Returning to Gravity Falls felt like stepping into a bizarrely familiar dream. The kind where everything looks just like you remember but with a few weird details thrown in. I guess that's pretty fitting for this place. As we drove into town, I glanced over at Mabel, who was busy rearranging the friendship bracelets on her arm.
"Do you think anyone's going to recognize us?" Mabel asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
I shrugged. "We're only a few years older. How different can we look?"
Mabel smirked. "Well, I’m taller and fabulous-er, and you're... still wearing that same hat."
I instinctively reached up to adjust my pine tree cap. "Hey, it's a classic."
She laughed and turned back to the window, pointing excitedly at every familiar landmark. The Mystery Shack loomed into view, and I felt a wave of nostalgia crash over me. The place was exactly the same. Waddles was snuffling around the yard, Stan was probably scamming tourists, and Soos was... still Soos.
"Race you to the Shack!" Mabel yelled, bolting out of the car before it even came to a full stop.
By the time I caught up to her, she was already inside, hugging Soos like she was trying to squeeze the air out of him. Soos beamed when he saw me.
"Hey, dude! Long time no see!" he said, giving me a bear hug that made my ribs creak.
"Good to see you too, Soos," I wheezed.
We spent the next few hours catching up, reminiscing about our old adventures, and hearing about all the weirdness we missed. The usual Gravity Falls stuff—nothing too surprising there. But there was one thing I hadn't anticipated: Pacifica Northwest.
I spotted her later that evening, standing in front of the Shack with her arms crossed, looking every bit the picture of teenage disdain. She'd grown up, no doubt about that. Gone was the snobby brat I remembered, replaced by a tall, confident girl with a sharp gaze and—dare I say it—an actual smile.
"Dipper Pines," she said, her voice dripping with mock surprise. "I see you finally made it back."
"Pacifica," I replied, giving her a nod. "Good to see you."
"Same hat, huh?" She smirked, flicking the brim of my cap. "You never change."
I shot her a grin. "Neither do you. Still as charming as ever."
Mabel bounded over, her eyes flicking between us with barely concealed glee. "Hey, Pacifica! Long time no see! How's the princess life treating you?"
Pacifica rolled her eyes but didn't lose her smile. "Oh, you know, endless balls and tea parties. The usual."
It was weird. We'd spent so much time clashing with her, it was hard to adjust to this... almost friendly banter. Mabel, of course, had no such problems. She latched onto Pacifica, dragging her into our reminiscing sessions with ease.
As the sun set, casting an orange glow over the Mystery Shack, we gathered outside around a bonfire Stan had grudgingly set up. He claimed it was to attract tourists, but we all knew it was just his way of welcoming us home.
"So, Dipstick," Pacifica said, plopping down next to me on the log, "what's the plan for this summer? More journal hunting? Maybe start a new apocalypse?"
"Hopefully something a bit less intense," I replied. "But knowing this place, who knows?"
She laughed, and for a moment, it felt like no time had passed. We fell into a surprisingly comfortable rhythm, trading barbs and stories as if the last few years hadn't been spent apart. Mabel, ever the matchmaker, kept shooting us knowing looks, but I did my best to ignore her.
As the night wore on, I found myself genuinely enjoying Pacifica's company. She'd changed a lot since we first met—less uptight, more genuine. It was... nice.
"So," she said, as the fire died down, "you think you can survive another summer in Gravity Falls?"
I looked around at the familiar faces, the old Shack, the dark woods full of mysteries. And then back at Pacifica, who was watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read.
"Yeah," I said, smiling. "I think I can manage it."
Little did I know, this summer was going to be even crazier than the last. But at that moment, with the fire crackling and friends around me, it felt like coming home. And for once, I was ready for whatever weirdness Gravity Falls had to throw at us.
Even if it meant dealing with Pacifica Northwest.
