Mabel blinked realizing where she was and looking away from Robbie in embarrassment. She wanted nothing than to just disappear. She had humiliated herself in front of Robbie. It might as well have been the end of the world for her.
Just then, Robbie's phone began to ring. He picked it up from the counter and pressed answer. "Yeah? Oh hey Lee. What? Tonight? Yeah, I'm free. Naw, the old man is closing up early. Okay, see you later!" Robbie hanged up his phone and then place me it down on the counter.
Not being able to overcome his curiously, Dipper asked questions over what Robbie had talked about over the phone. "Who was that G and what were you talking about?"
Robbie only smiled at Dipper picking up a a keychain that laid on the counter spinning it on his finger. "That was a close friend of mine. He and the others want to do something fun tonight. And they've decided they want to go to that haunted house near here."
"Haunted house?" Mabel suddenly spoke up with curiosity hinted in the tone of her voice.
Robbie looked up at Mabel and smiled nodding. "Yeah, a haunted house. Supposedly, there was a couple that was murdered there. It was told they owned a convenience store near here. Of course, that's just an old rumor that's been going around."
"Well can we go?" Asked Mabel.
"Hmm..." Robbie said as he placed his hand under his chin in deep thought. Seconds ticked by before he replied. "I don't know Mabel kid. Ford probably wouldn't agree with that. Besides, how old are you two anyway?"
"Oh we're-" Dipper began to say, but Mabel cut him off.
"Thirteen." She answered. "So technically if you think about it, we're teens."
Robbie nodded. "Okay, sure, you two can come. You both have spunk and I like that." Just as Robbie said that, a male voice could be heard from one of the rooms cussing in pain. Hearing the voice, Robbie simply shook his head.
"Wow that's the fifth time this week."
Robbie got off his chair and began to walk to the room where the voice came from. Just as he was about to enter it, he turned back to the twins. "Man the station for me till I get back. Oh and meet me and the others near that old convenience store near here an hour after sunset. You can't miss it." He winked at the twins and turned walking out leaving them alone in the room.
"Uh Mabel, since when were we thirteen?" Dipper questioned scratching his head in confusion.
Mabel sighed crossing her arms looking back at Dipper. "We're not Dipper, but it just felt like that would have been the only way to convince Robbie to let us go."
Dipper shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know Mabes. It just doesn't feel right lying about our age."
Mabel rolled her eyes. "Well I'm going Dipper. You're either in or out."
She turned and walked out of the room to the attic. Dipper was right though. It didn't feel right lying about their age. She could have probably convinced Robbie through other ways like telling him what they have gone through so far in Gravity Falls. Still, it was all she could think of to say when Robbie asked how old they were. Since starting middle school, age had always been a big barrier for Mabel. She was either young for something or too old. From what she observed though, being a teen meant a wide range of opportunities. And if it meant lying about being a teen gave her a chance to hang out with Robbie, she might as well take it even if it was wrong. Mabel frowned at that thought and entered her room with no idea how to pass the time till she would meet Robbie and his friends.
Both Mabel and Dipper stood outside a lit convenience store called 'Dusk 2 Dawn' that was not too far from the Mystery Museum. The sky was colored with purple and red blended together with tiny stars barely glowing. Mabel exhaled watching as a cloud of air came from her mouth. She turned from it to Dipper, who was molding a snowball in his hand. Even though it took awhile for him to decide, Dipper went with Mabel. At first Mabel acted like she didn't care, but she was secretly happy that he did. Dipper always helped her out in sticky situations even when it was tough. Meeting new people was probably going to be the hardest thing ever. But having Dipper beside her, who she knew, would probably help her be less shy since he had the tendency to make friends fast.
Just as Mabel was about to ask Dipper if he had spoke about any information about where they were going to Ford, the door to the convenience store opened with a young man stepping out preparing to turn the sign that said open to close. He stopped as soon as he saw the twins looking at him. "Uh do you mind telling me why you two kids are out here by yourself?" He asked placing his hands in his pockets walking towards them.
"We're waiting for some friends." Mabel answered shyly looking away ignoring the fact that Dipper was casually waving at the man.
