Abnormal Gravity: A Parapines Fanfic

New Friends

The three kids walked together out of the woods, Mabel and Dipper in the front with Norman towing behind. Mabel turned to give a quick smile and wave to Norman then looked back at her brother. She gently poked him with her potato launcher. 

"Hey, Dipper," Mabel whispered.

"Yeah?" Dipper said in a normal voice.

"You should talk to him." 

"What?"

"You know, get to know each other a little. Man to man, bro to bro. He seems really weird and interesting."

"I think he can hear us, you know." Mabel gave a quick glance backwards.

"Pfft, No, he can't."

Norman could.

"Mabel," Dipper said with a sigh,  "If you wanna be so social, why don't you talk to him?  I'm trying to think. "

"Ugh, fine. Grouchy McGrouchgrouch." Mabel slowed get pace to match with Norman's.

"Hey, Norman!"

"Hey, Mabel."

"So, I haven't seen you in town before,  and since I know everyone in town, you must be from out of town!"

"You are correct. I'm vacationing with my sister."

"Just your sister?"

"Yep. My parents thought that I needed a change of pace this summer, and also wanted me to get closer to my sister, so two birds with one stone, and all that."

"We're the same way! Our parents sent us here on our own. Our Grunkle would be here taking care of us, but he's been away for a couple years now with his brother. I wonder what they're doing now..." Mabel's eyes wandered for a bit, becoming a little distant, but then they refocused. "Anyways, I have to apologize for my brother. He's not usually this grouchy. I don't know what's up with him. "

"I can hear you," Dipper said, without turning around.

"Hear it in his voice? Ugh, so grouchy."

"Yeah," Norman said a little quieter so Dipper wouldn't hear, "I get the feeling he doesn't like me very much."

"What? No! I'm telling ya, as soon as this ghost business is done with,  he'll be back to regular Dipper and we'll all be friends!"

"That sounds nice, I guess"

There was a silence as thee trio began to enter the town. Norman was surprised that things were going so well. When Courtney ordered him to "go make friends" that morning so she could talk to her college buddies in private, he didn't think it would actually happen. Granted, they aren't really his friends yet, but they seemed to be getting there. At least, with Mabel.

After a few minutes of walking in silence, Mabel finally spoke up.

"Have I mentioned you're really cute?" Mabel said.

Norman and Dipper stopped immediately, with Mabel following suit. Dipper spun around.

"Mabel, seriously?"

"What? It's true! Look at him!" she said, gesturing at the now blushing Norman.

"Um, thanks...?" Norman could only say. That was the first time anyone besides his mother had called him "cute", let alone "really cute".

"Mabel, you're embarrassing him," Dipper said.

"Oh, come on, Dipper!" Mabel replied, moving behind Norman and pinching his cheeks, "You can't tell me 'this' isn't cute. Look at his hair! It's awesome! And his cheeks are so soft! Come feel them, Dipper!"

Dipper was unimpressed. "Mabel, we're wasting time."

"Alright, alright, one more question." Mabel moved to Norman's side and leaned comically on his shoulder.
"Norman, do you think my bro is cute?"

Norman never actually got a good look at Dipper yet, but seeing him stand there on the sidewalk in the afternoon sun, with his brown hair tucked under his cap, his determined and curious brown eyes, his face in a pout, and his skin tanned from spending time outside, Norman could see it.

"Yes," Norman said, smiling and half-joking, "I think your bro is very cute."

Dipper's eyebrows rose up and his face reddened, but then he pulled down his cap and turned away.

"That ghost isn't gonna catch itself, guys," he said before walking off. Mabel's brow lowered in worry.

"Something is definitely wrong ," Mabel said. "Let's go, Norman."

"Right behind you," Norman said, worrying if he had taken it too far, and weirded Dipper out.

The trio walked in silence until they came to a building shaped like a fallen log. Or a huge, fallen log that was made into a building. Either explanation would work. The sign above the building read, "Greasy's Diner" in red letters and a smaller sign that says "We have food" beneath it.

Outside was a very worried looking woman with grey hair and one eye closed. She had a pink dress on with a stained apron over it. Judging by her looks, she was the owner of the establishment. She noticed the three children and watched them as they got closer.

"Where have you been?" the old woman asked, exasperated.

"Sorry, Susan, we caught the wrong ghost," Dipper said.

"Darn right, you did! My whole kitchen's a mess in there! I'm afraid if I go back in, I might trip and lose an eye!"

"Dont worry, Susan," Mabel chimed, "this time, we brought a ghost expert." She thumbed behind her at Norman.

"Hello, Ms. Susan," Norman said. The woman peered at Norman with her open eye, then used a finger to open her other eye, which also focused on him.

"I haven't seen you around. Are you new in town?"

"Yeah, I'm just here for the summer, though."

"A ghost expert and a cutie! Well, you're always welcome at my diner. After you get rid of the ghost, of course."

"We'll get right on it, Susan," Mabel said, and darted through the door.

"Let's go, ghost expert," Dipper said, then followed his sister. Norman took a deep breath a headed inside.