*Author's Note* Hey everyone, welcome to Gone In a Flash. This is NOT the original starting chapter, rather one I wrote earlier this year. I feel it's a good introduction to what this story is generally like, as opposed to the ramblings of a younger me. If the next chapter feels completely different, please skip to chapter 11, where I started writing again, two years after I made this story. I hope you enjoy it, and stick around!

Phineas clambered up the stagnant tree, a light evening breeze ruffling his hair. The stars were coming out, and the world seemed quiet and sleepy. Today's project hadn't been as ambitious; Buford was trying theatre classes, Ferb off with Vanessa working on a "project". The outcome of this was just a well crafted platform elevated above the tree. It wasn't so much a treehouse as it was a tree plank, but he liked it. It was simple, and that's all he needed for the day. Upon bringing a few cushions on his second trip up the tree, he surveyed his neighborhood. Across the street he saw a dog rolling in the grass, his owner watching peacefully. Lying in the dirt, something glinted. Phineas gazed at it for a second, but his curious spark didn't ignite. He lay back for a bit, before starting at the sound of someone climbing up the tree. Looking over at the entrance, he saw two wide eyes peep through the trap door and stay there.

"Hi Phineas. Whatcha doing?" Isabella whispered, the silence of night cupping her words.

Phineas slowly smiled, and opened the door. "Hey Isabella. Come on up."

The two sat down in almost perfect sync, Isabella's hair blowing in the breeze. "So, when is it gonna light up?"

"What?"

"When's it gonna take off? Do flips?"

Phineas smiled at her befuddled face. Moonlight danced along her cheeks, and he could almost see his face in her curious eyes.

"No, no. It's just a tree.. plank. Just a treeplank."

"Simple," she said quietly. "I like simple."

"Do you?" he asked. "I'm not sure how I feel about it. I wasted the day."

Isabella's face softened, if that was even possible seeing as she always lightened up around Phineas. "There's nothing wrong with simplicity. Sometimes you can just let the world give you what you want; you don't always need to make it yourself."

Phineas looked down at his jeans, and sighed. "I try to make the most of everyday… but recently there's been something missing."

Isabella held her breath, and covered his hand with her own. He made no sound, accustomed to her touch.

Releasing her breath quietly, she said, "You don't have to go all out everyday, Phineas. Sometimes…"

"It's not that, Izzy. I feel like there's something missing. I don't make anything big anymore, and you all are so busy these days…" he said mournfully. "I miss our endless summer."

She leaned her head to the side, resting it on his shoulder. He stiffened, making her think she had gone too far. He relaxed, and she remained.

"Your summer doesn't have to be over just yet, Phineas Flynn."

Slowly, she began to see fireflies float upwards in spirals.

"There's some beauty in simple things."

They spent the night that way, holding each other close and counting stars until the world brightened for the next day.

Remember, skip to chapter 11! Rewrites and replacements for all the chapters leading up to it will be coming out soon. Hope you enjoyed it!