled as he climbed and crouched. Then they could hear his boots thud and stomp as he climbed down the stairs and onto the porch.
"Mabel! I was wor…" He saw Candy was with Mabel since they entered the clearing but he had been staring at Mabel, and just now saw Candy. "…wondering where you were. Out hanging…hanging out with Candy eh? How are you Candy?"
"I am feeling very good Dipper! I mean, I am good. Good!" Dipper noticed Mabel's petite friend blushing. It reminded him of when Mabel blushed. Do all girls do that? So girly.
Mabel looked around and then gave his tank top waist a tug. "Dipper, behind the shack with us, we need to talk." Dipper was now worried again, just after the relief of seeing Mabel.
"Why? What's up?" he followed the girls around the corner.
Once concealed, Mabel grabbed Candy by the hand and then with her free hand grabbed and held Dipper's.
"Dipper, bragging rights bragged! Candy knows now, and will keep it secret! She is on our side too!" And then she kissed her brother on the lips.
"Too? Who else knows this secret?" Candy asked. Then noticing Dipper looking at her with shock she decided to add a quick smile. She didn't want them to be afraid of her, she was their friend.
The twins looked at each other for their private body language. Should we tell her Stan knows?
Silent agreement, and then Mabel spoke.
"Grunkle Stan knows. He is on our side, as long as we don't flaunt it."
Candy couldn't help raising her hand to her mouth. "But he keeps the secret too, yes?"
"Yeah. He is cool. But don't let him know that you know. It might embarrass him. He is old school after all."
"OK." Candy dropped her hand and smiled, and then turned to Dipper. "Don't worry Dipper, I would never hurt you…or Mabel." And she decided to be brave and try an American thing: she winked at Dipper. "I will never tell anyone."
Dipper was surprised by the brazen wink from the normally reserved girl, and noticed for the first time how delicate and feminine her hands looked, noticed her dark eyes sparkling behind her oval glasses, framed by long shining black hair. She is cute.
He is so cute! Like magazine boy. Candy blushed again when she realized she had been staring, and then turned to Mabel.
"I better go home now, see you tomorrow." And the girls embraced one more time.
Mabel and Dipper sort of followed Candy as she left, and as they rounded the corner of the Shack to get to the porch, Dipper couldn't help notice the way Candy's skirt swayed from side to side. We've all grown up the past few years.
He then turned to climb the porch stairs and looked up to Mabel who was looking at him with a curiously analytical stare.
"You don't seem as worried as I thought you'd be Dip. I am glad you are OK with me sharing with her. I feel so much better now that I have someone I can talk to about us."
Dipper reached the top of the porch with Mabel and looked down on her. He was about 6 inches taller than her now days. He looked around and then held her hands. He lowered his voice and growled in a poor imitation of Grunkle Stan.
"All for you kid!"
As they walked into the Shack Mabel could reward him with a smile, but not a laugh. She was thinking about what she thought she saw in Dipper's gaze at Candy. Why did he really suggest I switch places with Candy? And why did Candy really suggest I not see Dipper so much? Suddenly getting caught was not the worst thing in the world…
