Sorry for the delay I got caught up writing another piece of fanfiction for my brother. That story is still on going by the way so later will chapters will likely be similarly delayed (though hopefully never by this much again).
Right, another chapter another look at a part of Candace's life. As I promised before this one is different from the usual 'Candace wants to bust her brothers' plot that I explored previously as there is more to her character than that.
Disclaimer: I don't know Phineas and Ferb, Disney does.
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Candace waved to Stacy, who was currently sitting at one of the outdoor tables of the Corner Cafe while waiting for Candace, to indicate that she had seen her and went over. "Hey, Stace!" Candace shouted when she was close enough. She got here before I did. That's a good sign that our friendship is still strong, as some times I do wonder.
"Hi, Candace." Came the reply. Though Stacey did seem as happy to see Candace as she was to see her Candace couldn't help but notice a hint of worry in her best friend's voice. Why is she so nervous? What did my brothers do? Or… maybe it was something I did. Better not go down that route as I'm probably just being paranoid. Stacey is fine. As she got the table though Stacey added, "So, why did you want to meet me?" which Candace start fretting over their friendship again.
"What, I just want to hang with my BFF." Said Candace with forced calmness as she sat down opposite Stacey, who was currently half way through an ice-tea. What's happened to our friendship. I know that we haven't been hanging out as much as we used to but I didn't think it had got to the stage where she would be confused by me wanting to be with her. "Why else do you think I want to meet you?" Candace smiled when she asked that question though she was deeply dreading the answer. Before Stacey could answer though Candace turned to nearby waiter, partly because she was thirsty but mostly because she wanted to put off hearing what Stacey had to say for as long as possible, and asked "Can I have an ice-tea too, please?" With that done, and Candace seeing no other polite way to delay Stacey Candace turned back to her friend to face the inevitable.
"Well Candace, your call saying that we should meet did come completely out of the blue and I was worried, and please don't take this the wrong way. But is this another of your crazy plots to try and bust your brothers? I just don't feel up to following you as you rush around town today." Candace breathed a sigh of relief. Is that all? I was expecting something far worse. I mean I can understand that worry, I probably do drag her along in my attempts to see justice done too much. But today she need not worry. The fact she is afraid that will happen is actually a good thing, as I can lay her fears to rest easily which means that she will be free to enjoy the rest of the day.
"Oh, no, no." Candace said, with joviality that was no longer fake, "My brothers are out with mom for the day. Yeah, some nerdy thing that's happening out of town, I wasn't really listening when they told me. They said that I could come along but I was like 'as if.' So, I promise you this will be a bust free day." Candace felt very good to have a day where she didn't have to worry about her brothers at all. The fact that she could barely remember a day when she hadn't had to at least resist the temptation to bust Phineas and Ferb made it all the more important to use this day to its fullest (which is why she had rung Stacey to see if she wanted to hang out as soon as her brothers were out the door).
"So you only wanted to be with me because you couldn't do anything about your brothers. It's good to see how important you think our friendship is." Was Stacey's reply, which shocked Candace who went immediately back to wondering about just how strong her relationship with Stacey really was. Stacey however, probably seeing how much her last statement had hurt her friend, was quick to assuage the ill feelings that she had caused. "Relax, relax. I'm just messing with you. It's good that we have a day without your brothers, it means that we can concentrate on what we want to do instead. But you do promise that you will not change your mind and suddenly run off to go and bust your brothers, don't you?" Again Candace, who was feeling a better now that she was almost satisfied that her friendship with Stacey wasn't any less strong as it had ever been, believed that she noticed that Stacey really wanted her to make such a promise. However I think that she would help me out even if I did do that later today, which I definitely won't do I hope, as she is a good friend like that. Certainly a better friend than I deserve, considering how I've neglected her.
"I promise. Anyway, there's no way I could know what they're doing on at this film extravaganza, or whatever they are going to, in any case." It was at this point that her ice-tea arrived. "Thank you." She said to the waiter before going back to what she talking about to Stacey. So anyway, as long as I don't see anything to the contrary I can just assume they are being normal kids. Well, as normal as they can be." Speaking over Candace began to drink her beverage. Of course that is almost with out a doubt not what is really going on. Said a treacherous idea in Candace's brain, They are probably doing something bustable right now. I could just give mum a quick phone call just to see what is going on and then…"Even if I did find out that they were doing something crazy, what could I do about it?" Candace blurted those words at a rush, more concerned with trying to derail her train of thought than trying to reassure Stacey anymore. "They are miles away. What am I going to do? Run all the way to wherever they're at." Other than thought that flared up about the fact that if she really did have evidence that her brothers were working on another project Stacey would probably see some land speed records broken, after all if I really tried I could probably get there in time to bust them if I knew where there was of course, Candace was reasonably confident that she had got her worries about Phineas and Ferb settled, for now at least. She now felt that she could devote her full attention into enjoying this quality time with Stacey.
"Great." Was Stacey's reply, and it was obvious to Candace that she was greatly relieved to hear Candace make such a promise. "Though I am a bit confused that you would want to spend the day with me over Jeremy. I mean I would have understood if you had." Again Candace had information about how the person Stacey was talking about was unavailable today. However she doubted that Stacey would react the same way that she had reacted to the news about her brothers. She wouldn't pull the same trick again so soon and if we wasn't really upset about seemingly choosing my brothers over her today she certainly wouldn't be upset about me choosing Jeremy.
"He's teaching today. Won't tell me who though, says that he's 'sworn to secrecy'. Ohh, maybe he's a secret agent." Candace's imagination suddenly filled with scenes of special agent Jeremy Johnson shooting bad guys and looking really handsome in a tuxedo. And then on a moonlit night, just after he has saved the world from Scandinavian diamond smugglers, he will turn to me and propose.
"Yeah, but don't spies meet with a lot of beautiful women. You could have some serious competition if he is one." Candace's fantasies came to a crashing halt when she heard Stacey's nonchalant reply. She decided that Jeremy wouldn't be a good secret agent after all and that he should just stick to teaching guitar. He would still look good in a tuxedo though. Maybe I should get him one for his birthday. "Speaking of boyfriends." Added Stacey, "Don't you think that Coltrane's new haircut is the cutest." Candace would have preferred to continue talking about Jeremy, who has a way cuter haircut than Coltrane, but was willing to humour friend on this topic. She talks so rarely about him that I can't really mind it when she does. I should probably encourage it, it does her no good to have such a major relationship that she never discusses. Anyway, Coltrane is in Jeremy's band it will be simple to change the conversation back to Jeremy if I want to.
"Yes, yes it is." Candace replied with what she knew her friend wanted to hear though personally she couldn't tell the difference between Coltrane's new haircut and his old one. I have found that boys in this town have a habit of finding a look that they like and sticking to it. Wanting to change the subject from a new haircut that probably only Stacey could notice but still wanting to encourage Stacey to talk about her seldom mentioned boyfriend Candace changed the subject slightly. "So, how long have you two been going out?" Despite being the one who conspired to get them together at the concert Candace wasn't completely sure how long they had been an item.
"Oh, you know." Teased Stacey, who had finished her ice-tea and gave a quick signal to the waiter that she wanted another glass. "It's only been seven weeks and it isn't that serious yet." The tone of her voice suggested that she rather hoped it would get more serious and sooner rather than later. "The bass lessons are going well though. He says that I'm a natural." Stacey's voice took on a slight dreamy quality as, and Candace could only guess that this was happening, she started to imagine Coltrane playing the bass. Candace was pleased that Stacey was in such a happy relationship, and that she seemed to really enjoy talking about it but there was something about what her friend had said that bugged her. She quickly deduced what it was that had made her feel uncomfortable.
"Has it really only been six weeks? Seems a lot longer to me." Now that Candace thought about it, it had only been six weeks since the Summer Rocks Concert. It certainly didn't feel like it though. I mean me and Jeremy have been officially going out for less time than that. And that's a scary thought, me and Jeremy have only been going out for less than six weeks. We're barely a couple. Calm down, calm down. Now is not the time nor the place to worry about that. Especially not when I have something else to worry about.
"It feels longer to me too. But you know what they say, time travels slower when you're having fun. Or something like that." Replied Stacey. Candace thought she heard concern in Stacey's voice. She 's probably worried that I will start obsessing over time next, not that I can blame her for that. But still something is seriously wrong with the idea that they've only been going out for six weeks, but what? It is obviously true. She was about to dismiss her misgivings as just her being paranoid and talk about much more important things, like whether Stacey and Coltrane have done anything important enough to warrant an anniversary. Other than the day they went out though, that's obviously important enough to get one. That reminds me the anniversary of when Jeremy first came round to my house, (He did so when Candace was in eighth grade, saying that she left her bag at school but Candace knew that he had really some around to see her) I should probably get him a card or something. However before she could do so a thought struck Candace and the world, especially the matter in which she had been struggling over, suddenly became a lot clearer. Why didn't I see that before? Why did nobody see it before? It is so obvious.
Stacey seemed to have been growing slight uncomfortable in the long silence that Candace's thinking had made, though she had got her new drink in that time and had been taking some sips while waiting for Candace to say something. Eventually she opened her mouth, possibly to correct herself over the saying she had used, when Candace blurted out "Time makes no sense!" It was incredibly over-dramatic and didn't really get across the enormity of what Candace had realised but Candace had wanted to tell someone about what she had worked out right away and therefore hadn't wanted Stacey to start talking again.
However while Candace was trying to work out how best to follow on from her outburst Stacey managed to speak in any case. "Candace, are you feeling okay?" Said Stacey cautiously, deep concern for her friend in her voice. At least she didn't change the subject though. But she now believes me to be even more crazy than she thought before. I probably shouldn't have said what I did, I need to find a way to fix that embarrassment, by explaining what I know in a clear manner, and quickly.
"Well, it does make sense, except no really. But haven't you noticed that the six weeks that have happened, while still being six weeks, have been a lot longer than six weeks should be. I mean in that time I've gone on 'Let's all Dance till we're Sick', flown around the world, gone on holiday to Hawaii and been grounded for a week. Don't you think that is a bit too much to happen in just six weeks? I mean I'm amazed that no-one else noticed, which is also weird, but it must be the case if you think about it. And it's not just the last six weeks the whole of summer has been going on for way too long." Rapidly ranted Candace, who was panting for air by the end. The excitement of what she was saying making her completely ignore her earlier warnings of caution. Yes, that was real smooth. She certainly doesn't believe that I'm crazy now. Come on Stace understand what I'm getting at here.
"So, you believe that your brothers are somehow extending the summer vacation and no-one notices it. Is that it?" Asked Stacey slowly and deliberately. Candace was pleased that her best friend had been able to pick up what she was getting at so quickly, though she was less happy about the incredulous tone of voice that Stacey was using. Though where did she get the idea that Phineas and Ferb are behind it. It makes sense though, if anyone was going to benefit from an extended summer it would be those two. I'm sure they would have bragged about it though, I'll look into that connection later.
"Well if not them," Said Candace, who decided not to dismiss the idea that maybe, just maybe, Phineas and Ferb weren't behind this development. "Then something else could be doing it. Ohh," She suddenly exclaimed, an idea coming to her, "Maybe whatever keeps my mom from seeing what they do is also the same thing that is making summer longer." That could work. This way it makes sense that my brothers benefit from whatever happens but also makes sense of why they don't know about it. But I never did manage to prove completely that they aren't behind the miraculous disappearances of their bustable projects though, so maybe they are behind it. No, find out later. Convince Stacey that what I'm saying isn't crazy now.
"The same mysterious force, or whatever it is, that stops you from busting your brothers is also making summer longer. Candace, that's paranoid even for you." Candace certainty began to falter at Stacey's unwillingness to believe her and the fact that idea was pretty out there. But she is also against my idea that something is behind the fact that Phineas and Ferb's inventions vanish and that is true, though I often find myself doubting that as this new idea could also be true, couldn't it? Also 'Mysterious Force' is a really good name for it. I'm amazed I haven't thought of it before though it does sound very familiar. "Remember the time when you thought Ferb was an alien or the time when you thought you were a vampire."
"But I was right those times." Candace almost screamed as she tried to hold onto the conviction that she must also be right this time as well. "Yes Ferb wasn't an alien then but my mom was, or at least an alien was disguised as her. And I was completely correct about the whole vampire thing. I turned to dust when exposed to sunlight." That day was still a disturbing one to remember for Candace (they put her together with glue, and Candace still couldn't work out that had worked) but it had happened. And if something that crazy can happen surely what I'm suggesting could be true as well. It can't be that much more insane. Well, it is. But it's true. It's true.
"Yeah," replied Stacey after a while, obviously annoyed that her examples had backfired so badly, "but what about that time when you thought that Perry was threatening you? That didn't turn out to be correct, did it?" To be reminded of that stupid idea (She had first thought of it just after she returned from the boring trip to her grandparents where she had hallucinated after she believed she had touched some poisonous moss, she had then touched the real poisonous moss and had hallucinated some more. For a while afterwards she had been convinced that Perry had not wanted her to talk to her family about what she had seen in her hallucinations, she could barely recollect them afterwards in any case, and would have stopped her if she had tried. She and Stacey had quickly dismissed it as complete crazy talk as Perry is a platypus, they don't do anything. Strangely though, the dismissal hadn't stopped the dreams) was enough to finally convince Candace that her idea was a load of rubbish. It proves that not every idea I have is correct. She ignored the part of her mind that told her that was an understatement. And to be honest Perry is much more likely to wear a hat than it is that the Mysterious Force, Candace had decided to use that name for it from now on, is stretching time somehow.
"You're right, it was a silly idea. I can't believe that I even thought it. Let's just forget it ever happened, can we?" Said Candace with a smile. Meanwhile she was mentally chastising herself over what she had just done. I've just made myself look like a real fool. And all over a silly, silly theory. It would be best if I never bring it up again and I hope, well I know actually, that Stacey will most likely honour my wishes.
"Okay, Candace." Replied Stacey sincerely, Candace thought she heard someone snap his fingers after that sentence but it was probably just her imagination. Then Stacey got an odd look in her eyes that Candace immediately recognised. "We'll probably not remember this tomorrow in any case. After all minor details like this are nearly never mentioned in following episodes." Added Stacey nonchalantly, as if she hadn't just challenged the entire nature of existence with a sentence. Candace herself didn't pay it much heed. It was just the sort of thing that happened, albeit rarely.It had happened to her a few times as well and it also wore off quickly, as such Candace thought that it was best to ignore it and that is what most other people seemed to think as well. I'm pretty sure that there's a scientific explanation for it but who cares about that sort of thing other than dweebs like Baljeet. Anyway she could just be saying so that I won't feel as embarrassed about what I said as I should though that look on her face indicates that it was genuine. Sure enough the unusual aspect to Stacey's countenance was soon gone replaced but a look of slight bewilderment over what had just been said. Then Stacey continued as if nothing had happened (something that Candace had observed was a common reaction from people when whatever it is that caused people to not think the world was real wore off). "Right so what do you want to do now?" Asked Stacey indicating Candace's drink, which had long ago ran out though Candace had been too caught up in the conversation to notice that she had been trying to slurp up ice-tea that was no-longer there. Candace was annoyed when she realised that this was yet another thing that would indicate to people nearby that she had finally lost her mind.
"I don't know, what do you want to do?" Asked Candace genuinely, this day had been completely unplanned so Candace was perfectly willing to do whatever her best friend suggested. She was slightly upset that Stacey hadn't gone back to talking about Coltrane again and she was feeling that this could the last she heard of him for some time. It's an improvement at least. And these things take time so I can't rush them. I'm sure that I'll have her being more open about her relationship in no time. On the plus side now that she's finished talking about her boyfriend I can talk about mine again. She can't complain because we already had a significant part of the conversation talking about hers. Well, maybe it wasn't that significant but it was still part of the conversation so I could still use it as an excuse, right? Candace decided to not use it as a reason to talk about Jeremy, but also decided that she was going to talk about him in any case when the opportunity arises, excuse or no excuse.
"I came here because of your phone call so I thought that you had something planned." Stacey started speaking quite depressed. The after a pause she suddenly became a lot more excited. "We could go shopping at the Googolplex Mall. There's a new handbag there that you are going to love." Candace suspected that Stacey's excitement came not only from the prospect of shopping, something which she new that her friend got very passionate about, but also because the topic they were onto now was so much more simple that silly theories and existential crises.
Now seemed like the perfect opportunity to bring up Jeremy again and Stacey had provided a perfect way to do so too, "Well, I did see a new guitar strap on sale that I think will look great on Jeremy's guitar. I think I have some money left over from all the cameras." (Candace was continuing to buy the disposable cameras as they still seemed like a good idea though, because of budget constraints as they still broke regularly even on days when she didn't even use them, at a much reduced rate than before). "So, okay." Again there was that far off snapping of fingers which made Candace begin to wonder about whether Uncle Bob was nearby. If he is I better say hello and see how that trip with Aunt Tiana to the Galapagos went, or have they already finished that.
"Great." Said Stacey as she got up to go inside to pay for the drinks that they had had. As Candace waited for her to return she started to grow slightly bored, she had already got the money ready to pay Stacey back for her drinks so had little else to do, so she decided to perform a little experiment as she hadn't seen any sign of Bob or Tiana so was beginning to really think that what she had heard had just been her imagination.
"Okay." She said in a reasonably loud voice, she wanted to be heard by Bob is he was nearby but didn't want to attract too much attention to herself as what she was doing would look pretty weird to other people. When she heard no reply this time she was forced to assume that she hadn't really heard what she thought she had and began to feel bad about speaking in the first place. What had I hoped it would prove, other than how insane I can act in one morning. What I heard was obviously my imagination. If they had really been here they would have noticed me and would have come over to chat. It's that silly theory again, it's making me think weirdly I'm sure. The sooner I get that out of my head the better I will be.
Soon Stacey was back out of the cafe and she shook her head when Candace offered her the money, "No, it's my treat. Anyway I thought that you were short on cash." Candace appreciated the gesture but wanted to pay her friend back in any-case. Maybe I'll buy her something nice at the mall. Stacey is sure to like that.
With the drinks paid for there was nothing stopping Candace and Stacey leaving, so they did so immediately. Candace was glad that they were going somewhere else, she was sure that she was getting some weird looks from the other outside patrons, but as she left her good mode soured slightly as she begin to wonder whether Jeremy would really want the guitar strap.
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Again, sorry about the delay in getting this chapter out. I would also like to remind you that I'm not very good at writing dialogue so if this chat seems too clunky I want to apologise in advance (I'm going to go to writing classes that will hopefully alleviate the issue.
Please read and review.
