Always (2/3)

53: kept my wits about me

53
Pacifica

   The ball had come to an end and it left me with more worries than I could count on both hands.

   I had fun a majority of the time, because I spent that time with Mabel and Dipper. But as soon as Dipper went off to be 'borrowed' by Scarlett, something in his demeanor had changed. I could tell that he was trying to cover something up.

   Did I suspect that something happened between the two of them? Something more recent? It made me feel guilty, to suspect Dipper of wrongdoing, but there was a pit in my stomach that told me to be wary.

   It wasn't that I didn't trust Dipper. It was Scarlett I didn't trust. She seemed as though she could lie with ease (not unlike Dipper) and get away scot-free. In short, I believed that she could manipulate Dipper into her favor.

   Mabel had sat down on the stairs leading to the balcony next to me sometime after all the 'important' guests had left (save for the few that were busily chatting away with the elder Gleefuls and Dipper). Heels in one hand, she idly scrolled through messages on her phone.

   "That was something else, wasn't it?" Gideon had walked up to the two of us. "Very formal, so ten outta ten if you're into that kinda thing."

   Mabel hardly looked up, unaffected that her ex-boyfriend showed up to chat with us. "Blame the formalities on Dipper. He's always been more into that sorta thing than I have been, or ever will be."

   Gideon rubbed the back of his neck, then he seemed to jolt back. "Paz? Are you okay?"

   "Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine." I tried to keep my voice lighthearted. I didn't want Gideon to assume the worst and start yelling at Dipper in front of everyone that was still here.

   "You sure?" He looked at me carefully.

   "I'm just tired. I had a long night yesterday, and then an even longer night today." I feigned a yawn.

   "But, we have the after party!" Gideon exclaimed trying to hype me up. "It's gonna be epic!"

   "Hmm." Mabel hummed, noncommittally. "After how fun today was, I definitely need something to take the edge off. No doubt we all do."

   "I respectfully agree."

   The three of us looked up to see Dipper standing in front of us, looking the more exhausted that I felt.

   What did he and Scarlett talk about? The nagging voice in my head asked rather loudly.

   "You look tired." Gideon commented.

   "Isn't that impressive? You can suddenly deduce how people look by, believe it or not, looking at them." Dipper scoffed and rolled his eyes.

   Beside me, Mabel snorted. "What did the parents want?"

   "Seeing as I set a majority of the festivities up," Dipper wrenched the tie from his neck like it was choking him (and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hot), "they decided it would be best for me to talk and bid my farewells to the lingering guests."