As the two walked around the main street, Dipper was amazed at how the town changed over the years; the old stores were still there, but a few new ones were there too.
"Wow, it's almost like I never left."
"Yeah, c'mon, let's head to the town square, something I want you to see."
To his surprise, he saw the statue Nathaniel Northwest was replaced by a statue of the town's real founder Sir Lord Quentin Trembley.
"When did this happen."
"That second summer Mabel came back & you didn't."
"Wow, so how have things been for you?"
"Same old my parents haven't changed,"
"Sorry to hear that."
"But I'm not afraid of them anymore…thanks to you."
Dipper couldn't help but be happy; even though he still had to deal with her family's crap, he was glad to know she was no longer afraid of them.
"So, where to next."
"Someone I want you to meet."
The two started to walk off a question burning inside Pacifica's mind, something that she needed to know.
"So Dipper, you have anyone special…" she teased
"That's a little personal."
"C'mon, just between us."
"Well, there was this girl that I met when I was in Athens."
"I see…"
"She claimed she was part of the study program & one of the professor's daughter… but turns out she was a siren."
"Siren?"
"Beautiful yet dangerous creatures, who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices…she hypnotized everyone around me to help her keep up the look."
"So she hypnotized you?"
"She didn't have to; she came off as a sweet person; that's how she got me; after a while, she invited me to meet the rest of her family, I saw no harm in it."
"Let me guess she showed her true colors once she had you where she wanted you."
"Yup, I was cornered & turned into a giant monster."
"How did you escape?"
"I owe that to Mabel."
"How?"
"Before I left, she gave me a pen that had a built-in recorder & microphone that projects my voice when she tried hit me with a sound blast I recorded it & sent it back at her stronger knocking her down & damaging her vocal cord so she couldn't sing anymore…."
"So no voice=no song which= no power."
"She tried to eat me, but there was a cave in & I'm the only one that got out."
"Geez, you dealt with a lot of weirdness."
"You…have no idea, but what about you?"
"Uh, look at that we're here." She said changing the subject
Turning to their destination, Dipper was surprised at what he saw. To his surprise, a skate park
"Dusk 2 Dawn skate park."
Dipper recognized this area as the old store, but it had been converted into a skate park with a mini-mart serving as a place to buy snacks. Also, buy a skateboard or have yours customized & fixed.
"Wow, didn't think anyone was going to mess with this place,"
"Meet the guy who runs it."
Once inside, Dipper's jaw hit the floor upon seeing who was running the skate park.
"Gideon?"
"Someone call me."
Upon hearing his name, he turns to see Pacifica & an unknown person with her; with a smile, he hopped over his register, revealing himself to be a tall, muscular person taller than Dipper even.
"Hey, how's my favorite blonde & who your friend."
"It's Dipper, Gideon."
Shocked, he took another look; upon realizing that she was right, he did something Dipper never thought Gideon would hug him.
"It's been years, pines; how have you been?"
"Fine, but you're crushing me."
"Sorry, wait, does that mean Mabel is here?"
"Yeah, she's at the shack, but wow, Gideon, you've changed, especially your voice."
"I know I sound like Brad Garrett."
"So you run this place."
"my dad owns it; the park is usually quiet during the off-seasons, but once summer starts, the place is pact…so what brings you two here."
"Just showing Dipper around town & show him what's new."
"So it's like a date?"
"No…" they both said
"We'll be careful. I saw shady-looking people around here earlier."
"Ok, will do…but hey, you should go say hi to Mabel. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."
"Really, ok, I'll go later."
"Payback?" asked Dipper
"A little…"
The two left, but Dipper was now very worried about upon hearing what Gideon had told them.
"Hey, Pacifica, you know anything about what Gideon was talking about."
"Well…well, Ms. Northwest fancy meeting you here."
A cold chill went down Pacifica's spine upon hearing something Dipper took notice of as they turned around. To her disgust, it was none other than JR; just see him was making her stomach turn.
"I was just out enjoying this beautiful town. Now I'm looking at the most beautiful part."
"Hey, Pacifica, who's your friend."
"This is JR…his dad is working with mine…& this is Mason Pines, my boyfriend."
Both were surprised but hid it well; knowing she had a reason to make a claim like that, he decided to run with it.
"How's it going?"
"Uh, Mason, hon, there's still a lot of things I want to show you that changed around town."
"No problem…well, see you around." He said, sticking his hand out to shake hands
"Oh, don't worry, you will." He said, shaking his hand
JR instantly squeezed Dipper's hand, which responded the same way, both smiling while hiding their hostility. To take it up a notch, Dipper began heating up his hand, causing JR to let go making him walk off.
"See you around, Dipper." He said in an insulting tone
"I can see that jerk's going to give me trouble."
Turning back to Pacifica, her face was red with embarrassment & guilt. Sensing this, Dipper placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Let's find someplace private to talk."
Later at the lake, the two sat there in silence, watching the lake for a while until finally, Pacifica spoke.
"Sorry, Dipper…"
"For what?"
"I shouldn't have said that…I was hoping if I said that, he wouldn't bother me."
"No, it's ok…what's the story with him?"
Taking a deep breath, Pacifica began to explain yesterday & who that guy was; by the end, Dipper was shocked to know what she's dealing with.
"Your parent really sunk to a new low."
"You don't know the half; they even took those presents that you sent me telling me not to accept a handout."
"Even the necklace."
"No, I hid that." She said, pulling it out.
"They're the last people who should be talking about handouts when they're trying to get money from a drug lord & don't get me started on that bastard."
"The worst part is if I was still the person I was."
"You mean a walking one-dimensional bleach blonde Valley girl stereotype."
"Anyway, it was still that I would have been shallow enough to be attracted to that."
"But you're not like that anymore & if it helps you get him off your back, I'm happy to be your pretend boyfriend."
"Thanks…" she said, blushing
"No problem…although I have to say it is pretty funny how he called me by my nickname,"
"I think he meant it as an insult." She said as the two laughed as they sat watching the lake
"It's funny my first boyfriend is a pretend."
"Well, I promise to be the best pretend boyfriend you ever had."
"Thanks, Dipper."
"No problem…"
"I have a quick question."
"Shoot."
"Why'd you give me this?"
"Because your pretty…it…it's pretty on you…I don't mean you're not pretty; you're very pretty by pretty. I mean, both you & the necklace are pretty & that you pretty together." He said rambling
"C'mon, dork, we've been out here for an hour lets head back to the shack."
"Wait before we go; I have something I want to give you; hold out your hands."
Doing just that, Dipper clapped his hands around hers, making her blush. His hand ignited around hers at first, scaring her, but soon she realized she didn't feel pain but warmth. Then slowly pulled his hands away, leaving her hands ignited for a few seconds before returning to normal.
"What was that?"
"I gave you a bit of my fire to protect yourself just in case I'm not there…just enough to stun whoever you use it on, but it's suitable for one use each.
"Thank you."
"Now, let's head back."
Heading back, Pacifica couldn't help but be happy having Dipper here with her; she felt safe with him now he's willing to play along with her just to get someone to stay away from her.
"We should inform the others just so they know."
"Your right…"
Upon arriving at the shack, the two entered, where Dipper was greeted by a considerable surprise from everyone.
"Wow, this is great, you guys."
"We all really wanted to show you all just how much we missed you; welcome back, kid."
The party was in full swing. Everyone was now really celebrating, singing & dancing. It was a celebration that lasted for hours until late as the party died down. Both Dipper & Pacifica informed the others of their situation. Aside from the teasing, they all agreed to help any way they can until they leave. After the party, Dipper thought it was safer to take Pacifica home, going as far as bringing Gunshin with him; as they reached her home, she stopped a block away.
"What's wrong?"
"I just realized if we're going to make this look real, we need to work on something."
"What?"
"This"
Without warning, Pacifica wrapped her arm around Dipper, pulling the shocked pines boy into a kiss; surprised at first, he found himself kissing back. Pacifica couldn't help but feel a bit aroused, though, as she felt his warm lips.
"What was that for?"
"I just need to see how good you were at kissing & it's my way of saying thank you."
"Pacifica, be honest, are we really pretending to be in a relationship?"
"Maybe or maybe not; who can say goodnight." She teased as she walked in, closing the door behind her leaving him.
Once inside, Pacifica could barely contain her giddiness; she kissed her crush she wanted to shout it out loud.
"He's an amazing kisser
"Who is?" said her mother
"Oh, hello, mother, where's father?"
"The mud flap factory with AJ."
"I see; well, it's been a long day & I have to get ready for work tomorrow."
"I saw you with that pines, boy."
"Excuse me."
"I saw you kissing that boy."
"How are you so sure it was him?"
"I know because JR told me this morning that you were dating a boy with a big Dipper birthmark."
"Who does that perverted bastard think he is!?"
"Bite your tongue; he was right to inform me, consider yourself lucky I didn't tell your father…he'd be disgusted if he found out that you were disgracing our family name."
"The same family who broke their promise lied, cheated & stole to gain more money.
"That's enough. I won't allow you to lower our family standard by dating that trash."
"Who is within our standards a drug dealer's son?"
"You've only known him for 2 days."
"That's was all I need to see the kind of person he is."
"Maybe if you got to know him better, then you can see that he's better for you than that boy from that trash family…& see he has more to offer."
"More like what money is that what he has to offer?"
"That boy can't help you…us like JR can."
"It's about money, isn't it? You want me to date him to get in good with his father."
The look on her was all the proof she needed to know her parents were planning to use her like that enraged her as she stormed past her mother before slamming the door she heard her say.
"This is for her own good…& the good of our family." Thought Pricilla, although there was a hint of uncertainty on her face
End of Ch. 3