Love, Hate, It's All The Same

Chapter 22: Bold, Are We?

"Just for the record," Preston grumbled. "I no longer approve of this."

"Okay." Dipper replied sarcastically. He'd gotten tired of the old man's protests. Every single time Dipper came over, Preston would express his disapproval of the relationship. Fake or no.

He had arrived early to pick up Pacifica. Though, 'pick up' isn't technically correct, as they would be riding in one of the Northwest limosines to the prom venue.

However, when Dipper knocked on the door, instead of the blonde girl he was expecting, he was greeted by a grumpy man with greying hair: her father.

Preston glowered at the boy. After a moment, he pulled out a hundred dollar bill form his pocket.

"If I pay you, will you stay away from my dau--?"

"Dad!" Pacifica was at the top of the stairs, her arms crossed across her chest. "We talked about this."

"But Pacifica-"

"Dad."

"Oh, alright." Her dad huffed. He went to leave the room, but not before he turned to Dipper, said "Remember my... ah, warnings, boy."

And then he was gone.

Pacifica descended the stairs gracefully, flaunting a long dress that stopped just an inch or two from the floor. It was a beautiful shade of green that brought out the blue in her eyes, matched with a pair of elbow length gloves in a darker shade of green.

Her hair had been styled so that it had a slight wave. It bounced with every step she took. And Dipper could do nothing but stare, mouth agape.

"You look... wow." Dipper stammered when she finally reached the last step.

Pacifica laughed. Leave it to Dipper to mess up complimenting.

"Thanks." She replied. "You look pretty wow yourself."

Dipper beamed, straightening his suit at random.

"Oh, and..." He pretended to fix his necktie tighter, which he actually did manage to learn to do. And it only took him two days.

"Very impressive, Mr. Pines." Pacifica nodded her approval. "You may have a shot at sophistication after all."

Dipper chuckled. "Should we go, then? Mabel says she just arrived outside."

"Then let's not keep her waiting."

Pacifica took Dipper's hand in hers and started for the door.

They were almost to the door now, but there was something in the back of Dipper's mind he couldn't help but ask.

"Hey, um, Pacifica?"

"Hm?"

"Um, about the other day, when I, you know," He cleared his throat. "kind of told you I had-uh... that I like you?"

Dipper couldn't really see, but he was pretty sure Pacifica was smiling at the memory. He took that as a 'yes'.

"Do you-" He inhaled a slow breath. "Um, do you also feel--?"

He didn't finish the question but Pacifica knew exactly what he was trying to say.

"Oh." She murmured. Her smile slowly disappeared, which was enough for Dipper to know the answer.

"I don't mean to-" He stammered. "You- you don't have to, um-"

Suddenly, the front door swung open, revealing a very antsy Mabel.

"Sweet Flying Doritos, you two are so slow!" She exclaimed. "I am not gonna be late for my own promenade!"

"Where's your guy?" Dipper asked, secretly relieved for the interruption.