Dipper's first day of school:

It was the first day of school for everyone in Gravity Falls. The day before Wendy had given Dipper a tour of the middle school and shortcuts to get there. Stan and Ford had explained to Wendy and Soos why Dipper was still in Gravity Falls and they had tried their best to make him feel better.

It was a normal day, surprisingly. The first day of school is always the same anyway, teacher introductions, classmate introductions, supply lists, etc.

Though Dipper was well known around Gravity Falls now, no one really talked to him. Aside from the casual whispers and, "Hey aren't you that Pines twin?" Dipper just ignored it all. He didn't plan on making any friends. It was always Mabel who wanted to make friends, but Dipper never needed any, he had his sister.

Now that she wasn't by his side, who was he? Him and his sister were always the 'twins' of the school, now he's at a totally new school without his other half.

After school, Dipper went into the Mystery Shack and saw Soos and Melody talking, since summer was over and there weren't many tourists.

"Hey dude!" Soos shouted as Dipper passed by, "How was your first day of school?"

"It was fine." Dipper replied without stopping or making eye contact.

He made it to the kitchen where his Great Uncles were and grabbed a small bag of chips.

"Oh, welcome home Dipper!" Ford said, "How was your first day of school in Gravity Falls?"

"Soos already asked me that." Dipper said and put a handful of chips on his mouth.

"And that means...."

"FINE!" Dipper said a little angrily and then took in a deep breath, "School... was fine."

The two Grunkles looked at each other worried. "Dipper is there something you want to tell us? You know, you can tell us anything and we'll try our best to hel-"

"No, I'm fine." Dipper said, "I'm just gonna go to my room."

Dipper went up the stairs and into his room. He threw himself onto his bed and cried into his pillow until he fell asleep.

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An hour later~

Ford went up the stairs and knocked at the attic door, "Dipper, it's Ford, could I come in please?"

Dipper slightly woke up and rubbed his red, wet eyes, "Hmm? Oh, yeah."

Ford walked in and and gasped a little, "Di- Dipper, you were crying?"

Dipper wiped his face and felt all the tears that he cried. He bit his lip and looked down at the ground, "I guess I was." Dipper said, disappointed in himself.

"Mason, come with me for a walk." Ford said, "This can be your first lesson."

Dipper looked up and nodded, "Ok."

Dipper and Ford packed a few stuff and headed out. They walked in silence, with Dipper following his Grunkle the whole way.

Finally, they stopped at the Gravity Falls border.

"Why are we HERE of all places?" Dipper asked.

"Mason, I know this place is a burden for both of us." Ford said and touched the invisible wall keeping them in, "But we have to accept what has happened. I too am really upset about the situation, but there's nothing we can do about it right now. All we can do is move on."

"I- I know." Dipper said, "But it's not being stuck that bothers me, don't get me wrong, Gravity Falls is an amazing place. But the fact that me and Mabel aren't side by side anymore, it just feels... wrong."

"Dipper, I was stuck in that portal for thirty years and there wasn't a single moment when I didn't think of my own brother. Whether if it was me missing him or cursing him." Ford laughed a bit, "But the point is, I know exactly how you feel. We're both stuck here and we've both been separated from people we love."

"Grunkle Ford, you're kinda making me feel worse..."

Ford chuckled a bit, "What I'm trying to say is that we need to stick together Dipper. And I'll always be by your side if you need me."

Dipper smiled up at at his Great Uncle, "Thanks Grunkle Ford, that means a lot to me."

Ford knelt down and gave his nephew a hug. Dipper embraced the hug, but behind each other's back, a single tear fell down both of their faces.