A/N: I own none of Gravity Falls, they belong to Alex Hirsch. The story alone is mine.

So this is an in-between-quel for "Always the Bridesmaid", filling in the time between its chapters. Still written from Mabel's lerspective. Hope you enjoy!

"Okay! Sophomore year, here we go!"

"I have no idea how you can be so excited for school every year, Mabel."

Mabel swatted her brother's arm. "Aw, c'mon Dipper! You love school! You always do so well in your classes, so what's the matter?"

"Yeah, in classes. Not very good with all of the, y'know, social stuff."

She gave a sad frown. "I know Dip. But hey, it's another year, right?" He nodded. "So, that means it's a new set of fresh chances!" He gave a shrug. "(Sigh) Look, Dipper, no matter what happens, we'll have each others backs, right?"

He gave her a small smile. "Yeah. Yeah, of course we will."

She opened up her arms. "Sincere sibling hug?"

"Sincere sibling hug."

The two embrace, and after a second, shared a "Pat. Pat." The bell went off then, signaling the start of homeroom. The twins separated, giving a wave as they went their separate ways.

oOoOo

*Ugh, why is choosing an outfit for Homecoming so hard?*

Mabel hit "SEND" on her phone before turning back to her closet. She was trying to find the best outfit she could to go to this school dance. Since no one had asked her to go with (again), she was simply going with a few friends.

Mabel had been expecting to hang out with Dipper some, but he had been invited to a different Homecoming.

With Pacifica.

In Malibu.

Sure, the distance sucked, but Pacifica had decided to make it into a weekend trip for her brother. Mabel was a bit saddened not to have her bro-bro around, but the fact that Pacifica Northwest had asked her brother to a school event at her swanky private school beat out those feelings. She'd been endlessly teasing her twin instead, much to his embarrassment.

And no, his claims that it was "just as friends" continually fell on deaf ears. She knew better.

*bzzt bzzt*

Hearing her phone vibrate, she opened it up to see Wendy had responded to her. *Tell me about it. After awhile, I just picked whatever was most comfortable. Screw being pretty but tense!*

Mabel couldn't help but grin at that. The older redhead had been a welcome source of camaraderie these last few months, more so than before. Mabel was starting to experience more of the troubles of being a growing young woman, something Dipper usually plugged his ears if he started hearing about. Wendy was much more free with her advice, however, having experienced most of it herself.

*Wish I had a spare set of eyes to provide an opinion.*

*Stan sells them by the jar for $40.*

*lol*

As Mabel was about to put her phone down, it began to vibrate more anxiously than before. Looking at it, she realized Wendy was trying to get her on a video call. Answering it, the redhead's smiling face popped into view. "Hey there Mabel!"

"Hi Wendy! Wait, aren't you supposed to be in class?"

"Psh, class let out an hour ago. Just waiting for the cafeteria to open up. Figured I'd lend you my years of fashion advice!"

"Don't you mostly wear plaid?"

"Stylish plaid!"

Mabel laughed at the joke. Turning the phone's camera around, she pointed it towards the bed, where a few dresses were laid out. "So, here are our finalists!"

Wendy went silent for a moment on her end of the line. Mabel started to get concerned she'd lost the call. "Uh, Wendy?"

"Mabel, there are at least 10 different dresses there."

"... Yeah?"

"Okay, how warm is it there right now?"

"Oh! Ummm, low 70's?"

"Okay, get rid of any gown that weighs more than 20 lbs. or had thick sleeves."

Mabel removed 4 gowns.

"Alright, now get rid of the pastels."

"(Gasp) Sacrilege!"

"It's Fall, Mabel, save those for the Spring."

"Okay, fine." Only 3 dresses remained.

"Alright. I want you to try each one on, and send me a pic when you're done, okay?"

"Alright, give me a few minutes." Mabel hung up the call, and went through the process of trying each one. One of them felt pretty tight around the waist, and so was taken out of the running. Pretty soon, she sent the selfies to Wendy.

*bzzt bzzt*

Opening the response, Mabel took a look.

*Only two? I thought you had three left?*

*Couldn't breathe in one.*

*Good call. I'd go with the second one, it brings out your eyes!*

Mabel considered the "finalist", a dress made of navy blue fabric and sparkles near the hem at the bottom, giving it the appearance of a night sky. It had a halter neck, meaning her shoulders were left bare. Mabel figured she'd have to find a shawl if it got chilly.

*Thanks for the help.*

*Anytime Mabel! ;)*

The smile made her smile in turn.

oOoOo

"Uuuuuuugggghhhhhhh. Why is this so hard?" Mabel lamented, resting her chin on the table, papers strewn about her.

Dipper gave her a curious look from across her. "What's up?"

Mabel. Let some hair out of her face without moving. "Why is applying to college so difficult AND boring at the same time? For all the talk about it being such a great time in our lives, they sure make it a hassle to apply for it."

"Well, they need to make sure they have all the necessary information on hand for each of us, that they have academic records to compare against other applicants, see who should get financial aid and who shouldn't, as well as-"

"Alright, alright, I get it. Sheesh, just wish it was actually somewhat enjoyable."

"Well, you're applying to art colleges, right? Have you been able to send copies of your portfolio?"

"Some of them? You know I'd probably get lots of questions about some of the photos I've taken."

Dipper nodded in understanding. The pair had continued to make frequent trips to Gravity Falls, and whatever Mabel hasn't tried to paint or sketch, she had tried to photograph. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people would never believe that some of those pictures were real. So she had to be choosy.

Looking at her brother's applications, she noted the neatly organized piles of papers, as well as a few pens that had been thoroughly chewed. She gave him a saddened look. "Do we have to do this?"

"What, college? I mean, we don't have to. But I really want to. Grunkle Ford has multiple PhD's, and while I doubt I'd ever get to that level, I think a formal education would greatly help in the research I intend to pursue."

Mabel sighed. "No, not that. I mean going apart." She lowered her head completely against the wood, blocking her sight. "I want to pursue art, but you want to pursue science. That means going to very different places to study. And we've never been that far apart before."

Daring a look, she saw her brother wearing a sympathetic smile. "Hey, we're the Mystery Twins. Even if we get physically separated, nothing will change that."

"But what about what happened with Stan and Ford?"

"While I love our Grunkles, we aren't them. We may not be perfect, but we know we have each other's backs." With that, he offered his fist.

Mabel gave him a sad smile, but completed the fist bump.

oOoOo

Laying in bed that night, Mabel found sleep impossible to find. She had tried knitting a new sweater, looking through her portfolio, finger painting (fancy finger painting!), but none of it seemed to work.

Turning to her side, she spied her phone on her nightstand. Grabbing it, she began to write a text, barely thinking about it.

*What made you decide to go to college?*

She rested her phone on her chest, continuing to stare upwards. As the minutes passed, she started to figure that Wendy was probably asleep. Or maybe partying. College kids were supposed to do that. Would she party?

*bzzt bzzt*

Startled, Mabel grabbed her phone, looking at the message.

*Blarg, I wonder that myself some days.*

*Are you okay?*

*Yeah. No. Not really, no.*

Mabel became concerned. *Whats wrong?*

*Finals man. The most soul sucking part of college. Hate hate hate*

Mabel forgot her own concerns for the moment. *Is there anything I can do?*

*No? Dunno. Talk to me. Distract me.*

Huh. Wasn't expecting that. She considered for a moment. *Dipper and I have been applying to colleges a lot.*

*Anywhere good?*

*I'm trying for different colleges with art programs. See where I can get.*

*You are naturally creative, I'll give ya that! Makes me jealous.*

She frowned at that. *Wendy Corduroy, you stop that this instant!*

She admitted, it took longer than expected to get a response. *Excuse you?!*

*You heard me! You stop putting yourself down right now!* Taking a deep breath, she started a new message. *Wendy, you are a brilliant young woman, and I can't count the number of times your ingenuity or calm attitude kept us from getting killed. If you can face down certain death in the face of multiple demons, than college finals should be mere child's play!*

Again, no response was immediately forthcoming. Mabel worried she had made a mistake in what she said.

*bzzt bzzt*

She took a look.

*Heh. Thanks. I think I needed to hear that.*

Mabel broke into a grin. *Of course! Mabel Pines, conqueror of bad moods!*

*lol. Well then Conqueror Mabel, I guess I'd better tackle these essays.*

*You've got this! I believe in you! :)*

Her phone went silent after that. She looked at her baskets of spare yarn, considering a new design.

It wasn't until the early morning dawn broke, Mabel finishing up her latest creation, that her phone vibrated again.

Looking at he text, she smiled.

*I went to find the freedom to discover myself.*

Mabel smiled at that response. She looked down at the newest sweater she had made, a giant "#1" knit onto its front. She knew she had a care package she had to send out today. Mabel looked at her bedside clock.

Maybe I'll take a nap first.

oOoOo

Mabel was a combination of excited and sweaty. Excited, because today was high school graduation day! Sweaty, because they were forced to wear polyester robes under the sun in 90 degree weather. Ick.

Still, it was worth it. Getting to go up and get her diploma, waving ecstatically to the part of the crowd cheering for her. Turning immediately around as her brother was called, and giving a surprise hug to him after he received his.

And so the afternoon came around, finding them back at their modest home in Piedmont. Dad was operating the grill, while Mom was busy talking with some of their guests. Her school friends all had their own celebrations, but that didn't mean there was no one to celebrate with them.

Candy and Grenda had made the trip south, as Gravity Falls High had graduated a week earlier. Both Grunkle Stan and Ford were there too, having returned from one of their expeditions. Soos and Melody had closed up the Shack for the weekend to make the trip, and Wendy had traveled with them, having just finished up her Junior year. Pacifica had even managed to arrive, despite her graduation being just the previous day.

Mabel was making the rounds, coming up to Wendy, who had just finished a conversation with Soos. "So Miss Corduroy, how was Junior year?"

Wendy dramatically slouched in place. "Ugh, so glad for it to be over! Senior year promises to be worse, but at least there's a light at the end of the tunnel."

"Trust me, after finishing up my time in high school, I think I can appreciate that!" The two shared a smile over the similar experiences.

Right then, Grenda came over, practically dragging Candy along. "Guys, I have important news!"

Mabel gave her friend a big grin. "What is it?"

The larger girl practically bounced in excitement. "After I graduated, Marius proposed to me! And I said yes!"

The group burst into a round of excited squeals. Well, except for Wendy, who just covered her ears. Grenda calmed herself to continue. "Candy, as my oldest friend, will you be my Maid of Honor?"

The tinier girl started crying in joy. "I'd be honored to be your Maid of Honor!" The pair shared a passionate hug.

Mabel was surprised when Grenda turned to her. "Mabel! You just have to be my bridesmaid!"

Fantasies started running through Mabel's mind. A royal wedding! Fancy outfits and dresses! Important noble people! Exquisite hors d'oeuvres! She started to jump a bit herself. "Of course I'll be your bridesmaid!" The trio crashed together into a shared hug.

As they separated, Grenda reached into her purse, pulling out invites. Mabel couldn't believe it, they looked even fancier than the ones for the Northwest party, all those years ago. Quickly opening it up, she saw the planned date was near the end of the coming summer. And that she could bring a "Plus 1".

Seeing Grenda move over to talk with Dipper and Pacifica, Mabel assumed those two would receive invitations as well. Turning to Wendy, she nudged her in the ribs. "Hey! Wanna go to a wedding?"

Wendy seemed to consider it for a moment before shrugging. "Why not? Never been overseas before."

Mabel gave the redhead a strong hug, that after a shocked moment, was returned.

Mabel couldn't wait for the summer to truly start!