This chapter was directly inspired by the story "Stargazing" by Fan Fiction Net user PrinRue. I recommend checking out that story before reading mine.

CHAPTER FOUR: MY FAVORITE SET OF STARS

Wednesday, August 3, 2016. Nighttime. In a United Airlines Boeing 787-9 over the Bering Sea, slightly north of the Aleutian Islands.

Mabel made her way from the lavatories at the back of the Dreamliner towards her seat several rows ahead. The cabin lights are off, with only the back galley lights, the occasional reading light, and the screens of those watching their in-flight entertainment providing limited illumination.

The Pines Twins, 16 years old and turning 17 soon, had just had a three-city tour of Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou with their mother for their summer family vacation. The trip has wrapped up, and the twins are now heading back home on a United Airlines flight from Shanghai to San Francisco. Mr. Pines, a busy department manager at his company, was not able to join his wife and kids on the tour.

Mabel found the row number she, her brother, and her mother are sitting in on the left side of the plane. Both Dipper and Mrs. Pines are snoozing away. Mabel carefully climbed over their legs to sit back in her seat, right next to the window. It was difficult, and Mrs. Pines and Dipper shifted slightly in response to Mabel walking over them, but otherwise remained asleep.

Feeling bored, the girl turned to her inflight entertainment screen and entered the flight map. The plane indicator showed their position southwest of Alaska, over the Aleutian Islands. About 5 hours 45 minutes of the flight have passed since departing Shanghai; 5 hours 20 minutes left until arrival into San Francisco. The plane is cruising at 39,000 feet, with a tailwind helping out the plane's speed.

The aircraft has already been cruising in darkness for a few hours – the plane took off from Shanghai early afternoon and is expected to arrive at San Francisco in the early morning. Mabel, however, has not slept yet. She kept herself entertained after lunch was served about an hour into the flight by watching the two-part series finale to Ducktective and Dream Boy High for the nth time and playing some inflight Pac-Man. Dipper also watched one or two movies, but went to sleep shortly after the sun had disappeared behind the horizon as the plane advanced eastward. Mrs. Pines, a heavier sleeper, had hit the hay earlier. The two had missed the mid-flight snack; Mabel did not hesitate to gobble down the turkey sandwich and M&M pack meant for her brother and mother in addition to her own share.

Mabel figured she should get some sleep – after all, it will be daytime once they land in California, and the best way to counter jet lag is to work through the destination time zone. However, she doesn't feel like catching Z's. Not only is it still early evening back in Shanghai, but she had also asked for a mixture of coffee, tea, and orange juice with ice cubes at one point.

The teenager stared at the inflight map on her personal screen, watching the map zoom into the plane's current position and occasionally show an info slide displaying remaining flight time, speed, outside temperature, altitude, and the like. She listened to the humming of the plane engine as she aimlessly tried to make out a slight change in the airplane indicator's location.

After a few minutes and not seeing a shift in the airplane's location on the map, Mabel shut off her screen and let out a sigh. She slipped off her shoes and pulled her feet up to the seat cushion. She took out her blanket and covered herself.

The girl then turned her head left towards the large, oval window. Mabel tested the automatic dimming function – a fancy feature of the technologically-advanced Boeing – and saw that the window is at its brightest mode. It is so dark outside that the wing is virtually invisible, lightened only occasionally by a flashing bulb at the tip.

Mabel watched the light blink on and off, briefly lighting up the speed-brakes flat on the wing surface. As she slowly wandered her gaze, however, she noticed a few bright dots – stars. Mabel shifted herself and paid greater attention outside – oftentimes when flying at night she can make out many stars in the sky. She put the blanket over her head to reduce the reflection on the window, and almost pressed her face against it.

So many stars…and as usual, Mabel tried to make out some constellations. It's quite difficult, but entertaining. And how often is one able to stargaze from a plane tens of thousands of feet in the air, high enough to be unaffected by the lights on the ground – although in this case the 787 is flying above water.

As Mabel shifted her focus towards the back of the plane, something familiar caught her eye in the northwestern sky. A familiar pattern, one that always brings a smile to her, one that reminds her of her most favorite person in the world.

The Big Dipper.

Being summertime, the constellation is at an angle, with the handle pointing upward. Mabel fixated herself on her favorite set of stars. A small smile appeared on the girl's face.

After a couple of minutes, Mabel found her eyes drooping. She is finally in the mood to sleep. Mabel let out a yawn and did a small stretch.

Mabel turned her head to her right, where her beloved twin is sitting, relaxed and snoring slightly. He is holding his lumberjack hat on his lap, making his hair exposed – which he often does when he sleeps.

Mabel looked affectionately at Mason…or more commonly called, Dipper. After the Big Dipper constellation.

Mabel gently lifted the hair covering Dipper's forehead, revealing the origin of his nickname – his birthmark, shaped perfectly like the Big Dipper. Exactly like the group of stars Mabel had been looking at for the past several minutes. The group of stars that remind from the deepest part of her heart her best friend, her twin, her brother, the person she loves the most – Dipper. Mabel leaned forward and softly planted a kiss on her brother's forehead.

Mabel put up the seat divider between her and Dipper. She took her blanket and covered both herself and her brother. She cuddled against Dipper, leaning her head against his shoulder. Mabel closed her eyes, absorbing the warmth of being close to her twin. The nonstop, regular hum of the plane engines, the smooth, turbulence-free ride, and simply being next to Dipper slowly made Mabel fall into slumber.

And without waking up, and almost instinctively, Dipper slipped his arm around Mabel, and pulled her further against him. The twins slept peacefully and comfortably in the dark, quiet cabin, huddled together.

The Boeing 787-9 continued cruising through the night, between a vast oceans scattered with clouds and a wide sky dimly illuminated by stars. It increased speed as it made its way from 39,000 feet up to 40,000 feet.

The Big Dipper, prominent in the sky, twinkled brightly behind the plane. A shooting star streaked passed the constellation.

Gravity Falls was created by Alex Hirsch and produced by Disney Television Animation. All characters and related media belong to Disney.