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Chapter 2- Coffee Doesn't Cure Headaches

     A cool gust of wind brushes my neck as we step out onto the street, the chill in the air winning a shiver from me. I follow Mabel through the town, and even though I'm freezing, I dare to admit I'm enjoying myself. It's fairly obvious that Mabel's biding her time and taking the long route, but taking in the city as we walk is oddly comforting... which I'm thankful for, because I'm beginning to feel a soft twinge in my skull, indicating a headache is probably on it's way.
     I'm most likely lacking in a refreshing drink of water. I'll grab something to drink at the coffee shop.
       We pass guitar outlets, quirky little restaurants, rustic bookstores, and an absolute tsunami of coffee shops.
     I suppose I'll need to spend some time jumping around each one to figure out where I stand with their coffee.
     At long last, we reach the shop, and I pause to wave at a man who's locking up his bike to a nearby bike rack. He glances up at me, and his face instantly lights up. He opens his mouth to say something, but Mabel grows impatient and grabs me by the hem of my sleeve, yanking me inside the shop.
     Well, the community of Oakland seems friendly. Sort of like Gravity Falls.
     As we set foot into the building, Mabel's initial reaction is to dart to one of the refrigerators showcasing their iced sweets. I, on the other hand, find an empty table beside the window, overlooking the busy street outside.
     I study my surroundings a bit, smiling at the little paintings and inspirational chalk art messages scattering the walls.
     It's generic, I'm aware, but it's cozy. And I like it.
    Mabel waves at me, indicating that I ought to get my head out of the clouds and order. Suppressing a sigh, I set the pine tree hat on the table, marking that it's already taken in case someone else strolls through the door, and stumble over to her.
    I order a simple coffee, nothing too special. Just hopefully something that can ease the slight pang in my brain. (Is coffee good for headaches? Hopefully it doesn't make the problem worse.)
    The barista nods, and the moment she turns her back to face the kitchen, Mabel dumps four... no, five large scones on the counter.
    Each scone is twelve bucks. But I'm too weary to tell her to remove some of her pick and start any conflict.
    So I groan and pull sixty bucks out of my wallet.
    As of today, I no longer posses any cash.
    The barista turns back around and hands me my coffee, and takes the cash for Mabel's assortment of scones. 
    "Have a good one!" she smiles, sweetly. I suddenly feel really awkward, so I give her a crooked grin and dart to Mabel's side, who's magically found herself at the table already.
    I slip into the chair across from her, and instinctively reach for my infamous pine tree cap, fitting it snugly back onto my head. Mabel grins, her smile dripping with crumbs from a peach scone she just shoveled wholly into her mouth.
    "Old habits die hard, huh?"
    I shrug. I'd almost not realised that I'd put it back on.
    Mabel shoves another scone down her throat, and gives me a sly grin. "So," she chatters, with a tone I'm all too familiar with. "The girl behind the counter was cute. You should totally go talk to her."
    "The barista?" I sip my coffee. Then I immediately spit it back out into the cup.
     It's pure shit. If anything, it's a sign she's not interested whatsoever.
    "Yeah, totally. C'mon, Dip, you gotta like someone new eventually, you can't obsess over Wendy forever."
    "I'm not... Wendy was years ago, Mabel. I haven't seen her in years."
    "But you haven't liked anyone new!" she sneers, resting her chin on the oak table.
    She's right when she says I haven't swooned over a girl since Wendy. But, I'm over Wendy. I haven't seen her in almost eight years. Just because I haven't been interested in anyone since doesn't mean I'm still obsessed. Maybe her rejection turned me gay.
    ...no, okay. I'm not gay. That's final.
    "Look just give it a shot, pleeeease? Talk to her?"
    "No."
    She gives me puppy dog eyes. "Pretty pleeaaassssseeeeeee? Trust me on this one?"
    "No."
    She whines. "You look so lonely, though, and I sort of feel-"
    I slam my fist on the table. "I said no, Mabel. That's it. That's final. Stop asking."
    Her eyes widen a bit, then she sits up and glares at the ground in humiliation. I feel my own ears heat up with I realise we've drawn the attention of several other customers. I twiddle my thumbs uncomfortably, and after a few seconds that feel such as months, our audience's attention shifts back to their books or laptops or whatever else they choose to indulge in.
    Mabel still appears hurt, and abruptly I'm struck by a flash of guilt and sorrow. I lean over the table...
    "I'm really sorry," I whisper, glancing around the room to see if anyone is eavesdropping. "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. It was wrong of me and I'm not angry. It's probably due to the headache I have, it's not your fault."
    Her gaze darts up to meet with mine. "You have a headache?"
    I lean back into my seat, legs crossed. "Nothing serious. It'll probably fade in a bit. Especially thanks to the coffee." Though I've barley swallowed a sip, I nod to the foam cup sitting amidst the mess of plastic from Mabel's assortment scones.
    Mabel smiles, but doesn't say much else. Her cheeks are still slightly pink from humility.
    I stretch back over the table. "How about, we go to the mall, hm? I'll let you get anything you want."
    "Really? Even with your headache?"
    I nod. "I can pick up some painkillers." Her eyes catch a fire of enthusiasm.
    "Yes!! Thank you so much, Dipper!!"
    She scarfs down the last scone, miraculously not choking to death, and darts out of the shop, heels skidding on the floor as she reaches the door. I smile and push myself out from under the table, picking up bits of plastic and foam, and tossing them into the trash bin as I follow Mabel out of the shop.
    Mabel's going to bleed me dry, I'm aware. But I love her, and I enjoy seeing her happy and content.
    And besides, we always have the Infinite Slice Of Pizza in the rare case we ever go broke and begin to starve.