Love, Hate, It's All The Same

Chapter 6: Party Preparations

"Shopping?" Mabel raised an eyebrow. "You never ask me to go shopping."

"Pacifica's inviting us to a party."

Right. Inviting. Not being forced or anything. Dipper thought when he answered Mabel's question.

Mabel didn't look convinced. "But its just a party."

"I don't know why you're complaining, you always go clothes shopping before a party."

"Yeah, but you never do! So why do you suddenly wan-"

Mabel was cut off by the sound of their front door opening, followed by a voice.

"Dipper!"

The twins turned in time to see Pacifica emerge from behind the front door.

"I've been waiting for 10 minutes, we're gonna be late!" She said frantically. 

"What happened to being 'fashionably late'?" 

"That only applies for when I don't have a quiz at first period. What are you two even doing?"

Mabel eyed Dipper skeptically. "Dipper asked me to go clothes shopping for your party." 

Pacifica stared at her quizzically. "Shopping? I doubt you'll find quality gowns in the mall, Mabel."

"Gowns? Who wears a gown to a party?" Mabel turned to Dipper. "It's a rich people party?! Oh my god, what am I gonna wear? Where do I even get a gown at th-"

"Worry about that later! Now, get your butts moving - I have a quiz to fail!"

The twins scrambled for the stairs as Pacifica continued to urge them to move faster. Once in their room, Dipper grabbed a hoodie and slipped it on before he snatched his notebooks from his table and stuffed them into his bag. He slung his bag over his shoulder and made for the door.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Mabel tapped Dipper's shoulder just before he reached the doorway. "What did you do at Pacifica's last night?"

 Dipper's eyes went wide for a moment. Luckily, his back was turned, so Mabel couldn't see his panic. Dipper feigned confusion. "I went to Leo's last night, what are you talking about?"

"Dipper," Mabel turned Dipper so that he was facing her. "I was with Leo and Candy last night."

Dipper's fake confusion turned real. "You were? What for?"

"Project." Mabel replied simply. "So, what, are you really not gonna tell me?"

Dipper stared at his sister's wide smile, trying to decide whether he should lie or not. He settled with telling her the truth. Or at least part of it.

"She just invited me to the party and told me to invite you and Leo, too."

"Really?" Mabel said doubtfully. "You went to her place just so she could invite us to a party? Okay, then why did you bring Grunkle Ford's anti-gravity things? You had to sneak into her room didn't you? That was why you kept looking at my grappling hook yesterday."

"Damn, you're good." Dipper reluctantly told his smirking sister.

"No, you just suck under pressure." Mabel chided. 

"Fair enough."

"So what did you really do-"

"IF YOU GUYS DON'T COME DOWN SOON, I'M LEAVING YOU BEHIND!"

The twins heard Pacifica calling from downstairs, which was quickly followed by their great uncle's own voice.

"KIDS, KEEP IT DOWN. I'M WATCHING HERE!"