The Next Day

The setting sun draped a crimson veil over the town. A sweet aroma drifted through the air, as people gathered for the Pie and Pastry Fair. The usually quiet streets were now bustling with long lines of people. Everywhere, there were bake-sale tables covered in mouthwatering foods and desserts.

Dipper and I arrived at the fair late that evening. As we strolled through town, I felt I could get lost in the marvelous sights. "It seems like every sweet imaginable is here!" I stared in amazement.

"Yeah, there's a lot of people here to." Dipper added. The fair was a swarm of activity, and I wondered if every person in town was here.

Down the street, lazy Susan had her own bake-sale table, displaying dozens of freshly baked pies. In front of her, old man McGucket stood wearing the goofiest grin on his face. "Susan," old man McGucket said, "This pie looks delicious. I tell ya, you should become a famous pastry chef."

Lazy Susan laughed, and packed the pie inside a box. "You flatter me, McGucket." She blushed. Old man McGucket handed her a five dollar bill, then disappeared into the crowd. I could tell lazy Susan was thrilled, having so many customers in one evening. I made a mental note to ask grunkle Stan if he ever tried making money by selling pies.

"Hey Mabes, I'm gonna get some blueberry pie. I'll meet up with you in a bit, okay?" Dipper said.

"Okay! See ya dipping sauce." I waved as Dipper rushed to lazy Susan's table.

As I roamed through town, I could feel the friendliness of others who passed by. My first impression was the pies seemed to help people be nice to one another. In fact, there were more smiles around the bake-sale tables than I had ever seen in one place. Even the grumpiest of townsfolk grinned as they looked over the different types of pies and sweets.

Beyond the bake-sale tables stood a line of game booths, but I steered clear of those when I saw Gideon. I watched safely from a distance as he talked with other kids from our school. Even as a teenager, Gideon had never outgrown his egotistical ways. He was never less then uncaring, and was so certain he was better than most people. Gideon had always been a short, selfish little man who loved to manipulate others. And I had no desire to speak to his dopey face.

Once I'd seen enough of him, I walked to where the band was playing. A crowd of people had gathered there, teenagers could be heard laughing as they danced, drank, and huddled with friends. Everyone seemed to have someone to dance with. But me, I was alone. For several minutes I watched the scene before me, wondering if someone would appear, but the men kept their distance and the music left me cold.

I heaved a sigh, and left that place. I decided to take a shortcut through the alleyway, and walk by town square. The Gravity Falls Plaza was a pretty sight during the evening. The streetlamps cast a warm orange glow, as people went in and out of shops. In the center of the plaza was a little fountain that lit up in all colors. The pools of water delighted children on hot summer days and amazed onlookers at night. I sat on the edge of the fountain, the water spraying behind me in little droplets.

I asked myself why I couldn't find a boyfriend. It was a stupid question, of course. I can't keep pretending that love is so simple. I was breaking my own heart by convincing myself so. All lovesick girls think about their future husbands. We worry that our husbands will be cold or neglectful, but mostly we imagine something wonderful and romantic. How can we not create a fantasy in our minds when the reality is so hard? So, throughout my life, I imagined my wedding day, my husband waiting for me at the ceremony, and everything leading up to the moment we'd be united.

All lovely thoughts. All utterly pointless.

I sat, pondering for a long time why I kept trying to find a boyfriend. But just when I was about to leave, I saw in the corner of my eye a man. He appeared to be in his early twenties, a young man. He leaned against the fountain, focused on the book in his hands. The man was dressed in a black trench coat, with a yellow scarf tied around his neck. Beneath his topper hat, he had blonde hair that moved in the autumn breeze.

What caught me off guard about this man was his eyes. One eye was so black and deep, I questioned if somebody poured ink into his pupil. The other was the color of honey, with specks of gold dancing in the iris. I stared at him awhile, before those eyes rouse and met with mine. I had never seen such peculiar eyes. I felt that, for a brief moment, I was seeing someone different from anyone else I knew. My heart and mind rolled in confusion as I gazed into his face.

"Umm…. hello?" the man said, quirking a brow. Feeling embarrassed all of of sudden, I turned away. My cheeks were really hot. They had to have been a scarlet red.

"What are you looking at?" he asked. The man's voice scattered my thoughts and made it impossible to answer his question.

"I-I'm sorry." I mumbled. "Did I bother you?" I stood frozen as I watched his expression. The man was looking at me as if I was some strange creature.

"Having some weird kid stare at you is unusual, don't you think?" he asked.

I folded my arms and made a face. "What's that suppose to mean?" I said.

"Oh, nothing." the man smirked. I took my first look at his face up close. He's so handsome, but something seemed off about him. I felt like I couldn't cover up my curiosity if I didn't say anything.

"Who are you?" I asked, unable to take my eyes off him.

The man stayed quiet for a second or two. I could see a strong will in his peculiar eyes. "Bill." he replied. "... and who are you?"

Wait. Why did that name seem so familiar?

"I'm Mabel." I studied the stranger cautiously. "Have we met by any chance?"

"Not that I recall. I think I would remember someone like you." Bill said in a smug tone.

His words, his attitude... they were all so arrogant. But those eyes looked so determined. I couldn't feel the same emotions from Bill that I had felt from other men, but there was something about those eyes. That strong will drew me to them. Some may say it was ridiculous, but I found myself enchanted by his company.

"Well.." I smiled, my cheerful nature returning. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Bill."

Bill looked surprised for a moment. He hadn't expected my sudden change in mood. "Likewise." Bill answered.

An awkward silence preceded Bill's response. Neither of us spoke for about a minute, and I started to question if I should stay here or go away. "I..." My voice closed in on itself as Bill gazed down on me. I longed to look up, but I couldn't. "I should get going now..." I turned and without another word, left town square. But as I approached the alleyway, Bill said something so startling that I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Meet me tomorrow?" Bill called. In slight disbelief of what I just heard, I looked in his direction. His words were so sudden, I wasn't sure how to react. When I didn't respond, Bill continued to speak. "Meet me tomorrow at noon. Meet me here."

I didn't answer. Instead, I walked straight to the street fair, and found Dipper almost immediately. When we left, I thought about Bill the whole way home. Though he was just stunning, he felt completely different from Mermando and the others. There was something mysterious about Bill, and I felt myself fascinated with him. Surely it would be a terrible decision to meet with him again.

But late at night, when the world was asleep, I stayed awake thinking of him. And for some reason, I wished he was thinking of me to.