Chapter Text
“What is it now?” Pacifica asked, leaning back further into her bean bag. “A week? Two weeks?”
Gideon nodded wearily. “Sounds about right.”
Pacifica glanced over at the bed. Weeks with no word from Mabel. Gideon had told her she’d shown up at his house sometime ago, and that she’d seemed a bit off, but that had been all she could get out of him. He must have really embarrassed himself. Maybe he’d tried to kiss her or something. That would be funny.
“Can you turn the AC off?” she asked Gideon. He nodded and leaned over to flip off her room’s air conditioning. Pacifica sighed and stood up to open her window. “It’s getting hot again. I’d hoped that rain would cool things down.”
Gideon nodded. He was fidgeting with his hands, and Pacifica was getting a little tired of his worried-about-Mabel routine. She was worried, too. But she wasn’t being so silly about it.
“Is Mabel home?” Pacifica asked.
Dipper shook his head. “Sorry, she’s out right now.”
There was loud music playing. Pacifica glanced up. “That’s your music upstairs?”
“Yes.”
“That’s really weird music,” Pacifica frowned.
“Yes,” Dipper lied. “I’m really into it. It’s from an old Broadway show.” That’s what Bill had told him.
“Isn’t that from the Wizard of Oz?”
Oh my god, it was. How had Dipper not recognized it? If Bill had heard him he’d have threatened him. Pacifica was totally on to him.
“Well,” Pacifica said, raising her voice. “I was going to invite Mabel horseback riding! But if she’s not home-”
“She’s not.”
“Can I come inside?”
“No.”
“Fine.” Pacifica folded her arms. “But let’s recap. You’re telling me that Mabel isn’t home and has just totally stopped all conversation with everyone?”
“Not everyone.”
Pacifica narrowed her eyes. “Okay, Dipper, if you say so.” She started to move away, then turned back to face him. “Remember, I’m your friend too. And I can tell you’re lying. Honestly, I’m seriously freaked out. I don’t know what is going on with you and Mabel, but it’s kind of scaring me.”
“Well, sorry, but I don’t know what you want me to say. Mabel isn’t home.”
Pacifica sighed. “Okay. Okay. Fine. But just so you know, I’m mad at you now. And you know what, I’m mad at Mabel too. And she wouldn’t want that. I bet she doesn’t, go ahead and ask her. Tell her to call me tonight.”
The second she turned around, Dipper closed the door. He could feel a pit growing in his stomach.