Chapter 7

Monday morning

Another week of class starting. The first week was certainly something Dipper had not expected; by the schedule he made he should be already coming along with his research, but of course it isn't working like he wanted. Life can never be that easy, right? Well, a new day of standing up way too early to hear things he already knows... great. If that wasn't bad enough, he still promised to pick Bill up and go for coffee with him after class. It wasn't a bad thing per se, but Dipper was definitely not ready for this. His heart raced every time he saw the stupid librarian. Stupid hormones. Not only in that aspect, but he actually enjoyed his company, something he still was in denial of. But, well, maybe this week won't be as nuts as the first one.

Dipper left the house trying to be optimistic for once, actually hyped to see Bill again, but Monday morning plus night person and no coffee, those things did not mix.

The day passed as slow as it could get. Parapsychology class was boring as hell and the first assignments were given. Dipper sat in the further back of the small auditorium, close enough so he could still hear everything the professor had to say (even though it was nothing new), but far enough to be able to work on the code, which certainly had priority at the moment. The person sitting next to Dipper was... certainly something. He noticed the gaze on himself all the time which certainly bothered him, and the white haired guy who was staring felt the awkwardness as well.

"Sorry… I know I was staring," the younger man apologized in a southern accent as he met Dipper's gaze. "It's just, you've been working on that for a while and it certainly seems more interesting than old McGucket's class."

"I guess? I just really need to get this done..." Dipper sighed.

"Gideon Gleeful by the way, third semester parapsychology minor," the younger man offered his hand.

"Dipper Pines, first semester," he shook the stranger's hand.

"So why the hurry?" the pale guy asked.

"It's for the library books and I'm late on my schedule..." Dipper answered.

"You mean the demonic collection?" Gideon's eyes widened.

"Yeah, why?" Dipper answered.

"Well you must be really something if the librarian is giving you a chance in the first semester," he whistled.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Dipper asked confused.

"I bet you have met the head librarian; tall, blonde, long hair, total asshole?"

"Yeah... " he nodded.

"Well he is very picky on who he lets take the challenge of that code, as far as I know he changes it for every student that asks for it and the worst of all he never lets anyone try before they are in their 6th semester, plus they need a recommendation letter."

"Wait so he doesn't even let people try?" Dipper asked surprised.

"Nope," Gideon shook his head. "He told me to ask again in two years... Funny isn't he? I'm a prodigy in the fields of ESP and he told me to ask again in a few years?!"

"Hilarious..." Weirdo.

Time passed and Dipper somehow managed to get his annoying classmate to shut up. He sighed, relieved as class was over, immediately rushing to the library. The doors were open this time. There was still plenty of time until he actually had to pick Bill up, but he really enjoyed being in the library. Just, it was hard hiding from the blonde beast who watched over the books.

He leaned in seeing that the old lady he met a few days prior was sitting at the main desk. He sneaked in heading into an aisle far away from Bill's office. He was relieved and started browsing through the section of books when there was a sudden bang in the library. It was from the other side of it but loud enough to startle anyone who was present, which was followed by a sudden yell. Dipper couldn't help but listen to the conversation. Truly, it couldn't be unheard.

"OUT!" a familiar voice called.

"You can't fire me!" a softer voice unknown to Dipper protested. "Do you know who I am?!"

"Of course I do and I don't care! For all I care you could be the daughter of the president, but you are utterly useless!"

"I'm not useless!"

"Thou hast no more brain than I have in mine elbows."

"What? Are you calling me stupid?!"

"Exactly my dear, I was only doing your father a favor, now out of my sight!"

"YOU WILL HEAR FROM MY FATHER," she yelled.

"This isn't Harry Potter kid, now make yourself scarce."

The young blonde woman left the library, stomping her feet on her way out like a small kid.

The older woman who was at the desk immediately headed to the person yelling... Bill.

"That's the second person today! You can't just fire everyone, you know that right?" the older woman protested.

"Of course I know that... " the blonde man rubbed his eyes. "I swear if we get another blonde bimbo I'm going to burn something... Ugh… Hang a shield that we are looking for help... I can't spare anyone right now."

"I will... and Bill-"

The blonde interrupted her, "And I will go calm down, I know... Give me five minutes."

"Good..." the older woman sighed and headed back to the main desk. There was silence once again.

Dipper simply kept browsing through the aisles of books, trying to look for something he hasn't read yet when suddenly arms were wrapped around him from behind, startling the young brunet.

"You are early." The taller man pressed a kiss on Dipper's cheek.

"Gosh Bill don't do that," he blushed.

"Sorry I just couldn't resist," the taller man dropped his arms smirking.

"How did you know I was here?" Dipper asked surprised.

"You are in my library kid... Did you think you would pass unnoticed?" the blonde grinned.

"I guess? I just didn't want to bother you at work..." Dipper admitted.

"You are not bothering me at all... I'm sorry you had to listen to that," Bill sighed.

"No don't worry, it was entertaining," Dipper chuckled. "But did you really have to quote Shakespeare? Poor girl."

"It could've gotten a lot worse, but I noticed you were here and I didn't want to waste my time on her."

"Oh… Well why was she fired?" the brunet asked.

"She wasn't the brightest to be honest, I'm sure she has never picked up a book in her life... I will just tell you when we go get some coffee; I have to get back for another forty minutes."

"Sure, I don't mind." Dipper turned around to look at the books again.

"Hey Pinetree."

"Hmm?" Dipper turned his head back to the librarian, and was suddenly surprised by lips being pressed against his. The blonde man left with a self-satisfied grin on his face.

"Hate you…"

"You love me kid."

The last minutes passed much slower than Dipper would have admitted. Normally time would pass faster when he read a book, but waiting for Bill was an entirely different matter. Anticipation is a bitch, making Dipper go crazy as thoughts of the past night crossed his mind... God if he knew what I did last night he wouldn't be talking to me...

"If I didn't know what, Pinetree?" The tall blonde man sat next to the brunet.

"Did I say that out loud?" He turned red.

"Yes, now come on, I still have to close." Bill stood up and Dipper followed, noticing that everyone was gone by now, even the old lady from the main desk.

We are alone... Like completely alone, oh god... Brain, get your shit together. The younger man shook his head trying to reduce the heat on his face. I've to stop thinking about this... Dipper he is a decent guy for fuck's sake, don't think about something like that in here...

"Pinetree?" The low voice brought Dipper back from the small fight he was having with himself.

"I'm fine! I need fresh air! Uhh... I will wait in the cafe!" Dipper ran through the main door which Bill still has to close from the outside. The blonde was left behind, leaning on the main desk with a pissed expression on his face.

"Goddamit Pinetree," he clicked his tongue. "I really wanted to play with you."

…

At the Café

"So what do you want Pinetree?" the blonde asked as they laid down their things. They got places on a couch next to one another; a couple was sitting across the table who didn't mind sitting with them as it was really crowded (like always).

"Wait you don't have to pay," Dipper said eyes wide.

"Don't worry, just order whatever you want," Bill smiled, an actual smile and not the cocky grin he always had on.

"I.. Uh.. Then just a Cookie Frappuccino," he answered.

"Sure."

The blonde guy left and came back rather quickly considering the line of people who were already waiting. He placed various things on the table: lemon cake, red velvet, and a blueberry muffin plus, of course, the drinks.

"Did you buy the store?" Dipper smiled wryly.

"I wanted to be sure something met your taste," the older man answered.

"Wait… that's for me?" Dipper was perplexed.

"Of course," he smiled.

"Thanks but still, you don't have to buy so much... Wait that's a blueberry muffin isn't it?" Dipper's eyes sparkled.

Bill simply nodded as he started sipping on his drink.

"Thanks..." Dipper blushed as he sipped his drink as well. "Really thank you, you don't have to pay for me..."

Bill didn't answer as he drank, simply saying you are welcome with his gestures.

"So you wanted to tell me about the girl you fired?" Dipper asked curious.

"Ugh…" Bill grunted. "That girl… She is as bright as a black hole and twice as dense."

Dipper tried to hold back his laugh. "Sorry."

"So anyway... Her father is a rich CEO like most spoiled brats around in this campus." He rubbed his eyes. "Old acquaintance, kind of an asshole, but I thought it might be a good idea to have him owe me something, and since I was looking for someone to help out, well, perfect solution."

"But?" Dipper raised his eyebrows.

"But..." Bill sighed. "She was too stupid to even hold a book, no matter how often everything was explained to her she couldn't get it, she dresses like a slut even if I told her not to, that horrible pink nail polish stained hundreds of books! And hundreds more things she did wrong!"

"Ok don't worry I get it... Try to calm down," Dipper suggested.

"Trying kid... If you haven't noticed I don't have the best temperament." Bill leaned back holding his cup with both of his hands trying not to spill it.

"I don't think so, at least, you haven't lost it in front of me," Dipper blushed.

"Thanks Pinetree." He swung his arm around the brunet's.

"Um... Bill are you ok?" Dipper looked concerned.

"Except that I've fired two people and it's only Monday, I'm fine why?" the blonde laughed.

"You are burning up, do you have a fever?" Dipper tilted his head.

"I'm fine don't worry... I just have a high body temperature when I'm pissed."

"You know that's not exactly normal?" Dipper placed his hand on the blonde's forehead.

"You are so cute," Bill smiled which made Dipper retract his hand and turn red as they were still in public...

"Bill I still want to talk to you about things... " Dipper said rather worked up.

"If it's about the code just ask..."

"It's not about that, well not everything... Can we like talk about it somewhere this week? In private?" Dipper asked.

"You always want to talk kid… Enjoy your life for once." Bill finished up his coffee.

"I try... Then how about the code?" Dipper avoided eye contact.

"Hmm? What's with it again?"

"I got a non-working number, the word 'number' and no name, are you sure this is how it was supposed to work?"

"Hmm? Show me the notes..." Bill demanded.

Dipper obliged, taking out the small journal he had for it.

Number

81586193

He flipped through the pages carefully looking at the different outcomes. "Ok, I see how you got here but you are thinking way too complicated Pinetree."

"What do you mean?"

"Means you are thinking too literally, the outcome is almost right just you took a different step now it's kinda jumbled up... But it should work. Think more about it as a kid's puzzle," Bill suggested.

"A kid's puzzle..." Dipper sighed. "You said it's the actual outcome just not how you planned it, but it still leads to the actual solution?"

"Exactly."

"OK at least it's not completely wrong?... I will try."

"You are advancing way too fast Pinetree, I didn't expect you to get anywhere near this even in the next few weeks," Bill smirked. "So take it as a compliment."

"I.. I will..." he smiled.

"But now I've bad news kid."

"What?"

"Your sister and her two friends will be here in," he looked at his phone, "around 4 minutes..." Bill sighed.

"Wait how can you tell?"

"You will see… But I'm making a run for it before they arrive and ask weird questions…"

"Can we both run? I'm not in the mood for it either, I've to listen to it at home anyway," he chuckled.

"Then shall I drive you home?" Bill smiled.

"Sure... Thanks."