What If

Saturday June 9th, 2018
9:05 am

Wendy Corduroy's still working at the Shack for the summer. She's stocking some of the new merchandise that Soos has added to take advantage of the remodeling he has done. It's before opening hours when she hears the bell over the door ring. From her crouched position she was first able to see a pair of worn combat boots, then some faded jeans, a blue flannel shirt over a black a-shirt, mop of shaggy brown hair, and finally a familiar ushanka hat. And the face seems familiar.

Dipper set his backpack & suitcase down next to the stores counter. He walked towards the in towards the new displays looking around (but apparently not seeing Wendy crouched by the far shelving unit).

"Man, things sure have changed. But it has been two years. I guess Soos really has been doing great. I hope he remembered that I wanted this to be a surprise."

Almost hitting her head as she jumped a bit from the sudden sound of the new - old? - voice, Wendy placed the last of the merchandise on the shelves before standing up. She turned to look at the newcomer, and was absolutely floored by what she saw.

It was incredible what a couple of years could do to a person, especially since she didn't feel as though she had changed that much herself.

"H-Hey, dude." Wendy cleared her throat, giving him a wave whilst simultaneously readjusting the pine tree hat on her head, "Um... yeah, big surprise."

Hearing the voice off to his side Dipper froze. It's not that it was an unwelcome voice, far from it. It was the voice he missed the most from his adopted home. The one that has haunted him since his parents told him and Mabel that they had planned a family vacation before college started, so the twins couldn't go to Gravity Falls last year.

He had hoped go be able to get his stuff up in the old room and maybe freshen up a bit before she came into work.

He turned to face her and had to catch his breath. She was still as beautiful as he remembered, maybe even more so. He subconsciously adjusted his flannel and fidgeted with the chain he keeps his keys on.

Just seeing her had him feeling as nervous as he had when he was 12. Of course they were just friends and to be honest he wouldn't risk that for almost anything. Heck, it's been two years since he last saw her & he still considered her to be his best friend. Besides with the way she looks and as sweet as she is she's probably got dates lined up. He'll be lucky if she has time to do movie nights anymore.

Finally he found his voice and said, "Hey Wendy. Long time, no see."

Though Wendy outwardly appeared as though she had everything together, she was anything but on the inside. Thankfully, she was a master at playing it cool while her mind ran wild.

Crossing her arms, she offered a crooked smile his way, "It's been a bit, hasn't it?"

She would be lying if she said she didn't miss Dipper and Mabel a lot- she thought about them just about every day at that point. With her own friend group growing further and further apart, she found herself thinking about them even more. Not to mention, she had also been saving up her money for a road trip out of Gravity Falls in hopes of visiting California. Though, it seemed as though fortune had finally blessed her.

"How've you been, dude?" Wendy asked as she walked over to her post and leaned against the counter, crossing her arms.

"Well I'm, uhm," Dipper said as he reached up and rubbed the back back of his neck, "I'm doing pretty good. School's been hectic, I kinda wish I hadn't taken my College Credit classes. Pulling a double major has got me busy as all get out."