[🔶] Gravity Falls: Rewritten!

Chapter 34: Dawn of the Planning of the Cakes

BEEP BEEP!!!

Pacifica's eyes fluttered open to complete darkness. She sighed and lazily lifted her hand to yank off her sleeping mask. The first thing that greeted her was the dull, off-white ceiling staring back. She let out a groan and rolled over, slapping her hand on the alarm clock to shut it up.

Back in the day, she would have woken up to one of the maids gently calling her name, presenting her with an over-the-top breakfast tray, fresh flowers, and perfectly folded napkins. But those days were long gone. That luxury wasn't part of her life anymore.

Now, she slept in a modest twin bed instead of the double queen she was used to. Still, at least she had her own space. Her own room. Her privacy. That counted for something. She usually woke up early, though never as early as her parents, who would be downstairs by now, bickering over their wardrobe choices. To Pacifica, that was the closest thing to a familiar melody these days.

They couldn't afford most of their staff anymore. Everyone had left—except for Bernard. Loyal Bernard, the one butler who stayed behind. He did it all now: cooking, cleaning, ironing, and laundry. And he never once complained about the unfair pay. All he wanted was to continue serving the Northwests, no matter what.

Of course, Preston took advantage of that dedication. Though, to his credit—if you could call it that—he did lighten Bernard's load somewhat. He insisted Bernard no longer do anything for Pacifica, claiming, "She can fend for herself after defying my authority."

Pacifica had rolled her eyes so many times over that line, she was surprised they hadn't gotten stuck that way. Classic Preston. Only her father could make such a petty statement sound like a royal decree. He was easily the second most dramatic person in the family, only outdone by her mother. Pacifica, naturally, took third place.

It was the start of the week—Monday. The day Pacifica headed off to Gravity Falls High, a public school. If she were still the same Pacifica as before, she might've gagged at the idea. But after a few weeks of trying to blend in, she realized something surprising: nobody here treated her like she was royalty. And, weirdly enough, she was okay with that.

No one placed her on a pedestal, which meant there was no pressure to be flawless, unlike at her old private school where she was constantly surrounded by rich kids and silent judgment. Here, they treated her like one of their own. No one was kissing the ground she walked on—and for once, she didn't mind.

She slung her book bag over her shoulders, adjusting the strap as she headed out the door. She mumbled a "goodbye," not to her parents, but to the house itself. It wasn't like her parents would say it back anyway.

These days, she walked herself to school instead of being chauffeured around in a limousine to some distant academy. Her house wasn't perched up on a private hill anymore. That life was gone. She remembered the day they sold the mansion—how it shook her to the core. Becoming homeless overnight because of one dumb decision her father made? It felt so unfair.

But... thinking back, it was a really dumb decision.

Still, deep down, there was this small flicker inside her. A quiet part of her that was actually looking forward to this new life. A fresh start. One without the boring, fancy parties or the fake, practiced smiles.

Pacifica stepped into the halls of Gravity Falls High. Nobody spared her a glance. No one stopped to admire her, and certainly, no one cried at the sight of her.

Just the way she preferred it.

There was a light bounce in her step as she made her way to first period. A few students were already there, but she didn't pay them any mind. Instead, she headed straight for the farthest seat on the left, right by the shelves, and settled in.