Love, Hate, It's All The Same

Chapter 18: You Seem Like A Smart Bloke

The walk back home wasn't as awkward as Dipper expected, though he noticed Pacifica wasn't as keen to hold his hand as she were that morning, understandably enough, so he just shoved his hands into his pockets.

"What are you thinking?" She asked as she kicked a pebble on the side walk.

Dipper watched as it skittered to a halt a few meters ahead. What was he thinking? Well, a lot of things. Homework. Dinner. The girl he's fake dating. But most importantly...

"I was thinking whether I should tell you or just die from curiosity."

"Yeah? Well, don't think too hard. I still need your help with the math homework." Pacifica answered. "You can't help me if your brain is too fried to work properly."

Dipper raised an eyebrow at her. Yesterday, she was so hell bent on finding out why he was avoiding her, but now she doesn't even seem to bat and eye on the matter. Either she already knows or something else has happened.

Dipper kept his eyes trained ahead. He could just see the Shack on the horizon. "I thought you said I shouldn't let anyone copy off of me anymore."

"I never said that. I don't remember ever saying that."

"Really?" Dipper asked challengingly. "What about the other day, when Leo was asking for my Chemistry notes and you told him to start taking his own notes?"

"That's different." Pacifica countered. "He was asking for notes, not answers to the homework."

Dipper scoffed. "What about when Chloe asked me for 'help' with her History homework? I saw you roll your eyes before you dragged me to the cafeteria."

"Okay, that one I remember."

"See?" Dipper beamed triumphantly. "You can't copy off of me."

He thought he had just ended the argument right before they reached the Shack, but Pacifica apparently had more to add.

"I still didn't say that. Plus, it's still different."

"How is that different?"

"Easy." Pacifica grinned. "She's Chloe, I'm your fake girlfriend. You're obligated to help me."

"Am I, now?"

"M-hm." Pacifica hummed cheerfully as she pulled the front door open and entered the Shack.

Dipper shook his head in disbelief and followed her in. "You are really milking this whole fake relationship thing."

"I'm already stuck with you, I might as well make the most of it." Pacifica set her bag on the nearest table and faced Dipper again, her hand stuck out expectantly.

"What?" Dipper asked confusedly. Pacifica wiggled her fingers in a hand-it-over way and Dipper realized she was asking for his math book.

"We just got here, I haven't done it yet." He complained.

Pacifica rolled her eyes. "You really think I don't know you finish everything at school? Who does that?"

"Even if I do, I'm not letting you copy off of me." Dipper pressed.

Pacifica pouted, and crossed her arms across her chest. "Do the words "fake girlfriend" not mean anything to you?"

Dipper hesitated and looked everywhere else except at her. He had to bite his lip before he accidentally told her how cute she is when she pouts.

"Alright, fine." He finally gave in. He fished his notebook out from his backpack and handed it over to a now smiling Pacifica.

"Thank you!" She grinned, grabbed her bag and headed for the stairs.