*Yaaaawn…* Gosh, what time is it? *looks at clock* Oh my word! *Hastily gets dressed* Uhh, hey! Hi, how are ya? Been a while hasn't it. *nervous laughter* So uh… You're looking nice. You got your hair all done up I see. Well, I believe it's time I explained myself. Hello again, it is I, the author. Of this story I mean. I come bearing apologies. I know a lot of people liked this story and I know it probably annoyed several people that it was never continued. Suffice to say I got bored with it. But now as I'm reading it over again I want to slap myself for ever having stopped. I can't believe I let myself stop before it was over, so here I am. Back again. Come to bring you Chapter Six. But first, an update.
I have, since the last chapter, moved out of my parent's house and into a house with my girlfriend, my sister, and my sister's boyfriend. It's been quite the journey. I'm working and taking college courses. I've made a lot of friends and am excited to get back to writing. So, without further ado, I present:

Chapter Six

Pests

Warmed by Dipper's jacket against the bitter cold, Pacifica walked with Jaime accompanying down the long path that led to her doorstep. She thanked him for his service and dismissed him as she entered the heated interior of her home. She walked slowly and quietly to her room, hoping not to disturb anyone who might be sleeping. She knew it was nigh impossible for sound to carry through the thick walls but didn't want to chance it regardless. Eventually she arrived at her room and noticed that the door was cracked open and there were hushed voices coming from the other end. She couldn't understand what they were saying, but she recognized her parent's voices right away. She drew in a deep breath and entered the room. Upon her entrance, Preston stood up straight, Priscilla taking her usual place behind and to the right of him.

"Pacifica," Preston began, "I take it there were no issues with tonight's 'event'." He said, using air quotes.

"Of course not, father. I arrived, watched fireworks, and left." She said, hoping to end his questioning.

"So you say." He said, ice leaking in to his voice. "Then you wouldn't mind telling me precisely what this is about?"

Preston held up his cell phone, revealing a picture of Pacifica and Dipper sitting together sharing the jacket and an accompanying news article detailing how Pacifica was seen with another boy mere days after her date with Maxwell Aviles. Pacifica gasped, putting her hands over her mouth.

Preston, practically seething, said, "Everything you do outside of this mansion reflects on our family. You excel in school, we look good. You win competitions, we look good. You cheat on your boyfriend with some common filth, and we look like blubbering buffoons! Idiots! The laughing stock of the world, Pacifica!"

Pacifica felt ashamed, but her guilt didn't stop the small bubble of anger at his words from bursting.

She said, quietly and through gritted teeth, "Maxwell is not my boyfriend."

Preston's nostrils flared at the comment. "He is the boy we have arranged for you. He's who you should be seen with and not this- this!" He threw his phone on the floor and crushed it. Preston took several deep breaths before continuing, "My dear Pacifica, what we do is for your own good. If we let you run around with whatever filth you find amusing, you would ruin your life. Our lives."

Pacifica's mind was racing. She knew that her father was technically correct. It was better for the family image if she was seen with someone more of their ilk. Someone that better fit their nearly regal image. And yet she couldn't consign herself to being with Maxwell. She had only just accepted the fact that she had feelings for Dipper and before she could even fully process what that meant she was already forbidden from pursuing, dreams dashed before they were even dreams.

"You owe Dipper Pines more respect than that." She said suddenly, the words practically spilling from her mouth. She braced herself, eyes closed and head down.

Preston inhaled deeply, readying himself for a less than gentlemanly rebuke when Priscilla grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him around. They spoke privately, in hushed tones.

"She's right, Preston." Priscilla stated flatly.

Preston looked at his wife sternly, "The devil she is. Do you remember the state our manor was left in after he came along?"

Priscilla considered for a moment. She had always sided with Preston on matters of business and etiquette, but she more than most knew what it was like living without a blanket of luxury to cushion her. Had she not been lucky enough to meet Preston her figure would've sagged with age and she would have been forgotten, left to live the sorry life of a commoner.

At last she said, "We should give the boy a chance."

Preston stared hard at Priscilla, eyebrows furrowed. "A chance? What kind of chance can we extend to someone like him? The very boy that has tried to drag our name through the mud. The very family that has tried to undermine us at every turn. And what about the Aviles'? They'll be back in the states a mere week after our New Year soiree and when they are I have no doubt they'll soon find out about Pacifica's transgression. Even if we were to call and end what we started between them the dates would not lie. They would still accuse our daughter of being a two-timer."

Priscilla thought for a long moment. She stared down racking her brain for an idea when it struck her.

"I believe, my dear, this can all be handled very politically." Preston quirked an eyebrow at his wife's remark. "That boy and his family may be lower class, but they may be the very thing needed to regain our public image in this backwater."

"How do you mean?" Preston inquired.

"Have the boy come to our party as a guest. Regard him as some sort of charity case. Tell the public that we've had our daughter befriend him as an act of kindness. He's considered somewhat of a hero to those people and it would make us look kind and humble. If he makes a fool out of himself than it will not fall so harshly on our shoulders. If he manages to make a good impression, it would open many doors for him."

Preston, nose wrinkled in confusion, asked, "And let's just say he makes a grand impression. The people love him. What then? We cannot still expect the Aviles' to pass this off as mere coincidence."

"They are still children," Priscilla insisted, "Given time the issue will disappear. The boy will be leaving for home again after the holidays are over and by the time he gets back in town again Maxwell will have all but forgotten about the Northwests, let alone Pacifica."

Preston was less than convinced. It all seemed too easy to work out and the risk was infinitely worse than any reward that could come from the situation. He stared into Priscilla's eyes for several moments before deciding on his plan of action. He turned around slowly and cleared his throat. Pacifica, taking the signal to once again pay attention, stood straight and awaited her scolding.

Preston sighed heavily and said, "I cannot accept you associating so intimately with a commoner."

Pacifica's shoulders sagged in her expected disappointment.

"This means of course," Preston said in a regretful tone, "that he must become a proper gentleman."

Pacifica's face brightened but her joy was short lived when her father explained the condition.

"If, at any point during our New Year's celebration, he fails to act as a noble should, then we will write him off as a charity case and you will not see him again. Your judgement is being tested, daughter, if you prove me right then I will have no more protestations from you. You will trust and obey my decisions. Am I understood." Preston again, said his final order as a statement and not a question.

Pacifica felt a multitude of emotions. She was of course happy that she was going to have a chance to be with Dipper, but she was also confused. She had only just decided that she had a crush on him and now she had to invite him to her house and teach him how to be proper, a task she was sure all the king's men couldn't accomplish. And on top of all those feelings she still had the fear in the back of her mind that he wasn't going to accept that she had changed. That feeling was made only worse in knowing that if Dipper even agreed to come to their party he would have to spend the whole evening seeing her at her worst. Away from home, away from her family and expectations she could act however she wanted, but home, surrounded by her father's most important business partners, she had to act as she always had before last summer. She was terrified and excited. Hopeful and pessimistic.

Preston began leaving the room, his wife in tow.

Pacifica asked, "How am I supposed to do this?"

Preston said back, still regretting every decision that led to this moment, "Figure it out."

Oooh, Scary. I know I said this is a slow burn romance, and it still is. This situation, though acting as a catalyst, is just one of those less than ideal moments I had mentioned. I'm not rushing it, so don't fret.