I was frustrated with the journal and its uncrackable code. I had done all of the research possible, trying to find some way of interpreting what the passage said- but I always ended up back where I started, with nothing.

I snapped the journal shut and turned to Bill, "so what's been going on with you lately?"

There came only a small breeze in what I decided was his reply. I leaned back as I said, "we're helping Wendy move in today, that should be fun." I said it sarcastically but felt sincere about it. It felt good to know that Wendy would now be living a healthier lifestyle.

I checked my watch. It was almost seven in the morning, I had gotten here around five thirty. It was time to go or risk getting caught sneaking out of the house.

Every morning I had managed to get up earlier than everyone else, spend some time by myself with the statute, and get back around the time everyone woke up.

I wasn't going to lie to myself and convince myself that I didn't know why I was hiding the statue from my own siblings, I knew why- Bill scarred them. He was gone, but he was still very much alive to them. I felt like I was betraying them. I was sneaking away and pretending to talk to a demon that wasn't even alive anymore. I sounded nuts. Maybe I was nuts...

When I arrived back to the Shack, everyone was already up and hauling boxes to the house.
Soos spotted me and called, "Ty! Where've you been?"

"Out walking," I lied, "I needed some fresh air."

Soos smiled, nodded, and disappeared in the Shack, carrying away a large box.

Soos must've used his truck to bring all of Wendy's things here, I thought. Wendy herself was climbing out of the passenger side of the truck. Maybe I wasn't as late as I thought I had been.

Dipper and Mabel both had just arrived to help. They both looked surprised to see me up, but didn't ask why. I let out a breath of relief knowing that I didn't have to lie to their faces.

. . . . . . . .

We were finished unpacking by noon, then we helped Wendy finish up her room. We set up the bed in the corner across from the L shaped couch, and her dresser by the door. Mabel taped up her posters around the corner above her bed. The posters consisted of old movie posters, a band I didn't recognize, and a cool poster that said WARNING: FALL OUT SHELTER.

Once we finished, we proudly examined our handy work and exchanged high-fives. Melody called from the kitchen, saying that lunch was ready.

"I can't thank you enough," Wendy said, looking the happiest I'd ever seen her.

"It's no problem, we're glad to have you here Wendy!" Melody exclaimed, setting down a platter of sandwiches followed by canned sodas.

We were halfway through the food when there was a knock at the door. Soos stood and said, "I'll get it." He disappeared down the hall. I could hear the sound of the door swinging open followed by voices of what sounded to be a somewhat pleasant conversation.

Soos appeared in the doorway, looking confused "It was Pacifica NorthWest," he said, "she says she wants to apply for a job?" He asked it like it was a question (with emphasis on the question mark)

There was a shocked silence.

"Pacifica," Mabel echoed, "Pacifica NorthWest, as in the girl who has a dozen butlers and a ginormous mansion?"

"Well the NorthWests were forced to sell the manor," Dipper pointed out, "it makes since that she has to get a job now."

"Yeah, but why here?" Mabel asked again, "I mean I love this old place, but the Mystery Shack? Really?"

This time I knew what Mabel was hinting at. It sure was a strange coincidence that Pacifica was applying for a job here nearly a week after we bumped into each other in town. But Dipper wasn't putting two and two together, or maybe he was like Mabel said, in denial.

Soos and Melody were sharing a look that read, should we really give this girl a chance?

Soos sighed, "we've gotta give Pacifica a chance, we should at least interview her."

Melody looked around the table and asked, "who's up for the job?"

"NOT IT." I exclaimed, I was not going to be the victim this time.

"NOT IT." said Wendy.

"NOT IT." said Mabel.

Everyone was looking at Dipper, who's face flushed with either embarrassment or disgruntlement, I couldn't tell.

"Why does it have to be me?" He complained.

"Cause she looooves you!" Mabel said playfully.

Dipper shot a dirty look at his sister and exhaled loudly. "Fine, whatever," he mumbled, standing up from the table.

"Did she give her contact information?" He asked Soos, who nodded. He drew a card from his pocket and handed it to Dipper. It looked to be a professional business card with Pacifica's name, number, and address written in a pink, curly font.

Dipper muttered something that sounded like "diva" (referring to Pacifica) under his breath.
He tucked the card in his pocket and headed upstairs to make the call.

When I turned back to face everyone at the table, Mabel had a strange look on her face, it was her "deep thinking" face.

"You're planning something, are you?" I whispered. She grinned and whispered back, "of course I do."

. . . . . . . .

"This is a terrible idea" I hissed as we crouched behind a bush. Mabel had forced me to carry a camera, she carried one too, along with a pair of binoculars.

"Aren't those a bit much?" I asked, referring to the binoculars Mabel had just lifted to her eyes to get a closer look at Dipper and Pacifica.

"Shh!" Mabel whisper-hissed back, she swatted my shoulder and forced my head lower.

I peeked out from behind the bush and squinted. The two were sitting on a bench by the lake's pier. Dipper carried a clipboard and pen, Pacifica was answering the questions he asked and Dipper was writing her answers down.

Mabel put away the binoculars and leaned down toward me, "Isn't it suspicious that Pacifica demanded to meet up with Dipper here instead of Soos's office?"

"Pffft, duh!" I said, a little bit louder than I meant to say it. Mabel clapped a hand over my mouth

"BE. QUIET." She exclaimed in a forced whisper, "gosh, you're terrible at this!"

I lifted and eyebrow, "You've done this before?"

"Pfft, duh!" Mabel said in a mimicking tone. She pulled out her camera and snapped a few pictures.

She lifted the binoculars up to her eyes again and peered closely, then gasped. "Oh oh oh- she's scooting closer to him!"

"Lemme see," I said, grabbing the binoculars and taking a look at the action.

Sure enough, Dipper wasn't seeming to be taking notes anymore. The two were actually talking and enjoying theirselves. Pacifica scooted closer, now they were touching knees.

I gasped and whispered, "is this what I think it looks like?"

Mabel nodded excitedly, "I think it's happening!"

She pulled out her camera and leaned forward so that she was sunk halfway into the bush.
"OHMYGOSH SHE'S GOING FOR IT."

I stuck my head next to Mabel's and watched. Our breathing paused as we saw Pacifica lean in and peck Dipper on the lips.

"on the freaking lips. . ." I gasped. I heard Mabel's camera flash next to me. She lowered her camera and whispered,

"That's going in the scrapbook."