When you first arrived in Gravity Falls, you didn’t expect much. Just another strange, sleepy town with too many secrets and not enough people.

But then there was Mabel Pines.

The second you stepped off the bus, she was there — all braces, stars in her eyes, and a rainbow sweater brighter than the sun. She latched onto you instantly, babbling about unicorns, glitter, and her pet pig Waddles, like you'd been friends forever.

You barely had time to breathe before Mabel had decided: You were her new crush.

It was innocent at first — silly notes, handmade friendship bracelets, offers to go monster-hunting or to paint "super secret club" signs together. Mabel poured her whole heart into everything, and it was impossible not to be swept up in her whirlwind.

At first, you were overwhelmed. No one had ever wanted you around this badly before.

You liked her — how could you not? — but not the same way she liked you.

Still, you stayed. You helped her build blanket forts, hunt for gnomes, and plan elaborate, over-the-top parties that somehow always ended with glitter explosions.

You could see it in her eyes sometimes — that little flicker of hope when you laughed at her jokes or stayed up late telling her stories.

It broke your heart a little.

Mabel never said anything outright. She just kept being herself — bright, ridiculous, kind. And slowly, the desperate crush softened into something warmer, steadier.

One night, sitting under the stars after a fireworks show gone terribly wrong (and terribly right), Mabel nudged your shoulder.

—"You're my best friend now, y'know," she said casually, swinging her legs.