Chapter 22: Shifts of Shapes and Feelings
(Emily's P.O.V)
The good news is that the zombie's didn't get the my treehouse, the bad news is...okay there wasn't really any bad news, more like me trying to do muster up the courage to do something hard.
I've faced an army of gnomes, was locked in a freezer, fell in a bottomless pit, faced a pterodactyl, went into Stan's mind, fell off of the mine track, dealt with a dream demon on multiple occasions, and battled zombies, but I couldn't decide whether or not to ask Nate to join me and the others on the Mystery hunt with everyone tomorrow. It wasn't like he hasn't seen the craziness in this town before, and he was...okay at facing it. He did get turned into a hot dog, but that wasn't completely his fault.
"Oh what the heck, it's just a question. It's not like he's going to judge me...and oh crap it's ringing!" I gasped, not realizing I pressed the button to call him and nearly dropped my phone and caught it just as he answered.
"Hello?"
"Nate, hi! It's Emily." I said, putting the phone to my ear.
"Haha! I know, I saw the caller ID. So what's up?" He asked.
"Well...um. Look you totally don't have to, I was just wondering if you wanted to, but I get it if you don't..." I sputtered out before Nate cut me off.
"Uh Emily...you didn't ask me anything yet." Nate said, a bit confused, and I stared blankly for a moment.
"Excuse me one moment." I said and put my phone down before face planting my head on the pillow and screaming. Once that was out of my system I picked the phone back up.
"And I'm back."
"Sure you don't need to scream into your pillow again?" He teased.
"Oh...you heard that huh...heh heh..." I laughed awkwardly. Part of me wishing I had the memory gun.
"Emily, are you okay?" Nate asked, sounding concerned. I laughed again and rubbed my head.
"Yeah, yeah. Listen, Dipper was planning a mystery hunt tomorrow and I was wondering if you wanted to tag along?" I asked. Silence on the other end.
"Nate? Hello? Did you hear me?...oh crap you're freaked out aren't you?" I winced.
"No! No! I'm here, just I didn't expect that. A mystery hunt actually sounds kinda fun! I'll be there!" Nate said, sounding excited.
"Oh, well great! I'll see you tomorrow!" I said happily and we said our goodbyes and hung up. I sighed in relief and slumped down in my mattress.
"Ah, that wasn't so bad."
"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!"
"Gah!" I shot up from my mattress and saw that Mabel had opened the hatch to my treehouse. She was beaming happily and bouncing in place.
"Mabel!? Wait, how long were you outside my door?" I asked suspiciously.
"Enough." Mabel replied then took a deep breath. "YOU INVITED NATE TO COME WITH US, AND HE SAID YES! THIS IS AMAZING!" She cheered jumping into my treehouse and started running around.
"Whoa, whoa, calm down. It's just some exploring with friends, nothing special." I shrugged.
"Are you kidding! I've hardly seen you and Nate interact, this is a chance for me to take notes on how to get matches together! And maybe my own summer romance!" Abel beamed and I rolled my eyes playfully.
"Mabel, relax. Nate and I have only been on a couple dates. Don't go crazy." I said.
"Nope, already planned your wedding. Your soulmates, case closed." Mabel deadpanned and I laughed.
"Hey, by the way, where's Dipper?" I asked, realizing Mabel was missing her other half.
"Oh, he went to watch some horror movies at Wendy's place." She explained and I nodded understandingly.
"Ah, gotcha." I said and smiled to myself.
Cue theme song!
The next day I packed up my satchel with a flashlight, some beef jerky, rope and...I paused and looked over at the trunk where the gun Stan gave me was. I opened it and took out the box and looked at the gun. Would it be right to bring it? I mean, Stan did give it to me to protect the twins, but I knew it wasn't necessary. Finally I closed the box and put it back in the trunk.
This wasn't the right time.
I climbed down the ladder and sighed to myself. This was going to be one heck of a day.
"Okay, gotta be ready." I said to myself.
"Well aren't you prepared?" I turned around and saw Nate walking up smiling happily.
"Hey, Nate. Glad you could make it." I said.
"I thought it would be nice, after the zombie incident, I figured I might as well get used to the weirdness." Nate explained.
"I guess that makes sense." I said. "Come on, Dipper, Mabel, and Soos are at the tree where Dipper found the Journal. Let's go!" I then started running off.
"Last one there is a zombie hand!" I called, and heard running from behind me.
"No fair!" He called after me and I laughed as we ran all the way to the tree. The twins and Soos were just walking up as the tree came into my view.
"Hey guys!" Mabel waved cheerfully. Nate and I waved back as we ran over to them.
"Glad we could make it." I said, catching my breath.
"Well, not that we're all here." Dipper started, and tapped his pen on a lantern he was holding. "Thank you all for coming." He said.
"Hey, when there's a mystery, you can count on your sister...-Ey...yeah, it works better with Emily's name." Mabel laughed.
"That's still an amazing rhyme. When you want some, good... When you need a Soos, you... Oh oh, gosh, I don't know..." Soos trailed off.
"You'll get it big guy." I assured him giving Soos a pat.
"So Dr. Funtimes, what's on the agenda today?" Nate asked.
"We're here to solve the number one mystery in Gravity Falls; who wrote this journal?! Thirty years ago the author vanished without a trace. But according to this new clue, we may have found his secret hiding place. We find that author, we learn the answers to everything. We just need to figure out a way to get down there." Dipper explained as he used the black light to reveal the hidden staircase on the tree page.
"It doesn't look like the Journal gives away the door to the tree hideout." Nate commented.
"Chop it down, dudes!" We all turned to see Wendy riding up in her bike as she rang the bell in it.
"Wendy!" Mabel called happily.
"Oh, hey! You came." Dipper said, slightly surprised.
"Dude, I'm so stoked about this. I've been wanting to go adventuring with you guys. Sure beats picking up after my dad at home." Wendy said as she took off her helmet.
"Haha, true." Nate and I laughed and we turned to each other.
"Okay, that was weird...wha-hey, stop that! Me? What...ug! No more talking!" We each exclaimed and just ended up bursting out laughing.
"Awwwww." Mabel gushed and we stopped laughing realizing we weren't alone. I blushed and Nate rubbed the back of his neck. Wendy then broke the silence.
"Anyway, thanks for the invite, man!" Wendy said to Dipper and looked over to Nate and me. "Glad you guys could come too." She added we each gave a nod.
"Of course, anytime you wanna.. I, we're always... Us..." Was a flustered Dipper's reply. While Mabel went to talk with her brother I looked around the tree with Nate, and then...headache!
"Ah! Why now?" I muttered, rubbing it.
"Emily, are you okay. I've been meaning to ask you about it. You've been getting quite a few headaches lately." Nate asked worriedly. I quickly made sure the twins weren't listening and sighed.
"Nate, I'm sorry. I can't exactly explain it right now, but I promise when I do feel like explaining it, I'll come to you. Okay?" I assured him. He didn't seem all that convinced but nodded.
"Hey, is it just me, or does that branch kinda look like a lever?" Wendy asked. Nate turned to her and I covered my necklace, which started to glow, and thankfully caused my headache to cease.
"Huh, yeah. But how do we get up there...? It seems we'd need like a ladder, or like, ladder shoes... Yeah, ladder shoes. I'll get Soos to draw up a prototype." Dipper thought out loud, not noticing Wendy using her belt to climb the tree.
"Or we could just let Wendy handle it." Nate said causally and Dipper turned around to see Wendy use her ax to hit the lever branch.
"Boosh."
"Whoa ho-ho!" Soos cried.
"Wow!" Mabel gasped.
"Nice work Wendy!" I added, giving a thumbs up.
"Oh yeah, my dad used to make me compete in these lumberjack games when I was a kid. Guess I kinda ruled at it." Wendy shrugged.
"Oh yeah, I remember those. Thompson and Robbie fell in a mud pit! It was awesome!" Nate laughed and Wendy raised a eyebrow as she put her ax away.
"I'm pretty sure you were the first to fall in that." Wendy smirked and I laughed as Nate started blushing.
"Hey, not cool! Wait do you guys feel that?" Nate asked, and we looked over at the tree. It was now shaking and three crows flew off.
"Whoa, what is that?" Wendy asked cautiously and fell off the tree, onto a bush. The tree began to skink into the ground and we all grabbed Wendy before she could be pulled along with it. Once she was safe we looked at the red and saw several stairs appear along with a door that was inside the tree, which opened.
"If that's not the hiding place, nothing is." Nate commented, pointing to the door. Dipper then turned to us.
"Alright guys, this is it. Remember, whatever happens down there, we tell no one." Dipper instructed. We all then gave our signals. Mabel gave a thumbs up, Soos turned his hat backwards, I put a my pointer finger to my mouth, Nate gave a finger gun and winked, while Wendy zipped her lips. That seemed to satisfy Dipper.
"Now, who wants to go first?" He asked, holding up the lantern.
"Uh, you?" I asked, pointing at him. He shrugged and we all followed Dipper down the stairs. Nate and I were behind Mabel and we made it inside the room.
"Whoa!" Mabel and Soos gasped.
"Cool!" Dipper exclaimed.
"This is so, stupid cool!" Wendy commented.
"I can't believe this was under Gravity Falls this whole time. Makes you wonder what else this town his hiding." Nate said thoughtfully as we began to look around.
"It's like a fallout shelter or something. It must've belonged to the author." Dipper guessed. Wendy then pulled the Fallout Shelter sign from the wall and dusted it off happily.
"This is going over my bed." She said happily.
"Nice souvenir." I laughed, then noticing Mabel had her head in a barrel and I facepalmed as out with caterpillars on her face.
"Haha! My face feels fuzzy!" She laughed. I rolled my eyes playfully.
"Next time you stick your head in a barrel, please make sure it's not poison." I pleaded as I turned in my flashlight to get a better look around.
"No promises!"
"This is incredible! It's like he was preparing for a disaster. But what kinda disaster would need supplies for over sixty years?" Dipper asked staring at the boxes dated up until 2070
"What kind of food lasts that long?" Nate asked, slightly disgusted.
"The author must have really liked fruitcake." I said, half jokingly.
"Oh my gosh!" We all turned to Soos, who was looking at the weapons closet. "A Smez dispenser! I remember these things. What's that, yes I will have some of your old-timey face food." Soos giggled and ate a piece of candy before we could stop him.
"Ew, dusty." He grimaced, and ATE ANOTHER ONE! I walked up and smacked it out of his hand.
"Dude! That stuff is way too expired! I don't want to explain to your Abuelita why you are coming home sick!" I scolded and I noticed Nate making a grab for the Smez dispenser.
"And what do you think you're doing!?" I asked, whipping my head around.
"Um...getting these for Thompson..." Nate started, but saw how I was glaring at him and stood up.
"...never mind." He said.
"That's what I thought." I nodded and gave him a playful wink.
"Wait guys, I think this can was opened recently." Dipper whispered, holding up a bean can that was dripping.
"The author might still be alive, down here!" Soos gasped.
"He did have the resources, probably lacking in Vitamin D though." Nate commented.
"Wait, did you remember something that was taught school?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Nate just smirked.
"You don't know everything about me." He said smugly.
"Wait a minute..." Wendy said, and looked at a map of Gravity Falls that was from 1982. It was moving as if wind was blowing in it so she pulled it down, revealing an open hatch.
"I think I know where he might have gone..." She said, all knowingly.
"Lead the way!" I gestured towards the tunnel. Wendy crawled in and we all followed suit. I had to adjust my satchel at one point though. Once we made it to the end I heard Wendy gasp.
"Whoa!" We all filed in the room and looked around.
"Whoa! Oh, man! Was this place built in the past or the future?" Wendy asked, not caring what the answer was.
"It kinda feels like we're in a giant Rubik's cube." Nate commented.
"Whoever built it must not have wanted anyone but him or her or anyone they didn't trust to get in." I added.
"This room is way creepy." Soos shuddered.
"Not as creepy as Dipper's internet history! Heyo!" Mabel laughed and shoved her brother playfully.
"Dipper, watch..." I tried to warn him, but Dipper stepped on the square with a weird design. It was pushed down, causing the hatch to slam shut and lock us in, and the symbols started to glow red. A buzzer sounded and he room shook as several squares started to be pushed out.
"...out."
"What's goin' on, dude?" Soos asked.
"It's a giant death trap!" I exclaimed, and we all started to panic and pressing up against the wall.
"Haha, it's hard to be scared with caterpillars on your face." Mabel laughed.
"Mabel, what did we say about making jokes and timing?" I asked, snapping my fingers.
"Oh, right. Ahem, wall things! Crazy wall things happening right now!" Mabel exclaimed in fear.
"Better?"
"Yeah, okay."
"It won't stop!" Wendy called, trying to push the blocks back.
"Dipper! What do we do?!" Mabel asked.
"It there a kill switch? There's gotta be a kill switch!" Nate exclaimed and Dipper frantically flipped through the Journal and stopped on a page labeled security room and shined the backlight in it.
"Oh, come on!" He pleaded and saw four symbols light up and showed them to us.
"Find these four symbols! Quick! Everybody step on one you find!" Dipper exclaimed.
"Stick figure, fancy T, triangle lines, and X. Got it!" I cried as the others found the symbols.
"One!"
"Two!"
"Three!"
"Dipper, up there!" Nate and I pointed to the last symbol and Dipper ran up to it before the block covered it.
"Four!" A door the opened up on the other side of the room.
"Run for it!" Mabel exclaimed and Nate grabbed my hand and pulled my out and we all collapsed on the floor. Though Dipper's vest did get caught between the blocks.
"Yes! Yes! That was, huh, that was nuts!" Wendy exclaimed. "You ruled back there, man!" She completed Dipper.
"Haha, thanks." Dipper laughed.
"Way to work under pressure Dr. Funtimes, also Emily, you're on my back." Nate groaned and I realized I'd fallen in him.
"Oh! Sorry! I gotcha." I stood up quickly, and helped Nate up.
"Thanks." Nate said, rubbing his back and cracking it.
"Get a load of this crazy Surveillance Room." Wendy commented as we looked around.
"Check it out dudes. Bwlalalalala!" Soos said as he made faces with two beakers over his eyes.
"Soos, Soos...That is hilarious." Wendy complemented, giving him finger guns.
"Haha, here here!" Nate laughed and took the beakers and put them on his head as if they were antennas.
"Take me to your leader, take me to your leader." Nate deadpanned in an alien like voice and crossed his eyes. I burst out laughing, even clapped for him.
"Nice one!" I said, giving him a thumbs up. He playfully bowed and I laughed again. Suddenly, my necklace started to glow and I quickly covered it. That was weird, I didn't have a headache. Hmmm...
"Dude! Dipper, you gotta check out this weird metal closet." Wendy called to Dipper and stepped into the closet. "I am a robot, I have a metal closet." She said, using a robot voice.
"Coming!" Dipper replied. He turned to his sister, but even though I knew what he said to Mabel, I couldn't hear it. Mabel stared into space for a moment, then ran over to her brother and pulled him into a hug.
"Brother, whatever happens I just you need to know something: this is for your own good." Mabel deadpanned.
"What?" Dipper asked and Mabel shoved him into the closet with Wendy and slammed the door shut.
"Dude! What the heck!?" Nate exclaimed. I shushed him.
"Nate, you're gonna have to learn that when Mabel does something, you most likely can't stop her." I explained.
"MABEL! Let us out!" Dipper exclaimed, pounding in the door.
"Oh, I'll let you out Dipper, as soon as you tell Wendy that thing you've been wanting to tell her! You'll thank me for this later!" Mabel assured him and I covered my mouth so Dipper couldn't hear me laugh.
"What is she talking about?" Wendy's muffled voice ask.
"Nothing! Mabel's just been eating raw sugar packets again." Dipper insisted, right as Mabel took out some sugar packets to eat.
"Om nom... That's besides the point!" Mabel snapped.
"How'd she even...?" Nate started but I shushed him again.
"Let me out RIGHT NOW!" Dipper cried, pounding on the door again.
"Uh! Where are the lights?" Wendy asked, I heard the click of the cord and the hiss of the water.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Dipper and Wendy screamed. I think I heard the door open on the other side, cause we couldn't hear anything for a minute. Then screams were heard and knocking on the door followed.
"Mabel, open up, for real! There's a monster in here!" Dipper cried.
"Ha ha, nice try! The only monsters are your own inner demons, Dipper!" Mabel replied.
"That is so wise." Soos nodded.
"Dipper, just say whatever Mabel wants you to say, so she'll let us out of here!" Wendy pleaded.
"Come on Dipper! Now's the time, bro!" Mabel urged.
"Wendy, I— I— I'm gonna find another way out!" Dipper exclaimed and that was the last we heard of them.
"Well, might as well explore the rest of this room." Mabel said and we all spread out. I decided to take out some beef jerky and started to eat it.
"I've been meaning to ask, what made you like beef jerky?" Nate asked, pointing at the snack I was holding. I quickly swallowed some before answering.
"I guess it's because that it was easy to get and I really enjoy it." I shrugged then glanced at Mabel. "Also I don't eat pig meat, for a number is reasons. Want some?" I offered holding some out.
"No thanks, I'm good." Nate said. Then he took a deep breath.
"Hey, listen. Now that we are here, I was wondering if...you and I could um..." Nate stuttered, rubbing his neck. I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes?" I asked, urging him to continue. He flinched and sighed.
"Never mind..." He said and turned away. I pretended not to notice him smacking his head repeatedly.
"Sure are taking their time in there." Soos commented as he slipped on a lap coat and picked up the brief case. "Hey, do I look smarter with this coat and brief case? I feel like I look smarter..." Soo asked.
"You look good, I'll give you that." I said, giving him a thumbs up.
"Razzle dazzle! Look at this tube-y thing!" Mabel gasped and began pressing the button in the dashboard. "Unfrozen! Frozen! Unfrozen! Frozen!" Mabel laughed and Nate came up.
"Uh, why do you think the author had a pod?" He asked slightly nervous. Before I could answer, Mabel noticed the notepad.
"What's this? Experiment number 210: the shape shifter." Mabel read.
"The shape shifter? Uh, dude? Didn't Dipper say there was a monster in there with them?" Soos asked.
"I thought he was just joking!" Mabel gasped.
"YOU KNOW DIPPER'S JOKES ARE TERRIBLE!" Soos exclaimed. We all turned to the door, extremely worried.
"DIPPER!" Mabel cried.
"Okay people, let's move!" I cried, clapping my hands and we all rushed into the closet. Soos puked the cord down, causing the water and hot air to blow on us and the door opened. We all rushed into the other room panting heavily.
"Wendy?! Oh, it's so dark! How will we ever find them?" Soos asked.
"Leave that to Mabel." The female twin said and pressed the light bulb on her sweater, causing it to glow.
"Whoa, rad! Although, isn't electric clothing kinda like a fire hazard?" Soos asked as I turned in my own flashlight.
"No. It's a fun hazard. Now let me light the way!" Mabel exclaimed and we all ran after her.
"We're coming for you dudes!" Soos cried.
"Do I even want to know how she managed to get her clothes to glow?" Nate asked as we ran.
"Even if you asked I don't think she would tell you." I said. Suddenly we collided with something and all fell down. We quickly realized that it was just Dipper and Wendy and we all greeted them happily and relieved then dipper became tense.
"Wait! How do we know they're not the shape shifter?" Dipper asked cautiously and Soos gasped.
"Maybe I am! Mabel, inspect my shape!" Soos said, pulling up his shirt.
"Soos, you're not..."
"Poke!"
"Hahahaha! Do that again!"
"Poke!"
"Hahahaha! Even better the second time!" Soos laughed.
"Okay, There's exhibit A, exhibit B, there's only one shapeshifter and 4 of us." I explained gesturing to everyone but Wendy and Dipper.
"It's definitely them." Dipper deadpanned.
"You guys okay?" Nate asked and Dipper noticed Wendy's state.
"Oh my gosh, Wendy, you're bleeding!" He gasped and Wendy knelt down.
"It's cool, it's cool. It's just blood man; don't freak out." Wendy assured him.
"What happened?" Mabel asked and Wendy began taking her jacket off.
"We got attacked by the shape shifter. He broke out of his cage, pretended to be the author, and wants Dipper's journal." She exclaimed and ripped off a sleeve.
"Imagine if he escapes to the town! He can transform into anything! We could never trust anyone ever again!" Dipper panicked.
"This is bad, this shape shifter could take over our lives!" Nate exclaimed.
"What do we do?!" Mabel asked as Wendy was tying the sleeve on her knee.
"Well, he took us into his home, tricked us, and tried to destroy us. I say we return the favor." She declared. I smirked, knowing what she was planning.
"You know what they say, revenge is a dish best served cold." I winked at Mabel, who gasped.
"The frozen pod! We can push him in that!" She exclaimed.
"How are we gonna take him down? He can turn into anything." Nate asked.
"I saw a water pipe in the way here, we can use that to knock him out." Wendy offered.
"All we need now is something to lure him over." I commented and we all turned to Dipper and his Journal.
"Oh...right..."
Later Wendy, Soos, Nate and I stood by the water pipe as the twins went off the lure the shape shifter to us. Now all we could do is wait.
"Hey, Emily? What I was trying to say before...well I was wondering..." Nate was then cut off by screams and the twins came running with the shape shifter in its creepy Mabel and Dipper form no doubt chasing after them.
"Guys, he's coming! He's coming! NOW, NOW, NOW, NOW!" Dipper exclaimed and we started to turn the valve.
"It's not working, dude!" Soos cried and the shape shifter appeared and attempted to grab the Journal with its tongue.
"HEY, LET GO!" Dipper exclaimed and Wendy came to help him.
"You leave him alone!" Wendy cried and was pulled away with the Journal.
"Wendy!" Dipper cried. She jumped on the shape shifter and prepared her ax. Though the water started running from the pipe.
"WENDY BRACE YOURSELF!" I exclaimed and a large stream of water burst through the pipe and both Wendy and the shape shifter were pushed away. We all got caught in the flow as well. I'm glad I left my satchel back in ten other room. Flashlight was probably gone though. The water then started to drain out and we all gasped for air.
"Everyone okay?" I asked, squeezing my hair to dry it.
"Yeah." Soos, Mabel and Nate chorused. Dipper, however, was looking for Wendy. I knew that we would have to move fast.
"Great, we have to get to the control room!" I urged and everyone got up. So while Dipper went to deal with his emotions for Wendy, I lead everyone back to the control room.
"So, we just have to wait for the shapeshifter to get pushed in the pod." Nate commented.
"That's the plan." I said, not taking my off the screen.
The two Wendy's and Dipper then appeared and started to fight over the Journal. I couldn't quite hear what they were saying, but the fight was intense. Dipper was holding the ax and even though I didn't see is face I could tell that he was asking who was who, cause one Wendy winked, while the other zipped her lips. Dipper got the hint and hit the fake Wendy, who screamed in agony and changed back to normal.
"Get the pod ready!" Nate exclaimed. Mabel turned a dial and the pod had a sign the flashed the word 'READY' as the shape shifter ripped the ax out of its chest. Dipper and Wendy pushed the beast into the pop and Mabel pressed a button that closed the door to it, which caused the shape shifter to fun into it.
"Frozen! Boop!" Mabel cheered and we all fist pumped.
"Boosh!" Soos exclaimed and we all walked out to get a better look at his demise.
"No!" The monster then transformed into a rock creature, banging on the door, a flame monster and the bean can man.
"Let me ouuut!" He exclaimed and changed back to normal before starting to freeze.
"Let's get out of here, dudes." Soos said, gesturing to the door.
"Yes please!" I agree and we started to leave.
"Hahahahaha ahahahaha!" We gasped as we saw that the shifter was still alive and moving.
"You think you're so clever don't you, Dipper? But you have no idea what you're up against. You will never find the author. If you keep digging, you'll meet a fate worse than you can imagine. And this will be the last form you ever take!" The shape shifter warned and turned into a screaming Dipper as he was finally frozen alive as we watched in horror.
"Hahahaha! Good luck sleeping tonight!" Soos laughed and I elbowed him hard.
"Not helping." I muttered through gritted teeth.
We all the silently came out the way we came in, me grabbing my satchel with the rest of my stuff in it. Once everyone was out of the stairs we closed the tree and it returned to its normal disguise.
"Dude, I think I'm kind of adventured out for a little while. My face hurts from doing this all day." Soos explained and made a mock screaming face.
"Yeah, but you gotta admit we're all total heroes." Mabel laughed.
"You got that right, up top!" I exclaimed and Mabel gave me a high-four.
"Hey, who wants to get some heroes' breakfast, huh?" Soos asked as he lifted Mabel onto his shoulders.
"As long as I don't have to cook it." I joked.
"Syrup on cereal!" Mabel cheered as we began to walk away.
"Mabel, you're a visionary!" Soos gasped. Once we were out of ear shot of Dipper and Wendy Mabel stopped us.
"Okay, so I'm totally gonna spy on my brother now. Later!" Mabel cried and jumped off Soos before rushing back up the hill, Soos following her. I was about to join them, but Nate grabbed my hand.
"Wait..."
I turned and I looked at Nate who was blushing kinda hard. I smiled at him kindly to reassure him.
"I know you want to ask me something, go ahead. I'm listening." I said and Nate took a breath.
"Okay, here it is. I know we've known each other for a while, and I...I really like you Emily. So, do you wanna be my girlfriend?" Nate asked. My eyes widened and I gasped.
I did not see that coming.
"Nate...I...um...I..." Why are words not working for me!?
"Crap...did I break you? I broke you didn't I?" Nate stuttered, pulling down his hat in embarrassment.
"What? Oh nononono! Nate, I do want to be your girlfriend!" I exclaimed, lifting the hat up.
"Wait, really!?" Nate asked.
"Yes! I'm really glad you asked me." I said sincerely and started blushing.
"Yeah, me too. So, girlfriend, wanna catch up with everyone?" Nate asked in teasing tone and I gripped his hand.
"Sure, boyfriend, I'd love to." I said and we walked over to the log where Dipper sat and Mabel was scooting over to him.
"Sooo? How did it go?" She asked and Dipper gasped.
"Wha—what did you hear?" He asked cautiously.
"Everything! All the time!" She responded, waving her arms around.
"I'M NOT HERE!" Soos called from the bushes and Nate laughed.
"Wow, something really meaningful must have happened here." He commented.
"You have no idea." I smirked.
"Mabel, how can everything be so amazing and so terrible all at the same time?" Dipper asked sadly.
"I'm so sorry for being so pushy Dipper. If it's any consolation, I'm already working on your list of potential rebound crushes." Mabel apologized.
"Trust me Dipper, you'll feel better soon." I assured him.
"Thanks guys." Dipper said and Soos sat in the log causing it to become unbalanced momentarily. "Whoa!"
"I'm still bummed we're no closer to finding the author guy. At least I got his science-y coat and briefcase." Soos said, holding up the 'briefcase' which flipped open.
"Whoa! What the?" Soos gasped.
"Soos, that's not a briefcase, it's a laptop!" Dipper cried.
"And a really busted up one too." Mabel observed.
"That was one lucky find." Nate added.
"I bet I could get this thing fixed up in a few days. It's gonna take a lotta duct tape." Soos said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"This could be our next clue!" Dipper said in realization.
"Well, we'll figure it out together." I vowed, holding Nate's hand. Mabel's eyes then grew wide as saucers.
"Mabel...whatever you do..."
"NAMILY IS REAL! NAMILY IS REAL! YES! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! MATCH MADE! YES!" Mabel exclaimed, running around happily and hugged Nate and I by the legs.
"Okay, okay, that's enough." I laughed and Mabel continued to squeal happily as we made our way back to the Shack. I suddenly heard some strange whispering and turned around. I squirted my eyes but didn't see anything. I didn't even know what it was saying. I shrugged it off, and ran back over to Nate and gripped his hands.
No headaches would stop me.
Author's Note:
I really hope this turned out well. I enjoyed it. Also, I'm REALLY excited for the next chapter. Fingers crossed I can get it before April ends. Either that or early May.
Anyway, please leave a review. They mean so much to me! It helps my muse. Speaking of which, onto the reviews!
Ps. Hope you enjoyed Namily becoming official. Special shout out to Hourglass Cipher for coming up with it!
Linz2: I'm glad you got the pun eventually. To be fair it's not that obvious. Hope you liked this chapter.
BETAsatchel: Thank you so much for your review! I'm really glad you like Emily's character. I worked hard on her
GF fan (Guest): I hope you liked Nate and Emily's moments here!
Pizza (Guest): I'm so glad you did and I hope you liked this chapter too!