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"Dipper!" Mabel yelled. "Get down here already!"

Wendy stood beside Mabel while nervously tugging on the ears of her hat. "You really don't have to get Dipper out of his room, I understand that he doesn't want to talk to me.

"No way, he's comin' down here alright," Mabel replied stubbornly.

"DIPPER PINES DO NOT MAKE ME CALL PACIFICA AGAIN!"

The attic door finally opened with a squeak. Dipper's tired brown eyes stared back at them through the crack of the door. His eyes locked on Wendy. She stared back, frozen in place. Her mouth opened slightly like a fish out of water.

"What'dya want," he croaked. The way he said it sounded more like a statement than a question.

"You need to talk," Mabel commanded. "Now."

Dipper began to close the door, but Mabel jammed her sneaker into the crack before he could.

"No more excuses."

Dipper stopped and looked up at his sister.

"Fine."

Mabel smiled. "Great! Just open the door, let us in, and we'll talk this out."

"Can I put on some pants first?"

"Dipper!"

"What?"

"Whatever. You have five minutes, then we'll meet you downstairs," Mabel sighed. She guided Wendy down the staircase. Wendy turned to wave or smile at Dipper. When she did, the door had already closed.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

"Okay, Dip. Time to talk," Mabel announced after her brother had on some fresh clothes and was sitting at the breakfast table with a bowl of cereal.

Dipper chewed a bite, swallowed and said, "what's there to talk about?"

He didn't even look at Wendy, who was sitting right beside Mabel on the other side of the table. Wendy began to wonder if he was purposefully ignoring her.

Mabel gestured towards Wendy with her eyes and a few not so subtle nods. Dipper only responded with a glare followed by another large bite of cereal. He seemed to be trying his best to chew as loudly as possible.

Mabel raised her voice over his chewing.

"You need to apologize to Wendy."

Dipper choked a little before swallowing this time. "Me?" he said, obviously offended.

"Wendy already apologized to you. Now it's your turn." Mabel crossed her arms and lifted an eyebrow. Her posture reminded Wendy of a strict mother.

"Mabel. . . I appreciate what you're trying to do, but please just leave me out of this. I don't wanna make things worse," Wendy pleaded quietly.

Dipper still didn't say anything. He stood up. His chair screeched against the floor. Mabel also stood and followed him to the sink while Wendy patiently waited behind.

"You should invite her to the convenience store this weekend, I've heard it's haunted. . ." Mabel whispered to Dipper while he washed his dishes. She jumped on top of the counter, swinging her feet back and forth while she waited for his reply.

"I know what you're trying to do. No ghost case on the planet could possibly make me want to spend a weekend with her."

Wendy heard only a bit of this, but from what she could hear made her shrink down into her seat in shame.

"Just give it a try! Just look at her! The guilt's eating her alive!"

Dipper slammed a cabinet closed a little more forcefully than necessary. He gripped the sides of the sink and stared down into the drain as if wishing he could flush himself down the pipes and out of this conversation. He turned to look at Wendy. She sat with her head buried in her arms and her legs crossed in an almost obedient manner.

Dipper's hardened eyes softened.

"I guess everyone deserves a second chance. . ."

Mabel nodded in encouragement.

"Wendy," Dipper called from across the room.

Wendy looked up. Dipper gestured for her to come over to their side of the kitchen. She stopped when she was standing about a yard away from him. Dipper bent down so he was equal to her height.

"I'm sorry and I want to fix this. Would you want to come on a hunt with me this weekend?"

Wendy's eyes immediately  lit up with excitement.

"Yes! Of course! What's the mission?"

"Ghosts at this old convenience store, from what I've read it's linked to a murder."

Awesome, Wendy thought.

"Sounds perfect!"

Dipper grinned and nodded. "We'll be leaving around Friday afternoon, you may wanna pack a bag, it's most likely gonna be an overnight trip."

Wendy restrained herself from hugging Dipper, knowing that would come across as awkward. It probably wasn't time for that just yet. Just before Wendy could turn to leave, Dipper hugged her.

"I'm sorry, Wendy."

Wendy felt herself melt as she carefully wrapped her arms around him and whispered, "it's okay."