"What? You went on and caught a vampire bat?" I asked Dipper. I was looking over at the newspaper in my hand. "How'd you manage that?"

Dipper looked up from his book, "Well technically I didn't catch it. I just spooked it away," he explained, "That felt heroic and traumatizing at the same time."

"Well, you're known as 'Mystery Solver' in Gravity Falls Gossiper, by... What? Toby? I actually thought he wasn't a real journalist..." I commented still reading the newspaper.

"What? Why don't you think he's a real journalist?" Dipper asks.

"I did remember him trying to interview Stan with a turkey baster- which honestly almost fooled me," I laughed, remembering the memory. "I think it was that time when Mabel made the statues."

"Oh, how can you even remember that?" Dipper questioned while I shrugged, "But I think I did remember him doing that at some point."

"Also, he did sell you out to Gideon a few weeks ago," I added.

"Right that's true," he chuckles. "Fun times. Fun times..."

"That was fun for you?" I smirked, "Don't worry we'll have more dangerous things to do here in Gravity Falls." I honestly felt more excited by that thought.

"Eh, I'm sure we can handle it, I mean we got this far, right?"

"Yep totally."

Dipper and I were just chatting in the living room, well we were also watching until I saw the newspaper about Dipper.

Soos was somewhere upstairs in the shack helping Stan on some random stuff, probably on some not-so-legal reasons. Wendy was as always in the cashier trying to pass time. The other twin... I had no clue.

My thoughts were broken when someone came from the hall, "Will!"

I looked over to see my favorite person, "Oh hey Mabes!" I let out a smile, her personality is really starting to grow on me.

Before I could process what happened next, Mabel starts to drag me to the hallway with one of my hands, "Come on Will, I wanna show you something!"

"Woah," I said startled, "Slow down." We stopped abruptly at the hall, which made me bump into her, almost falling down in the process.

She giggled, "Oops sorry."

I stared at her for a moment before giving a small laugh, "It's fine, honestly." I backed up to give her space.

"Here! I made this for you." She hands me a dark blue sweater with a moon in the middle, which rather matched her dark blue sweater with stars in the middle.

"Ooh! This looks so cool!" I placed the sweater on. It was very comfortable and it fits my size exactly, "Y-You really made this for me?" I blushed.

"Yeah! So we can be matching!" She replied with an outstretched arm, displaying her own sweater, which looked rather cute.

I hugged her which she returned warmly. I surprisingly kissed her on the cheek which made her blush in return, "Thanks."

"Y-Yeah..."

"Oh my g-" A voice said, followed by a series of thuds.

We both looked at the source and found Grenda and Candy on top of Dipper who was painfully laying on the floor. I looked up from them to also see Wendy who was laughing at them.

I separated from Mabel's hug and approached them, "What are you guys doing..."

"Get off me please.." Dipper said from the floor.

Grenda and Candy obliged and got off Dipper. They both ran over to Mabel and carried her, well mostly Grenda. "You go, girl!" Grenda cheered.

"Wooo!" The three of them cheered at the same time and ran back over to the living room.

I shook my head, a little embarrassed. I turned to Dipper and offered my hand, he took it and got up from the floor. "What were you guys doing exactly?"

Dipper stared at me, "Sorry about that, I got curious then they came along."

"Nice sweater dude," Wendy commented.

I blushed again, remembering what happened just a while ago, "Y-Yeah thanks."

Dipper smirks at me, "Were you guys actually trying to keep this a secret?"

"W-Well I-.. Maybe just for a bit?"

"What? You weren't going to tell us?" Dipper argued as we start to walk back to the living room.

"I was! I just kinda forgot?" We all sat on the couch with the TV still open. Grenda, Candy, and Mabel were nowhere to be seen.

"Kinda forgot?" Wendy laughs while I shrugged in response.

Dipper sat back at his seat from earlier, "When did that even happen? or how?"

"I don't know? It just sorta happened," I genuinely explained, "It was during that time when we went to the mall with Soos. She and I just kinda talked about it. Then- yeah that happened."

They both nod, before they could say anything the TV changes into another channel, "Breaking news!" We all turned our attention to the TV, "We interrupt this program to bring you breaking news!"

"It's starting!" Mabel jumps at the armrest, sitting directly in front of me.

"Woah."

Candy runs up and sat at the other armrest, "Turn it up!"

"Make room for Grenda!" Grenda jumps at the couch, burying Dipper in the back, almost knocking everyone off.

"Well tonight's the night, but I've been out here for days!" Toby appears on the TV, with a tattered outfit. "The Northwest family's annual high-society-shindig-ball-soiree is here! And even though common folk aren't let in, that doesn't stop us from camping out for a peek at the fanciness!"

"Oooooh!"

"Okay, can someone please explain why people care about this?" Dipper said, annoyed.

"Yeah, and why are they outside? Camping?" I asked. People really are crazier than I thought.

"It's pretty much the best party of all time. Rich food, richer boys!" Grenda answered.

"They say each gift basket has a live quail inside!" Mabel said, a little too excited.

Candy pats the TV, "Give me your life, Pacifica."

"Basically it's a rich party for rich people," Wendy added.

"Only rich people? Sounds boring honestly," I genuinely said. If I remember correctly... that's where Paz invited me... Wait- how am I going to attend that?

"You never know! It might be fun!" Mabel said.

"Guys, in case you've already forgotten, Pacifica Northwest is the worst," Dipper scoffed. He gets cut off by a knock on the door.

"I think she's.. decent. Kind of," I replied.

"You're just saying that cause you're nice," He says as he walks to the door. "And that's not just jealousy talking. I'd say that to her face." Dipper opened the door to see- speak of the devil, Pacifica. "You're the worst," he says as he slams the door. "See?"

Pacifica knocked on the door and Dipper opened. Mabel gets up and approaches them. Pacifica says something just out of earshot. And Dipper responds, "And why should I trust you? All you've ever done is try to humiliate me and Mabel."

"Hi, Pacifica! Excuse us!" Mabel drags Dipper inside, "Dipper! Don't you see what this means? If you help Pacifica, you could get us invites to the greatest party of all time!"

"What? Mabel, this is Pacifica we're talking about!"

"But it's Candy and Grenda's dream!"

"Dreeeaaaaaaam," they both said, a bit starry-eyed.

"Ugh. Fine! I'll bust your ghost," Dipper agrees to Pacifica, "But, in exchange, I'll need three tickets to the party."

"Hmph! Fine..." She hands him the tickets.

"Grenda, get the glue gun. We're making dresses!"

...

"Are you really sure you wanted to come with?" I stared at my mom and uncle. They-.. they wanted to come some when I told them I was going to a party, I gave them the extra tickets that I was going to give Dipper and Mabel.

"Yeah, why not? We weren't busy," Anna replied.

"Sure..."

"I'm sure it'll be fun," Mark commented, "Besides maybe I can meet some ladies here."

I shook my head, "Oh god..."

I said nothing and just kept walking while they talked. I fixed my outfit- they even made me wear a suit. Yeah no, I feel like the suit doesn't suit me. Anyways we went early and showed our tickets.

I found Pacifica and Dipper which I was going to talk to, but they just left the main room. I looked around and found Mabel, who was standing near the tables, just scanning the area.

I smiled and approached her. She had a pink dress, which looked like was made by her. It was very cute. "Hey, Mabes!"

She turns towards me, by the time I got close she was already hugging me. "Will!"

I returned the hug, "Hey."

She let go from the hug, "What took so long?"

I gestured to my mom and my uncle was already walking away- most likely trying to find some 'ladies' as he says. "They wanted to come with."

Mabel gazed at my mom, "O-Oh.. Hello again!" She said excitedly.

"Hello, how are you both?" Anna smiled and quickly asked, "Has something finally happened between you both?"

"I-I guess?" Mabel replied unsurely. She looks at me as if asking for permission. I nod.

Before Mabel could reply she gets cut off, "Ooh! Why don't you tell me about yourself? He doesn't tell much stories about you or your twin. Or maybe you can tell me about you both!"

I facepalmed at her, "Mom..." I placed her back a bit, "One question at a time. She can't process every word you say..."

"Oh... right," She says sheepishly.

"And yes. We are dating." There it is... I let out the secret.

She looks surprised for a moment, before giving out a huge smile. "I'm happy for you both!" I smiled and so did Mabel. I hope Mabel's parents would be like that if I meet them.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She stares at me accusingly.

I placed my hand up defensively, "We didn't tell anyone! We just wanted to wait for a bit before... letting the cat out of the bag, as they say."

"Hmm... Okay," She turns back to Mabel, "Why don't you tell me about yourself then?" This is going to be a long night, isn't it? At least she isn't bombarding her with questions.

"Well my name's Mabel Pines, I have a twin brother. Oh! And I love arts and crafts!" She gestured to her dress, "I made this myself!"

Anna looked at her shockingly, "Really? That does look nice. Did you also make him that sweater he was wearing yesterday?"

"Yes!" She answered, "It's my hobby."

"I'm going to get some drink," I said stepping away.

"Alright, no alcohol okay?"

"I don't think they have any here..." I replied while she nods.

Mabel smiled at me, "Okay!"

I smiled back before walking off to find something to drink. I found myself standing in front of a bowl of apple cider. "This is what they have?"

"Oh well... Can't be too picky I guess." I took a glass and sipped it. Definitely high class. I looked around the room and found Mabel and Anna still talking. My plan was to hang out with Mabel, but I guess that's off the table now. I also found my uncle who was talking-.. er flirting with others.

Luckily just in the corner of my vision, I saw Dipper. I drank my drink and placed it back on the table. I approached Dipper who was angrily leaving the manor.

"Dip!" He turns around to face me, "Hey! You done?"

"I- uh.. I have to get rid of this ghost," he gestures to the silver mirror in his hand.

"Oh! Then I'll come with you," We start walking across the halls and went out the back. "Nice suit by the way," I chuckled. He was wearing a black suit which was kinda the same as mine.

"Thanks, you don't look bad yourself," he smiled.

"Yeah... I'm not used to it though."

"Same."

"You know, It's weird seeing you without your hat."

"Well Pacifica insisted on it," he placed a hand on his head instinctively, "At least my hair covers my birthmark..."

"Ooh~ Now you're listening to Pacifica? Do you-"

"Don't-" He cut me off, "Don't even think about it, Will." He glared at me.

"Alright alright I won't," I laughed, walking down a set of stairs. "Why'd you look grumpy when you were walking away earlier? Did something happen?"

"Oh you know- nothing much, just getting tricked into fixing their ghost problems," Dipper sighs.

I frowned, "Tricked?"

We stopped at the end of the path which was a rather perfect site with a stump in the middle, he placed his backpack that he took earlier to the ground.

"They knew that the ghost will appear," He explained, "And they didn't even want to try and fix their ancestor's problem!" He yelled, "And now I have to do this!"

"Okay, okay. Then how 'bout we just finish this and have some good drink inside? Yeah?"

Dipper let out another sigh, "Fine I guess so..."

He started taking candles out of the backpack and placed them around the stump.

"Exodus demonus, spookus-.."

"What..." I muttered.

"..-scarus, aintafraidus noghostus-"

"Dipper! Dipper!" A deep voice said, "Please let me get my vengeance on the Northwests! You hate them as much as I." I didn't even notice that the ghost inside the mirror was talking because of that chant...

"Hey, I feel you. It's just, my sister's in there, and you seem a little unstable, man."

"Very well, boy. Then... before you banish my soul, may these tired lumber eyes gaze upon the trees one final time?"

"Uh... I guess," Dipper holds up the glass.

"Dipper... I don't think that's a good idea..." I said.

"Eh, it's not like he can get out," Dipper shrugs, "Go nuts, man." He points the mirror to the trees.

Before I could say anything, the ghost started to cackle madly and the mirror started to go red, "Aah!" Yelled Dipper as he drops the mirror, breaking it in the process.

"Yes! VENGEANCE!" The lumberjack ghost shouted as he flew back to the manor. It starts to rain.

"And... there it is."

"Oh no! Mabel!" Dipper got up and started to run back.

"And all our other friends- Oh and my parents..." I said as I ran after him.

Once we opened the door to the main room, all we saw was chaos. There were animal statues that were alive and attacking every guest in the room. While the other guests were getting turned into wooden statues themselves.

One guest was crawling in front of us who was quickly turning into wood, "Please, help me!" He said painfully before turning into a statue.

"Whoa, that is messed up!" Dipper backed up.

"Seriously effed up," I deadpan.

"JUST ONE WAY TO CHANGE YOUR FATES: A NORTHWEST MUST OPEN THE PARTY GATES!"

"A Northwest?" Dipper looked around before running off leaving me to deal with the mess, "...Pacifica!"

I looked around the room trying to find someone I knew, somehow I didn't seem to find my mom and uncle, I'm sure they'll be fine right?

Half of the guests by now were wooden and hopefully alive-ish. Thankfully at just the corner of the room, I saw Mabel with my mom but still no sign of my uncle.

I started to ran after them, but the ghost was already near and shot a beam of light at them. I ran in front which was the greatest idea I've ever had so far. I got hit by the beam, luckily it wasn't painful. Still... I stared at my body which was slowly turning into wood.

I couldn't even turn to look at them before I started to lose consciousness.

...

"What are you doing here kid?" A voice echoed, which was rather familiar. I opened my eyes to see that I was in the mindscape. I looked around trying to find a familiar shape. "Boo!" Bill shouted from behind.

"AAH!" I yelled as I fell face-first to the ground.

"Ha! You should have seen your face kid!" Bill laughed.

I glared at him, "I hate you." I got up from the ground and dusted myself. There wasn't any dust but it's a reassuring gesture. "What am I even doing here?" I stared at the male in front of me, at least he was in his human form. It was really awkward talking to him in his triangle form.

"Hey! That's what I asked you."

"Hmm," I paused for a moment trying to remember what happened, "Oh, yeah. I got hit by this.. light thing and turned into wood."

"So... you died?" He replied blankly.

"I don't know?"

Bill closed his eyes and paused for a moment, "Well good news kid, you aren't dead. Just unconscious," he sighs, "Why don't you tell me what happened?"

"Don't you already know everything that's happening in Gravity Falls?" I asked in a confused tone.

He rolled his eyes. "Of course, I don't. I'm not omnipotent." Great, he's being sarcastic... "I see with my eyes," he said gesturing to his eyes.

"Okay, okay geez. Long story short, Northwest manor had some ghost problems so we helped and now I'm apparently unconscious since I got hit by the weird beam of light."

"So nothing important at all? Well okay then," he replied nonchalantly.

"Then why even ask!" I grumpily yelled. I looked around the mindscape which was slowly breaking down.

"Anyways, you're waking up," he looks around the mindscape as well, "I'll just warn you that things are about to happen in a few weeks, so you better be ready!" He smiled crazily as he starts to fade out.

"Wait what?!" I shouted at him, "What do you mean by that?"

I went to touch him, but he already disappeared and then everything turned white. After that, I was back to reality.

"Will!" Someone yelled as they crushed me in a hug.

I turned back to the person, "Mabel!" I said returning the hug, "You guys did it!" I looked around us, there were more people now, 'common folks' as Toby put it, they were running around and enjoying the party while Preston- Pacifica's father, panics.

Mostly everyone was having fun, Grenda and Candy were talking to some rich kid while even Pacifica and Dipper were hanging out. My uncle was still nowhere to be seen though... The only one I saw was my mom who was talking to a bunch of residents.

Mabel broke off from the hug, "Your mom was nice by the way! She and I talked so much earlier," she excitedly said, "Where did you go earlier?"

"Oh, I was helping Dipper with the ghost problem.. then you know- things happened," I chuckled.

"Well you did a great job," she giggled, "Now come on let's go have fun!" She started to drag me across the room.

I wonder what Bill really meant earlier...

...

Chapter End