Author's note: Delayed happy birthday to Alex and Ariel Hirsch! And to Dipper and Mabel Pines I guess, but their birthday is at the end of this story, so maybe not? Then again, who knows when that'll be the way I'm updating chapters these days, so better do it now, just in case. I really want to finish this story before 2021 but that might be easier said than done at this rate.
It's Flu Vaccine season over here in the UK and I've volunteered to help with that. Means working extra shifts, some of them twelve hours, and even a few weekends. Means it's gonna be a struggle to find the time to write. Especially since I've also been proof-reading that book my mate's been writing and, at the same time, my parents need a lot of help with several parts of their house before another lockdown happens and, according to them, 'writing about cartoons doesn't qualify as a previous commitment. Quit making excuses and help us, you lazy bugger.'
I'm paraphrasing, but I won't repeat their exact words since it'd give this story an M rating and chances are you wouldn't understand the local slang anyway.
Things are getting interesting across the world, with countries doing well, then letting their guard down and seeing infections rise again, then complaining that the governments are doing too much/not enough, rinse and repeat. Not much any one of us can do but every little helps so wash your hands, wear masks, and keep a safe distance.
I don't care if you think you're less likely to get it, you can still pass it on to others. Our nurses head out to a lot of older people, and it's frustrating to see so many groups flaunting the rules while I get calls from elderly women, asking me if it's safe to take their high-risk husband into their own back garden or if they can give the nurses some money for the shops because they're worried of catching this plague on the way to get some milk. You want to put your own life at risk, fine, try extreme sports or something, but this is affecting everyone and your comfort is not more important than their lives.
Sorry if that sounded harsh - tough week.
And for any of my American readers out there, I would also encourage you to try and vote by mail and to do it as soon as you can. Vote for who you want, pick with your heart or your head, but if more people do it by mail, then less people will be in the lines. It might take longer for the results but it's the safest option available to you and too many people have died already. I don't have that many readers and I doubt my words will have much impact on the ones I do have, but you've got to keep on trying and hoping, as hard as that is.
And sometimes you find little things that lighten up your dark days. I came back from a walk and found that the neighbourhood kids had drawn chalk on the pavement (look it up). They'd made arrows and asked people to follow their one-way system to help keep a safe distance. How sweet is that? Sometimes we forget that there's more than the anger and frustration so many are feeling, and it's nice to have a little reminder every now and then.
Take care of yourself, and others.
"Alright, I believe I've found the extent of the potion's effects," Ford said, making a few notes. "We can't lie but the potion wasn't strong enough to consistently force complete honesty out of us."
"Which is great because last time I was telling everybody about every ache, itch, and visit to the bathroom," Stan grunted. "Thankfully, that only lasted a day or else I'd've scarred these two for life with grotesque revelations about my body and personal life."
"Pleasenobodyasklikewhatpleasenobodyasklikewhat," Mabel prayed, closing her eyes and crossing her fingers.
"Oh no, no, no, I've learned my lesson," Melody promised, holding up her hands.
"So glad I had that day off," Wendy said to herself before turning to Ford. "Okay, but if we don't have to tell the whole truth, why do we keep doing it?"
"I said, 'consistently'," Ford reminded them, noting Dipper and Mabel's grim expressions and growing concerned. "I think there are a few factors that affect how often we'll do it and to what extent. Willpower seems to be the primary one, but I believe that preparation is also key. We can still give vague or diplomatic answers as long as we're honest about it.
"For example, if someone were to ask Stanley or I about our voyage together, I think we could both answer that it was one of the greatest years of our lives, without having to mention the many arguments we had. If, however, we attempt to lie or embellish, the potion will force the unfiltered truth out of us."
"Better keep my trap shut, then," Stan wisely said.
"That's the other solution, yes. If you can't think of an honest response you're willing to say, then don't say anything. Which is good, because if the worst comes to worst, Melody can tell people we all have a cold or something similar and we'll just have to remain silent."
"Not great, but better than accidentally insulting or embarrassing somebody at the wedding," Soos said, glumly. "Hope it doesn't come to that 'cause, though. I've been working hard on my vows and it'd be a shame if I couldn't say them."
"Aw, Panda," Melody said, rubbing his arm. "It's okay. You can give them to Reggie or the priest if you have to, it doesn't matter who says them, I'll know they came from you."
Soos nodded but didn't reply, not looking very content.
"I'll be down in the lab," Ford said, taking the box of chocolates with him. "I doubt I'll find a cure in time for the ceremony but I do my best research down there and perhaps we'll get lucky and inspiration will strike."
"I'll go pick up Abuelita," Soos said, getting to his feet. "At least she wasn't here for this."
"And I guess I'd better call Wendy's dad so he'll let you stay the night," Melody sighed. "But I'm not sure what I can tell him to make him think that."
"Just tell him you need my help for girl stuff," Wendy advised, following her. "I should probably use it as an excuse more often but I don't want to overuse it and find it embarrassing how embarrassed he gets. Freaks him out so much I sometimes wonder how I was ever born, let alone the four of us."
"I'll watch over things 'till you get back," Stan promised them. "Then I'll leave the moment your grandma gets here so I don't say anything that'll offend her before your big day."
"Which is very likely," Dipper said, the others nodding as Soos gave a grateful smile.
"So, who's up for some good old-fashioned TV to keep us occupied?" Stan said when they were alone, settling back into his old chair and flicking through the channels. "Hey, they've got Grandpa the Kid Three: Still Ain't Dead Yet. Whaddaya say?"
"Why don't we put something good on, instead?" Mabel suggested brightly.
"Please not a romcom or something to do with high school and music," Dipper sighed, rubbing his eyes. "The ridiculous coincidences and plot contrivances ruin those movies."
"Oooh, 'contrivances'!" Stan said, wiggling his fingers theatrically. "What, you look up fancy words in the dictionary to make yourself sound smarter?"
Dipper glared at him. "Yes. But at least I look at the dictionary!" he snapped as they sniggered. "You two misuse words all the time!"
Mabel scoffed. "You're just being paediatric, Dipper."
"I am no- wait, what? Do you mean pedantic?"
"See? Making my point, right there."
"Not as much as you're making mine," Dipper grunted, pulling out the TV guide and turning the pages. "Let's see...We've got How to Prepare for the Fishman Invasion on the Used to Be About History Channel?"
"Been there, done that." Stan grunted, shifting on his seat. "Stay inland and shoot 'em, or smack 'em, or anything you'd do during the not-fishman invasion. Only it's easier since they can't use guns and are even dumber than regular people. Anyway, those shows never get it right."
"Yeah, we saw one about surviving a zombie attack and nobody mentioned using karaoke machines as weapons or three part harmonies at all. What else?"
"Attack of the Martian Moon-People from Venus? That's a classic; the alien lab's so shiny the actors have to squint and you can actually see cameraman in the reflection of the-"
"Ugh, no! Why do you keep watching those movies?" Mabel demanded as Stan groaned. "You don't even like them! You just make jokes about how awful they are!"
"Well, yeah, that's the point," Dipper shrugged. "They couldn't mess up that bad if they tried. If you take them seriously, they're terrible. But if you don't take them seriously then they're great."
"Nope, still don't get it," Stan said. as Mabel shook her head. "At first, I thought you were only watching it 'cause Wendy liked them, same way I'd force myself to watch some chick flicks for my dates. But you two actually have a good time with them!"
"One of the weirdest mysteries in Gravity Falls if you ask me," said Mabel.
Dipper rolled his eyes. "I guess you two just don't have the same sense of humour as Wendy and I."
"Thank God for that," Stan grunted. "I've heard your commentary and you two are welcome to it if that's how you get your laughs."
"Can't tell if this is the truth serum or normal Dipper teasing," Dipper muttered. "Either way, you guys are annoying and I'm glad Wendy's staying since it'll give me someone else to talk to."
"Least you'll have someone to talk to," Mabel said. "Stan'll probably have to keep quiet for the next two days, the way he insults people. And that's without truth serum!"
"Yeah, I'm an obnoxious loudmouth," Stan agreed. "Think I'll be okay, though. Ford's used to me not holding anything back. And I like McGucket and Tate and call them nerds to their faces, so not as if I'm in danger of getting thrown out."
"I might have to watch what I say," Mabel admitted. "I try to be nice and look on the bright side but there's some stuff that gets on my nerves. Like the way somebody keeps eating bacon in front of my pig!"
"Eh, he's so offended by it, he can eat me when I croak," Stan said, resting his hands behind his head.
"I admire you for really meaning that," Mabel told him.
"I find it very alarming that you admire him for that!" Dipper said, staring at his sister.
"How come? He likes eating pigs, it's only fair that one should get to eat him! Makes perfect sense to me."
"See, she gets me," Stan said, patting Mabel's head affectionately. "Just like how you get Ford, when sometimes even I can't." He faltered suddenly, thinking of a particularly unpleasant truth that had slipped out. "Uh, listen, kids...about what Ford and me said earlier, about our most important person. Me saying Mabel and him saying Dipper? It, uh, it doesn't mean we care any less about you, okay? I know that sometimes we don't always agree, but that shouldn't-"
"We get it, Stan," Dipper gently told him. "It's like you were saying: I can relate more to Ford and Mabel more to you. But that doesn't mean I love you less or that Mabel and Ford don't care about each other."
"Yeah, and it's not like we didn't already suspect it," Mabel added with a shrug. "Sure, sometimes I get jealous of Dipper and Ford's connection, but I bet he feels the same about me and you sometimes so that's pretty fair. Besides, we're pretty used to it."
"Whaddaya mean?"
"Mom likes Dipper more," Mabel said, the corners of her smile twitching a little.
"And Dad likes Mabel more," Dipper sighed. "They've never said it but we know."
"Oh," said Stan, seeing the looks on their faces and thinking of what else he could say. He thought back to his own parents. His father had never bothered to hide that Ford was the favourite of his three sons. And he could understand that. Ford was the most respectful at home and out, and even from a young age it had been clear he had a bright future ahead of him. But what he couldn't forgive was that Filbrick Pines had also never bothered to hide which son he favoured the least.
"It ain't right that parents have a favourite," he said, his expression darkening. "Maybe it's human nature to have one, but they shouldn't show it. At least not enough for everyone to know. I'm, uh, sorry for doing that to you, Dipper. And I bet Ford's sorry too, Mabel."
"It's okay, we get it," Mabel said, Dipper nodding and giving a faint smile but not saying anything. "I'm just glad that it's an even split. I'd feel really bad if I was the favourite of more parents or Grunkles than Dipper."
"Balance is nice," Dipper said, glad to see his great-uncle look relieved. But he made sure not to say anything else, this conversation uncomfortably reminding him that Mabel always made new relationships with ease while he struggled so much. Still, it used to be a lot worse. He thought of Ford, Wendy and Pacifica, and felt a little happier that he'd finally found someone other than his mother who preferred him to his more charismatic sister.
Then he felt his gut churn a little at that thought, feeling slightly guilty for having it in the first place.
"You think things will be okay at the wedding?" Mabel asked them as Stan flicked through the channels one by one in search of something they could all watch. "Wendy's already offended Melody. Think I did too, even if I didn't mean it. Plus, Stan, Soos, and Ford all say things without thinking it through sometimes. Who knows what'll happen now we're forced to tell the truth?"
"I think we'll be okay. Ford said we can avoid telling the whole truth if we use our willpower," Dipper reminded her.
"Easy for you to say, you've got the most," Stan grunted. "And even if you didn't, I think you'd still have the least to be worried about."
"Me? Why?"
"Well, you're already the quiet one in the family so you can get away with talking less, and you're pretty polite," Stan explained. "Plenty of practice holding your tongue when something rubs you the wrong way. And even if you do say something rude, we can pull it off as puberty or just having a bad day and most people'd believe that."
"Meanwhile, some of us have poor impulse control," Mabel grumbled. "If I see a really hot guy at the wedding, who knows what I might say to cause a scene?"
Dipper scoffed. "Like that's ever stopped you before."
"Dipper, you have no idea what I've been holding back as I've been getting older," Mabel said, shaking her head gravely. "And that wasn't that big a deal before because I don't embarrass easily. But this is about Soos and Melody and I really don't want to go overboard on their big day."
"Wow, that first sentence filled me with a deep sense of foreboding. But I can understand why you'd be worried about doing something you'd regret." He let out a frustrated sigh. "Look at me. Two minutes with a truth serum and I've already commented on Wendy, Pacifica, and even Melody's body. And I told everybody about what I look up online! They must think I'm such a creep."
Stan rolled his eyes. "Oh, quit yer bellyaching. What, you think you're the only guy to look at stuff like that? Melody's right, it's natural. She and Wendy get that. Girls have those feelings too."
"Oh, yeah," Mabel said, nodding vigorously. "Trust me, I've had talks with Candy, Grenda, Paz, and Wendy that would leave you speechless. And I'm pretty sure the girls already suspected that about you anyway."
She tilted her head to the side as Dipper let out a groan, seeing how embarrassed he was by the whole situation. On one hand, his truth had probably been the least surprising out of them all. But it had also been the most personal.
Then she grinned wickedly as she thought of another truth. "Hey, cheer up! Think of the good that's come from this."
"What good?" Stan demanded, Dipper giving her a curious look.
"You know," she said, elbowing her Grunkle. "A certain special someone seems to value our little Dipper even more than we thought!"
"Don't call me that!" Dipper snapped, their snickering worsening his mood. "And it's not like that! Wendy and I are just friends!"
"Oh, I don't doubt that," Mabel said, obviously amused. "But picking you over everyone else in the world? Even her own family?" She let out a slow whistle. "Bet you feel pretty pleased about that."
"Yes," Dipper said through clenched teeth. "But I know I shouldn't make a big deal of it. It was just - she has other reasons for feeling that way, okay?"
"Glad to see you aren't just leaping to romantic conclusions like you used to," Stan said.
"Give it time," Mabel advised. "He'll probably lay awake at night thinking about what she said and come to the wrong conclusion by morning. Won't be the first time he's done that after a compliment from a girl."
"It's not like that!" Dipper snapped again, his temper rising at their smirks. "I'm her best friend and her hero. Of course I'm important to her."
"Hero, huh?" Stan elbowed a giggling Mabel. "Somebody thinks very highly of himself!"
Dipper threw them a cold look. "No, I don't," he told them, his voice steady despite how he felt inside. "I never have and I probably never will. But Wendy does. She told me herself how much she admires me, how she, of all people, said I'm the coolest person she knows and she wishes she were more like me. Do you have any idea how much that meant to me? Of course you don't." He turned away from them, his fists tightening. "No wonder I never told you. All you two do is make fun of me whenever I get close to someone. You just want to ruin one of the best moments of my life for some lame joke."
Mabel and Stan looked at each other, taken aback by his reaction. Stan rubbed the back of his neck as Mabel bit her lip, remembering the days just after Ford appeared.
At first, Ford had kept them all at a distance, claiming his work was too dangerous and important to share it with family. That only changed once he discovered Dipper loved his favourite game as much as he did, finally taking him out of his self-isolation to spend time with his family. They'd both teased him about that too, despite seeing how much that had hurt him then.
"I'm sorry, Dipper," Mabel said, putting his hand on his shoulder. "You're right. It was wrong of us to make fun of you for that. I'm glad Wendy respects you so much, I was just surprised. But I shouldn't be. I've been to the future. Phil's daughter thinks you're awesome, literally called you the greatest hero of all time. I don't think she's alone, either. Just ask Phil and he'll tell you how many people think you're a hero."
"And why wouldn't they?" Stan added. "All the things you've done, no wonder people respect you. Hell, I do, and I'm a miserable old geezer. You deserve every bit of that recognition."
"Definately," Mabel said, giving a warm smile as Dipper turned back to them, looking a little touched. "Heck, if it weren't for Stan, you'd probably be my hero too."
"See, she - what?" Stan turned to her, his eyes wide. "You...think I'm your hero, Pumpkin?"
"Well, yeah, obviously, Stan," she answered, seeming amused by his reaction. "Look at everything you've done for us. Taking care of Soos, Dipper, and me, spending decades trying to get your brother back. And that's not even mentioning all the times you've saved us or basically giving your life to stop Bill. Why wouldn't you be?"
Stan blinked rapidly for a moment, his mouth opening and closing once or twice as if struggling for a reply. Then he slid off his chair onto his knees, wrapping an arm around each of their necks and pulling them in close.
"You two are the best things that ever happened to me," he told them as they looked at each other in surprise over his shoulders. "I know I don't always show it, that I complain and grumble. That I'll deny I ever said this after we're done. But right here, right now, I want you to know that and neither of you to ever forget it. Whatever happens."
"Grunkle Stan," Mabel whispered, her voice drenched in terror. "You're not dying, are you?"
He barked out a laugh, unable to blame her for her wariness. "Nah. Matter-of-fact, I've even been walking a bit more and trying to watch what I eat. Nowhere near great shape, but I don't plan on kicking the bucket yet. Especially not when life is the best it's been in years."
Dipper met his sister's eyes, still not understanding. "Then why-?"
"'Cause I made a promise to someone who lost a bit of her family and I never want any of mine to go through what she did. Don't ask me any more about it. It was a private thing, but I like to think I helped her out a little in the end." He ran his fingers through Mabel's hair, pulling her that little bit closer. "Almost as much as she helped me out."
Dipper and Mabel nodded, not sure what else to say, as he held them for a little while longer.
"Really, uh, really want to blame these on allergies or something," Stan said, wiping his eyes.
"Me too," Diaper said, wiping his own.
"Me three," Mabel laughed. Then she stopped, thinking of something she'd been putting off for a long time. "Hey, uh, Grunkle Stan? Why don't you show Dipper that book you showed me when we swapped bodies? I think it might help if he's dealing with stuff."
"Uh, I'd rather not-"
"It'll be fine," Mabel promised her brother, patting his arm. "Stan was pretty good at it. I was expecting him to make a joke about you or Wendy at plenty of different times, but he never did. Really helped me see what you were going through, so it would be a great help for you too."
"What about you?" Stan asked as Dipper gave a reluctant nod. "You just gonna sit and watch TV on your own?"
"No, I'm going for a walk," Mabel said, choosing her words very carefully. "I need to talk to somebody about something and I'd rather do it while I'm being honest. I'll be back for dinner, don't worry."
"You think she's going to see the Prof?" Stan asked quietly after they'd said their goodbyes.
"I guess," Dipper answered with a shrug. "Can't think of anyone else. Maybe she didn't want us to worry about her?"
"Can't help it," Stan said as they made their way to his old office, trying to remember where he'd last seen the book and hoping Soos hadn't moved it. "But it also warms my old heart to see you two doing so well after everything you've been through. Think you're coping way better than Ford and I could have at your age."
"Hm. So, why do you even have a book like that in the first place?" Dipper asked instead of replying. "Did Dad ask you to get it in case I needed The Talk?"
"Nah, had it for years. Soos' grandmother brought it over a little after he started working here. He was a bit of a late bloomer and she figured it'd be best if a guy were to go over that stuff with him. I was nervous as hell, let me tell ya! But it was good for when you two came along, helped remind me what I should watch out for. I'll be honest with you, kid, what you're going through, those urges you get, they don't entirely go away. You just learn to deal with them better as time goes on. Usually. And quit worrying about looking at those pictures! Plenty of guys older than you do it and it's still just as weird!"
"I know. Last summer, when I was trying to get the number for those government agents, I accidently stumbled across your magazines for Fully Clothed Women and Lady Swimwear."
"Oh. Um, yeah, don't - don't ask me about those. Don't want to give you nightmares."
"Too late."
"There, you can stay the night," Melody confirmed, returning her phone to her pocket. "That man is seriously disturbed by anything feminine."
"You're telling me," Wendy grunted. "One time my bra was caught on his boot and he was literally more freaked out than if it had been a rattlesnake. I can't thank you enough for this, Melody. And, uh, I also can't apologise enough for saying-"
"Yeah, I heard you the first dozen times," Melody sighed. She let out a tired sigh. "Do I really look that bad?" she asked, bracing herself for the worst.
"No!" Wendy cried in horror. "No, no, no! I swear, you look great, you really do, I just think you'd look better if you were skinnier – Ah, but that's just my own personal opinion!" she quickly added, seeing Melody's face. "It looks like I'm in the minority so who cares what I think?"
"I suppose," Melody glumly said. "It's just - I've been trying really hard, you know? Really hard. I know Soos doesn't care (actually he seems to prefer me this way) but I really wanted to do more for this. You only get married once. Well, I'm pretty sure Soos and I will, anyway."
"Oh, come on, Soos only proposed at the start of the summer! Most people have way more than that to prepare and they still struggle! Seriously, I'm totally impressed with what you've done. And yeah, Soos does like you just the way you, which is all that matters. Heck, even Dipper's said you've got a better figure than me so you can feel good about that."
"Yeah, that was awkward," Melody sighed. "Don't think I've had a thirteen-year old comment on my body like that before, hopefully never will again." She looked at the redhead, noticing the way she held herself. "But I'm a bit surprised to see you affected by stuff like that."
Wendy gave a half-hearted shrug. "I might not like to fuss over it but I'm not immune. I don't really go for gender stereotypes or whatever and think people make too big a deal about how women look especially...but there are plenty of times I feel insecure about my appearance too."
Melody swept her eyes over the teenage girl, tall and beautiful, with emerald green eyes, pale skin smoother and clearer than most adults, let alone other teenagers, and a flowing mane of red hair that was the envy of almost every woman in town. "You? Insecure?"
"Well, yeah," Wendy said, gesturing to her body. "Look at me. I'm so freakishly tall it's almost getting impossible to find a guy who's taller than me and sometimes I get men in their twenties or even thirties that flirt with me 'cause I look about too old for my age. My feet are massive, my butt's even bigger (seriously bugging me all those comments Mabel's made about it this summer) and I'm so boyish people could mistake me for a dude if I cut my hair. I know I shouldn't care, but there are some days I wish I was more feminine, like you."
"I never thought of it like that," Melody said, surprised to hear those words come from the normally cool and confident girl. "I didn't think anything bothered you."
"Nah, that's a total act I've made up so people won't see how stressed out I am all the time. I'm secretly freaking out over this being my last year of high school and I'm worried that the friends I've grown up with my whole life will split up after graduation since Robbie and Tambry are obviously going to want to focus on each other, Thompson wants to do more at the movie theatre, Nate and Lee have no idea what they want to do, and I don't want to be like that but my ambition to do more can't compete with my natural laziness and rebellious streak."
Melody nodded. "Yeah, I can get that. When I finished High School, I wasn't-"
"Then there's the trouble with my family driving me crazy day and night since I'm the one who usually has to help clean up after the boys make a mess because I'm the oldest. Which makes me want to act out and argue because of it, making things tense sometimes, which I also know Dad doesn't need since he's working hard to support all of us. It's no wonder I've wanted to leave this place since I was, like, thirteen. But I'm also aware that I have no idea how or when I could do it since I haven't even saved up enough to get a car, let alone a place in Portland."
"Family can be tricky," Melody agreed sympathetically. "And so can moving out, even when it's what you want. I remember when I left home, I-"
"I'm also terrified that when I do leave here, I'll be completely dissatisfied with the world outside the Falls since it's only since last year that I've realised how wonderful this place can be. Dipper and Mabel have really opened my eyes to it all, and one of the biggest reasons I'm feeling reluctant to leave is because these last two summers have been the best of my entire life and I don't want to lose that yet after finding it so soon. I know I won't have any of these adventures in Portland; it'll be all taxes and bills and juggling work with trying to find time to meet your friends, and the idea of growing up to live a boring life like that when I could be fighting aliens or monsters scares the crap out of me."
Melody paused, considering the young redhead's fidgeting as her lips pressed tightly and the sweat gathered on her brow, looking very far from her normal calm visage. "There's a lot more to come, isn't there?" she asked with a sense of foreboding.
"Oh, yeah," Wendy said, nodding anxiously. "Been bottling this up for a long time and I think the potion's forcing it out. You should probably run while you can."
"I...can't leave you alone to deal with this," Melody decided, trying not to let her reluctance show. She scanned the woods, hoping that some dark and terrible creature would burst out so they'd have something else to focus on instead. "Hey, look!" she cried, pointing up the road with great relief. "Isn't that Tambry? Wouldn't you rather talk to her about all this?"
"Oh, yes, please!" Wendy gasped, bounding after her oldest friend as fast as a deer.
"Thank God for that," Melody breathed, returning to the Shack as quickly as she could. "So not ready for motherhood!"
Tambry panted as she moved, feeling her muscles aching. Not just from the jog, she was mostly used to that. A big part of it was from the bruises left behind when Wendy had attacked her and Robbie. And all because of one stupid photo! Sent to fifty people, sure, but it wasn't as if she'd sent it to the whole town.
Tambry winced and clutched her side as she came to an early stop. She took a drought of water as she decided she'd cut the run short and pulled out her phone to ask Robbie to pick her up. She could just walk back, but she only did the exercise to maintain her figure and took no actual enjoyment from wandering the outdoors, her screen being far more interesting than whatever nature could provide.
"Tambry, I need your help!" Wendy suddenly cried from behind her, making her jump. "We've been poisoned with truth serum and I insulted Melody, then blurted out a bunch of stuff that's worrying me and I'm not even finished but need to tell someone the rest in case the truth serum makes me say it all to someone I don't trust!"
Tambry looked her friend up and down, annoyed to see that she appeared to have run all the way from the Shack without breaking a sweat, even in her heavy boots. She thought of how much effort she had to put in to maintain her own figure while Wendy could eat whatever she wanted and still looked thinner. Finally, she thought of the bruises across her body from when she and her boyfriend were being thrown about like ragdolls, all because Wendy Corduroy, Prankster Queen, couldn't take a joke.
"Sure, I'll help you, Wendy," Tambry said, trying not to smile. "A truth serum sounds awful. Better tell me everything."
