FEBRUARY. (Still.)

Bud Gleeful was in his office and looking out the window of his business, feeling very happy with his life.

They'd had a few customers from other nearby towns come by to buy some cars earlier that week, and they'd been so pleased with the free possum in the hood, they'd happily agreed to tell their friends about it, and they'd booked visits for next month.

Times had been hard after Gideon's little…tantrum led to his time in prison. With the star of the show behind bars, they couldn't keep the Tent of Telepathy open. And no one was interested in buying the merchandise after they found out about the spy cameras, which had cost a bundle on their own, so they'd lost that income too.

(Actually, the Lil' Gideon Piñatas had sold like hot cakes afterwards, as did the chew toys, but Bud didn't like to think too much about that.)

But Bud had owned the car dealership long before his boy's birth and managed fine, he simply put his whole focus on his old business. Besides, while people in town had become distrusting of his family, they were never his main buyers. There was no way a car dealership could survive if it only relied on the inhabitants of one small town.

But Gravity Falls was only one in a network of towns that had sprouted up in the old days. After the mines had been abandoned because of too many workers disappearing and sightings of scaly creatures - something that seemed far less laughable nowadays - the railway soon fell into disuse too. But in their heyday, several towns had popped up around the county to keep the population and economy going.

To survive after losing their greatest source of work and workers, the towns had been forced to work together and create a network of different occupations and places of interest that had continued even into today. At first, this had been primarily different logging camps and lumber yards as well as a few remaining smaller mining camps, and the work of slowly dismantling the railway. The last task even resulted in re-using the different stations and some parts to create places like Greasy's Diner, Post Office, and more.

Nowadays, Gravity Falls had the Mall, the Northwest Mudflap Factory, the Prison, and Bud's own car dealership to bring people in from these different towns, while they had their own factories, a hospital, and other important buildings. The other benefit to this constant flow of people and money in and out of town, meant there was a steady supply of tourists for the Mystery Shack and Tent of Telepathy when it was still running.

So the Gleefuls, while suffering a definite loss after Gideon's imprisonment, had managed to pull through and survive. Even now, almost two years after Never Mind All That, they might not be making as much as they used to be, but they were definitely far from struggling. With the added benefit of things being much better now at home than he could remember them ever being.

Of course, Bud had been very pleased his boy had managed to earn an early release for his help in defeating a certain triangle, but he couldn't deny a certain trepidation as well. Gideon's tantrums could be something awful to behold. So awful in fact, that Bud would do anything to forget them sometimes, even resorting to…actually, he couldn't rightly recall how he'd coped with the worst days. He'd just leave the house to meet up with…someone.

Group therapy, maybe? Something like that.

Anyway, it didn't matter now because Gideon had turned over a new leaf. Guess prison had really taught him that his actions had consequences. Maybe it was because the boy had finally found a group of friends who respected him. Sure, they were a little rough around the edges at times, and Bud still couldn't look Ghost Eyes directly in the eye for too long without feeling very uncomfortable, but he was glad his boy finally had some friends.

Okay, it would have been nicer if they were closer to Gideon's age and weren't hardened criminals, but they really knew their way around vehicles so they couldn't be all that bad. In fact, a couple of them had impressed Bud so much he'd even hired two of them. When you were that good with engines and could somehow find any part required (through means best not looked into too thoroughly), who cared how many people you'd bitten?

In fact, Bud could hardly believe the change that had come over Gideon. Sure, he still had his moments. But now he'd storm out the room if things got too much for him instead of screaming and breaking things. And most importantly, now he would actually listen when his parents (very gently) told him off.

Heck, he'd even jumped ahead a few grades and was now in high school! And had friends his own age without criminal records! Gideon was especially fond of that Northwest girl, which Bud definitely approved of because she was rich.

Er, a good friend. Yes. That was the real reason Bud liked her so much.

Anyway, it was amazing to see Gideon finally getting along with anyone from the fairer sex. He'd never been good with women before. Not his mother, not his classmates, not even the Pines girl he'd tried to woo. But that had changed. He was now polite to his mama, friends with no less than three girl classmates, and was even on good terms with that Pines girl again, despite occasionally trying to murder her or her family.

Bud sipped his coffee and smiled. Yep. Business was good. Home was good. Life was good. What else could a man ask for?

Well, more money and maybe some political power. But Bud could wait for those. If not for himself, then his boy had shown plenty of potential for leading people.

His dreams of the future were disturbed by the buzzer alerting him to a new potential customer. Glancing at the camera feed, he raised an eyebrow at the person who entered and decided it would be best if he dealt with this one personally.

"Why if it isn't Daniel Corduroy! And I see you've brought your eldest along!" Bud greeted as smoothly as if the redheads were any other customer. "To what do I owe this pleasure? Need a new pickup? A minivan for the family? Or - could it be - that your little girl's ready for her first car? My, they grow up so fast, don't they?"

"They do in this family," Dan grunted as Wendy continued searching through the catalogue.

Bud had to agree. He was in no way a small man, standing even taller than the Pines brothers, yet Daniel Corduroy seemed closer to a bear than a man in size. And temperament. And danger level. And it seemed the genes had clearly passed to his children, including his daughter. While still only in her teens, the girl was one of the tallest women in town and Bud suspected she'd be six feet at least before she stopped growing.

"Well, we here at Gleeful's Auto Sales value family above everything," Bud replied happily. "We consider it an honour that you'd choose our dealership for this momentous occasion."

"Take too long to get to any other," Dan grunted with his usual bluntness.

"Nevertheless, we appreciate it," Bud replied without missing a beat. "Now, what kind of car are you looking for? We have a wonderful choice of-"

"Something cheap."

"How cheap are we talkin'?" Bud asked immediately.

"WENDY!" Stan hollered, Bud wincing at the sound though Wendy barely lifted her head. "TELL THE MAN HOW MUCH YOU CAN AFFORD!"

Wendy finally came over and gave a number.

"Huh," Bud said at last. "Well, that certainly is a…affordable price. I'll see what we can do."

"Told you, you should have started saving a while ago," Dan said while Bud checked his computer.

Wendy muttered something under her breath but couldn't disagree. For someone who'd said she'd wanted a car for years, she really hadn't put much thought into how to get it. Even with the extra money from watching the Shack during the winter, she had still been short of being able to get one herself.

But today was her birthday and she'd been on her best behaviour for months. Hell, she hadn't even left the house when she was grounded. Not even for Halloween! That took willpower she didn't know she had. But it had all been worth it because she'd specifically asked for money from everyone: her dad, brothers, aunt and uncles, even her friends. Mabel had been the hardest to convince since she was adamant no amount of money could replace a heartfelt gift, but Wendy was determined.

Turning seventeen years old today, Wendy would finally get a car. She'd saved, she'd begged, hell she'd actually worked for the money! And she had a plan.

"Alright," Bud finally said, typing at the reception's computer. "We have only a couple of options in your price range. First one is a pickup truck, like the Ford F-350 I sold your Dad all those years ago. How's she working out for you, Dan?"

"Not bad," Dan shrugged. "Had it a while now, so you were right about it lasting. Thing can handle lots of loads and the four wheel drive is good for going off-road."

"Best car I can recommend for the apocalypse," Bud smiled. He'd made sure to say those exact words at the time. He'd also made sure Dan's truck was in perfect working condition so he wouldn't come back and rip Bud's legs off because he found a raccoon in the engine.

Bud really knew his customers.

"O'Course, yours will be a bit smaller," he told Wendy. "Ford Ranger. But still dependable and capable on its own. Not a bad car for a survivalist like yourself."

"Uh-huh," said Wendy, whose time working for Stan had taught her when a salesman was trying to butter someone up. "What are the other options?"

"Just one," Bud answered, sensing immediately she wouldn't be swayed by simple flattery. He swivelled the screen to show them. "Toyota Tercel. Japanese compact. Again, known for being extremely reliable and durable, as well as economical to maintain if parts are available. Which they are. From here. At a very reasonable price, I might-"

Dan let out a snort that would have spooked a boar. "That's a girl's car. You calling my daughter a girl?"

Bud blinked. "Um. Ain't she?" he asked, looking Wendy up and down.

Wendy rolled her eyes. "He means it's not what we're looking for. It's tiny! Why would I want something like that?"

Bud spread his arms in a reasonable gesture. "True, its size means it's unsuitable for the apocalypse, but we've already had one of those! What are the chances of another happening in our lifetime?"

"Higher than you'd think," Wendy said, her father nodding beside her.

"Oh," said Bud, his positivity from earlier faltering a little. But he recovered quickly and continued his pitch. "Well, until then, this little baby will keep on going. She's one of the cheapest ways to afford a car with bulletproof reliability. And it's easy to handle for everyday usage. Going to work, visiting your friends,-"

"What if I want to go somewhere with my friends? Even without Dipper and Mabel, I couldn't fit them all inside!"

"Yeah, how are me and the boys supposed to use it?" Dan demanded.

"Yeah, what if Dad can't - what?"

"You know, for when we don't need my truck," Dan explained, not catching the look on her face. "If we had another truck, that would save us a lot of trouble. I could borrow yours sometimes, or get you to help out. Pick your brothers up from wrestling or football, go hunting, fishing, use an extra hand for groceries and supplies. That sorta stuff."

Wendy stared up at him for a moment, the gears in her mind turning. The Ford Ranger meant plenty of room for herself and her friends. Being able to store stuff in the back for road trips and wild nights in the woods. It also meant having to take her sweaty, loud brothers back and forth for their sports. Pick her Dad up if he wanted to drink in town. Wash out the smell if they used it for fishing trips.

"Actually, maybe the Toyota's the smarter choice."

"What!"

"Think about it, Dad," Wendy said, keeping her voice level as he glared. "You've seen how bad I am with money. It's the cheaper option! Besides, look how many times it took me to pass my test! It's safer for everyone if I drive a smaller car. Fewer dead people. Easier to fix too."

"Can't argue with that," Dan muttered, his daughter's recklessness on the road enough to put even him on edge.

"I guessed you'd make the right call," Bud said, smiling warmly because he knew he'd earn more from this choice in the long run when she needed repairs. "And if it's spare parts you're looking for, why, I just so happen to have plenty available for those times when-"

"Nah, I'll just get them from the junkyard."

Bud's smile didn't leave his face. He'd been a salesman too long for that. It did, however, freeze. "Beg your pardon?"

"Yep," Wendy said, giving an exaggerated stretch. "I remember coming across plenty in the junkyard when we were gathering parts for the Shacktron. Figured it would save me a whole lot of time and money if I grabbed the stuff from there. Who else is using it, right?"

"I - suppose. B-but if it's true new and quality parts you're looking for, and if you want it done by a professional-"

"Got that covered too," Wendy said dismissively. "Dad's been teaching us how to maintain all kinds of vehicles."

"Can't rely on a mechanic when the world's coming apart," Dan chipped in.

"And even if I do find something I can't fix, I'll just take it to McGucket. With all the giant robots and death machines he's made, tuning up my engine should be a cakewalk for that old cook."

"I see," Bud managed. "Well, I can't argue with that. And believe me, I'm trying. I see you've spent a lot of time thinking about this."

"Oh, you've no idea, Wendy grinned, still saving the ace up her sleeve. But before we finish this deal, does it come in other colours? I was looking for red."

"Why we sure do!" Bud said, forcing some of his gusto to return. "We have all kinds of reds listed in our selection, as you can see here." He passed her a colour chart which Wendy scanned thoughtfully. "But I'm afraid for this particular model, your selection of red is limited to Scarlet, Crimson, and Burnt Orange."

"Alright, I'll take the Scarlet!"

"Oops, fresh out, I'm afraid."

"Oh. Okay, guess I'll take the Crimson."

"'Fraid we're outta that too."

"What? Then why did you even offer - ugh, never mind. Do you even have the last one you mentioned?"

"We sure do!"

Wendy narrowed her eyes. "This is payback for the junkyard thing isn't it?"

"I don't rightly know what you mean."

"No, of course you don't," Wendy muttered, getting up. "Okay, fine. So, where's my car?"

"I'll have Reginald bring it right over. As soon as we finish the payment of course."

"Of course," Wendy said, smiling widely. "I'll just pay it with - oh wait! What's this? Guess what I've found in my pocket! A voucher for fifty percent off a used car!"

Bud said, "What."

"Wow, lucky you kept this from when Mister Gleeful was running for Mayor, huh, Dad?" Wendy said, elbowing her father. "Man! Thanks for giving me such a great birthday gift!"

"B-b-b-but that was over a year ago!" Bud cried. "Why-"

"Even better that there's no expiration date! I checked! Okay, technically I had Pacifica check it because she wants to be a lawyer and I convinced her it would be good practice but it still counts!"

Maybe the Northwest girl isn't the best influence on my boy , Bud thought. Oh wait, she was still rich. Never mind.

"And it's all because the car you sold Dad was so great that we've never needed to replace it!" Wendy continued happily.

"Gotta hand it to you Bud, your car's saved me a fortune over the years," Dan said with a nod. "And now you're voucher's done it again by letting my daughter get her first car at a steal," he continued, putting further salt on the wound in Bud's soul before putting a heavy hand on the businessman's shoulder. "Town needs more men like you."

Bud made a noise. He could claim that the voucher was no longer relevant. That you had to be at least eighteen to use it. That it only came into effect when purchasing a car of a certain price or make. A dozen excuses flew through his mind.

However, none of them stood up to the firm pressure of Manly Dan Corduroy's calloused hand on his shoulder and what it could do if its owner became upset.

"Thank you, Daniel," Bud said, patting the hand affectionately and failing to remove it. "I try to do what I can."

A few minutes later, the paperwork was signed, the money was transferred, and a young man brought the car to them. Reginald, Bud had called him but Wendy had never been good with names and probably wouldn't have cared even if she wasn't distracted by her car.

Her car.

"Your keys," Reginald said, dropping them in her open palm. "We hope you tell your friends about us and come and see us again!"

"No we don't," Bud grunted in the safety of his office, glaring at her through the window and throwing two pills into a cup of water.

"Alright, that you?" Dan asked with his usual gruffness, to which Wendy nodded. "Great. Don't be back home too late," was all he said before getting back in his truck and driving away muttering "Girl's car," under his breath.

Wendy didn't care. It was hers. She owned it. It was tiny and nothing close to what she'd wanted, but it was hers. It was independence and freedom and adventure all rolled up into one small metal box with wheels.

She got in, adjusted the mirrors and the seats to make them just right, and drove away in silence.

She'd had plenty of plans on what to do when she got the car. Show it off to her friends. Mock her brothers. Drive-by insults to some of her classmates. Plan a trip to Portland like she'd always dreamed. Think up all manner of pranks now that she had a fast escape route and somewhere to store materials.

But she should really go visit Tambry before anything else. She'd been going through a rough time since the day at Greasey's where they'd found out about her history with Thompson. Robbie hadn't spoken to her since. To any of them, in fact. When Robbie had hid in a grave after their breakup that had been fine. But wallowing in self-pity while Tambry still wanted to date the idiot was something very different.

First she'd visit Tambry to try and make her feel better. Then, she'd try to contact Robbie, make him see he was acting like a stupid jerk again and that he should get over it. If he didn't listen, she'd beat some sense into him. Failing that, she might just beat him for making her best friend cry.

Wendy's fingers tightened on the steering wheel as she thought of her last conversation with a heart-broken Tambry. Who did Robbie think he was? Dating someone then ignoring them like that; making them feel like they didn't matter. What kind of jerk just walks away from a relationship like that?

Just as she was thinking this, she saw a familiar form crossing the street: Mark Epston. One of her many ex-boyfriends. Definitely one of her better choices , if super dull. In the end, she found him so boring she couldn't even work up the energy to answer the phone and-

She caught her reflection in a car mirror. "Oh. Right," she sighed, answering her own question. Then she remembered Pacifica's advice in the diner, about apologising to people she'd wronged. Maybe later. Tomorrow. Yeah, tomorrow. Enjoy the car. Besides, it was her birthday!

She was entitled to a day off, she could always see him whenever. At school or - no wait, he'd graduated. At his work! Wherever that was. Or she could call him and - did she still have his number? Tambry probably did, she could find anyone's contact details. Once she was feeling better. After Robbie stopped being a jerk actually manned up enough to face his problems instead of avoiding-

"Goddamn it," Wendy sighed, parking her car in the street. "Stupid Pacifica, teaching me morals, liked her better when she was a selfish snob. Hey, Mark! Got a minute?" she called, subconsciously giving her automobile an affectionate pat as she left it.

The tall teen had walked into an alley, a good shortcut to get to the other street. When he saw her, his face showed his true feelings for a moment before he managed to hide it in a more neutral expression. "I guess," he answered, looking around as if searching for an excuse to get away.

She stuck her hands in her pockets, feeling uncharacteristically uncomfortable. "So, how have you been?"

"...Fine."

She nodded. "Good. Uh, me too. Mostly. I mean, today's been good since it's...my birthday."

"Er, happy birthday?"

"Thanks."

"...You get anything nice?"

"Uh, yeah. A car. I mean, really I only got money but I used it to buy a car. And now I have some more money to buy what I want since I got a pretty good deal. So, yeah."

"Right," said Mark, deciding he'd given her enough of his time. He jerked a thumb over his shoulder and started moving away. "Anyway, I'm busy, so if you-"

"Wait!" Wendy cursed herself as he stopped moving back, wondering if this was how Dipper or Thompson felt when they tried to talk to people. "I didn't want - I need to - ah, to hell with it." She took a deep breath, pushing down her stress with practised ease and bit the bullet. "I wanted to say I'm sorry. I shouldn't have ended it like that. You didn't deserve it."

He looked surprised for a moment, then unsure. Then he folded his arms, looking at her sceptically. "Okay. Anything else?"

She took another breath. "Yeah. I'm sorry I didn't respect you enough to say this before, or at least answer your calls."

"Alright, fine, sure, whatever," he said, shrugging with every word. "Now if you'll excuse me-"

"Wait!" Wendy said, grabbing his wrist. He looked down at her hand and she quickly removed it. "Sorry! I didn't - but this is important to me. I know I don't deserve you to accept my apology but I really do mean it. And I'm sorry it took so long to say it."

"And?"

She hesitated. "And I'm sorry for…being terrible at apologising. And making it out like it was all your fault when I couldn't even be bothered to answer the phone." She hesitated because he was clearly waiting on something but she couldn't think what. "And stopping you on the street out of the blue like this? And…whatever else I did wrong?"

"'Whatever else?'" he repeated, incredulously. "Wendy, you didn't just leave me hanging, you cheated on me!"

"I've never cheated on anyone!" she snapped. "Hey, I might date a lot of guys, but I don't two-time, okay! I've got some standards!"

Mark scoffed. "Oh yeah? Then what, you and Robbie were just friends with benefits or whatever? Is it that way for your other friends too?"

Wendy couldn't speak for a moment, then anger overrode shock. "Hey! I'm not like that, okay! I know what people think but they can go to hell! And so can you! Robbie was my boyfriend and what we did or didn't do is none of your business! Just like it's none of your business who I see after I break up with you!"

He leaned forward, his nostrils flaring. "You didn't break up with me," he hissed. "That's the point. You agreed to go out with me, then ignored me, and then started dating some other guy without letting me know it was over!"

Wendy opened her mouth, seething, ready to hit back with a retort. But nothing came out. She tried again, but got the same result.

"How was that supposed to make me feel, huh?" Mark continued, sneering. "I know I wasn't that interesting, and that I messed up those first couple of dates. But at least I tried. I tried calling you to apologise. I wanted to give it another chance, or talk it over, or see what I could do better. But you didn't answer. Finally, I figured that I was being too pushy and needed to give you some space.

"And what happens next? I have to be told by a friend that my girlfriend is walking hand-in-hand around a fair with Robbie Valentino. And I even tried to defend you! I called him a liar and said he was being stupid! That you weren't that type of girl, despite what everyone else said about you! Then I see you two at Tambry's Sumerween party, walking right past me with his arm around you."

He tilted his head to the side, looking her up and down. "Guess we were both wrong about you not being that type of girl, huh?"

Again, Wendy said nothing. She looked down, feeling angry and ashamed. Angry at how his words made her sound, ashamed at how accurate they seemed.

"You know what, whatever," he said, throwing his hand up. "You wanted to apologise? Fine. Apology accepted. I'm done with you. Hell, keep telling people I was the crap boyfriend, I don't care anymore. You ignoring me was actually the best thing to ever happen to me. You know why? Because now I'm with someone who actually loves me. And I guess I've got you to thank for that."

He watched her stand in silence for a moment more before shaking his head and walking away. "Enjoy your birthday."

"My Mom cheated on my Dad."

Mark stopped in his tracks. When he looked back Wendy stood frozen, as if amazed by her own words.

"T-that's why she left," Wendy said, her eyes widening as she continued. "I mean, she - she left for a lot of reasons. But that was their last fight. The one that ended it all. He - he doesn't know I know. I've never told - I don't-"

"I'm sorry," Mark said. He hesitated, looking around the alley to make sure the discussion was still private, thankful it was. "Splitting up can be hard. It was hard for us when my parents did it."

"I don't want to be like her," Wendy said, her breath quickening as she spoke. "I don't - It's bad enough that I walk out on people like she walked out on us! But now I've cheated on someone? Do you have any idea what that did to Dad? How much it hurt him? And now I've put someone else through that? What the hell is wrong with me? Why do I keep messing up? God, I'm awful! I'm terrible! I'm just like her and-"

"Woah, woah!" he cried, alarmed to see her in such a state. She looked like she was flipping between either hurting someone or tearing up and he didn't know what scared him more. "You're not like your mom! She was - that was different!"

"How is it different? She walked out on us and treated Dad like crap and he didn't-"

"Okay, sure but we weren't married! Or had kids! We were in high school! That's totally different!" He looked around the alley again, desperately wishing someone could come to his aid.

"Look, yeah, what you did was uncool," he admitted, choosing his words carefully. "But it didn't destroy me or anything. Sure, I'm still a bit PO'd but now I've met someone else and they're great! In fact, in a weird way, I have you to thank for it! So there's that?"

"How do you have me to thank for it?"

Mark hesitated. "Um, actually, never mind, I don't think you're in the right frame of mind to-"

"Don't leave me hanging', dude! Listen, if this is a lie to try and cheer me up-"

"No! It's not! I swear it - okay fine." Mark Pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright, like I said, seeing you with Robbie didn't destroy me or anything but I was still pretty upset, you know. Had a few too many shots, that kinda thing. Then they found me, brought me water after I threw up, and asked me what was wrong. Turns out we, um, both had issues with you and it started a whole conversation and then after a while…yeah."

"Huh." Wendy frowned. "I guess that makes me feel better? I still feel bad about what I did but at least you found someone who treats you right."

Mark smiled, brushing his hair out of his eyes and towards the direction he'd been heading toward before she'd stopped him. "Yeah. He really does."

"'He?' Oooh," she said as Mark looked away nervously. "Hey, it's cool, man," she said, hitting him lightly on the arm. "No judgement here. I think it's cool that you've come out as bi."

Mark hesitated. "Not bi," he corrected very quietly.

"Oh, sorry. Hard to keep track of all the new terminology and stuff. Uh, what's the right term for you? Pansexual? Omni? Or is that a personal question?"

Mark hesitated again. "Uh. Gay. I'm, er, gay."

Wendy laughed, then caught the look on his face. "What? But we made out!"

"That was the clincher," he admitted, pulling a face.

"Oh, my God! I turned you gay!"

"You didn't-! I was always gay, I just couldn't admit it at the time! Okay, sure, you were the last girl I dated. Actually, only girl. Sure, now I know the only reason I ever found you somewhat attractive was because you're so masculine-"

"Dude," said Wendy.

"But afterwards I finally learned to accept myself! So, you know, it would never have worked out between us anyway so…huh. I guess it's been sort of stupid of me to hold this grudge for so long. Especially since I've known about my sexuality for a while now but you didn't." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe I should be the one apologising to you?"

"Nah," Wendy said, after giving it a moment's thought. "It's still on me. Even if I didn't think we would work, I should have at least said it. Or texted it. Or anything, before I started dating Robbie. I'm sorry," she said again, as earnestly as she could.

Mark nodded. "Okay. I forgive you. Really. I'm very happy with where my life is right now and that's way more important getting angry about someone I couldn't be attracted to anyway." He glanced at his watch. "In fact, I'm meeting him right now, so I'd better go."

"Oh, yeah, sorry for keeping you," Wendy said, feeling a little better about herself despite everything. Guess Blondie can give some good moral advice after all. "And if it makes you feel even better, I'm a little jealous. For all my boyfriends, almost none of them has made me as happy as you look right now. Waitaminute, you said they had issues with me too. What did I do to them?"

Mark hesitated, something Wendy was starting to hate. "Uh, let's just say he and I have…a lot in common?"

Wendy frowned, trying to figure out what he meant. Then her eyes went wide. "I've dated your boyfriend too!?"

"To be fair you've dated a lot of guys, so statistically-"

"I turned two guys gay?"

"I told you! You didn't turn us gay, we were already - actually Stoney is weirdly adamant that you did turn him gay because he's positive he liked girls until-"

"Stoney Davidson? I made out with him too!"

"Yeah, that was the clincher for him too, oddly enough. Like I said, we have a lot in common. Either that or you're just a really bad kisser who-"

"I'm a great kisser! I'm the best girl you'll ever kiss!"

"God, I hope so," said Mark, pulling a face.

"That's not - oh forget it!" Wendy sighed. "But seriously! This isn't that big a town! What are the chances that two of my ex-boyfriends realise they're gay after they've dated me?"

Mark hesitated.

Wendy's eyes bulged. "There's more than two?" She threw her hands up. "Oh, forget it! It's my birthday, I'm taking a break. When you see Stoney, tell him I'm sorry for being a crappy girlfriend and I'll probably find him soon and tell him myself. Enjoy your date," she finished, going back to her car before she could learn more.

"Enjoy your birthday!" Mark shouted after her before running for his date.

"More than two, what the hell?" Wendy muttered, shaking her head as she made her way to her car and found a gift waiting for her: a parking ticket. "Oh, come on!" she cried, crumpling it up and giving the fire hydrant a good kick. "Where's a damn Manotaur when you need one?" She got in her car and slumped the seat, glaring at her first ticket.

Her first ticket.

Her first car.

She smiled a little. Despite some of the surprises from her conversation with Mark, she felt a little better. Lighter. Like she'd removed a weight she didn't realise she'd been carrying.

Of course, it was highly unlikely all her other apologies would go so well. Most of them probably wouldn't. But she thought this had been a good beginning. Definitely made her think. She still had a lot of conversations ahead of her, but now she knew they were worth doing, even if they would be difficult.

But today she'd turned seventeen. And she wanted to make the most of her present. She patted the wheel affectionately and whispered: "You and I are going to have some quality time. Just the two of us. Because I think I deserve it. And I want to have a fun, happy birthday."

So she did.

Author's Note: Special thanks to my friend, Car9723. Without him, this chapter likely wouldn't exist since my knowledge of motor vehicles is practically non-existent. He's the one who suggested the car types for both Wendy and Dan, as well as their traits.

Thanks, Car! This chapter's for you, I hope you like it!