The falls

chapter three

The bus rattled to a halt, its brakes squealing as it pulled up to the small, wooden platform that served as the stop for Gravity Falls. Jessica glanced out the window, seeing a handful of people standing by the station. The town itself was nestled in the shadow of towering trees, giving it an almost hidden, secretive feel. Her heart raced a little faster. *This is it*, she thought. The beginning of what could finally be answers to all the questions she'd carried her whole life.

Neomi hopped up from her seat, grinning from ear to ear. "This is us!" she announced, grabbing her backpack and bounding down the aisle. Jessica followed, her suitcase bumping against the seats as she maneuvered off the bus.

As soon as they stepped outside, Jessica squinted in the afternoon sun, her eyes scanning the platform. A tall man with graying hair stood waiting, looking around as if he were expecting someone. *Dr. Mathis*, Jessica realized, a nervous flutter settling in her stomach.

But before she could gather her thoughts, Neomi let out an excited squeal.

"Dad!" Neomi rushed forward and threw herself into the arms of the man standing beside Dr. Mathis. The man—tall, lanky, with a familiar pair of sharp eyes—laughed and caught her in a tight hug.

Jessica blinked in surprise. That was *Dipper Pines*? The legendary adventurer and investigator of the weird and strange that she'd read about, who had once uncovered the secrets of Gravity Falls? She watched as Neomi clung to him, chattering about everything that had happened on the bus.

"Well, look who it is," Dr. Mathis said warmly, stepping forward. His sharp, analytical eyes softened when they landed on Jessica. "You must be Jessica. I've been looking forward to meeting you again, it's been, what, 9 years?"

Jessica nodded, trying to shake off her nerves. "Uh, yeah. Hi, Dr. Mathis." She gave a small wave, not quite sure how to approach the situation. Her mind raced with how strange this must all seem. After all, how could a man like Dr. Mathis, who had dedicated his life to research, take on a nine-year-old as an apprentice? And how would she explain that to Dipper Pines, standing right there?

Before she could even begin to untangle her thoughts, Dipper glanced between Jessica and Dr. Mathis, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "So, this is the prodigy you've been talking about," he said, directing the comment toward Mathis. "I was wondering when I'd get to meet her."

Jessica froze, eyes widening. *He knows?*

Dr. Mathis chuckled softly. "Dipper and I go way back," he explained, putting a hand on Jessica's shoulder. "When I told him about taking you under my wing, he was more curious than anything. Let's just say, he's seen stranger things."

Jessica's mouth went dry. This was a lot to take in all at once. She had been so worried about what people might think—how strange it would be for someone her age to be doing what she was about to do—but they already knew. And, apparently, Dipper was fine with it.

Neomi was still clinging to her dad, completely oblivious to Jessica's inner turmoil. "Dad! You won't believe it, we totally saw gnomes on the way here! Jessica saw them too!"

Dipper raised an eyebrow, giving Jessica an appraising look. "Gnomes, huh? Looks like you're already diving into Gravity Falls' mysteries."

Jessica managed a small smile, relaxing just a little. "Yeah, they were...gone before I could really make sense of it. Just footprints."

Dipper smirked knowingly. "You'll get used to that around here."

Dr. Mathis motioned toward a waiting car, ready to head into town. "Come on, let's get you settled in. We have a lot to discuss, but for now, let's just get you acquainted with the place. It's...a lot to take in."

Jessica nodded, grabbing her suitcase and following Dr. Mathis toward the car. Her mind was still buzzing from the fact that Dipper Pines had known about her all along—and that he didn't seem the least bit phased by the idea of a nine-year-old apprentice.

As they piled into the car, Neomi slid in beside Jessica, her excitement never waning. "This is gonna be so cool," she said, leaning in close. "You and me—two girls taking on Gravity Falls. I mean, come on, who else can say that?"

Jessica couldn't help but smile back. Neomi's enthusiasm was contagious. Maybe, just maybe, this was going to work out better than she'd thought.

As the car rolled out of the station and into the town, Jessica's eyes drifted to the woods. The strange, eerie quiet of Gravity Falls hung in the air, thick with secrets waiting to be discovered. But she wasn't alone. Not with Dr. Mathis, and apparently, not with Neomi either.

This was the start of something big. Something Jessica had been waiting for her whole life.