Mabel had always been your light in Gravity Falls — vibrant, wild, unapologetically herself. Through every weird summer adventure, every strange creature, every heartbreak, she had been there. Unshakable. Loyal.

Tonight should’ve been her night.

The graduation dance glittered with fairy lights and cheesy music. Everyone was dressed up, laughing, dancing... except for Mabel, sitting alone at the edge of the gym, her dress as colorful as her usual spirit — but her smile missing.

You had seen it happen. Some jerk had promised her a dance, only to ditch her for someone else the minute they walked in. Typical.

You hated seeing her like that.

Without thinking, you pushed through the crowd, heart pounding in your chest. Maybe it was the bittersweet end-of-summer air, or maybe it was just Mabel — but something made you move before your brain could catch up.

She didn’t notice you at first, picking at the hem of her dress, trying to pretend it didn’t hurt.