He looked out into the backyard. Nothing seemed to have changed, not even in seven years. Summer was still the same. The same optimism from his brother, the same outrageous schemes, even the same mysterious disappearance of said schemes. Even Isabella still came to their every day, her same bubbly voice filling the backyard with her chosen catchphrase, "what'cha doin?'". Today, there had been no one to answer that question, as his brother was off to the orthodontist for one of his appointments for his braces. Ferb hadn't paid much attention when his mother discussed it, but he figured by the anticipation coiled in his brothers muscles meant it had something to do with him getting them off. it wasn't for a little while that they left, him staying home alone. he walked through the kitchen, to the backyard, looking out the window to see Isabella already sitting under the tree. He paused for a moment, taken aback. he didn't realize he was so late, for her to already be sitting there. He took a breath and stepped out the door.
"Oh. Hey Ferb, what'cha doin'?" she asked, just as bubbly as ever, but then her brow furrowed. "Wait," he knew her question before it even touched her lips, "where's Phineas?"
He shrugged his shoulders, looking past the house, then back at her.
"Oh." She looked down. "Is he going to be back before the end of today?" He nodded, avoiding her eyes. That knowledge, however, cheered her up, and she looked back at him. "Why don't you come sit by me?" she patted the ground next to her. She was in Phineas's normal spot, under the tree. He crossed the yard, setting himself down carefully in his everyday spot.
With Isabella so close to him; he let his mind drift. He couldn't help the wish that it was Vanessa wisp through his mind. He was supposed to be sitting under the tree with a friend, the least he could do is enjoy it. They were best friends, after all. He felt her sigh, relax, and lean into him and the tree. Best friends? He could get used to this.