54
Pacifica

After Dipper's and my discussion, we took a few minutes to collect ourselves before returning to the party.

Mabel spotted us at once. She darted over to where we re-entered the party, smiling. "Hey guys, where have you been?"

I eyed the drink in her hand. "How many of those have you had?"

Mabel rolled her eyes at me, "not enough."

"Clearly." Dipper scoffed, an amused smile playing onto his lips.

Mabel took another long sip of her drink before stopping like she remembered something. "Oh! Dipper, she's here."

I watched as Dipper's face scrunched up in confusion. "What?"

"That Red-Head-Wonder." Mabel nodded profusely. "I saw her heading in the direction where y'all went after you guys disappeared, but I guess she wasn't there."

"She's here?" Dipper's eyes scanned the room. "Where?"

Mabel shrugged. "Like I said, I dunno."

I looked over at Dipper, gauging the reaction on his face. He seemed calm. Seemed. "It's fine." I moved closer to Dipper. "It's fine if she's here."

Mabel eyed me, "oh? Well, okay!" She laughed, "I guess I thought things woulda been more tense."

"Everything is solved." I explained for Mabel. "There is absolutely nothing to worry about anymore. Now, we can just have fun!"

"After everything, I think it's about time we had fun." I looked at Mabel's drink again. "Can I try that?"

"Absolutely!" Mabel grinned. "C'mon, Dipshit, we oughta get ya a drink as well. I know that you need it."

The three of us made our way over to the makeshift bar that was set up in the kitchen. Massive props to Gideon for managing to set it all up without hearing about the party in advance. Bless that kid.

"Nothing too heavy, Mabes." Dipper shook his head as soon as Mabel reached for the heavy liquor. "I think as the hosts of this party, we have to keep our wits about us, wouldn't you say?"

Mabel frowned. "You're being mean, Dipshit. It's a party, lighten up, don't sober up."

"Better words have never been spoken." Gideon rolled up to where the three of us were. "Although, I've never drank before."

Dipper sighed dramatically. "I wouldn't have guessed."

"It's fun, Gids." I promised, "just make sure you're always with someone you trust, okay?"

Gideon nodded. "So, looks like I'm sticking with you, Paz."

Mabel fake pouted. "Aw, you don't trust me?"

"I still think you're a vampire, missy!" Gideon shot back, although it was obvious that he was teasing. "Anyways, who'da thought the four of us would become friends?"

I gave him a look and he quickly changed his statement. "I mean, Dipper and Paz were obvious from the start, but all of us?" He shook his head, "I guess it's nice."

Mabel nodded and thrusted a drink into his hands. "Yeah yeah, time for sentiments are over! It's fun time."

I nodded. "Sorry, Gids, but Dipper, Mabes, and I already got into the sentiments yesterday."

He took a small sip, and made a face. "First of all, this doesn't taste that great, and second of all, are you saying that the three of you got drunk without me?!"

Mabel gave him a pleasant smile. "Sorry, Gideon. It was kind of a spur of the moment kind of thing. But we all made promises to have you with us the next time we decide to get drunk, which I guess, is today!"

"It's true." Dipper nodded, making himself a drink that he deemed 'light'. "Don't worry, Pines, we'll get you drunk, yet."

"Y'know you could quit with the formalities." Gideon rolled his eyes but took a small sip once again, taking it a little better the second time. "We're friends, Dipper."

"And that in itself is weird." Dipper gulped down the first half of his drink, "are you going to drink, Pazzie?"

"I plan to, but I dunno what to make. Or how." I smiled.

"Ooh, I'll teach you." Mabel clapped her hands together, but the smile soon vanished from her face. "Ugh, it's Candy."

"What?" I froze. "Her? Seriously?"

"I thought she was going abroad all summer." Mabel rolled her eyes. "Don't say anything to her, she thinks we're friends. Excuse me," Mabel moved away from the table and donned her friendly voice.

"We should rescue her soon." I made a mental note to do so. "Give it two or three minutes, and then one of us can rescue her."

"Alright. I vote Gideon." Dipper grinned evilly.

"Wuah! Why me?" Gideon exclaimed.

"Because you can pretend that Mabel came here as your date." Dipper explained. "It's the easiest way to break someone away from an unwanted conversation. Pacifica can't pull it off because Candy would just say some awful things to her, and I can't do it for reasons that should be obvious."

Gideon nodded. "Ah, okay. I'll go save her in a minute."

* * *

After the talk I had with Dipper, it felt like it had been hours, and maybe it had. But I felt as though I could actually have fun without having to worry about anything.

The four of us, Dipper, Mabel, Gideon, and I, were all on the makeshift dance-floor. I had spent an equal time dancing with the lot of them, but both Gideon and Mabel understood that I danced with Dipper more.

In fact, they kind of just watched us for a few seconds before dancing together. As if they were admiring their work. As if they set us up.

I definitely felt a whole lot better than I ever did before. There was something about being at a party with a few good friends that just made you feel happy inside. I was glad I got to enjoy something like that.

Although, it would never amount to the drinking fest I had with the Gleeful twins. From what I could remember from it, it was the best night of my life, and this was a close second.

I saw the happy expressions on everyone's faces, even people I didn't even know, and as my gaze slipped past all of them, there was one face I absolutely recognized. It wasn't too difficult to pick her out, I mean, Mabel had even told us that she was there.

Scarlett was chatting with a few other guys and girls that I didn't know, but when her eyes landed on where Dipper was with me, she excused herself from the conversation and started heading over our way.

Now, looking back on it, what I did was kind of childish. And, well, I suppose it would also be jealous.

Dipper had his back to her, his attention on me (which was quite nice) so he didn't see her coming. I didn't want anything to ruin the good vibe that the four of us had created, so I acted.

I pulled Dipper by the collar of his shirt and kissed him long and hard.

Once I pulled away, I smiled sweetly at Dipper, and then checked to see if Scarlett was still heading over to us.

She had stopped walking, and from the lighting in the room, it was hard to read her expression. She almost seemed intrigued, or impressed. I quit looking at her rather quickly and noticed that I wasn't the only one paying attention to Scarlett.

Mabel had noticed her as well, her expression hardening by the second. She met my eyes briefly before giving me a firm nod. "Hold on, guys, I'm going to get a refill!" She excused herself quickly and walked off before someone could object.

My guess as to what she was doing was handling the Scarlett situation. I was grateful that she could read my thoughts without magic. She was such a good friend. The best I could ever hope to have.

Luckily for me, the boys in our group hadn't noticed that anything was up. Dipper, especially. He just pulled me closer to him and whispered in my ear, "I love you, Pazzie."

"And I love you, Dipper." I held onto him tightly, because I never wanted to let him go.