Starfall

Chapter 20 - Party Crashers

The drive back to the Septic Ridge RV park was a quiet one. The sun was setting beneath the horizon as the trees were painted with fire and gilded light. The first stars were now jined by a host of others as the light of day began to fade and the stars grew more pronounced above.

Pacifica and Dipper hardly said a word. Pacifica was content with that as she tucked herself around Dipper once again. Before they had left she said, "You don't mind do you?" as she wrapped her arms around him tentatively her face now blushing. She was grateful he was facing away from her and could not see her flushed cheeks. Dipper said, "Of course not. I wouldn't want you to fall," he said with a nervous chuckle. She took the liberty of drawing him in closer. She could have sworn she saw a smirk tease his lips. Perhaps it was her imagination.

When they reached the camping site and parked the dirtbikes the Stans waved at them. Even Stanley nodded amicably at Pacifica to her stark surprise. Pacifica helped Dipper with the dirt bikes while Mabel watched. Pacifica saw Wendy approach from the camper. She walked up next to Mabel and said, "How was the valley?" Mabel hugged Wendy first before answering. Wendy rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless. Mabel backed up and said, "I let Pacifica take my place. She totally smoked Dipper first try!" Wendy's eyes grew wide as Pacifica's ears perked up hearing her name. She tried to listen without looking like she was. "You're telling me the blonde heiress herself smoked Sir Dippingsauce?" Mabel nodded cheerfully. Wendy snickered, "I would have paid money to see that!" Pacifica let a smile creep up the side of her lips.

Stanley stood up, "Who's paying money for what now?" Mabel and Pacifica both laughed but then remembered Pacifica she wasn't supposed to be eavesdropping. She looked at Wendy sheepishly. Wendy just smirked at her in good nature. "Nothing Mr. Pines. We were talking about watching Dipper lose to little Miss Northwest over here."

Dipper frowned, "Not cool Mabes...not cool!" he mumbled. Mabel smirked, "Tell Wendy about your 'plans' for tonight." She said 'plans' in air quotes. Dipper groaned and hit his head on the side of the camper. Wendy smirked at Pacifica, "This out to be good." Dipper sighed, "Apparently my penance for losing is I have to attend Preston Northwest's very dry business expo a few blocks from here." Wendy all of a sudden stood up straight, her eyes wide open. "Say that last part again Dipper?" Dipper sighed, "Ok, ok I'm going to a boring business expo spearheaded by Captain Ego himself." Wendy said, "Did you say it's the expo just up the street?!?"

Dipper shrugged nonchalantly, "Yeah sure...why?" A wicked smile slunk across her face. "I think we just found our victim!... Unless you're not ok with that?" she said now facing a surprised Pacifica.

Pacifica said, "So this is tonight right?" Wendy nodded as Pacifica continued. "And you guys will be doing something to embarrass my father?" Wendy hesitantly said, "Uh...yeah." "Will it be humiliating?" Wendy shifted uncomfortably. "Well...possibly-" Pacifica cut across, "When do we ship out!" A devious smile altered the pretty blond's countenance. Wendy grinned, "All right which of you two was the bad influence on her? Mabel, I'm looking your way." Mabel folded her hands in front of her with mock penitence. "When have I ever misbehaved?!?"

Wendy grinned and said, "I seem to remember catching you under the bleachers with that Jimmy kid." Wendy made kissing noises. Mabel dove over to cover her mouth. "WENDY!" Dipper now looked shocked, "Your lab partner from physics? The kid with braces?" Mabel looked at Dipper furiously pointing an accusatory hand, "He was a nice kid Dipper." Dipper sighed and muttered, "I'll chalk that up to my list of things you never want to know about your sister."

Mabel smirked and said, "We also had French class together." Dipper frowned, "Wait...you didn't take French class in...oh...MABEL! Your incorrigible!" Wendy and Pacifica high-fived Mabel. "Solid bait Mabel," Wendy said. Pacifica leaned back against the camper casually, "Whatever happened to Captain Kissy Face?" Mabel sighed. "He went the way of all nerds. He skipped senior year with honors and went to college early." Wendy laughed, "Love and let live girl."