Black and White and Streaks of Color

Chapter Thirty Eight: Mabel's P.O.V. Birthday Party/Pity Party

Today's the day.
I take a deep breath, wondering if maybe the air would taste differently. I open my eyes, pondering whether or not everything would look different.
It doesn't. I feel the same.
I get out of bed and stand. Maybe I'm taller.
I'm not. I glance at Dipper snoozing in his bed. I wonder if he feels different.
Since we are thirteen now.
I get dressed for the party and head downstairs and wait for the guests to arrive.
"Pumpkin, I hate to tell you this, but the guests are coming until 7:00," Grunkle Stan tells me.
"I just can't wait! And Pacifica's coming early!"
"Want some pancakes?"
"Yes!"
Dipper comes lazily stomping down the stairs.
I place my pancake plate on the table and come rushing toward him. I squeeze him into a big loving hug."Happy birthday Dipper!"
He grins and hugs me back."Happy birthday Mabel."
Hours pass slowly, but the party finally starts. Everyone arrives more or less on time. Colorful lights are displayed everywhere. Food is set on tables inside and outside. Music plays. People dance. Everything's perfect.
I go around talking to people with Pacifica.
"So, having fun?" Pacifica asks me.
I nod."Yep."
She looks confused for a moment, and gazes into my eyes."Are you sure?"
"I-I... wow, you know me really well, don't you?" I ask. I lead her into the shack and up to my room.
"What's wrong?"
"I may act excited to be a teen. But I'm not. I hate growing up. I'm so scared. There's so many responsibilities, and I can't handle that... This year I'm going into eighth grade. And next year - high school. High school, Pacifica!" I realize that I'm breaking down into tears.
"Awe, Mabel..." She begins to stroke my hair."I know it's scary. I'm afraid, too. But listen to me. Right now you have me. And when you go back home, you'll have Dipper with you through thick and thin. Not everyone has someone like that..." Her eyes gaze off elsewhere.
"Ugh, don't remind me. We're leaving tomorrow."
"I'm gonna miss you."
"I'm gonna miss you too."
We kiss, and then sit for a moment. Moonlight streams into the room from the window. The room is dark other than that.
"I don't want to say goodbye to Gravity Falls," I confess."It's the only place where my brother and I will ever fit in."
"Let's go back to the party," Pacifica says."And have one last night of fun."
As I arrive back to the first floor, the music dies down. People begin clapping. Dipper stand at a table with a cake on it and gestures for me to join him. Everyone sings "Happy Birthday". Dipper and I look at each other, smile, and blow out the candles.
  We high five. Pacifica hugs me.
  Everything is finally okay. Right now.