Dipcifica: New summer, New start...

Chapter 25

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Pacifica's POV

We filled into a rickety taxi, which drove for a straight thirty minutes until we finally arrived in Dipper's neighborhood. As the cab parked outside his house, I was surprised to see a rather nice mid-sized home made of white stone, with a basic blue-gray shingled roof. A small path lead to the door, which was framed by shrubbery and flowers.

"I like your house," I commented to Dipper.

"Thanks," he replied. "My dad cares about curb appeal a lot. He spends all his time out here."

"My dad just gets the Butlers to do it for us," I sighed, imagining how my life would be so much more fun if I were an average citizen like Dipper.

"Hey, you look kind of sad," Dipper said.

"Oh...yeah. I was just daydreaming."

"Okay. What we're going to do is wait behind the backyard door until my mom comes home from work." He lead me over to the back of the house, there was a neatly painted white wood gate, which Dipper unhinged and motioned for me to follow him. There was a stone path leading down a narrow strip of yard where the recycling and trash bins were parked, giving off a foul reek that made my stomach roll.

As if reading my mind, Dipper gave me an apologetic look. "Sorry about the smell," he whispered. "They probably forgot to take the garbage out,"

"It's okay," I choked out. "It happens,"

We walked along the narrow stone path, I trying not to breath, until we reached a small but pretty backyard that had a slim patio and a table with folding chairs. Colorful summer flowers grew out of assorted pots.

"Wow," I said, wondering at the brightness of everything here. My backyard was huge, with a pool and at least two acres of forest, but not nearly as lively and vibrant as this one.

Dipper grabbed my arm and led me over to a cooler that was installed next to the grill, and took out two cokes. I chugged mine down in under two minutes, not caring about the burning sensation in my throat and mouth. It was the most beautiful taste my tongue had for so long.

"Ahhh," I sighed and sat back, enjoying a moment of pure peace before Dipper's shriek caused me to topple completely off the chair with a screech.

"What is it?" I groaned, rubbing my head."

"Sorry Pacifica, it's just that my mom is home! Get ready."

"Wait, how do you know?"

"I have something my parents like to call the Dipper sense. I can tell if anything fishy is going on around the house. Don't question it, just get ready!"

We scampered back down the narrow strip of yard and I exited the gate, hiding in the shadows at the back of the house. I watched as Dipper's mom, a slim women with bouncy, short brown hair the same shade as the twin's, shut the car's door and walked toward the front porch of the house. Taking my cue, I popped out of the bushes.

"Hi!" I said in much more cheerful way than necessary.

Dipper's mom screamed and fainted.

Great.

"Hey Dipper, your mom fainted!" I call to him, and he comes running out of the gate.

"I should have known," he sighed. "The keys should be in her bag. Take em' out and we can unlock the door.

While Dipper checked his mom over for a concussion, I sleuthed around in her leather bag for the keys, tossing aside loose gum wrappers that still sported a pungent mint smell, coupons, loose dollar bills and half-used lipsticks until I found a pair of keys decorated by Fake Jewels and stickers.