*ahem* Oh wow, it's been a few days now hasn't it? I guess I lost track of time, ha ha! On a serious note, I got a little sidetracked for a while. Between watching Critical Role, going to work, and play practice I've been pretty busy. But in the end it is my fault for simply not feeling like writing. This tale has not met its end, I assure you! I'm also making this chapter a two-parter because I'm working on a one shot story. So stay tuned for that. Before we begin, allow me to say something if you would. Love isn't easy. It just isn't. At first everything may go your way, but eventually problems will arise. It's easy to get mad and frustrated. It's easy to let yourself think of the worst case scenario right away. For example: My girlfriend just broke the necklace I bought for her for Valentine's day. So I ran to the store at 3am to buy a cheap anklet, broke off the clasp, and used it to fix her necklace. I am the man. Enjoy the story.
Chapter Five Part One:
Plenty of Sun
"Mabel, I can dress myself!" Dipper complained, having already endured half an hour of torment as his sister continuously forced him to try on different combinations of outfits.
"You dress like butt, now shush and let the master do her work."
She eventually had decided on a simple outfit of a white button up shirt and black slacks.
"...Seriously Mabel!? It's been forty-five minutes and this is the best you came up with!?" He shouted, utterly appalled that she had wasted nearly an entire hour of his morning for an outfit he would have probably put on for the party anyway.
Mabel looked at him slyly, "There is a method to the mayhem, brobro. I had to try everything before I could decide which was best!"
Dipper sighed and trudged out of the room. It was barely noon and Mabel was acting as if the party had already started. He went downstairs and saw that the shack had been cleared of most merchandise and now had christmas lights and streamers hanging from every wall and the ceiling. Stan and Ford were nowhere to be seen and Soos was up on a ladder hanging a banner that read 'Happy Thanksgiving!' The last part was crossed out and had Christmas written under it in magic marker.
Dipper walked over to Soos and asked, "Hey man, have you seen Stan and Ford today?"
"Oh yeah, dude. They're both out back setting the scene out there. I guess there's gonna be a bonfire or something. Oh yeah! They told me very specifically not to let anyone back there till the party starts."
Dipper quirked an eyebrow, "Did they say why?"
Soos put his hand to his chin, "I dunno man. I feel like Mr. Pines and Mr. Pines would be upset if I spoiled the surprise."
Dipper goaded Soos, "Come on man, who's your best friend?"
The big man looked down at Dipper and answered simply, "Melody."
"No, I mean who's your best guy friend?"
"Mr. Pines."
"Who's your best guy friend younger than sixty?" Dipper said, starting to get annoyed.
"You are, dude."
"So what are they planning?" Dipper said, glad to finally get to the point.
"They didn't say." Soos said, laughing.
"Ughhh… Thanks Soos. Have fun decorating." Dipper finished, exasperated at the run around Soos had just given him.
Dipper went out the front door of the Shack and sat on the porch. It was definitely cold outside, but it was a welcome feeling. Cold air helped him clear his thoughts. Mabel was planning something. Probably a dozen somethings, and none of them would be good. He got out his notebook and started drawing a chart. His name was in the middle with a circle around it. Around it he started writing all the names of the girls he knew in Gravity Falls that didn't have boyfriends. Wendy, Candy, and Pacifica were the only ones he could think of. Wendy had already rejected him because of age, and that was not a problem that could be fixed. Candy had expressed feelings for him before but that ship had long sailed by since that road trip fiasco. That only left one name. Pacifica. Dipper's heart suddenly dropped. He definitely thought Pacifica was cute, but he also thought a lot of things about her. She was rude, snarky, and over privileged. She started to change for the better before they left Gravity Falls but he didn't know if that kind of change would stick and he was afraid to find out.
Dipper eventually decided it was time to stop worrying about it. He just had to keep his eyes on Mabel so she wouldn't be able to take him by surprise with anything. He went back inside to get away from the cold. Mabel eventually came down with her own outfit. She was keeping it fairly casual for her standards. She had a christmas sweater with real pine leaves lining the outside, christmas lights were wrapped around her as well as tinsel, and her headband had a star on top. Dipper would have been surprised if he hadn't found her working on last night. It's hard to carry a bag full of pine leaves around without raising suspicion.
Dipper nodded his head, "What? No grandiose ball dress?"
"Of course not! This is a party, who cares what we wear?"
Dipper's jaw dropped. "Are you kidding me!? We spent almost an entire hour picking out my outfit and now you're saying it doesn't matter at all what we wear!?"
"Don't be silly, brobro," Mabel smiled wryly, "let me rephrase it. It doesn't matter what I wear. I'm not the one who's gonna get their match made!"
Dipper's shoulders dropped, "What exactly are you planning?"
His sister shrugged, "Something so surprising and awe inspiring you'll never see it coming in a million years."
