Sixteenth Summer - A Dipcifica Story

Chapter Four: Realization

Four Years Ago...

The problem with the ghost had only grown over time.

The lumberjack ghost had turned everyone into trees at this point. Pacifica could see her parents running off somewhere but she was focused on the ghost. Meanwhile, she could still see Dipper as he rushed toward the ghost like the fool he was. Pacifica bit her lip, her heart hammering in her chest as Dipper was hit with the ghost's power. Dipper began shouting as his legs turned to wood. He cast one last pleading look at Pacifica as he cried "someone help someone help!" Then he was gone.

Pacifica gasped, her legs beginning to wobble. The ghost turned to the fireplace and began to rhyme. "A forest of death, a lesson learned, now the Northwest mansion will burn!" 

It was as if the echo of Dipper's cry had brought some sense back into Pacifica. She remembered what he had said to her behind the portrait, and her jaw set. I will not be a coward. Not like them. Pacifica, a new fire in her heart, faced the ghost. "Hey ugly! Over here."

The ghost turned to her.

"You want me to let in the townsfolk, 'cause I'll do it. Just change everyone back."

"You wish to prove yourself, pull that lever and open the grand gate to the town. Fulfill your ancestor's promise."

There was a rustle as Pacifica's parents popped out of the cellar door, her father glaring at her. "Pacifica Elise Northwest, stop this instant! We can't let the town see us like this, we have a reputation to uphold!" He said something about committing cannibalism that only made Pacifica hate him more. She reached for the lever.

Her father gawked. "You dare disobey us?" He rang the bell, and it was like Pacifica's nerves were on fire. She fought against the will to listen to it, to obey it, to lose that fleeting sense of freedom. Finally, her fingers wrapped around the lever. "Our family name is broken and I'm gonna fix it!"

She pulled the lever.

It took hardly a second before everyone faded back into human form. Some people laughed hysterically while others rocked back and forth, traumatized. Meanwhile, the doors to the mansion flung open as a flood of people stormed in. Even though it was pure chaos, Pacifica could only focus on Dipper, who shook himself off and immediately made his way to Pacifica. "You did it!"

The ghost cleared its throat, nodding to Pacifica. "Pacifica, you are not like the other Northwests. I feel...lumber justice." The ghost then faded away, the ax on its head dropping to the floor.

Pacifica turned back to Dipper, who was beaming at her. The way he smiled at her made Pacifica's heart skip a beat. She felt so...weirdly self-conscious, yet happy, and her usual poise began to slip away. "Thank you Dipper!" She couldn't stop herself from wrapping her arms around him and holding him in a tight hug. Dipper patted her back, his face tinting red. Pacifica held him in a hug for a solid thirty seconds before letting him go, staring at the floor awkwardly.

Dipper glanced around. "Man, if your family hates you for this they're idiots. This is great Pacifica!"

"Enjoy it while it lasts," Pacifica sighed, her smile dissipating. "I'm sure next time they'll just lock everyone out again."

She could feel Dipper's eyes on her; suddenly, he smirked. "Hey, guess what we're standing on."

Pacifica blinked down and gasped in realization. The fancy silver carpet from before was stained with mud, and Pacifica dug her heel into the dirt, laughing. She began tossing food on the carpet and Dipper started as well, both laughing at the same time. Still, at the sight of the mess, Pacifica felt a twinge of guilt. "Ah. I should get someone to clean this up."

Pacifica hurried away from Dipper, scanning the room for her parents. Were they still upset with her? She cursed under her breath. What a stupid question, of course, they were still mad. She had disobeyed them. Maybe they were planning to get away from Gravity Falls now, just until things cooled down. Or maybe they were kicking the townsfolk out already. Who knew? Pacifica clenched her fists just as a hand rested on her shoulder. "You alright?"

Pacifica spun around, her fists unclenching. "Oh, Dipper. You're staying for the party still?"

Dipper grinned. He was the most relaxed Pacifica had ever seen him. Not that she'd seen him that much of course. "Actually yeah. I thought I'd hang out with you. Unless you're-"

"No! I mean, yes. Sure. Hang out if you want." Pacifica coughed. "Nerd."

"Rich girl." Dipper shot back, but they were both smiling. Pacifica held his gaze, heart hammering in her chest. 

"So...wanna go make fun of that one-eyed lady?" Pacifica started. "She's-"

"Pacifica Northwest!" 

The moment was broken as soon as it had started. Pacifica looked over her shoulder and scowled when her parents walked up to her, side by side. Her father Preston Northwest had the bell in his hand. Pacifica's fists clenched once again until it hurt. Suddenly, there was a hand in hers and Dipper stood beside her, his gaze narrowing as he stared ahead. Pacifica's cheeks pinked.

"Look Mr. and Mrs. Northwest, this isn't a terrible thing," Dipper said. "Everyone probably respects you more because of it."

Preston scoffed. "We do not mingle with the common folk." He eyed his daughter holding hands with the Pines twin. "Come now, Pacifica. It is time we went on a long overdue holiday."

Pacifica shook her head, desperate. "No! The party just started, I can't leave now. I want to hang out with Dipper."

Preston chuckled as though amused by his daughter. "You had your fun. Now listen."

The bell rang.

Pacifica began to pull away from Dipper. He caught her wrist, his grip stronger this time. His expression was of worry. "You don't have to go Pacifica."

Pacifica's chest tightened. She tilted her head, taking in Dipper's mess of brown hair, his button nose, and worried gaze. He looked cute with a tie. The bell rang once more, and she broke away, her eyes stinging. 

"I'm sorry." She whispered, but she didn't know why. She didn't understand why she couldn't protest as her parents took her from Dipper. As they brought her to the limo and drove her out of Gravity Falls. As she left the party and the town, she stared out the window, tears streaming down her face. She watched as trees passed by, shadows in the night. And right at that moment, she made a wish.

Someday she would defy her parents again and again until it didn't hurt her anymore. Until then, she would keep hoping, keep wishing, that she would see Dipper and his family again.

"It's only for a few days," her mother said, glancing in the mirror. "Now stop crying, your mascara's running."

Pacifica wiped her face, nodding. "Okay."

It would be years after Weirdmaggedon until she saw Dipper again.

And she wasn't ready for it.