Introduction.

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- Dipper's POV -

Hello, I am Mason Pines. I am 17 years of age and currently enjoying a summer vacation before starting my senior year next month. I live in Jungle Falls, Oregon, although the name sounds so strange... When you look at it on a map, it's probably nothing but a silly name. You would think it was surrounded by a forest instead of a jungle right? Well, in this case, you're wrong. I'm sure other worlds are more normal than this one but... in this world, we're just another untypical dimension.

I mean, if there are other dimensions out there, then that's amazing! If only the other folks would, believe me, I can't really change that at all; back to Jungle Falls.

I live in Jungle Falls where we're surrounded by a jungle and if you were to enter through the dark mist it creates, you wouldn't return at all. I heard that you would get lost forever and people say that you were dead. I wouldn't believe that.

I believe there are mythical creatures in the tropical forest that wouldn't harm a fly. They keep to their own selves and leave others alone. I'm sure they won't hurt anyone who accidentally wanders in there. But I do agree with the "passing away" part, you may not find your way out, soon you'll starve to death.

I live with my twin Uncles, Uncle Ford and Uncle Stan. It's not that hard to tell which is which. One is simply greedy with money and the other is caring and loves to work with science, or you can tell by the way they act. We all live in the Mystery Shack where Uncle Stan runs his business and earns his money by selling fake items on the shelves. I believe he's doing something called "fraud" with these customers, but I wouldn't really speak the truth. I don't think our lazy policemen would come after him, besides they too "fed up" with each other.

I am not a native citizen of Jungle Falls, I use to live in California, my birthplace. I move out here when I was five years old, I don't recall why we move out here, but that what Uncle Ford decided to do. I tried asking him when I was younger, but he always says, "Don't worry about it," or "I'll tell you when you are older," etc. I stop asking him afterward. It'll be best if he weren't to lie all of the time, but that's how parents protect their children right? They are my guardians, I bet they did that just to protect my innocent mind.

Uncle Ford told me that since I began preschool, I was to continue it in Jungle Falls, but with a better teaching standard. Meaning that learning for me wasn't all games or playful at all, more of a Pre-k teaching. That is where the bullying begins. I know why he did it, he wanted me to learn skills that will help me later down in my life, and I'm proud of him for doing so. The bullies thought I was mentally unstable since I was put in a different set of classes rather than being with the other kids. They thought I was stupid, an idiot when in reality, I wasn't. I'm so glad I don't see their faces in summer, they usually move out of the state with their families to go on a summer vacation. While I am stuck here, not having a blast at the moment.

On July 22nd is when my first job begins at a local diner, Greasy's Diner. It's a typical known restaurant and mostly everyone goes there. Of course, there are other places to go to eat, but this is mostly popular. You might be wondering why I applied for a job here.

Well first, they were running low on staff members, seeing that they don't want to go bankrupt. I do love coming here and tasting their delicious food here, I wouldn't want this place going down in flames. My second reason is that I would love to start making money for myself so that I won't have to ask my guardians for money. Uncle Stan always grunts when I ask him; Uncle Ford seems fine with it, but I feel guilty for asking. My third and last reason is that I'm tired of working as a staff member at my Uncle's Gift Shop, I don't get paid and Uncle Stan barely notices I work. It's all about that money and I don't like it one bit.

Once I received a letter from them, I was excited. Uncle Ford was proud of me, growing up to become a responsible man, while Uncle Stan just glares at me. I told him "Aren't you proud of me? I'm finally taking responsibly of myself, why aren't you happy?" He turns to me in an unwelcoming position, he states that "I'll be low on members if you leave, and frankly why would you even get one if you had one?"

"If I had a job, I would be paid the amount that I would be working for. You didn't even do that." I said, crossing my arms.

"Maybe you weren't ready. I didn't even see your work." He scoffs. You see, he barely pays attention. I was getting a bit irritated. Uncle Ford decided to break it apart before it got worse. I would head to my room and prepare. This was the day before I went to work. I wish me and Uncle Stan could get along, I don't know what happens between me and him. Could I ask? But then, I may get mocked again. Maybe I can ask Uncle Ford that...

Onto the present time,

I love talking to myself, don't I?

I was placed in the front, beside the door but across from it. Everyone had their positions, but sometimes they would slack off. It makes sense why the place was running low on staff members, they were probably getting fired left and right. I wouldn't be slacking off in a place like this since it was popular, I would be working as a good staff member.

Since I was new, I had to be watched over by one of my co-workers, Mary, who taught me the basics. I understand the basics quickly as my first test was coming forward. We look up and over to the door ringing the bell of another customer. Mary said, "Watch how I handle this family." I nodded as I recognize one of them, The Corduroy family. As they were walking over to us, I got nervous. I would also show redness in my cheeks, I tried to control them, but was no use. My crush is coming over, what am I suppose to do?

I remember what I was here for, I looked over at my mentor and watched how they did it. I watched carefully as they ordered the family's food. Wendy noticed me as she greeted me. I greeted her back shyly as I told her I was on training for this position. She congrats me and told me good luck, I waved goodbye to her as her family walked away to a table to sit at. "Now, we have an order to do! Mostly it's simple since it's in the afternoon- Mason."

"Y-Yes?" I quickly snap back to reality, I wasn't paying attention again.

My mentor sighed, giving a small smile. "You can flirt with her later, right now we have an order to do."

"I-I wasn't!-" I was pulled aside to the fountain area, where only the staff members can access it. I looked over at my mentor who was showing me how the fountain worked. "You can lean the cup on the handle on which drink was order. You can also lean the cup against the ice position to get ice for certain drinks. Mostly it's water for three boys, one coffee, and one coke soda. I'm sure you can manage that Mason." She said, giving me the call to do the cups.

"What about the size?" I said, almost grabbing the cups.

"I'm glad you said that. It's nice you are paying attention, most teens wouldn't get this far." She said, looking disappointed. "Three small cups, one medium coffee, and one large coke soda."

I nodded as I grabbed the small cups. I wouldn't really put too much ice for the smaller cups since they are for the kids. I did exactly that; carefully watching the ice and putting the cup under the chosen fountain drink and make the cup lean on the handle where it would pour the liquid in the cup. "Good job! Do the same for the other two. Coffee is in a different fountain all by itself, which is to the right of you. I'll go get the tray and give the order to a cook. I'll be back." My mentor said before leaving me to do the rest.

I did just that. I place the three smaller cups on the counter beside the fountain, the other two were on the other side. I looked up as I saw Mary coming back with a drink tray, there were five holders. She told me to put the drinks on the holders as I obeyed. "I wouldn't say this, but I want you to take the drinks over to their table, I'll do the pancakes." She said as I nodded. She handed me the tray as I became careful with it. "Do not drop it, or else, we will have a mess to clean up." She warns me. I nodded. "I won't."

I carefully exit the little slot where the employees go to serve food and drinks or clean the floor. I balance the drink tray on my hands carefully as I walk over to them. I notice Wendy once more as I pull my head out of my thoughts. Not today! I have a job to do. Once I arrived, I place the tray down as the family grabbed their drinks. "Your food will be here shortly," I said before grabbing and carrying the tray back to the working area.

"You did well out there! Did I see you say something to them?" My mentor would ask me with a tray of five pancakes in her hand.

"Yes. I did. I said, "Your food will be here shortly." Was I doing a good job?" I asked. She nodded, smiling as I felt the warmth from her smile.

"You're doing a wonderful job." She says. We both heard the doorbell ring. "Why don't you take care of that family?" She says.

"... But." I looked over to see three customers entering.

"I'm sure you'll do good! Just follow what I did before, I'll be back before you know it!" She says before going through the slot. I gulped. I turned and walked over to my position, standing in front of the cashier. I look up to the three. The mother has a tan skin color as well as long straight brown hair. She was wearing a beautiful light orange dress with the colors of autumn, she was also wearing a delightful golden laurel leaf headband in her hair. She looks like she either has brown or hazel eyes. Don't know, can't tell while she's inside.

The father had light brown skin with some white pigment on his face. His hair was blonde and he had blue eyes. He was wearing a green shirt with some bleach shorts, trying not to get hot? I know how this weather is.

Lastly, the teen, who looks annoyed as hell. He has the look of "I don't want to be here," typically, almost all teens want to rebel against their parents' actions. He had blonde hair with a tiny black ponytail in the back that was pointing downwards, he also had yellow eyes which almost look like they were glowing in the shade of this diner. His skin tone was looking a bit tan, also there was a weird skin color on his hands, looking to be light brown a bit... close to a lighter color. I know this skin condition- now not the time to question his appearance, Dipper.

"Do you still offer coffee here?" The mother asked, I kind of flinch a slight bit at the response. Wasn't I suppose to say the lines of "What would you like to order?" or... "Welcome! What would you like?" before they responded, oh well. I nodded, "Yes, we still do."

"One medium size coffee for my son." She said in a vexed tone. She turned and reached in her purse as I put in the correct item. "Is that all?" I asked. It was very odd that this family was just ordering coffee for their son, no food for themselves. Just strange.

She nodded, "That is all." She extended her arm out with the correct money. I grab it and place it in the cashier, putting it in the right placement as I remember from the last tutorial. The slip of the order sheet printed itself out as I grabbed it. I turned and walked over to the fountain drinks, and then to the coffee machine. I am so nervous, I'm shaking like an earthquake. Get it together! I just hope there will be no customers for me to serve for a while. I looked up and reach for the medium size coffee cup. I grab it and I place it on the coffee platform under the hole where the drink would pour through. I fill the cup up with coffee before adding some cream and flavor to the coffee as I did with Wendy's coffee.

I started to get red in the cheeks again. Stop it Dipper! You're distracting yourself! Work! I stir it together before putting the lid on the container. It was steaming hot as I pick it up and carried it back to where the family was waiting.

I saw that they were talking to one another, seeing their facial expressions turn annoyed to mad, sadness to irritation. I feel sorry for this family. I place the coffee down on the counter before the mother took it. "Thank you." I heard the sorrow in her tone as she gave it to her son. They started to make their way to the entrance. I looked over as the teen was just standing there. I panicked a bit, what's going on? This is my first day of work and I am already stressing out.

I watched him look at me with an annoyed expression before sighing and walking away from the counter, following his family out. I heard people nearby in the seats grunting at his presence. Oh, he must be that teenager. You see, I heard rumors that a troubled teen is going around town, causing disturbances to other town folks. It must be that one who just left, he shows all of the symptoms for it. Did the police already get on him for it? Although... he seems familiar, I'm not quite sure why he seems familiar. Maybe it's just my stressed mind playing tricks on me.

"You did it! Although I'm so sorry you had to deal with that." I turned to Mary's voice. I smiled faintly. "It's alright, I handled it as you said. However, I did kind of stress out a bit."

"You'll get used to it. It's just a simple task of speech. I know you teens will have trouble speaking, that's why you pick this job right?" She asks.

"Not really, I just wanted to make money so I can finally take responsibly when I hit 18," I said, looking at the door once more. The bell didn't ring yet.

"Oh, you're growing up. That's nice! I hope we can keep you then. You show your performance well in my opinion, besides the repeat shaking in the limbs." She chuckled as I got embarrassed. I look back at her. "I'll try to improve on that."

"I'm sure you will. Now, let's get back to work, I'm sure I need more things to teach you." She said.

"I thought that was it," I said, looking even more shameful.

"No it wasn't, now come." She said as she walks away to an area that was unknown to me. I sighed as I followed her.

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I was sent home around 4:30 PM, 30 minutes early. Right now, the current work time that I will have by the end of this training will be 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The mentor that I was given works during those times, she will be quitting soon so she could move out of town and go on bigger jobs. I wish her good luck in finding a good job. I hope I can move out and do my dream. I was walking down the sidewalk with my bag on my back. I look over to the cars driving by. I watched everyone move at the same speed. Now I know why I asked Uncle Ford not to come to pick me up. I wanted to enjoy this view for a bit.

"There's the work boy." I stopped. I froze. I thought they moved out of town for the summer. Great, now I have to deal with them. "Don't bully me," I said as I turned around to see the teen from earlier. "Oh, it's just you."

He looked confused and frozen in his steps. "... Why would I bully you?"

I looked embarrassed and avoided looking at him. "... I-I don't know." I said, keeping this to myself. "Besides, why you here?" I asked. Rebelling against your parents I bet.

He places his arms behind his back. "I'm not allowed to go back home until I at least make a friend in this town." He said.

"You can't make a friend in one day... unless you can." I looked back up, my shame going away.

"You-"

"Also, why am I talking to you? You're the troubled teen, you might do something to me." I said, interrupting him. I sounded like an idiot; If he wants to do something dangerous, he would have done it by now. I'm such an idiot. I saw the sadness in his eyes. "My parents are idiots..." I heard him mumble. Okay, I just feel bad for this dude.

"I'm sorry. I do not trust you yet, that's why I reacted like that." I said. I am also an idiot by agreeing with everyone else, how wonderful.

"It's fine. I know I'm a bother." He turned away and threw the empty cup in the trash can. I frowned, looking down. "Damnit Dipper," I mumbled to myself. I crushed my hands as I thought about going after a stranger I don't know or follow what everyone says. I'd be an idiot if I follow what everyone does. I looked back up seeing him gone. "No..." I looked around, walking forward a bit panicking for a bit. "No no... it can't end like this," I said, sounding more upset by the minute.

I stopped in front of an alley, between two buildings. I looked in as I jumped at the voice. "Thought you followed me." I turned to the teen who was hidden in the shade.

"How'd you know?" I said, looking confused as hell.

"You don't seem like a person who would be irritated with me." He said, turning and walking deeper into the alley.

"You don't know that yet. Anyways, I wanted to start again where we left off." I said, following this stranger like an idiot.

"What you mean?" He looks at me with a wary look.

"If your parents won't let you back in the house- which is stupid in my opinion, I guess I can help you," I said.

"Help me with what?" He said, looking confused now. I stopped as he halted as well. I stared ahead of me, the tall trees were appearing in view. I have no idea what the hell I'm saying. I'm trying to cheer up a stranger while I can just turn away and walk back home. Why am I even doing this?

"I have no idea what I'm doing," I said.

"Kahlil Hassen." He chuckled at my response, saying his name. I looked up at him, getting all red. "That's my name."

"M-Mason Pines..." I said mines, getting redder as time goes on.

"Oh, such a common name." He said sarcastically, looking away.

"Excuse you, I was born with this name, I can't change it. And I'm perfectly fine with this name. But I can't say anything about your name, which is sooo unique. Wait, Are you flexing your name?" I said, getting a bit annoyed. "Because If you are, that's not fair!"

"I wasn't really... flexing...?" He responded as I froze in my actions. Goddamnit Dipper! Stop assuming things! "But I guess you can call it like that?"

"I'm sorry, I'm being really dumb at this point," I said, looking in defeat at the pebble ground.

"You're not, your just trying your best to do... whatever your doing," Kahlil said, looking back at the tall trees. I looked up at his response as my embarrassment went away. How can he be so troubled? He doesn't seem like that type of guy, but this is the first day of our meeting. He could be lying. We can see down the line if we do want to be friends.

"You're really fascinated by those trees, is there something you want from them?" I asked, looking over at his gaze.

"What can I get from a tree? It's branch?" He said, looking back at me.

"... No..." I said, didn't realize he was a smartass. This'll be an annoying trip for sure. I looked back at the alley, thinking if I should go back home. I might keep Uncle Ford waiting, he wants to know how I did for my first day.

"Do you want to go with me into the jungle?" He asked as I looked up at him. I tilted my head. "You enter the jungle all by yourself? Without getting lost?" I asked, getting interested but worried about him.

"Sure. I do know my way around. But since we just met, you may not trust me enough to go in." He said before continuing to walk forward.

"Stop. Stop doubting yourself, it's not going to make your life much better." I said, catching up at him. He looked at me, saying "... I know. I'm at the end of it."

"Well, take me in. I always wonder why everyone was so afraid of it." I said, looking away from him. I'm being sarcastic at this point, I should be more nice to him.

"Alright, just watch your tone. It's getting on my nerves." He said before we both look towards the tall trees. Knew it, he can tell I'm faking this all just to cheer him up.

Well, what can the jungle offer me? Will our friendship be good, or will it fail like my previous ones? I just gotta wait and see.

End of Chapter 1

I hope you enjoy the new version of chapter 1!