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Monday's were usually the worst day do the week around the Mystery Shack. No one wanted to be working, everyone was tired, and business was usually the slowest on this day.

Today was slightly unusual. When Wendy stepped into the gift shop, balloons were fastened to nearly every object. Confetti littered the floor and nearly every customer was wearing a complementary part hat.

"What the heck is going on?" she asked Dipper, who was busy hanging up a banner.

Dipper smiled and pointed at the doorway with his thumb. "Read the banner."

Wendy stepped back to read the colorful writing, which she could now see said HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOOS!

"I had no idea," she explained sheepishly. "Were you guys planning a surprise party or something?"

"Nope, I'm pretty sure Soos already has his own party plans. This is just to kick off his day," Mabel said. She showed Wendy a layered cake that had been baked into the shape of a spaceship.

"This is amazing! I can't believe you guys did this!" Wendy smiled and strapped on her own party hat. She didn't want to be the only person in the room who didn't appear to be festive.

Dipper stepped down from the ladder and folded it up. "This wasn't entirely our idea. Stan suggested it."

"You're joking, right? Mr. Cheapskate actually funded all of this?"

"I know right?!" Mabel replied. She carefully placed the cake beside the cash register on the counter. "He isn't even related to Soos, yet he treats him like the puppy he's never had."

Right on cue, Stan walked into the room looking the happiest Wendy had ever seen him. He even wore a party hat instead of his fez for once.

"Off with the lights! He'll be here any minute!" Stan drew the curtains and gestured for everyone to hide. When a group of tourists didn't duck, Stan shot them a glare and they immediately did as instructed.

When the door chimed, the room exploded into a chorus of a variety of voices simultaneously shouting,"happy birthday, Soos!"

"WOAH! All of this for me?" Soos gasped, looking awe-struck at the scene before him. As soon as the customers realized they were no longer needed, they resumed their browsing through the gift shop. Their fake smiles melted away like actors leaving the stage.

Mabel strapped on a party on top of the baseball cap he already wore. "Of course! How could we not celebrate the awesomeness that is Soos?"

Soos laughed. "Speaking of celebration." He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a handful of colorful envelopes that had been drawn on and labeled with crayon. "Here's everyone's invitations to my birthday party tomorrow afternoon!"

He handed out the envelopes. "Pink for Mabel, blue for Dipper, green for Wendy, and red for Stan!" Soos paused to let everyone examine his handiwork. "I thought the colors suited your personalities," he added proudly.

Wendy's excitement bubbled down like birthday candles that had melted away. This had been the weekend she had specifically set aside for her and Tambry to hang out. What would happen if she canceled on her best friend again? Tambry would most likely accuse Wendy of lying again. Everything would fall apart, just when things were finally looking up.

"Something wrong?" Soos asked. He seemed to have sensed Wendy's sudden sadness.

". . . I'm sorry, it's just that Tambry and I already had planned a sleepover this weekend."

Soos looked down. His party hat slipped over and fell to the ground. "You mean you can't come?"

Wendy felt Stan's eyes burning into the side of her skull. Dipper and Mabel had disappeared from the group and returned to their usual chores. Wendy had the feeling that there was an elephant in the room, and she was the only person who didn't know what it was.

"I- I mean, I'm sure I can plan around it. Don't worry, I'll be there. You can bet on it!" She even added her usual playful punch to his shoulder to lighten the mood. It sort of worked, or at least it got Soos to smile again.

"Great! I've been planning this party for months. . . I'd hate for you to miss out on the fun- WOAH, CAKE!"
Soos ran off as soon as Mabel had began to serve the cake on paper plates.

Wendy began to join the others when Stan grabbed her by the shoulder.

Wendy turned around. "Yes sir, Mr. Pines?" she squealed nervously.

Stan's eyes were narrow and livid.

"My office, now."

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, but this was the best way I could think to introduce the new "episode". Anyways, I'm finally on spring break so I might be able to update this story a couple of extra times than usual! :D

Hope you're enjoying the new chapter and catch'ya later!

~Cath