It's been a while

"I am this fiery snail crawling home,"
- Charles Bukowski

"Oof" My head slams against the dirty window of the bus as it rattles down the dust covered road, awakening me from my dreams. I rub the sleep out of my eyes and glance over at a sleeping Mabel. I notice that she has a much softer pillow than I did, with her head resting on Waddles. Although now two years older, she still has an airy and childlike expression painted across her face as she sleeps.
I laugh at the thought of her countenance when she walks into the shack and sees Soos and Wendy.

Oh god, Wendy. How am I gonna react nevermind Mabel?? I haven't seen her in like two years and back then I couldn't be within three metres of her without absolutely embarrassing myself. I hope she doesn't remember that or what happened outside the bunker.

I mean, it's not like I'm still crushing on her, I've dated a few people since that summer. It's just... I don't wanna mess things up again, that's all.

I turn to the window and use my sleeve to wipe the dust away, pressing my cheek to the glass I catch a glimpse of the famous Gravity Falls water tower and i feel my heart lift a couple inches. I've known for weeks that I'd be coming back but its never really hit me before now. I can feel my legs starting to shake and I start drumming on my knees as a smile spreads uncontrollably across my face. It's the end of the line.

The bus' tires screech to a halt as Mabel and Waddles go flying into the seat infront of them. Laughing at the pair of them, I roll the sleeves of my navy bomber jacket up to my elbows, pick up my bag and ruffle Mabels hair as I stride past,
"We're here, Sis."

The sun is blaring as we hop off the bus and make our way down the beaten track towards our home for the summer. As we approach the Mystery Shack, I notice not a thing has changed, except the grass has grown a good bit taller.

Mabel abruptly grabs my hand and looks me dead in the eye,
"You ready for this bro?"
"Not really.." I chuckle in response and she leads me in through the wooden double doors.

"DUDES!!" My life flashes before my eyes as the wind is knocked out of my lungs. I look up and find Soos hugging me with one arm and Mabel with the other, and I laugh. Or try too. Bad idea. It hurts.

I tap out and he sets us both down and adds,
"Awhh i missed you guys so much!"

"I missed you too pal." I respond as I punch his arm and start nosying around the shop. I hear him and Mabel chattering when a voice sounds through the room,
"Kids?"
"Grunkle Stan!" Mabel practically screams as she leaps towards him,
"Wow you've grown up, liked it better when you were smaller and I could boss you around."
Mabel giggles and Stans eyes land on me,
"Well there's the man himself,"  I say while striding forward to hug him.
"Don't act shocked," he scowls, "Could've told me yous two were comin back instead of getting my hopes up that we had customers."
"Well in our defense, we didn't expect you to be here" Mabel retorts, and I back her up,
"Yeah! I mean aren't you supposed to be sailing the world right now with Ford?"
"Yeah well about that..." he grimaces.
Just then, Ford flings the door open and rushes right up to me,
"Dipper?" He asks as he lifts my fringe up, revealing my birthmark "I need to show you something, now."
"Give the boy a chance to sit down first!" Shouts Grunkle Stan.
I agree with Stan in my head,
Yeah Ford I mean, it's great to see you but I've been on a bus for hours and my legs have turned to jelly, gimme a minute. Besides you haven't even looked at Mabel let alone greeted her. Besides I wanna go see Wendy.

Before I'm able to open my mouth to protest he drags me towards the door yelling over his shoulder,
"No time!" The last thing I hear before the door slamming shut is Grunkle Stan yelling in frustration and slamming his fist on the counter.