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Another day, another class. Dipper was keeping up with math, and physics. It wasn’t a walk in the park, not his first year either. His perfect record was harder to keep. But it’s OK, he could and will.
Dipper found her surrounded by the best athlete, the best artist, and the second best from STEM, like bees to honey. With confidence they clashed, trying to win over the beautiful redhead. Dipper passed them, focused on his phone.
<< I still like you. >>
<<Hey. All OK?.>> sent a week ago.
“Hello!” the center of attention called him. He stopped, wait… that voice . He was about to turn when she hugged him. “Hey… Surprise!”
"Yeah... hey..." Dipper said as he turned to confirm that it was indeed not any redhead but his redhead. He got out of shock when he saw the trio move closer. "Thanks, guys. For keeping her company." Then he took her and walked together out of the main campus. "Sorry, did those nerds bother you?"
"Ha! Nah. But are you in any position to call them that?" She was eager to tease him. That's a new side she had never seen before.
"If I act like them I would understand being called one"
"Act how?"
"Desperate... Yet with a huge ego. I mean, look around. How many girls do you see? Not many. Plus not as pretty as you"
"Pretty, eh..."
"The prettiest, even"
That one got her. Almost made her lose her cool, almost. She coughed, relaxed, and back to her normal self.
"Uhhh. Quite the talker you"
"I am only being honest"
"Uhmm... Where are we going?"
"Normally I would be at the dorm..."
He looked back at her and smiled. He had changed...
"But how about food? I know a place"
It was a modest Italian restaurant. With little to no decoration, the music was a little too loud, and the faint yelling could be heard from the kitchen.
"Uhmm. Autentic italian food"
"Not less at Luigi's place"
Luigi came out to receive them.
"Mason! Welcome! Welcome!" Luigi's face was in such surprise. And as fast gave her the biggest smile. "Table... For two?"
"Yes"
He nodded with a hint of pride. Then guided them to what clearly was the best table in the place. With some space, the music was at perfect volume, with soft lights, and pretty flowers. Wendy could not deny how romantic it was.
"Here, call me when you decide what to eat"
They sat. He left. After a few moments, the merry music changed to a slow one. Wendy only could smile at Dipper while He was trying to play it cool. Not bad. But she was better.
"So, any particular reason besides seeing me?"
"Nah, I... Maybe later..."
He nodded. Later .
Dipper finished first. So, He was enjoying the view. The way how her face showed her delight in each bite.
"So good! I can't eat more... But... I want to..."
"Don't force yourself. We can take it to go"
Wendy nodded while letting go of the food. Dipper made eye contact with the waitress.
"To go, Maria... Thanks"
"No problem," she said and did a badly covered thumb up while tacking the plate back.
"What?" Dipper asked after he noticed her how she looked at him.
"Nothing... It's just... You are quite like"
"It's mutual"
It was a pleasant silence. She was kinda waiting for a tease from him or worse he jumped the gun right there with a confession. She was surprised by her disappointment when it never came.
"Nice place..."
"Yeah... It does have WIFI at least"
Dipper looked around. Too many clothes were on the bed. A few were in the closet. He nodded to himself. He was right on the money.
"Being here a while?"
"Quite obvious, eh?"
She changed her worried face to a smile. Then she jumped to the bed. He got the message and followed. She and her clothes jumped over the weight of that grown man. With both laughing and most clothes on the floor. The one-person bed left them with little room.
"Dip?"
"Yes?"
"Those are my panties you are resting on"
"Ah!" he screamed falling from the bed.
"Are you OK?"
"... Yes"
"uhmm" She meditated a little. Then... "Catch!"
"What!?" It hit him directly in his face. He only could blink twice before asking. "Why?"
"Como on! They are cleaned"
"So?" he said while taking them off his face. "you don't mind at all?"
"If you... so no"
"... OK"
Dipper turned around a moment, he needed that to process it. He still could hear her giggles.
"You are so stiff. What it is? Fear?"
"..."
"... Sorry. That was not OK"
"Uhmm, true..." he said and then let out a sigh. "But... I just don't want to... think of something... wrong"
"What could that... be?"
His face showed his focus, it reminded her when he would get stuck on a difficult problem or puzzle. Dumbass, it is so simple.
"I... we..." Another sigh left her mouth. "Sorry, I need to stop. I... just... it is so hard"
"Why now? Sorry nevermind... Later, later"
"... it's ok. It took me a while, didn't it?"
He looked around, again deep in thought.
"You know you can count on me, don't need to force-"
"... I- Dipper! I know!... you think... I would..."
"No! no, but it's... hard to process it. I want to be sure"
He was in pain. She could see it. She could feel it. Wendy got scared, he was there, so close. But her guts revolved before she could commit. So scared... to not be wrong... to break his heart.
"Yes," she said with the firmness and clarity he needed. "I do"
He looked away, then turned back. But not for long. His face showed the same determination. "I... do too"
The first few weeks of February went so fast. Valentine came, and both had a great time, together.