Uncertainty - Stanford Pines x Reader (female)

Chapter 38

The conversation with Stan had left me with an endless flood of thoughts, swirling in my chaotic mind. The party was still going on in full swing when I reentered the house, and I tried my best to put on a smile and act as though nothing had happened.
Ford was talking to McGucket, his attention fully focused on the conversation. He hadn't noticed me yet.

The sound of laughter filled the room. Mabel, wearing a birthday crown made of glitter, glue, and about fifty sparkly stickers, twirled in the center of attention. "Best. Birthday. Ever!", she shouted as she spun in circles, her arms outstretched. Dipper stood nearby, his face lit up in the way only someone who'd successfully survived their awkward pre-teen years could understand.

"Yo, Dipper, check this out!", Wendy called from the snack table. She was balancing a stack of cupcakes precariously in one hand while waving him over with the other.

Dipper walked over, grinning. "You didn't do the thing again, did you? Like that time you tried to balance the cookie tower and it collapsed?"

Wendy rolled her eyes playfully. "Pssh, that was ages ago.", she retorted. "Besides, I'm a master at this now. Watch and learn, dude."
She attempted to add another cupcake to the wobbly tower.

The tower of cupcakes swayed precariously, and both Dipper and Wendy held their breath. With a triumphant smirk, Wendy successfully added the final cupcake without the structure collapsing.

"Ta-dah!", she exclaimed, the stack still on her palm. Dipper let out a sigh of relief mixed with awe. "Nice job, Wendy."

I watched Mabel excitedly pull Pacifica and Candy into a wild dance, feeling the warmth of the moment wash over me. It was rare to see such joy and chaos all blended together, and even rarer to be in the middle of it.

But my gaze inadvertently found Ford again. He was still engrossed in his conversation with McGucket, and I felt a pang of irritation at myself for even keeping an eye on his whereabouts.
"Stop it.", I muttered under my breath. "Stop watching him like some clingy loser. He hasn't even noticed you're here, for heaven's sake."

In the background, Grenda's booming voice could be heard as she joined Mabel's dance party, her laughter filling the room. The whole scene felt wonderfully chaotic.

Mabel, catching a break in her spinning, skipped over to me with wide, sparkling eyes. "Y/N! Come join us! It's my birthday and I demand dancing!"

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my lips. "Alright, birthday girl. I'm all yours."
Mabel squealed in delight, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the dancing fray.

The music was upbeat, some strange mix of Mabel's favorite bubblegum pop and Dipper's more subdued alternative playlist, but it somehow worked. Everyone was either dancing, laughing, or eating their way through the birthday feast.

I lost myself in the music, the thumping bass and cheerful lyrics washing over me like waves on a beach. Mabel led me in a series of ridiculous dance moves, all the while giggling uncontrollably.

"Come on, Dipper, don't just stand there!", Mabel shouted, waving him over.
"I'll pass.", he muttered, though a smile tugged at his lips.

Pacifica, who'd just been twirling with Candy, stopped next to Dipper, scoffing at his reluctance. "What, are you afraid you'll make a fool out of yourself?", she teased.

"I have a shred of dignity left.", Dipper retorted good-naturedly.
"Which is more than I can say for you.", Pacifica quipped back, a smirk playing on her lips.

Mabel, however, wasn't having it. "Dipper Pines, you're coming! It's our birthday and I need you to embarrass yourself on the dance floor!"

With Mabel's enthusiastic coaxing and Pacifica's insistent pestering, Dipper finally relented. He joined us in a rather awkward yet endearing dance, Mabel whooping in approval.