Love, Hate, It's All The Same

Chapter 14: Beauty Queen

Sorry I took so long to update. I was used to plotting for 1000-word-long chapters so it took me while to think up something that could go longer. Hopefully this isn't too bad.

So, here you go ya'll. 2000 words, as promised.

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By the time Dipper had given up trying to figure out how Pacifica was blonde, he was already seated at the couch next to Pacifica, while her mom sat at a separate sofa. Mabel had disappeared into her room with her pet pig.

"It's so nice to see you again, dear." Mrs. Northwest stated. "I remember when you were a little, you would always fuss about little dirt smudges on your clothes, but you'd come home all muddy from horseback-riding."

"When she was little, you say?" Dipper asked curiously. He had gotten so used to the present suave high school Pacifica, he struggled with the concept of an adorable little Pacifica running around in a mansion. It is possible that she was just as regal back then as she is now, but if there were any little moments that may be even slightly embarrassing, Dipper was determined to hear the story.

"Oh, yes. She was quite the competitive tween." Mrs. Northwest shared. "She would enter beauty pageants and urge everyone to call her Beauty Queen."

Dipper turned to Pacifica, struggling to hold back a smile. "Beauty Queen?"

"I was twelve!" Pacifica defended, now pink in the face. "Everybody does dumb things when they're twelve!"

But Dipper wasn't listening to her protests. He was too busy learning about every embarrassing detail about Pacifica's childhood.

"...And when she lost, she would publicly demand that the judges get sent to her dungeon." Mrs. Northwest chortled.

Pacifica glared scathingly at Dipper's annoyingly wide grin, making a mental note to get him back later.

"Oh, which reminds me," said Mrs. Northwest as she studied Dipper. "I never got your name, young man."

"Oh, uh, Pidder- I mean Dipper, ma'am." Dipper stammered. He had to stop himself from facepalming. "Dipper Pines."

"Hmmm... Dipper. The boy dating my daughter?" Mrs. Northwest turned to Pacifica with a raised eyebrow. "I must say, you're standards have dropped quite a bit. Are you sure this is who you wanna be with? I hear Vince is staying in town."

"Who I'm dating is none of your business." Pacifica snapped. "Mother."

"Now, now. I was merely making a suggestion. There's no need to get upset, honey. Although, I suppose I can see the, uh... appeal." Mrs. Northwest faced Dipper again, and continued as though Dipper had not heard their conversation. "I hope you take good care of my daughter."

"Uh, yes ma'am." Dipper said awkwardly, casting anxious glances at Pacifica. Pacifica rolled her eyes.

"Well, if you're finished criticizing every aspect of my life - which is highly unlikely - I don't suppose you came here just to give Dipper blackmail material. So what do you want, Mom?"

Mrs. Northwest's bright smile faltered. "Well, now. Can't a mother miss her child? It's been years, after all."

"You didn't answer my question." Pacifica forced. "What do you want?"

"Really! I've missed you-"

"I highly doubt that."

"-and you weren't home when I arrived-"

"Gee, I wonder why."

"-so naturally, I went looking for you!"

Dipper's head swiveled back and forth between the two as though he were watching a tennis match.