...and we're back. Sorry for the delay, I was running a couple of options in my head on where I wanted to take these two. Your reviews and views are much appreciated! Let's go!

Pacifica laid on her bed atop the sheets and blankets, burying her face as deep as she could...all because of one word.

Excited…that stupid word, uttered so perfectly to her.

There was a shiver that slid up her spine every time she thought back to that word… back to Dipper. Then her thoughts came in a fury.

She could remember his strong fingers running along her knuckles.

The feeling of his lips, daring, as they captured hers on the night of the sleep over.

How good it felt to be near him.

She turned, facing the ceiling.

Sometimes being a teenager felt like a punishment. She laid her arm over her face and rested the crook of her elbow against her closed eyes. How could he be so invasive… so alluring…

There was no denying it now… she had a thing for Dipper.

Truth be told, she was sure it was more than a thing… more than a crush… but that was even more dangerous.

Did he feel the same way?

He had to…right?

But was it possible that she added more to their last encounter?

Her thoughts could've raged back and forth until the turmoil was interrupted.

From downstairs she could hear doors slamming followed by the familiar sounds of muffled yelling, and a crash. Her parents were fighting again. She took a break from her thoughts and listened in.

"Exceptional darling," Her father's voice carried through her walls, "truly exceptional! No one throws a plate like you!" He taunted, but her mother wasn't one to back down.

"I was aiming for your hairline, but it's receding so much it's hard to aim for!" Her voice carried a toxic amount of malice… but then again her parents had fought for so long her father had built up an immunity.

"And you're so funny too! So original, a rare trait for you, considering how much plastic you have."

That was it. No way things would be over anytime soon.

Pacifica sighed. Although her parents could go on for hours, she knew a place where she could get plenty of peace. She grabbed her phone and typed out a message to her best friend.

"Hey Mabel, sleepover tonight?"

Before she could set the phone down Mabel responded. "Of course!"

She grabbed her sleeping bag and a few other essentials and was on her way.

Over at the Pines residence…

As soon as she entered she found Mabel working in the gift shop. She assured her that her shift would be over in just a few minutes, so Pacifica thought it best to wait for her at the counter. Currently the brunette twin was helping a customer, urging him desperately to make a final selection.

She took a final glance and wistfully placed her chin in her palm as she rested her elbow against the counter.

Suddenly, she felt a pair of eyes watching her. She turned to find Dipper leaning against the doorway, smiling. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Dipper!" She jumped up, her knees hit the top of the counter with a very noticeable thud.

"Ouch, you good there sputnik? Being so far in space must be painful and lonely." His smile, resting so confidently amongst his other handsome features. Her stomach flipped, and her mouth became irritatingly dry. "Mind if I join you? I'm taking over for Mabel whenever she's done"

Her first set of words tripped at her tongue. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Yeah," she responded.

"You know, after all the lectures you gave me about dozing off, it was nice to catch you off guard." He took his seat, sitting less than an arms distance away. There was no space to avoid him.

"But I'm not getting paid to be here. This is purely volunteer work." Her response was surprisingly dignified considering the storm raging inside of her chest.

"Don't let Grunkle Stan know that. Those are some of his favorite words. So…I've been thinking." He paused and Pacifica accepted the invitation.

"About?"

"About you," The same electricity gripped the two, "about your hands, and my face." His voice flowed like honey.

"Errr, okay."

"You sure you wanna mar these hills of perfection?" He placed his hand on his cheek. "You know the gods had such a hard time sculpting them from marble."

"Marble, is…yup." Her brain was in total relapse. But Dipper carried on.

"Aaaand You might be in trouble for destroying this piece of art." He was flirting with her. His eyes connected with hers. He was leaning in, but for what?

Pacifica couldn't wait for an answer, she rose from her seat quickly.

"I gotta ask Mabel for something." She backed away, paying an unfortunate amount of attention to her surroundings. She was barely two steps away before her hips connected with the counter.

In an instant the floor was covered in postcards.

"Ouch." She winced.

"I can help." Dipper jumped in, frantically picking up as much of the cards as he could. Pacifica did the same, she had gathered up the majority in her hands when her fingers brushed against his.

In another instant the floor was covered again. She wouldn't have to gather them again, as the embarrassing moment was interrupted by Mabel. Pacifica looked up at her with relief written all over her face.

"Hey, Paz. My shift is over. I'm sure Dipper's got this." Mabel's voice was like a life raft for Pacifica. The young heiress rose to her feet, mumbled a quick goodbye, then followed her savior out of the room.

They raced up the stairs and just as quickly shut the door to Mabel's room behind them. The room was filled with happy things, inspirational posters, hordes of crafting supplies and of course the stuffed animals Mabel hadn't found the time to grow out of.

"So, that was smooth." Mabel started, concerned and bemused by her friend's fiasco.

"Like gravel." Pacifica groaned.

"Are you feeling okay? Normally you have a certain quality of not being terrible at talking to people. Especially Dipper." Her composure crumbled like a house of cards.

"Mabel…I have a crush on Dipper." She threw herself onto the bed, she couldn't see her friend's face right now. She was sure that Mabel would be so shocked.

Pacifica expected a gasp at the very least, but Mabel was unfazed.

"Hate to be the bearer of the obvious, but Paz come on." Mabel's voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"What? You knew?!"

"Of course I knew, I can't believe you didn't know." Pacifica placed her head in a nearby pillow, but Mabel continued. "Hey, now that you've established that, you can move on to the fun part…the flirty part."

"I can't! You saw what just happened out there." Pacifica protested, Mable was quick to shoot it down.

"But you've done it a gazillion times more or less. Actually, I'm not sure you were even trying…"

"That was different! I thought I was being playful with a friend."

"We're friends and you've never flirted with me, or any of your other friends." Mabel let that sink in for a moment. Pacifica remained silent under the pillow before she gasped loudly.

She ripped the pillow from off of her face and sprung up.

"Woah… hold on. Have I been into Dipper this whole time?"

"Bingo-bongo! You did it! You figured out what everyone with eyes can see!" Mabel's arms were thrust up, emphasizing how ridiculous it was that Pacifica couldn't see the crush herself. "Trust me Paz, he feels the same way. Just confess! It doesn't have to be perfect or anything."

"But-"

"It's not like the movies, it doesn't have to be dramatic. A simple, 'hey I like you,' is all you need."

Pacifica remained silent, mulling over the idea like a tough steak. Three little words, barely even a proper sentence was really all it took. She gave Mabel another unsure look, but her friend was ready with more words of encouragement.

"Rip off the bandaid!" She shouted. "If you overthink it, you'll never get anywhere. I'd bet the house on you two."

"I like you…Dipper." She said softly, and then with a face of determination, she repeated it again louder, "I like you Dipper. Okay, I got this."

I like you, that's it. But then what?