Problems

"Who gave you that?" Ford was looking at the jewelry around my neck since he knew that I didn't have any school friends. 

"Oh! My brother gave it to me ! I forgot it was my own birthday!" I cheered, my childishness seeping through even though I still looked matured or something. 

Ford visibly froze when he heard that it was my birthday. Guess he forgot. I don't really mind, the only people who had ever celebrated it live in the forest. 

"Hey, Dipper!" Mabel smiled hoping down stairs, something behind her back. 

I glared at her. She knows that I don't like to be called that. 

"What?" I snapped, she visibly shrinking back. 

"I-I got you something." She handed me a small decorated box. 

I gently took it, not knowing what to do. For the past four years since I decided that she was no longer my sister, she hadn't gotten me a gift... Not once!

I slowly opened it, inside was a small friendship bracelet and a note. 

I picked up the note and read it. It said:

Dear Dipper,

I know you don't like being called that, but I still love you. I know you hate me because of how I keep treating you... And I'm sorry... I hope this bracelet would be a start to rebuilding our relationship. 

Love, Mabel

I felt my heart swell at her words, but I couldn't let myself believe that. I won't believe that! Not yet anyway.

"Okay... Thank you... Sis." It felt weird to call someone sister after saying and proclaiming that she wasn't my twin or sister. 

Mabel gave a loud squeal, ramming me into a hug. I stiffly hugged back, not knowing if I should trust this or not. Still I was willing to give this a chance. 

"Want to bake a cake with me, bro-bro?" She was already hyped for my answer, so I said yes. I did want to see if I could rebuild our relationship. 

We were flying around the kitchen, me preparing dinner, since it was my responsibility, and Mabel was baking the cake since it was her specialty.  

"You two did great!" Stanley proclaimed, a smile on his lips as he dug into more of his food and cake. 

"Thank you." My monotone voice was matched with Mabel's cheerful one. 

She rarely got praised for doing stuff, except when I get in trouble. I didn't like the praising. I found it stupid, it just makes you feel worse when you don't get it or when someone gets praised more than you. Praising is what normally causes siblings to distaste each other. 

"Hey, do you want to play with us tonight?" Mabel asked, her eyes shining with hope. 

I shrugged, grabbing all the empty dishes. 

"I don't see why not, just let me clean the dishes." 

"I'll help!" She offered, her smile wide. 

I shrugged again. I didn't really care. 

"Okay, you put up." 

The chore was done surprisingly fast. Mabel and I cracked a few jokes. It felt weird to laugh with her, than being laughed at by her. 

"Okay, so we're playing poker." Ford grumbled out, placing some poker chips in front of us all. 

I nodded, knowing how to play the game rather well. Me and a multi headed bear had played it plenty of times. This should be easy.