At the end of the briefing and training, it was already approaching dusk.

Wiping away the beads of sweat on his forehead, he took a thirsty gulp of water, feeling the coolness running down his throat.

"Bill, you okay?" The coach asked.

Since it had been only a few weeks, the coach looked out for Bill, to check if he could take the harsh trainings.

He was surprisingly doing well.

Bill nodded and gave a small smile. He took his bag, before leaving.

He looked past the big group of his basketball teammates shouting and laughing together. He felt unwelcome. But he brushed aside his tinge of jealously.

As he walked out of the school, he beamed as he saw Mabel smiling and awing again. As always.

"Hey Shooting Star!" He smiled as he offered to take her pile of books.

"How's training?" She smiled back, as they walked side by side.

He started talking to her about stuff, while conveniently leaving out the part where he was left out by the team.

He didn't want her to worry.

"Well that's nice!" She remarked.

There was a shortcut in the forest from their school back to the Mystery Shack, Mabel used to avoid this route, but from Bill's persistent requests, she obliged.

As they walked down the rocky path, he felt as if Mabel was inching closer to him. Their gap between each other has decreased. He smiled, before interlocking his arm in hers. She smiled, before leaning a bit more closer to him.

---
When they finally reached the Mystery Shack, they were greeted warmly by Dipper.

"Pacifica volunteered to cook today," he smiled, before entering the kitchen.

The duo placed their bags, before making a beeline for the kitchen.

Upon entering, Stan stretched out his hand.

"Hey you, pay me the rent."

Mabel smiled, "Sheesh, Grunkle Stan!"

Bill took out his wallet, playing jokingly.

They then sat on the dinner table, with Pacifica placing her cooked meals on the table.

The smell of food wafted in the air.

"Didn't know you were this good in cooking," Bill remarked as he tried her roast chicken with mashed potatoes.

Mabel nodded vigorously next to him.

"Thanks!" She said cheerily.

"Now at least I can be assured that my brother who can't even get an egg won't go hungry anymore, looks like he has someone to take good care of him!" Mabel teased, earning an eruption of laughter a on the dinner table.

"No! Stop it already!" Dipper brushed it off, blush still evident on his cheeks.