Uncertainty - Stanford Pines x Reader (female)

Chapter 3

We were back at the Northwest manor garden, where Pacifica's parents were meeting us.
"Well, Pacifica, you really found the right people for the job.", Preston said, snapping his fingers. A butler stepped forward and shook mine, then Dipper's hand.

"We can't thank you enough.", Priscilla, Pacifica's mom, added. She paused, then said, "That's enough." The butler immediately stopped shaking Dipper's hand. I stifled a chuckle.

"Hey, just holding up my end of the deal.", Dipper replied, turning to leave.
"Wait, leaving already?", Pacifica called out. "You're at the world's best party, dummy."
Dipper chuckled. "Heh, I'd love to stay, but I've got a Category 10 ghost to dispose of." He started to walk away, only to bump into a garden pillar. "Aah! Heh heh... Category 10."

I couldn't help but snicker at his stumble. "Smooth, Dipper.", I teased.
"Hey, give me a break." Dipper shot me a mocking glare, rubbing his bruised head. "Are you coming, Y/N?"

"Actually...", I began, "I think I'll stick around for a bit more."
Dipper gave me a nod of understanding. "Alright then. Enjoy the party, but don't get lost or step on any more priceless antiques!", he joked. I chuckled and even Pacifica smirked as she rolled her eyes.

"I make no promises.", I quipped, my smirk matching Pacifica's. "But I'll try not to cause too much trouble. Have fun getting rid of that Category 10."

With a final wave, Dipper headed off, disappearing into the night with the mirror containing the ghost.
I turned back to Pacifica. She gestured towards the mansion. "Come on."
I followed her back inside. The party was still in full swing, with music, chatter and laughter filling the air.

"Your parents sure know how to throw a party, gotta give them that."
Pacifica nodded, her expression a mix of pride and boredom. "Yeah, it's a tradition. They always aim to impress."
We found ourselves at a table loaded with refreshments. Pacifica grabbed a champagne flute and took a sip. "It's all about keeping up appearances, you know. Being a Northwest means having expectations to live up to."

I picked up a canape, eyeing the crowd of well-dressed attendees. "It looks more like some fancy business meeting than a party."
Some people were dancing, but most were standing around, sipping champagne and making polite conversation.

Pacifica sighed, looking more bored than ever. "Yeah, it's all part of the 'sophisticated society' thing. Everyone's putting on their best act to impress each other. Sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in some kind of reality show where everyone's performing in front of an invisible camera."

I chuckled at her analogy. "Well, you do make quite the impression, if that's any consolation."
Pacifica smirked. "Oh, please. I'm just the face people expect to see. Half these people only talk to me because of my family name."

Looking at the crowd, I couldn't deny that. Most of the people here were adults, and they all seemed more interested in mingling with each other and appearing important. It seemed like Pacifica was just a trophy to them, an ornament to highlight how wealthy and influential her family was.
"Hey, can I ask you something?"
Pacifica looked puzzled but shrugged. "Yeah, sure, what is it?"

I glanced at her, my expression turning serious. "You know, your parents... they seem to have very high expectations of you."
Pacifica's movements faltered for a moment, her gaze falling to the ground. After a brief moment of silence, she spoke up, her voice unusually quiet. "They have always held high standards for me. That's just how they are."

"It must be tough, living under that kind of pressure."
Pacifica shrugged, a slight tension in her shoulders. "It's just the way things are. They want me to uphold our family name and meet their expectations."