Chapter 16: Wondering Hearts/Star to Fall
'Have you ever met someone who you instantly clicked well with? Even if for a short while of knowing them, that person found a place in your heart and you'd do just about anything to see them again? After receiving her first kiss, Mabel sets out to GF lake in hopes of seeing Mermando again, but will she get what she is wishing for?'
Dear Mabel,
I know I have stated this in my previous letters, but there is something about you that I can't shake. I don't know if it's your hair, your smile, or your personality that is making it hard for me to stop thinking about you, but I know I have never met anyone like you before and someday, we will meet again! Maybe even share another special kiss, it taking place next to the first kiss that will live in my seventeen hearts forever.
Please continue to next bottle message,
Mermando!
Rolling the letter back up and placing it in its rightful bottle, Mabel sighs once again and plops back down on her pillow. Releasing a frustrated sigh, Mabel closes her eyes with her pet pig, Waddles, staring up at her from the floor.
Having met Mermando less than two weeks ago, the scenes of their kiss has been playing relentlessly back in her mind since it happened and with each letter she rereads from Mermando, Mabel's heart aches and longs for a repeat performance, but at the risk of being labeled 'boy crazy' or 'obsessed' by her brother, Mabel has held off going to the pool and lake in hopes of seeing the merman again. But how much longer can she keep these urges bottled up inside? How much longer can she restrain herself from going to see him? This was her first kiss with a special guy, a guy who returned her affections and one that she didn't have to use her rigged test on to find out if he felt the same way about her. This guy was special to her, despite the fact he is a merman and with all differences aside, they shared something special, something that changed her world completely!
"This isn't fair." Mabel finally voices. "Why did he have to be a merman? The first guy that I meet that is perfect in every way and he had to be a merman!"
Placing the bottle on the nightstand with the other 14, Mabel turns to her pet pig.
"I don't know why this happens to me Waddles." Mabel continues, sighing sadly. "I meet the guy of my dreams, but due to how different we are, the only thing I have to remember him by are nothing but love letters with hopes of seeing each other again. Nothing more than that."
Oinking in response to Mabel's comment, Waddles curls up at Mabel's feet in an effort to comfort her. A small appears on the girl's face as she notices her pet's efforts to cheer her up.
"You're such a sweet heart Waddles." Mabel speaks, her small smile fading. "If only Mermando weren't a merman, we'd be living happily ever after right now. He'd introduce me to his family, we'd go on dates, and we'd even share another special kiss on our official first date."
Sighing, Mabel turns away from Waddles and stretches out on her bed.
"That would be nice." Mabel sighs. "Our official first date."
Continuing to concentrate on her thoughts, the sweater wearer doesn't notice her twin enter the room dressed in his pajamas. Dipper, however, notices the expression on his twin's face and becomes concerned about her.
"Hey Mabel." Dipper greets to her. "You look upset. Is everything ok?"
Not getting a response and seeing that she is lost in her thoughts, Dipper approaches Mabel and takes a seat on her bed, now getting the girl's attention. Turning to her brother, the expression on her face reads to him what is on her mind.
"It's Mermando isn't it?" Dipper sympathetically asks.
Mabel nods in response to his question.
"Mabel I know how you've been feeling since leaving the lake that day, but believe me when I say that one day soon, you will see him again." Dipper says. "I know he misses you the same as you are missing him right now. Despite how gross I thought the kiss you two shared was, I knew that it made you happy because you've been looking forward to your first kiss for a long time now. And you didn't need one of your tests to make it happen."
Mabel's expression now softens at her brother's kind words. No matter how boy crazy or obsessed he calls her, he knew just what to say to make her smile when she needed it the most.
"You really think I'll see him again Dip?" Mabel asks as she sits up against the headboard.
"I know you will Mabes." Dipper smiles. "He lives in the lake and hey, when you, Gruncle Stan, and I go there next week, he may be there. If he is, I know he will be looking forward to seeing you more than ever."
With her depression of missing Mermando disappearing, Mabel engulfs her brother in a hug.
"Thank you so much Dipper." Mabel smiles. "You are the greatest brother a girl can have."
"You're more than welcome sis." Dipper says, returning the hug. "If you two are truly meant to see each other again, he will be right there waiting for you."
Releasing her brother, Mabel nods.
"You try to get some sleep ok?" Dipper gently speaks to her. "Good night and I'll see you in the morning."
"Good night good night to you too Dip." Mabel smiles, giving her brother a sisterly kiss on the cheek.
Getting to his feet, the younger pines now makes his way to his bed. Climbing in his bed, Mabel turns off the light with both twins turning in their opposing directions to head to the land of dreamers. Within seconds, Mabel hears heavy snoring coming from Dipper while she, on the other hand, is having the hardest time falling asleep. Turning onto her back, the words Dipper spoke to her now play back in her mind.
"I know he misses you the same as you are missing him right now. Despite how gross I thought the kiss you two shared was, I knew that it made you happy because you've been looking forward to your first kiss for a long time. And you didn't need one of your tests to make it happen."
"You really think I'll see him again Dip?"
"I know you will. If you two are truly meant to see each other again, he will be right there waiting for you."
"I know I'm going to see him again and today is going to be the day that I do." Mabel says to herself with determination. Sitting up, Mabel swings her legs over the side of the bed and gets to her feet. Quickly making her way towards the closet, the older pines is being careful not to wake her brother. Waddles, who began falling asleep, hears motion around him and sits up to see Mabel getting dressed. Slipping on a different headband, Mabel now feels something at her feet and looks down to see her pet pig.
"I'll be back boy." Mabel whispers to her pet. "I have to do this and I know I can trust you not to tell anyone I'm gone right?"
Waddles blinks, his response to Mabel.
"That's my Waddy!" Mabel smiles. "See you when I get back."
Petting her pig, Mabel slips out of the room and downstairs. Being on the first floor of the shack, Mabel rushes into the shack's shop and immediately spots the cart's keys on the key rack by the door. Grabbing them, the sweater wearer quietly slips out the door at the late hour of two in the am.
(I hear your name whispered on the wind,
It's the sound that makes me cry,
I hear a song blow again and again,
Through my mind and I don't know why)
"I can't stop thinking about you either Mermando and I'm coming to see you!" Mabel says, now hoping into the cart. "I want more than just letters from you and shared memories of our first kiss and before this night is over, I will make sure that we both have more than that."
Putting the key in the ignition, the cart's engine roars to life. Putting the cart into drive, the older pines begins her journey to Lake Gravity Falls.
(I wish I didn't feel so strong about you,
Like happiness and love revolve around you,
Trying to catch your heart,
Is like trying to catch a star,
So many people love you baby,
That must be what you are)
Flashback
The gang arrives at the pool with Mabel spotting a cute guy in the deep end of the pool.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, stop the presses!" Mabel speaks up, her eyes focusing on the mysterious boy in the pool. "Who is that guy?"
"Word is dude never leaves the pool." Soos replies to Mabel's question. "People described him as a mysterious loner."
"Is it hot out here or is it just that guy?" Mabel nervously laughs as she playfully begins fanning herself.
"It's the hottest day of the year Mabel." Dipper adds in, irritated that his sister found a new crush. "And can't you go anywhere without having a new crush on some guy?"
"Uh uh." Mabel replies, her eyes growing wider in amazement. "Look at his little mustache hairs."
"You are clearly enamored." Soos observes. "Go to him."
Not having to be told twice, Mabel breaks into a run at break neck speed towards the boy while tripping over lawn chairs, pool pedestrians, pool supplies, and a basket of beach balls just to get to the mysterious boy in the deep end of the pool.
End of Flashback
Now driving onto the main road leading towards the lake, Mabel notices the numerous stars in the sky that are forming the constellations Orion, Gemini, and Capricorn as she drives along; the hum of the cart's engine bringing harmony to her as she continues thinking about how she met Mermando.
(Waiting for a star to fall and carry your heart into my arms,
That's where you belong,
In my arms baby, yeah.)
Making a right and driving onto the road of the inner town gas station, the sweater wearer notices that the octane station is still open for business at such a late hour. Smiling and waving to the attendants who are working the grave yard shift, the girl is continuing on her way towards the lake.
(I've learn to feel what I cannot see,
But with you, I lose that vision,
I don't know how to dream your dream,
So I'm caught up in the superstition.)
Flashback
Thanks to Dipper performing reverse CPR on Mermando and with him back in the lake due to the twins, the merman is wondering how his family will hear his call due to his weak voice.
"I've got it." Mabel replies to the merman. "BRB."
Running to the pool mobile, Mabel grabs the instrument and runs back to the lake.
"Problem solved." Mabel offers. Just as she is about to hand the merman the megaphone, it is snatched out of her hand by her twin brother.
"Mabel those are pool supplies." Dipper protests. "I'll get fired!"
"Dipper, don't you know what it's like to fall for someone, even though in your heart you know that it will probably never work out, but you'll do anything for that person?" Mabel whines bordering on pleading.
Seeing the sadness mixed with determination on his sister's face, the younger pines quickly caves, knowing how his sister is feeling at the moment as he feels exactly that every day towards a certain red headed teen.
"Give Mermando the megaphone." Dipper sighs as he hands Mabel the megaphone, her expression lightening up.
"Thanks Dip." Mabel smiles as she tosses the megaphone to the merman.
"Mabel, I have never met anyone like you." Mermando says, smiling to the girl.
"Same here." Mabel says in agreement. "Except a zombie, a gnome and a couple of cute vampires."
"I don't remember the vampires." Dipper comments in confusion.
"I don't tell you everything." Mable replies to her twin, now turning to Mermando. "Well Mermando, I guess this is it."
"Not quite, this is!" Mermando voices, he and Mabel's lips quickly connecting.
Mabel melts into the kiss with her left leg raises as if it had a mind of its own and Dipper turning his back in disgust, not wanting to witness the two kissing.
Mabel and Mermando's lips separate with Mabel squealing in delight upon receiving her first kiss.
End of Flashback
Making a left onto a small road and driving two miles, Mabel now arrives at the lake. Driving towards the dock, the older pines stops the cart at the entrance of the dock and puts the vehicle in park. Removing the key from the ignition, Mabel jumps out of the cart and begins running along the lake front. At a distance, Mabel notices that someone is sitting on the lake front and looks as if they are waiting for someone. Continuing to run, the back of the person sitting at the lake front comes into view and from what Mabel notices, there is something very familiar about that person. With that recognition, she begins praying for the person to be who she is hoping to see. Now nearing the distant person, a wide smile forms on Mabel's face, seeing that her prayers were answered.
"If you two are truly meant to see each other again, he will be right there waiting for you."
"Mermando!" Mabel calls out.
Hearing the voice of the girl, the merman turns to her, a smile just as wide as Mabel's appearing on his face.
"Mabel!" The Merman shouts with delight as Mabel now reaches him and envelopes him in a bear hug.
"Oh Mermando, I've missed you so much!" Mabel squeals with happiness. "You have no idea how much I have missed you!
"You…too.." Mermando chokes out through the bear hug. "I….cannot…breath…covering…my..gills."
"Oh sorry." Mabel apologizes as she releases the merman.
"Mabel, I am ever so happy to see you again as well!" Mermando continues smiling. "Would you like to go for a late night swim? The water is fine."
"You know I do." Mabel accepts.
With her bathing suit hiding under her sweater and skirt, it doesn't take the sweater wearer any time to lose her top layer and join the merman in the lake. In the shallow end of the lake and now gazing into each other's eyes, Mermando takes Mabel's hands into his own.
(I want to reach out and pull you to me,
Who says I should let a wild one go free,
Trying to catch your heart
Is like trying to catch a star.)
"Mabel, I have not been able to get our kiss out of my mind." Mermando speaks. "There was something very magical about it, something very magical about you."
"I haven't been able to get our kiss out of my mind either." Mabel replies. "And because it was my first, that's why it was so magical. Not just to you, but to me as well."
Continuing to gaze into each other's eyes, Mabel and Mermando move closer to one another.
"Mermando, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Mabel asks, hoping the merman is holding the same thought she is.
"I believe I am." Mermando answers with a sly smirk.
Leaning into one another, Mabel and Mermando's lips meet once more as a shooting star trails through the sky above them.
(But I can't love you this much baby,
But I do love you this much.)
Mystery Shack (Attic)
In the doorway of the twins' bedroom where he has planted himself, Waddles is watching the stairs, waiting for Mabel to return at any moment to greet him. With each passing moment that she doesn't appear, the pig is find itself becoming stressed without her. Now being overwhelmingly distressed, the pig begins squealing loudly. Dipper, who's sleeping soundly, is now awoken to the sound of the pig's distressed squealing.
Groaning, the young pines rolls onto his back.
"Mabel, Waddles is going nuts again." Dipper tiredly speaks. "Could you please calm him down so I can go back to sleep? Wendy was just about to serve me my lunch and she knew just what to cook for me."
Not getting a response from his twin and continuing to hear her pet squealing, Dipper opens his tired eyes and turns towards her bed, noticing that the girl isn't in it. Seeing that her bed is empty forces Dipper awake as he jumps out of bed.
"Mabel?" Dipper calls out to her.
Rushing to her bed, he immediately spots one of Mermando's unbottled messages laying on her pillow. Picking the note up, Dipper's eyes begins scanning the sheet of paper and immediately gets the idea of where his sister has gone off to at that time of night.
"I should have seen this coming." Dipper voices. "She's gone to see Mermando. I better make sure that she reached the lake ok and that she didn't run into any trouble along the way."
Quickly getting dressed, Dipper now rushes downstairs and quietly slips out the forest entrance of the shack, making sure not to give himself away while doing so. Then again with how heavy Stan sleeps, he could sleep through a tornado so with the kids sneaking out of the shack in the wee hours of the morning, he's none the wiser about it!
Placing on his bicycle helmet, Dipper climbs onto his bike and begins his journey towards the lake to find his sister, hoping that she is with her mermaid friend.
Gravity Falls Lake
Having shared their second kiss, Mermando and Mabel have begun conversating about what life on land is like.
"So you have two homes?" Mermando questions. "But how do you know which home is your real home?"
"Oh that's easy." Mabel lightly laughs. "My brother and I come here for the summer to visit our great uncle, but at the end of summer and in the fall and spring, my brother and I are back home in Piedmont California. That's where we were born and raised."
"Fall, Spring, Summer?" Mermando asks in confusion. "What are those?"
"They are seasons of the year." Mabel answers as she turns to him. "Like right now, it's summer with the humidity, the heat waves, and the long days."
Being fascinated by how much Mabel knows about land life, Mermando smiles in amazement at her.
"You are truly someone special Mabel." Mermando says, tightening his grip on the girl's hands. "It is too bad that you do not have someone special in your life. You are an amazing girl."
"I know." Mabel replies with a nod. "But having met you, I do have someone special in my life now."
The two gets caught in each other's gaze once more as they lower their eyelids at one another.
(Waiting for a star to fall,
And carry your heart into my arms,
That's where you belong,
In my arms baby, yeah.
Waiting (However long),
I don't like waiting (I'll wait for you),
It's so hard waiting (Don't be too long),
Seems like waiting,
Makes me love you even more).
Dipper arrives at the lake, having pedaled his bike at break neck speed all the way there. Now approaching the dock, the boy immediately spots the mystery cart parked at the entrance with a light blue sweater and pink skirt neatly folded in the back of the vehicle. Noticing both, Dipper knows right away that his sister made it to the lake in one piece and turning to the water, he spots her with Mermando as the two continue talking.
"Thank goodness she made it here without any trouble." Dipper says, sighing in relief. "But I'm going to stay back here so to let them have their privacy. I don't need a flashback of the kiss they shared."
"I wish summer can last forever." Mabel says as she turns her vision to the sky.
"Why is that?" Mermando asks.
"Because I don't want to leave you." Mabel confesses. "You're the first guy that I've met that is very special and when summer ends, I'll miss you more than you know."
"Then let's not think about what will be, but what is right now." Mermando suggests with Mabel turning back to him. "As my father always says, live in the moment as right now paints the picture of time."
"You're right." Mabel nods in agreement. "And as much as I would hate to leave you right now, I should be getting back home before my brother notices that I am gone. Or worse, my pet pig tips him off about me being gone."
"Pet pig?" Mermando questions.
"The next time I see you, I'll explain that." Mabel smiles. "It's a long story."
"Well can I see you tonight?" Mermando asks with hope.
"I don't see why not." Mabel replies. "So until later Mermando."
"Until later Mabel." Mermando nods.
Leaning into one another, the two share a quick and deep kiss. Now separating from the merman, Mabel surfaces from the water and upon stepping onto the land, she spots her brother holding a towel in his hands. The unexpected sight of him scares the girl.
"Dipper, what are you doing here?" Mabel asks, fuming a small bit. "You scared me!"
"I thought I'd give you a hand with drying off." Dipper offers as he approaches his twin and holds the towel out to her. Mabel takes the towel from him and wraps it around herself.
"How did you know I was out here?" Mabel asks as the two begins towards the cart.
"You forgot to put one of your messages back in its bottle." Dipper reveals. "And Waddles started panicking, so I just put two and two together."
"Does gruncle Stan know that I snuck out here?" Mabel asks with hopes of the older man still being asleep and not knowing where she is at the moment.
"No, he doesn't and if we get back home in enough time, he'll never know we snuck out." Dipper answers. "So I see you got your wish tonight."
"Yea, I did." Mabel replies with a nod as she turns back to the lake and spots Mermando watching them.
"I'm glad you did." Dipper smiles. "Now, let's get you back because you look exhausted."
"Honestly, I do feel tired." Mabel admits. "I guess my missing Mermando really tired me out, but now that I got to see him, I'll be fine once I get some sleep."
The two now reach the cart with Mabel changing back into her clothes. Placing his bike on the back of the cart and securing it, Mabel climbs in on the passenger side with Dipper taking the driver's position, Mabel handing him the keys. Turning back to the lake, Mabel waves to Mermando with him returning the wave.
"Time to return to the homestead." Dipper says as he starts the cart's engine.
"I have a feeling that I'll fall right to sleep when we get home." Mabel voices as she sighs contently. "And have the sweetest of dreams."
"Then I guess I better step on it then." Dipper lightly laughs as he puts the cart in motion. Turning the vehicle around to face the road, the two are now on their way back home with the bright stars of the night sky being their guide.
(Waiting for a star to fall,
And carry your heart into my arms,
That's where you belong,
In my arms baby yeah.)
And when Mabel got home, she slipped right into a deep sleep with the thoughts of her special someone on her mind! This story was so sweet, I almost cried just a little while writing it. *smiles* But I hope you all enjoyed this!
The song included in this story is the lyrics from my favorite song "Star to Fall" by Boy Meets Girl, later redone by the Cabin Crew.
Next week's entry: "I don't think we're in Gravity Falls anymore Waddles." Mabel speaks to her pet as she tightly grips him in her arms, still confused about where she is currently. That's right, Mabel is off to see the Wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz!
Stay tuned and as always,
Review Please!