The falls

chapter 16

The familiar hum of the diner surrounded Jessica and Neomi as they sat in their usual booth. The morning light filtered through the blinds, casting slanted shadows on the table. Jessica stared at her half-eaten plate of pancakes, thoughts swirling in her head. Neomi, meanwhile, was enthusiastically devouring her own stack, completely unfazed by everything that had happened over the last 24 hours.

Jessica finally broke the silence, her voice contemplative. "I've been thinking... about what we talked about earlier. You know, the whole reality thing. And it reminded me of something: 'I think, therefore I am.'"

Neomi looked up from her syrup-covered plate, blinking in confusion. "You think, therefore you what?"

Jessica smiled, realizing this might be a bit too deep for a casual breakfast conversation. "It's a philosophical idea. Basically, if I can think, then I must exist. I've been wondering... if some people out there might see us as characters in a book or a story, does that change anything for us? Because to me, this is my reality. And we have free will, right?"

Neomi furrowed her brow, clearly trying to follow along but getting lost halfway through. "Uh... free will?" she repeated, seizing on the one part she understood.

Jessica couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah. Free will." She looked at Neomi's wide, earnest eyes and smiled warmly. "You're adorable, you know that?"

Neomi grinned, oblivious to any deeper meaning in Jessica's comment, and took another big bite of her pancakes. "Thanks!" she said with her mouth full.

Jessica leaned back in the booth, her smile fading slightly as her thoughts shifted to something more personal. "I've been meaning to ask you something."

Neomi swallowed her food and tilted her head curiously. "What's up?"

Jessica hesitated, feeling a little awkward. "Why... why did you kiss me last night? I mean, it was right after we fixed Santa's sleigh, and I just... I didn't expect it."

Neomi's eyes widened in surprise, her cheeks turning a slight shade of pink. She looked away, suddenly very interested in the syrup dripping down her fork. "Oh... that." She fidgeted for a moment before responding. "I... don't know. I guess I was just really happy that we saved Christmas. It felt like a big moment, you know? And, well... you saved me from a pterodactyl, so... it just kinda happened."

Jessica blinked, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "So... it was a 'thank you for saving me from a pterodactyl' kiss?"

Neomi shrugged, still avoiding eye contact. "Maybe. Or maybe I just... wanted to. I don't know, I don't think about stuff like that too much."

Jessica didn't press any further, sensing Neomi's discomfort. Instead, she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "Well, I'm not mad or anything. Just... surprised. You're full of surprises, you know that?"

Neomi finally looked up, her pink cheeks fading back to their usual color. She smiled shyly. "Yeah, I guess I am."

Jessica laughed softly. "You really are." She took a sip of her orange juice, the conversation lightening as the two settled back into their usual banter.

Neomi changed the subject quickly. "So, do you think we're gonna run into any more weird stuff before the new year?"

Jessica grinned, shaking her head. "This is Gravity Falls, Neomi. Weird stuff is pretty much guaranteed."

They both laughed, the tension of the moment dissipating as easily as it had arrived. Reality, free will, kisses—some things didn't need to be fully understood right away.