Chapter 2 - The Fight

Dipper and Mabel had been talking about the party all morning. Throughout the conversation, Dipper has had an odd fixation on Pacifica, something Mabel is starting to realize.

"I mean," he tried to justify his position, "she's not terrible".

Mabel corrected him, "Dipper, bro, just yesterday you literally said she was, and I quote, 'the worst'. You said it to her face, man!"

"That was before I knew her, Mabel!" His response seemed to an extent agitated, though he quickly calmed down.

"Wait a minute..." Mabel pondered for a moment. "Do you... like her?"

Dipper replied awkwardly in denial. "Pssh! What? I could never-". He sighs, embarrassed. Classic Dipper.

"Oh my gosh!" Mabel shouts, overexcited, "You're in love with Pacifica! You're gonna marry rich like Grenda!"

Dipper interjects, "Quiet down, man! Not cool. I've never... felt this way before. Okay? I thought I did with Wendy, but I think that was mostly hormonal. I dunno. But Pacifica is... actually a good person. And I think we had a moment or something."

Mabel responds somewhat sarcastically, albeit playfully.

"You told me. She hugged you. People do that to say thanks, dummy."

Dipper is quick to reply, "No, after that, she showed me she's more than just rich. She has a heart. She's not snobby like her family... She's always hated it. I... I dunno."

Mabel's eyes widened. "Dude... You should totally ask her out!"

"What?!" Dipper is shocked by how quickly his sister jumped to that conclusion, though by this point he shouldn't be.

"Ask her out," she repeated, "Take a chance! You said you thought you guys had a moment, so why not? Why would she say no?"

Dipper, shaken, replies, "I... I don't know. I guess I'm just afraid she'll be too embarrassed, or... maybe I'm misinterpreting the situation... I dunno, I've never had feelings like this for anyone, nor have I had anyone feel this way for me before, as far as I know. It's... it's complicated".

The always carefree Mabel replies, "Pssh! Relationships are a piece of cake! Just run up and do something crazy! People like crazy."

After a brief moment, Dipper, scratching the back of his head, responds, "No offense, Mabel, but... I don't really... want the kind of relationships you have with guys... I'm not criticizing you, but it seems like you're always like, 'He's cute! We should get married!' And I'm sorry, but I think it's a little more complicated than that." He seems to retreat into his shell as he speaks those last few words.

Mabel, still laughing, seems somewhat offended, but not much. "Whoa, bro! I'm trying to help you! Back down with the insults, okay?"

Dipper defends his position, "No, I'm not trying to insult you! I didn't mean it like that! It's just... none of your... relationships... seem to... last... very long."

Now she seems genuinely offended, and begins to shout at her twin, in an out-of-character moment. "That's not my fault, Dipper! They all turned out to be freaks!"

Dipper responds matter-of-factly, though he immediately regrets this choice of tone, "Well, maybe if you got to know these guys better before asking them to marry you, that wouldn't be so much of a problem!"

Mabel has become aggressive, and begins lashing out. "Oh, well, look at you, Mr. Relationship Expert. Well guess what, pal? So I've never had a lasting boyfriend. I'll admit it. But you've never had a girlfriend at all! You think you know more than I do? I got Soos a girlfriend, man! I'm practically a Love God! Except without all the bad music."

Dipper seems shocked. "That's not true, Mabel. Soos asked her out by himself. Nothing you said taught him anything. It's an achievement on his part. Don't try to take credit!"

"Oh," she starts to yell, "Pardon me for trying to help out a friend!"

Dipper sighs and slumps into his chair. "Look, I'm not saying I know more than you about love. Okay? I obviously don't. I just... tend to... think things through more thoroughly than you..." He cowers after this, expecting harsh backlash.

"No offense," Mabel replied, still on the offensive, though seemingly calm, "but your 'preparation' is a bit much. Remember Wendy?"

Now Dipper is mad again. "Don't talk about Wendy! What's done is done! I was young and confused because, you know... puberty and stuff."

Mabel groans, "I get it, but I wish I didn't".

Dipper has calmed sufficiently for civilized conversation. "Okay, now can we stop fighting and talk about Pacifica?"

Mabel, upon hearing Dipper's suggestion, immediately reverts back to her normal, overly enthusiastic self. "Now we're talking! Ask her out!"

Dipper, face in palm, replies with a sigh, "Not this again, Mabel. I'm sorry, but I'm not ready."

"Ready for what?" she asks, "It's never gonna go anywhere until you take the first step".

Dipper sighs, "You're right."

Mabel replies, sticky note and phone in hand, "I have her number because Grenda stole her phone, y'know, back when we where still sworn enemies and stuff. Call her!"

Dipper, confused, asks, "It's that simple?"

Mabel puts her hand on her brother's shoulder, "It is if you let it be, bro."

Dipper smiles as he grabs hold of the phone, and dials the number on the sticky note.