Isabella walked along the school's hallway like she did every other day. Not terribly much had changed since those summers a few years ago, sure getting older and probably most surprising, her insane crush on Phineas nearly disappearing. She still liked the guy, everyone but "said crush" still know that, but she had finally accepted that he wasn't probably gonna ever think of her more than just one of his closest friends. It wasn't a complete loss; she had found another guy, Dallas, who had been what every girl probably would want during high school. They had started hanging out when they had started going to high school. He was a transfer because of his dad's job forcing them to move to Danville, and once he had met Phineas, Ferb, and the rest of the group, the rest was history. They were all great friends, so Isabella didn't think much of still hanging out with Phineas when Dallas wasn't there; Dallas didn't seem to mind so she didn't push the issue.
Entering the first class of the day, she saw the always early red-head she had known, for all extensive purposes, ever, sitting at his desk. Although more peculiar than normal, instead pouring over his textbook, or drawing away on some blueprint he planned to use sometime later that year, his expression seemed troubled. She noticed the difference in demeanor and wondered what might have been causing his turmoil. Then as she stepped more into the classroom, she notices he was staring at what appeared to be a hand written note. Yes, not that terribly exciting, but a troubled Phineas was much more interesting.
Isabella wormed her way to her desk next to Phineas, setting her books down hard to cause a jolt from Phineas. It did cause Phineas to shake himself out of his stupor, and turned to see his lifelong friend sitting down at her desk.
"Oh, hey Isabella," Phineas greeted.
"Hey Phineas, whatcha' readin?" Isabella asked sweetly.
Phineas looked down at the note that was in his hands. "Oh this?" Phineas folded the note and slid it into his jeans pocket. "It's nothing."
"Well, it didn't seem like nothing. When I came in here, you looked like you were trying to stare a hole through the chalkboard."
Phineas' cheeks turned a little red, embarrassed that someone saw him that "out of it." "Yeah, it was just making me think was all. So, did you finish the homework for Mr. Stanford's class?"
Isabella knew better than to change the subject that easily, but she doubted that further prying was going to get her anywhere. "Yeah, I got it finished. I had some trouble with the calculations, though."
"Do you have your notes with you? Maybe I can help you out."
"Yeah, that'd be great." Isabella fished out her notebook for that class. Phineas began to explain this and that, with Isabella nodding at the correct times to make it look like she was actually hearing what he was saying. If it wasn't that big of a deal, why did he drop it that quick? I know him better than that, but whatever, I'll ask him later.
(*)(*)
The day passed rather normally, going to class, being bored in class, going to a different class, being bored in that one, and so on. But thankfully the lunch bell finally rang, and Isabella wormed her way through the every other hungry teenager that was making their way to the cafeteria. Thankfully, she found an easy path and didn't have to nearly beat people out of the way. She scanned the cafeteria for some of her friends to sit with. Looking toward their usually spot, Phineas and Ferb were discussing something, but the more she watched, the more obvious that they were not agreeing. She did notice that they were both motioning down to something on the table. A quick look showed her that they were motioning at that same weird note that Phineas had from before.
What, that note again? What is on that note? Isabella asked to herself.
She finally got into earshot of their conversation, but Phineas seemed to notice her. He grabbed the note and shoved into his pocket.
"Hey Isabella." Phineas greeted with a wave.
"Hey guys, whatcha doin'? Isabella asked like always.
"Oh nothing, just talking." Phineas replied. Isabella noticed Phineas' hand twitch toward the direction of his ear, but he managed to keep his hand from moving that much.
Ferb waved hello and then turned back to Phineas, glaring at him. Isabella had spent enough time around Ferb to finally understand most of his silent words; and from the looks of it, Ferb was telling Phineas that he should do something. Phineas' body language was screaming that, no he wasn't going to do anything of the sort. The brothers continued this awkward staring contest till Isabella performed the awkward cough, reminding the brothers that she was still there.
The brothers looked over at Isabella and realized that they had indeed got lost in their "argument."
"So is everyone hungry? I don't know bout you, but I'm starving." Phineas asked as he stood up, walking to the food lines. Ferb sighed and shook his head as he followed his brother. Isabella set her books down and followed suit, but that didn't stop her thoughts from changing.
So let's recap, today Phineas has acted rather strange. He has hidden a note from me every time that I've been around him. And he and Ferb are disagreeing about something that is involving that same note. Dang it Flynn, what are you hiding?
((**))((**))
The rest of the day proceeded rather normally; everyone went to class, talked during breaks between, and repeat. But for Isabella, it was rather annoying. For most of her classes, she was taking it with Phineas, and that note that now seemed to be taunting her. Normally, something as stupid as that note would have been something that she just left alone and never thought of again. But this was Phineas Flynn, and on top of that, he was hiding something from her; and as the former Fireside girl wanted to know what it was. By the time the final bell rang, she was at her wit's end. As she stood by her locker as everyone else was grabbing their things out of their lockers, she was off in her own world, contemplating what it would be.
Maybe it's a blueprint, but if it was a blueprint, why would Phineas and Ferb be arguing over it? Well that isn't that a big deal, they've argued over designs before. But they did disagree about something that was involving me and that note. Maybe they wanted my opinion on something, and Phineas didn't want to ask it because he was too embarrassed. Sounds like the most logical explanation, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but considering that, according to Ferb, that Phineas isn't the best around girls, it wouldn't surprise me. Or maybe-
"Isabella." Ginger called Isabella's name.
Isabella got shaken out of her thoughts. She turned back to the group that was now waiting on her.
"We are all about to head over to Joe's, are you going to come?"
"No thanks, my tutoring session is today."
"That's right you get to spend alone time with Phineas." Ginger teased. Isabella smiled as she rolled her eyes. "Alright, if you two get done, shoot me a text and if we are still there, you guys should come on over."
"Alright, I'll tell Phineas. Bye guys." Isabella waved as she headed to the Chemistry classroom. When she got to the room, Phineas was sitting, reading the textbook.
Hearing footsteps, Phineas turned toward the door and smiled as his pupil.
"Hey Isabella, what can I help you with today?"
"Same as always," she replied, setting her books down on the table.
"Alright let's see what you need."
Isabella pulled out her notes and the two started working on some Chemistry work. Isabella was thankful that Phineas was willing to help her understand and in only twenty minutes, her homework was done and she knew how to do it.
"That's about it. Any other questions?" Phineas asked
"No, I think that's everything." Isabella replied, closing the textbook for the day.
"Alright, I'll go ahead and start cleaning up." Phineas started on picking up some papers as Isabella grabbed her stuff into a pile. Isabella barely had everything in her arms, but she needed to thank Phineas for his help. A quick turn to face Phineas instead ended with both the girl and the guy bumping into each other, papers flying everywhere.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry." Isabella apologized.
"No biggie." Phineas shrugged as he started picking up the stray papers. Isabella followed suit, grabbing and separating papers for the respective owners. In the fray of picking up papers, Isabella noticed a rather crumbled and folded up paper. Curious, she picked it up and tried to see what it was. Isabella was shocked to see that it was the note that Phineas had been hiding from her all day. Hoping Phineas wouldn't catch her, she stuffed the note into a pile of her papers.
After the papers and books had been cleaned up, both Isabella and Phineas left the room.
"So are you going to Joe's?" Isabella asked.
"Yeah, I'll go on to Joe's. Do you need a ride?" Phineas offered.
"Nah, I'm going to go ahead and put these things back in my locker." Isabella replied, holding up the pile of papers.
"Alright, I'll see you in a little bit." Phineas waved as he headed out toward his vehicle.
Isabella walked slowly toward her locker until she knew that Phineas was out of earshot. As soon as he was, she walked quickly to her locker and threw everything inside. Fishing through the papers, she found the one thing that she had been dying to look at for most of the day, the note Phineas had been keeping from her all day.
"Alright Flynn, what have been up to?" Isabella questioned as she unfolded the note.
Opening the note she began to read.
I'm hoping that this note will make me feel a little bit better. It's either this or just sit here and act like nothing is bothering me. I guess it would be best to just get on with it. I like you Isabella.
"What?" Isabella yelled, quickly seeing if anyone heard her. She shock of the initial shock that Phineas liked her to continue reading the note.
I know it's a bit shocking, I thought it was a little strange myself, but the older I got and the more that I hung out with you; the more that I wanted to be around you, the more I just wanted to talk to you, the more, well to be quite honest, I started to like you.
Isabella's jaw started to go slack. This was all a complete surprise to her. She really didn't know what to think.
I'm not exactly what people would call a 'ladies' man, and Ferb makes sure that I constantly know that; but he can go suck on a lemon. I'll say that I'm sorry that I didn't figure this out before you were taken by Dallas. Now that there's nothing wrong with Dallas, and you two look like you guys are happy together, and I'm glad for it. I'm going to stay away from you two because I don't want to cause something that would mess up you guy's relationship.
You will always be one of best friends that I will or ever had, nothing will ever change that. And if something ever does come between you and Dallas, I'll be here if you want to take a chance with me.
Isabella was now torn. She was in a good relationship with a great guy, and now she found out that the guy that she liked for nearly ten years liked her back and would start dating her if he got the chance. She would admit that she was a bit angry that he would tell her that he liked her, after the fact that she was in a relationship with someone else.
I do admit writing this did make me feel better. I just hope that you never actually read this. I would never want this to change what you feel. If I was going to say one more thing to you, it would be that I like you, and I hope that you are happy with Dallas.
Carpe Diem,
Phineas Flynn.
Isabella finished the note, and turned the paper over to see if there was more to read. Maybe this was just some weird dream. She even pinched her arm to see if it would wake her up.
"What are you doing," Addison asked her friend as she found Isabella pinching herself.
"Oh, uhh, nothing, just making sure that I was awake."
"Okkk… why where you pinching yourself?"
"It was something that I read."
"Oh really, what was it?" Addison asked.
Isabella took one more look at the note and then one last look in the direction of the boy that had written it.
"Something interesting."