Ferb finally managed to make it to the valentine-themed mall, gasping for air as he leaned against the door. He tugged off his hot scarf and stumbled over to the nearby food court before collapsing into a chair and catching his breath.
'I have GOT to find that starter-remote..', he noted to himself, knowing a car ride would be much faster and easier than running all the way there in weather unfit for bicycles.
A few months ago, when the Christmas Shopping mayhem was underway, Ferb had finally seen her again. He hadn't seen her since last Summer when he and his brother traveled the world. Vanessa Doofenshmirtz was also busy shopping. He couldn't stop watching her all throughout the shopping trip whenever she was an in eyesight. And since then he had kept a close record of when she would be there and when she wouldn't. Today, fortunately, was a day she would normally make an appearance. And this time, Ferb was ready. Ever since Paris, he had kept the rose he bought for her and never got to give. While Phineas had been busy with another project one day, he had created a quick elixir for the rose too. It protected the rose against wilting. Against the weather. No matter what, it wouldn't be destroyed. And it had fully bloomed by the point. And so has his love for her and he wasn't going to back down for even Phineas. And since Ferb wasn't one to talk, especially when on the spot, he also wrote a note explaining his feelings for her to go with it. After catching his breath, Ferb looked about the food court, wondering if she was there. He saw her finally. A bit to the farther side of him. He quickly scooped his things up. Got the rose ready. And began to head over. Every step making his heart beat faster and harder. If he could just manage to at least get her attention. To get the chance to tell her how he felt. But as he walked closer, just a couple of yards away now, all of a sudden his next footstep made his heart stop as he saw someone else join her at the table. Another boy. He sat down next to her, she smiled, they talked and as Ferb watched, she even laughed. She already had someone else.
"Knock it off, Gary.", she laughed as she nudged him playfully.
"Seriously, just because you have someone for Valentine's Day, doesn't mean you need to go trying to cheer me up. I shouldn't be sulking like this. It's just..."
She sighed a bit, shaking her head. But that's when she noticed Ferb and that was when Ferb noticed that as he stared in shock, his feet were still slowly moving towards her! When their eyes met, he started to turn away but Vanessa was already coming up.
"Ferb!", she quickly got out of the chair only to increase the rapidly growing blush of embarrassment on the young boy who started to break into a run as he heard the chair. "Ferb! Wait!"
Ferb felt his heart beat wildly as he continued to run. If she was with someone, on a date, what reason had he to be there suddenly saying he loved her? The entire situation would be a horrible mess the way he imagined it. He couldn't face her now. Not if she had a boyfriend. Not on Valentine's Day! But the girl proved to be fast and Ferb, for a moment, silently cursed his naturally green hair for making him stand out in the crowd as she followed him, hot on his trail. Vanessa, however, was not only surprised to see Ferb again, but also curious why he would be walking up to her, as if mesmerized by something with a rose in hand, and then turn on his heels and run! Was there something he had to say? But if he did, why did he run? Why does he think he can hide in the crowded mall after coming to obviously see her? What was his full name? Granted, the last wasn't exactly at the front of her mind but it did fly by as she continued to chase him, the crowd around both getting thicker and thicker. Finally Vanessa squeezed past a couple of people and looked about to find that while Ferb was easy to spot, he had finally managed to disappear. And oddly enough, her heart sank knowing this. Did it become hopeful, seeing him there? Whatever the case was, she sighed and leaned against one of the pillars that held up the high ceiling, left to only ponder these questions.
