a/n: new update! this was originally two separate chapters, but I felt they were short and just a bit boring on their own so i combined them. this chapter isn't super plot heavy even when combined, just reinforcing relationships and such! the struggle of wanting to give you guys information but worrying it is too dialogue-y and boring. anyway, i once again apologize for taking so long, but I recently wrote about 10,000 words for this story in the last few days and to get those chapters out, I have to write these! so that's some good news! I'm currently in finals week so regular updates (hopefully!) will continue around Christmas. thank you all for being patient and supporting me and my story! i hope you enjoy this chapter and happy holidays!

"Alright, kid," the older man cleared his throat loudly. "You'll be manning the gift shop while I take these bozos on tours. Just take people's money and sell everything you can. Real simple stuff." He coughed again as Wendy wondered about his age.

"Okay, Stan." She replied. She was used to working retail, she had been hired and fired from around five different stores and a low key, run down gift shop sounded like the perfect part time job for her. "Just leave it to me."

"You can call me Mr. Pines." He muttered as he walked away. "Some of your co-workers will probably be around today, so don't waste your time trying to sell to them." He grabbed his 8-ball cane from the wall, took a breath, and open the door. "Ladies and Gentlemen, are you ready for the weirdest, creepiest, most jaw-dropping-eat experience of your pathetic lives?!" Wendy could hear cheers before the door shut completely. She respected her new boss a little bit more for his stunning performance.

She leaned back in her chair and kicked her feet up and scrolled through her phone. She read back her messages from Gideon from last night.

Gideon Gleeful: it seems pacifica's attempt with dipper didn't go so well….

Wendy Corduroy: what! why! did she say something to you?

Gideon Gleeful: the fact she didn't say anything is telling enough, when i tried to ask she told me to 'buzz off.' she gets even more stereotypical mean girl when she's pissed

Wendy Corduroy: are we sure dipper isn't gay? sorry but who WOULDN'T accept pacifica's advances?

Gideon Gleeful: we're sure. i wouldn't, she's an asshole. dipper probably thinks the same thing. we just have to make him see she's not an asshole.

Wendy Corduroy: but she is an asshole

Gideon Gleeful: she's gonna have to be a good actor. i'm adding her into this message.

Gideon Gleeful added Pacifica Northwest

Pacifica Northwest: ugh. i don't have any updates losers.

Pacifica Northwest: you idiots know i can read the past messages right? fuck off, i'm not an asshole

Gideon Gleeful: it's why we loooooove you paz!

Pacifica Northwest: you make me want to vomit gleeful

Wendy Corduroy: wanna tell us how it went yesterday?

Pacifica Northwest: well, you figured it out already. it went not well. he snubbed me, the stupid dork. he's too preoccupied with his dumb mystery stuff to even give a girl attention, i think we need to call it off.

Gideon Gleeful: that's just what you want

Pacifica Northwest: well, yeah.

Wendy Corduroy: is there any reason he would reject you?

Pacifica Northwest: he's always been like this, in his own world and shit

Gideon Gleeful: wait, what?

Wendy Corduroy: pacifica, do you and dipper have a past or something?

Pacifica Northwest: uh, no? i just have been in school with the pines for my entire high school career so i know things about them, and other people for that matter. its a small school, i don't need a "past" with anybody to know basic knowledge about someone.

Pacifica Northwest: you guys figure out what you want to do. i'm going to bed.

Pacifica Northwest has left the group message

Wendy Corduroy: that was weird

Gideon Gleeful: it was….interesting…

A loud slam hit the counter next to Wendy's feet and she suddenly jerked up, face to face with someone she was certainly not expecting.

"Hi! Wendy, right?" Mabel Pines beamed from across the counter. "I'm sorry if I scared you with the boxes." She did a similar little giggle to the one she had during their first encounter, making Wendy's heart dance.

"Mabel, hi." She tried to play it her usual cool self and it helped her calm down. "Not that it isn't great to see you, but what are you doing here? Looking for some "Magic Frog Eyeballs?" She read the container full of obviously plastic eyeballs next to her.

Mabel laughed again. "No, silly, I'm dropping off the new shirts for the Shack. That's what's in the boxes."

"Oh, do you work at the manufacture's shop or something?"

"I work here, you didn't know?" Mabel questioned. "Well, the Mystery Shack is family owned! My great-uncle Stan, Dipper, and I work here together. And our handyman, Soos, he's basically one of the family too."

Wendy's face burned bright red. She was her co-worker. Not only that, but her family owned her place of work. Fate either loved her or hated her. "Wow," Wendy mustered a cool chuckle. "I gotta say, I'm embarrassed that I had no idea."

Mabel gave another bright smile. "Oh don't be! It's not like the Mystery Shack is a huge sight for new-comers like yourself. I don't think I would have known about it if my family wasn't involved." Mabel's face turned a bit colder. "Besides, it's more a curse than a blessing to be associated with this place."

"Because of your brother?" Wendy put a hand over her mouth just after the sentence was uttered. "I-I'm sorry I didn't mean it like-"

Mabel smiled again, only slightly and Wendy worried if she had just ruined her chances. Along with the fact she didn't want to insult such a nice girl. "No, it's fine. People talk and it seems like Dipper is usually the name in everyone's mouths. I'm used to it." Mabel pulled herself up from leaning on the counter. "I should go, I'm meeting up with some friends." She began to turn away and Wendy felt utterly terrible. "Oh, Wendy?" She faced her again. "Can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure."

"Please don't believe everything everyone says about my brother." Mabel said with pleading eyes. "He's…my best friend. He's a really sweet, good guy, he's just passionate about…weird stuff. It breaks my heart people think he's not good. I really want things to turn around for him."

Wendy saw the pain Mabel endured whenever someone degraded Dipper in that moment. The pain of seeing a loved one suffer and not being able to help. "I won't. If you say he's a good guy, I believe you."

Mabel smiled gently at Wendy. "Thank you." Mabel laughed loudly, seemingly turning around her mood. "Wow, I'm sorry for getting so serious like that, and we just met, you probably think I'm such a weirdo. I guess I feel like I can trust you already, Wendy."

Wendy blushed slightly and, for what felt like the hundredth time in this short meeting, tried to keep her cool. "You love your brother, nothing weird about that. I sure as hell know I love mine."

"You are too cool, Wendy." Mabel parted with this and seemed to flow out the door.

Wendy sighed and watched the door lovingly and thought about how whipped she was already.

"Uh, hi?" A voice said from the other side of the counter.

Wendy recognized the boy as the Dipper Pines. The vital piece to her plan to get her girl. She felt like this already knew him, having talked about him so much in her few days here, but realized they had never been formally introduced.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Hi." Wendy greeted. "You're Dipper, right? I'm Wendy. I'm your new cashier."

The two shook hands. "Yeah, Stan told me something about a new employee. I'm surprised someone even applied."

"Well, to be honest, I'm not really one for hard work. This seemed easy." Wendy admitted.

Dipper smiled and Wendy thought about how much he really did look like Mabel. "You chose the right job. Not many people roll through here. Trust me, I'm usually the one in your chair."

"Oh, your sister doesn't work much?"

"She's more social than I am. Parties and friends and all that." Dipper trailed off. "Besides, I guess you can say I'm more into the whole idea behind the Mystery Shack. But you knew that already, didn't you?"

"I…uh…" Wendy stuttered, Dipper was more upfront than she thought he would be.

He chuckled. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." He rubbed the back of his head. "I'm aware what people say about me. I figured it would have gotten around to even a new kid like you."

Wendy considered lying to him, saying she didn't hear anything, but remembered Mabel could tell him at any point about their conversation from just moments ago. "I…have heard some things, yeah." Dipper nodded. "But, uh, I don't believe what everyone is saying. I know this is our first conversation but you have a sister like Mabel so I'm sure your just as good."

Dipper remained silent for a moment and smiled again. "Well, I don't know about just as good, but I appreciate you saying so."

Just then, the door to the gift shop swung open revealing a familiar face to both Dipper and Wendy. "Helloooooooo, Mystery Shack!" Gideon greeted.

"Ugh." Dipper mumbled.

"Gideon." Wendy simply stated. "What are you doing here?"

"Came to see my favorite cashier at my favorite creepy, weird, and totally fake gift shop. Really, Pines, tell your uncle to step the game up."

"At least we have a shop, you failed psychic." Dipper rolled his eyes.

"We don't talk about that Pines. Besides, I was like nine, let it go." He glared. "So how goes….things, Wendy?" Gideon eyed Dipper.

"Wendy, you don't have to humor this idiot." Dipper said. "Is she your new object of affection after failed Mabel attempts?"

"Wendy's gay and we're friends, try again." Gideon snapped.

"You two are friends?" Dipper turned to face Wendy.

"He showed me around school my first day. He's a little weird, but I'm having fun with it." Wendy shrugged.

"A little weird?" Gideon repeated.

"You are really something." Dipper told Wendy. "Well, I guess it's good you aren't so affected by high school gossip. Even when you should be." Dipper's eyes darted to Gideon.

"Look who's talking, Mr. I've-been-suspended-three-times-for-putting-the-entire-student-body-in-danger!" Gideon growled.

"That's way too long of a last name!" Dipper face palmed. "I'm going, I can't stand to be around you for more than a couple of minutes."

"Aw, best friends forever, Dippy!" Gideon waved sarcastically.

"Bye Wendy." Dipper ignored Gideon and shut the door on his way out.

"I thought he would ever leave." Gideon sighed.

"It's his house." Wendy remarked. "By the way, I had no idea the Pines owned this place! Ugh, I was so embarrassed when I ran into Mabel today."

"How'd it go?"

Wendy thought back to the time. "Not as bad as you would think. I think she at least likes me as a person."

"Well, it's not you and Mabel we have to worry about anyway, it's-"

"Me and Dipper." A voice called from the door.

"You're late, Northwest." Gideon checked his watch.

"I'm a busy girl, and I had to make sure no one saw me come in here. I almost got caught by Dipper on his way out." She slumped down in a stool next to Wendy. "Why did you call me here?"

"I'm wondering the same thing." Wendy stated, she did enjoy the distraction from the otherwise boredom of work.

"Because it seems fairly obvious we need to have a more of a concrete plan set here. Pacifica," Gideon turned to her. "You don't have to tell us shit but you do need to do seduce Dipper, in any way possible. I think you need to apologize to him, since it seems like you did something to him."

"You guys didn't say anything about apolo-apologi- I can't even say it!" Pacifica crossed her arms. She didn't feel the need to inform them of her previous half-assed apology to him.

"What did you expect? He was still going to fall for you after you did something bad to him?"

"Uh, yeah? It's happened plenty of times before." She flipped her hair.

"This is Dipper. You are gonna need to show him you can be sweet. Even though you aren't."

"Hey!" Pacifica yelled.

"He's not going to fall for the real you. So he will have to fall for the fake you." Gideon stated simply. "Fake Pacifica is the opposite of real Pacifica."

"So, ugly and boring?"

"I was thinking more nerdy and nice. Just…be interested in his weird habits, leave Mabel alone, and laugh at his dumb jokes. And apologize." Gideon demanded. Wendy was surprised at how much her new friend took charge. "And you," Wendy suddenly found herself the target. "Be prepared to ask Mabel out at any moment. Dipper's unpredictable and we can't have some other girl or guy showing you up when the news hits Mabel is able to date."

"Is she that sought after?" Wendy asked.

"You fell for her with one glance and you aren't exactly special." Pacifica piped up. "As weird as Mabel can be, she's cute and nice to everyone, so people are naturally drawn to her. Don't ask me why, I don't fucking get it."

"Unlike you who gets their suitors by being cold and demeaning." Gideon replied.

"It's not my fault guys love the chase." Pacifica smirked. "Are we done here?"

"Do you have a plan for getting Dipper?" Gideon questioned. "It's hard to trust you. No offense."

Pacifica rolled her eyes and groaned. "Gleeful, I'm pretty and not dumb okay? I know how to make a dweeb fall in love with me. Of course I have a plan." Pacifica picked up her purse and stood up. "I have some shopping to get to now. Meeting adjured." She abruptly turned and walked towards the door.

"You can't call meeting adjured when I called the meeting-hey!" Gideon shouted. "Are you at least going to tell us your plan!"

"Northwest secret, sorry!" Pacifica chuckled, shutting the door.

Pacifica Northwest stood in front of the Mystery Shack's gift shop door the next day with butterflies in her stomach. She couldn't place exactly why, but decided that the fear of losing her long standing queen bee reputation was probably causing the feeling.

She knew Dipper was beyond the door (thanks to Dipper's schedule leak via Wendy), sitting at the cash register, probably reading some dorky book. She looked down at her outfit for the third time today; pleated flannel mini skirt with tights and tan pumps and a simple white sweater. Something simple, something Dipper would like. And she figured if all else fails, she could bend and snap for the guy and at least put the idea in his head.

She decided it was time to get this over with and pushed open the door, the bell alarming Dipper and causing him to look straight at her. "Pacifica." was all he said.

"Dipper." She said back. She had to admit, pretending for Dipper seemed somewhat pointless, the guy was sharp. She had the feeling he would see right through her.

"What are you doing here?" She figured the question would be asked.

"Oh, I was in the neighborhood and figure, 'Hey, I'm in need of some…Eye of Newt, why don't I stop by the Mystery Shack?'" Pacifica joked and leaned against the counter.

"Ha. Ha." Dipper stated.

"But really, I do need something. And I think you are just the person to help me."

"That is?"

"Temporary memory loss powder. I know you have it." Pacifica said matter-of-factly. She remembered, ironically, Dipper also had a ton of the stuff on him during his hunts. She also knew he was weary with the stuff.

"I don't think I can give this to you. I have morals and you are…you know…evil." Dipper replied.

"You are just getting harsher and harsher, huh?" Pacifica sighed. "If it helps, I'm planning on using it on my dad when he catches me sneaking out. And I know how much you don't like my dad."

"Compelling. I'll still pass. Besides, the Mystery Shack doesn't sell it."

"The Dipper Shack does." Pacifica quipped. "I have an idea." Pacifica smirked, half because of what she was going to suggest and half because her plan was going smoothly so far. And if she knew Dipper, the rest would be cake. "We'll play for it."

"Play?" Dipper questioned, his eyebrow rose and Pacifica took that as a sign of interest.

"Space Gladiators 5." Pacifica smirked. "You even have the upper hand, since you're the one that owns it."

"What do I get if I win?" Dipper muttered. "The satisfaction I get beating you won't be enough."

"I can make you feel…other…types of satisfied." Pacifica winked.

"No thanks." Dipper groaned. She remembered how much he would squirm at her flirting before.

"No fun." Pacifica sighed. "How about…I'll completely leave you alone. And Mabel. For….the entire school year." Pacifica's more rational and anxiety-prone side nudged at her, but the Northwest in her overpowered her fears. Northwests bet big.

"Hm." Dipper hummed, itching his head in thought. "Okay, fine. You also can't shop here for the year."

"Oooooh noooo, what ever will I do." Pacifica rolled her eyes. "Then let's play. You should take your break now."

It didn't take long for Dipper to find the old game and set the system up on the TV in the living room. Pacifica noted the small changed since she was last here, back when her and Dipper were on good terms. The rug seemed to deepen a shade and one of the knobs on the TV was missing.

"What happened there?" She asked, pointing to it. "I'm sure Stan wasn't happy."

She swore she saw a smile come from him, but quickly faded away. "Mabel knocked it off while doing an impromptu gymnastics routine for Candy and Grenda. Let's play."

Pacifica knew she was doing this job for money and the blackmail, but his coldness still stung. They were friends. She didn't think she was faultless, but people grow apart, how is it her fault she wanted to branch out in a new school? "Okay…" Was all she said as he handed her the old controller she used to play with. Hearing the start-up music, holding the almost broken controller, and sitting on the ugly shag carpet of the Mystery Shack felt like a living in a flashback, sitting next to Dipper, laughing at anything for hours; she missed it. She couldn't help but feel relaxed even with her stakes.

"You got…dumber. Although, that doesn't surprise me seeing as who you spend all your time with now." Dipper perked up, a smirk on his face. Pacifica knew this as their regular trash talking while playing, at least, she decided to take it that way. Dipper probably was just being plain mean to her, but she played along anyway. "You would have never taken a bet like this before, seems all your socializing and partying has taken a toll on your brain."

"And you got even…shut-in-e-er." Okay, not her best.

Dipper left out a booming laugh. "Wow, good one." He chuckled as he started the game.

"Shut up." She barked, yet with a smile on her face. For a moment, it felt like nothing changed between them. Just two friends having a good time together. Like old times. They shared a light smile, one of reminiscence and longing.

The game left out a mechanical screech announcing the first round, and they snapped out of their trance. Dipper scowled at her before turning to look at the game again and the moment was gone as soon as it came.

The game echoed out a "fight!" and their characters were free to begin fighting. The two sprang into action, Pacifica thanked her muscle memory for remembering how to play and how to play good. However, Dipper was always a tough match. In Pacifica's first few playthroughs, she thought it was impossible to beat Dipper. He always seemed one step ahead and just when she thought she was going to win, he would take her down with a power move. Pacifica learned from this back in the day and still remembered it today. His classic tricks wouldn't work on her. She would not let them.

"I didn't get more shut-in-e-er." Dipper suddenly quipped. "People just got more cliquey."

"What are the odds of everyone changing over you changing? You're just going to blame the whole school for how you are?"

Dipper remained silent for a moment. "Whatever. You got more cliquey."

"Always back to that, huh? I said I was sorry, there's nothing else I can do." Pacifica felt tense as her voice rose.

"It's what you didn't do then that matters."

"God, you need a lesson in forgiveness. Or at least a lesson in not being so goddamn hung up on shit that happened years ago!" Pacifica looked away for a brief moment to face him and instantly heard her character fall to the ground in defeat.

Dipper smirked and hummed. "1-0."

"You fucking cheater." Pacifica whispered.

"Hey, we used to argue while playing before. Now it's cheating? You are so easily manipulated by mind games, it really is like you don't even know me."

Pacifica couldn't help but feel some truth in their conversation despite what Dipper said. She decided it was best not to bring up and possibly blow the situation up worse. "You got more sinister since we last talked. MY Dipper wouldn't have pulled a stunt like that."

"You left him behind, so did I. That's something we have in common."

Pacifica was the one to hit the next button this time, mostly because she didn't have a rebuttal for his argument. "Round 2" appeared in bold text as the announcer yelled out the word "fight!" once again.

"I have let that go, by the way. I just don't accept your apology or like you." Dipper started once again.

"No. No, we are not talking about this again." Pacifica exhaled.

"Why? Does it make you lose focus? I'm perfectly fine." She could see Dipper's smug look without even turning her head.

"No, it's pointless to talk with you about something you are in denial about. You are very obviously not over anything about what happened between us, it's sad that you are trying to convince yourself you are. If you were over anything, you would be fucking smart and accept the business of me and make money but instead you make me play this stupid game to get some fucking magic potion!" With the end of her sentence, Pacifica dodged Dipper's attack and countered right on time for a combo, knocking his player out.

Pacifica took her turn to smile smugly, not caring if he made him hate her more. She did love a good gloat, and she knew Dipper did too. "I mean, that's just the truth."

"Yeah. Whatever." That was all Dipper said before starting the third and final round. The regular announcer echoed through the silent room again.

Pacifica didn't start strong as she was regretting the outburst she had. Yes, it was the truth and she had been holding that in for a long time, but she could have just ruined her chances with him. Would winning this make him like her more or less?

"You're right." He piped up. "I'm not over it. In fact, seeing you isn't exactly pleasant for me."

"I've…noticed." She got a few hits on his player. They were an equal match.

"I'm hurt." He said quietly, however, she heard him loud and clear. "I still am."

"I…know." She replied in the same tone. "I'm sorry, Dipper. I am. Things have changed for me, but I'm still…trying to figure everything out. I feel at a crossroads."

"You always had things figured out." She could hear the smile in his voice. "Don't try to catch me off guard so you can win."

Pacifica looked to him right away. She set her controller down and put her hands up. "I'm being honest. Take me out if you want…I won't stop you. But, just a warning, after that year of not talking to you, I'm going to come back to do this again." She smiled lightly.

Dipper looked at her, then to the game. He moved quickly to the system and shut the game down without finishing. "Looks like this old game shut itself down. I guess that's a draw." He got up and went upstairs to the attic and returned with a small vile. "Your memory loss powder, that'll be $40."

"Jesus Christ that's-" Pacifica was about to finish that sentence with 'expensive' but opted to just giving him the money. Things had changed for her, but she wasn't ready to tell him how things had changed.

"Since this is a draw, you still can't come here for a year. But…I guess you can continue to talk to me, although no promises I'll reply."

"God, you sound like me." Pacifica laughed. "So…what now? Ice cream?"

"No, now you get the hell out of my house, I've been on this 15 minute break for 30 minutes and you are violating our agreement as we speak."

Pacifica stood up abruptly. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't call the cops. I'm goin'." She turned to face him once more. "Hey, good game."

a/n: thank you for reading!