Chapter 7
"You're going to need an adult's permission first, though," Monica added.
Ferb ran into the house and poked his head through the doorway of where his mom was reading.
"Mother, may I be a Lakeside Girl?"
"Yes, dear."
"Thank you."
"Kids with their crazy games," Ms. Flynn said to herself.
XXXX
Ferb got on his uniform.
"Wow you do work fast," Monica said.
Everyone began working on their inventions. Isabella glanced over to see what the others were doing, when she gasped.
"Ferb!?" The other girl looked over too and gasped.
Phineas' eyes widened as he moved to camera around more. Ferb looked at them with apologetic eyes.
"It's alright, Ferb! I have two hands. I can film both teams," Phineas said with a smile.
Isabella went over to Phineas and said, "Phineas!? Aren't you furious right now!? Your own brother just turned against you!"
"He has the right to join whatever group he wants. I'm not stopping him. Besides, it's not like he's gone against me. I'm not in this competition," Phineas shrugged.
"But the teams are all uneven now! And with Ferb on their team, we don't stand a chance! He doesn't even need a team! What are we going to do, Phineas!? We need that lodge makeover!" Isabella cried.
Phineas said, "I'm going to offer you one last time, Isabella. Ferb-"
"That's it! Phineas, have you ever considered becoming a Fireside Girl?" Isabella asked.
Phineas gave her a strange look and said, "Well, last time I checked I was a boy, and I don't think that's changed at all."
"Oh forget about that! Forget about the rules! We are having a crisis! Please, Phineas! We need you! There's no time to find some other girl to join and you'll even out the strength of both teams! Plus, you need to join before Monica figures out your talents too!"
"But I would hate to work against, Ferb! We're like blood brothers. We never work like this! I think you're getting way too into this whole competition thing, Isabella. This isn't like you. You should be focusing on the fun! Your team's exhausted! Look at them!"
"Just join, Phineas! You can quit when this is over!" Isabella cried not listening to a thing he had just said.
"Well, okay. I guess I could-"
"Great! We don't have time for you to make a uniform, so just throw on an old spare uniform we have in the closet of our clubhouse. You know where it is! And also get an adult's permission!"
"Do I have to wear the skirt?" Phineas questioned.
"Just find some brown pants or something! Go! Hurry! Run, Man!" Isabella shouted.
Candace asked, "But doesn't he have to earn like fifty patches in one day, in order to become official?"
Gretchen pulled out her copy of the Fireside Girl Manual and said,"Well, the manual says: A troop leader may award full Fireside Girl status to any girl who has earned fifty patches."
"See?" Candace said.
Isabella said folding her arms, "Any girl who has earned fifty patches. Is Phineas a girl? I don't think so."
The girls all smiled.
"Hey, I just earned my Finding-a-Loophole patch!" Isabella exclaimed.
Phineas ran into the house and poked his head through the doorway of his parent's bedroom, where his father was painting.
"Hey, Dad, can I become a Fireside Girl?"
"Oh sure. Knock yourself out," Mr. Fletcher answered.
"Thanks."
Phineas came running back to the yard dressed in his uniform.
"Okay! I'm ready!" he panted. Instead of the skirt we wore some shorts that looked much like his regular ones, but in brown.
Phineas continued, "I'm lucky that it fits- plus, I'm really digging this hat."
"Yes, you look adorable. Now come on! Hurry! We need to get working!" Isabella said quickly.
