Before we begin I'd like to let you all know that from now on I will be referring to Dipper as Mason. Only Mabel, Soos and Wendy will refer to him as Dipper; Stan thought that Dipper was a dumb name anyways, (at least that's what he thinks in my storyline).
Fallen Pine Trees
Chapter 10: A Break from the Fighting (Mason)
"Damn it!" Mason cursed as he once again found himself in a dead end while searching through the archives of the Gravity Falls Library. He'd been at this since coming to the library when it opened at six o'clock this morning, (which had been four hours ago), hoping to find some sort of clue as to the identity of the Mysterious Author.
It was the only thing he could think about, especially after his sister/former best friend Mabel had fucked everything up for him the previous day. The two had gotten into the biggest fight in the history of sibling fights. Resulting in the twins kicking each other out of their lives. Heck Mason even moved into his great uncle's basement because he couldn't stand sharing a room with his twin.
"Augh I wouldn't be in this mess if Mabel…"
"Hadn't been her annoying/stupid self." Pacifica Northwest finished, who'd just arrived at the desk that her boyfriend had been sitting at, completely surprising him. But a good surprise in Mason's opinion, (especially with the amount of success he'd had this morning).
"Hey, Paz. What are you doing here?"
Before answering, Pacifica grabbed Mason and kissed him on the lips.
Mmmwah
"I came over to the Shack looking for you. When I got there your uncle told me you'd left a note this morning saying you'd be here. I thought that after our failed adventure yesterday, we could have ourselves a date day. Just you, me, no annoying relatives, (especially horrible sisters), and no wild goose chases."
Normally Mason would want to continue his search; however, he was completely exhausted, (he hadn't gotten much sleep last night), filled with hatred for his sister, and hadn't eaten a much for breakfast, (just a protein bar). He brain wasn't thinking straight. A day of quality time with his girlfriend sounded like a great idea.
"Sure where do you wanna go?"
"Basically anywhere that isn't here," Pacifica responded. Grabbing Mason's hand, she dragged him out of the library towards somewhere fun and relaxing.
First stop was at Fashion Drama where Pacifica treated her man with some new clothes. Searching the racks, Mason, (who decided to it wouldn't hurt to get a new look), picked out multiple outfits. The first of these included some grey hoodies with a blue pine tree symbol, (similar to the one on Mason's hat), in the centre of them. Then a few black buttons up shirts with navy blue t-shirts to be worn under them. He also picked out a few pairs of dark, (and light), blue jeans to go with all of his new shirts.
In the end, Pacifica was impressed by her boyfriend's style choices, surprised she hadn't seen this sooner.
"I think I've spent too much time with Mabel. She's always criticized my clothing choices. Heck, she's been begging me to let her pick out my clothes since she believes that everything she thinks is perfect." Mason explained when Pacifica asked him about it. Pacifica couldn't help but laugh when she heard this.
Next, it was off to Hermanos Brothers for some lunch. Mason chose the place because he wanted to treat his girlfriend, (after she bought him all those clothes), but couldn't afford those expensive restaurants that she loved so much. Fortunately, Pacifica didn't mind, thinking that it was sweet of him to want to pay for lunch. Plus Hermanos had recently been referred to, (in a review), as a place that met the standards of everyone, including the higher class, but without the expensive prices.
The two enjoyed a couple of tacos, and some nachos together. Afterwards, they went for a walk in Gravity Falls Swan Park: an exclusive park in Gravity Falls, reserved for only those within higher classes. Since Mason was with Pacifica Northwest, he was allowed to enter. The place was filled with all sorts of swan sculptures, and everything in the park, (including the plants and animals), was polished to the point where the park glowed brightly. Eventually, the young couple made their way to a bench where they chose to sit down on. The bench was positioned right in front of a wide, sparkling lake filled with swans swimming peacefully. Providing a romantic scene for the young couple.
The two of them sat there for a little while enjoying each other's company, (Pacifica even put her head on Mason's shoulder), admiring the beautiful sight before them.
"You know I think this has been, (by far), my favourite part of the entire summer," Mason said.
"Mine too," Pacifica agreed.
As she lay on his shoulder, Mason kept thinking about how much of great a girlfriend Pacifica was. Feeling very lucky that his parents had sent him here, (of all places), to spend his summer vacation. Though as his train of thought continued, he soon realized something very important.
"Hey, Paz."
"Yeah, Mace?"
"I was thinking, what's going to become of our relationship once summer ends? I mean I'll have to go back to Piedmont, while you'll remain here in Gravity Falls. Will we be able to handle a long distance relationship? Don't get me wrong, I truly do like, like, like you, and even though we haven't dated that long, I would totally go for that option if you wanted me to. It's just that I don't want to hold you back. Let's face it, there are lots of guy's way in your league that…"
Before Mason could continue, he was interrupted by Pacifica, who lifted her head off his shoulder so that she could grab his head, and pull him into a kiss.
After releasing from it Pacifica began answering her boyfriend's questions, "First off, I'm totally on board, (one hundred percent), with this relationship. Secondly, those guys you're thinking of have got nothing on you."
This, of course, caused Mason to blush. "Wow thanks, Paz."
"And thirdly," she continued, "I've actually been thinking about this for some time. And I think I have a solution to our problem. One that doesn't involve us having to separate. While also allowing us to deepen our relationship," winking her right eye when saying this.
"Umm, I'm listening."
"Well, I as you would have probably figured out. I don't go to public schools. My parents think they're unfit to educate a person of my standings."
"Yeah, I can definitely see that."
"Anyways, since I was five years old, I've been enrolled at Gold Eagle Academy. It's the most prestigious private school in the whole country. Teaching students from kindergarten level to twelve. Plus it's only a twenty-minute drive from town." Reaching into her purse, Pacifica pulled out a pamphlet and passed it over to Mason, showing a marvellous school. One comprised of the most highly trained professors who taught high-level education, (higher than what was probably taught at his own school), in fully equipped classrooms. Though what impressed Mason most was how the school had one of the best libraries in the continent, containing a large selection of top of the line books for all subjects, including the supernatural, (aka Mason's favourite subject). It was no wonder that Pacifica's parents would send their daughter to such a place.
But unfortunately, however, this was also a problem. The school's purpose is to teach students top-level education, with top-level resources so that they will become highly successful. This, of course, is very expensive to provide. In turn, making enrollment extremely expensive. Which only allowed students whose families were very wealthy to get in. And Mason knew that his parents could never afford to send him there.
"So what do you think?" Pacifica asked. Feeling really excited since she knew that this was her boyfriend's dream school.
"Yeah um Paz…there's no way my family could afford to send me there." Mason responded in a disappointed tone.
Despite his negative response, Pacifica didn't seem disappointed at all. "There are other ways to get in without money."
"What do you mean?" Mason asked puzzled.
"Well, it just so happens that every year the headmaster offers scholarships to a select handful of young students. These students are those who demonstrate an extraordinary potential to become just as successful as, (if not more than), those who are able to afford to attend. Which is where the scholarship comes in: it pays for all of the student's fees so that their parents/legal guardians will not refuse to accept the academy's offer. However, these fees are not cheap. Meaning that they aren't given out to just any straight A student, but those whose academic records demonstrate that they are top-notch students. It is for these reasons why the headmaster spends months going over the profiles of students, carefully examining all the tops students that will be going into the eighth grade, (gives students time to truly demonstrate their abilities before being allowed into the academy), narrowing the list down till he's picked the twelve most qualified students.
And it just so happens that your name is on the top of this year's list of candidates for the scholarship."
"And how do you know this?"
"You remember my friend Stacy?"
"The one with magenta hair?"
"Yep. Well her father is, (coincidentally), is the headmaster of Gold Eagle Academy. In fact, his father founded the academy and its scholarship program. Anyways, because of this, Stacy has limited access to the list of scholarship candidates."
"And you're sure I'm not on that list because you asked her to put me on it?"
"Ha, ha, ha, no! First off her father will let her look at the list, but refuse to let her change it. That what I meant when I said she had limited access. He's very strict about rules, including the rules on who receives scholarships into his school. Secondly, you've been on the list since before we even met. I know this because right after I met your sister at your uncle's party, Stacy told me about how she'd recently been checking out the profiles her father had been going over for scholarship candidates, and one of the profiles had a picture of a boy who not only shared a resemblance with Mabel but also shared the same last name her. She also told me that from some of the notes beside your profile, (which had been written by her father), you're one of best candidates he's ever seen."
"Wow. I didn't think I was that good. I mean I've gotten straight A's in every subject, (even in physical education), since kindergarten. But I never thought I was good enough to get into the best private school in the states. So you're sure that this headmaster will offer me one of those scholarships?"
"After I made it clear to my friends that you and I were serious, Stacy started updating me on your status on her father's list. And when she told me that he'd narrowed the list down to eleven candidates, I decided to pay him a visit to further demonstrate your abilities. I described to him some of your non-publicized accomplishments during the summer. He was so impressed that he decided to write up this letter. Which he agreed to let me give to you." Saying this, she pulled out a silver envelope with a fancy eagle shaped stamp on it that said 'MASON PINES', written in bold. Passing it over to Mason. "Stacy gave it to me this morning. I'd gone to him the day before our adventure to the underground laboratory and had wanted to tell you as soon as possible. However, the headmaster didn't want me to say anything till he'd written up a formal letter for you, (he's very strict about these things), so he only agreed to let me do the honours if I agreed to keep it secret for the time being."
Mason couldn't help but stare at his girlfriend in disbelief at what was going on. He didn't even look at the envelope till she gave him the final push.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Open the dam envelope already."
Opening it up, Mason found himself utterly shocked. At the very beginning of the letter, (right after the 'dear Mason Pines' part), it said,
'It is with great pleasure that I, Headmaster of Gold Eagle Academy, offer you the opportunity to enrol in our magnificent private school, on a full scholarship.'
Mason could not believe his luck. Just yesterday he'd lost his best chance of fulfilling his summer goal, as well as his sister. Yet today, he'd gotten to spend it without having to deal with his annoying sister, while enjoying some quality time with his girlfriend, who informed him that he was being offered a scholarship from, (what was now), his dream school. He just could not believe it.
Looking at his girlfriend who was smiling at him, (having already know what the letter said), he began to say, "Um Paz…I um," but couldn't find the right words to describe what he was feeling. So instead he pulled her in for a long, passionate kiss on the lips. Causing sparks to fly as she, (in turn), kissed back.
After a couple of minutes, the two broke for air. At this point, Mason had found the right words to say, "Pacifica Northwest, I love you so much."
Pacifica couldn't help but blush when hearing this. The two of them had only been dating for a few weeks, and knowing Mason, she hadn't expected him to say those words this soon into their relationship. Though she wasn't going to complain about it. Honestly, she'd secretly had a crush on him since Pioneer Day, and couldn't be happier to hear him say he loved her.
"I love you too." She responded before pulling Mason in for another kiss.
F.Y.I. I made up the Swan Park since the other locations in Gravity Falls, (except for the Northwest Mansion), didn't fall into what I pictured for the final location for Mason and Pacifica's date.
Also, everything I say about the types of class, (such as higher class), I don't actually think this. I'm just writing what how to think the world of Gravity Falls thinks of social classes.
