Author's Note: I haven't been liking any of these, and it's beginning to become frustrating. I'm running out of creative ideas. I did, however, receive some assistance with this one, so hopefully it will be enough to point me in the right direction. Here's to hoping for a satisfactory piece of writing. I really, really like this one.
Chapter Eight: H is for HEARTFELT
Heartfelt: believed deeply and sincerely
Isabella knew that Phineas loved the inconstant. Phineas knew that Isabella knew this. From this knowledge, Phineas formed a brilliant plan.
Sitting down roughly at the kitchen table, Phineas crossed his arms on the tabletop and grinned. Isabella looked up from her calculator for a moment to smile in Phineas' direction.
"Hey," Isabella begins, pushing the piles of bills away. "What are you-"
"We're going on a date. Tonight," Phineas replied, taking in the confused expression on Isabella's face.
"Really?" she asked in disbelief. "We usually don't-"
Phineas cut her off again, taking Isabella's hand in his. "I know," he conceded. "But we've never done anything by the book. We're switching it up just this once."
Isabella giggled, looking away before lifting a brow and asking, "So what should I expect, then? Dinner, movie, strolling through the park after dark?"
Phineas stood, snapping his fingers and pointing at Isabella. "Exactly," he confirmed.
Isabella tilted her head, calculating Phineas' intentions. "So," he pondered aloud, twiddling her thumbs in her lap, "You know I'm expecting you to do something irregular, so you're throwing me off by doing the exact opposite. You're going to be unpredictable… by being totally predictable.
Phineas only grins, "I'll pick you up at seven, then," he adds before placing a kiss to Isabella's cheek.
"We live together," Isabella alluded dully, "How can you pick me up?"
"Just answer the door, okay?" Phineas insisted, beginning to walk out into the hall.
"Where are you going?" Isabella called after him.
Phineas' head peeked around the corner. "I'm going to get ready," he informed her excitedly, "I have a date tonight!" And with that, the young man disappeared out of view.
"Phineas!" Isabella shouted, "Phineas, it's only eleven o'clock in the morning!" Isabella giggled before turning back to the paperwork before her. It was going to be a long night.
The day passed peacefully enough, Phineas running about the house making plans while Isabella watched on while interest. Few times she questioned what the young man was up to, but each time she received the same response: "You'll see."
By the time the evening neared, Isabella chose to get ready as well, choosing a simple outfit, fit for anything Phineas chose to throw at her. He had already explained she could dress casually, that none of his plans involved anything worth getting all worked up about. Isabella only laughed. The young man seemed pretty worked up himself.
Isabella was sorting items in her purse when she heard a knock at the door. She hadn't seen Phineas in a couple hours, so she wasn't surprised when it was him at the door. He was leaning against the doorframe, his shoulders cocked confidently, his feet crossed at the ankles. His right arm was snaked up the wall, his left holding out a single red rose.
Isabella grinned, feeling silly ushering Phineas into his own home. He pecked her lips, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets as he saunter into the living room.
"Nice place," he joked, nodding as he looked about.
Isabella scoffed, rushing about the kitchen to find a glass for her rose. She found a decent crystal vase, tall and thin enough to be perfect for the flower. She placed the rose accordingly, fiddling with its petals before grabbing her purse and heading back towards Phineas.
"Thank you," she giggled, taking the arm Phineas offered. As they walked out into the driveway, Isabella couldn't help but ask: "Don't you feel a little juvenile?"
Phineas chuckled as he opened the car door for Isabella. Leaning in as she buckled her seatbelt, he grinned, "You have no idea."
The ride to the restaurant was comfortable enough, the couple acting like they would on any other occasion. Sitting at the table glancing over menus was just as casual. A spunky teenage waitress took their order, and the thanked her kindly. Upon the young woman's departure, Phineas leaned back in his chair, folding his hands on the tabletop.
"So," he began, catching Isabella's attention. "How's this going?"
Isabella almost choked on her soda. Wiping her lip with her forefinger, she leaned forward slightly to whisper to Phineas. "Hate to break it to you, but we just got here."
"All right," allowed, pulling on a lose string up his shirt. "Then… so far?"
"Phineas," Isabella clipped, tilting her head questioningly.
"Fine," Phineas admitted, looking away, albeit with a self-conscious grin. "So I'm a little anxious."
"A little?" Isabella almost laughed, but chose to contain herself for the sake of her pained boyfriend. "Relax," she murmured across the table. Before Phineas was given the chance to respond, the polite waitress delivered their meals.
The rest of their dining experience was calm enough, Phineas allowing Isabella to do most of the talking. Her voice was cool and smooth, and he granted the soft sound permission to put his nerves at ease.
He wasn't entirely sure why he was so nervous this evening. It wasn't like Isabella made him that way. Perhaps it was the pure thought of such a contained happening that made him uneasy. Phineas had become so used to being free and without charge, such a structured outing was bothering his risky mind.
The label wasn't helping him much either. He and Isabella did things together. He didn't go anywhere without asking permission to bring Isabella along, and there was never an opportunity in which she could not. They didn't call them dates, however. They were more like… adventures, in literal terms.
Phineas' thoughts and Isabella's voice flowed throughout the time, coming to a leisurely end as Phineas paid the bill and escorted Isabella back out to the parking lot.
The cinema wasn't as lively as Phineas had expected. They arrived at a quarter to eight, fifteen good minutes before any films would begin to roll. Phineas insisted Isabella to choose, and he wasn't surprise when she chose a romantic comedy. He didn't know whether to call it a date movie or a chick flick, but halfway through the movie, he realized it was acceptable for it to be called both.
The movie moved slowly, and Phineas found himself struggling to pay attention. He had never liked theater, and the cinema was no exception. He always grew quickly restless, making him a horrible movie companion. Isabella didn't seem to mind.
"You aren't going to attempt that awful yawn-and-stretch move, are you?" Isabella had teased before the film began as they sat lazily in the seats of the screening room.
"Maybe," Phineas kidded with a wink, jabbing Isabella's shoulder lightly with his elbow. Isabella returned the playful gesture, giggling all the while.
Phineas had been simply joking, however, and he tried no such thing. The couple didn't blush when their hands met over the bag of popcorn, they didn't giggle when they caught their partner's eyes, and they most certainly did not spend the entire experience making out. Phineas did, however, chuckle endlessly when Isabella cried at the horribly filmed, extremely foreseen kiss sequence.
Phineas managed to survive the prolonged suffering, glad when the credits began to roll. Isabella seemed to have enjoyed the movie, so the young man said nothing as she felt the need to go on and on about it.
The park was misty at this time of night, Phineas observed as they strolled hand-in-hand along one of the concrete pathways. Dew had already glazed over the grass, with an eerie fog parading about the ground. It looked like a scene out of a bad horror movie, but it was hardly frightening.
"You didn't have to do all this," Isabella's voice rang out, cutting through Phineas' thoughts like a knife. "It wasn't necessary. We don't have to do this again."
Phineas felt slightly relieved but only nodded. "Not your cup of tea?" he questioned softly.
"No," Isabella corrected, "Not yours."
Phineas smiled graciously, squeezing her hand slightly tighter. "Thanks," he mumbled. Isabella accepted, adding a little skip to her next few steps, seemingly floating. Phineas looked over to her in adoration. Her hair was muffled from leaning against the movie theater seats, and her jacket was sliding off her shoulders, barely hanging on by her elbows. She was quite the sight but still she was just as lovely.
"I love you," Phineas spoke suddenly, sincerely. Isabella stopped in place, her hold on Phineas' hand drawing him back with her. She practically glowed.
"You've never said that to me before," Isabella mulled.
Phineas raised an eyebrow. "Yes I have," he protested. "Many times."
Isabella shook her head, starting to walk forward once more. "Well, yes," she clarified. "But never like that. Never just because."
Phineas smiled a little bit, watching the woman happily bite her lower lip, thinking over the events of the evening's end.
"I love you, too," Isabella added finally, looking up at Phineas, eyes dancing. "And just so you know, that just may have been my favorite part of the entire evening." With that, Isabella released Phineas hand, skipping along down the path before her, occasionally twisting midair and twirling about on the heels of her shoes.
Phineas struggled to keep up with Isabella's quirky movements, laughing as he watched her dance and flail her arms. "It was hardly three words," he mentioned, moving a hand respectfully to prove his point.
Isabella stopped mid-prance, panting softly, hopping over to Phineas with strained breath. She giggled breathlessly, kissing his lips before leaning into his chest.
"Sometimes three words is all it takes," she revealed contentedly.
Author's Note: I'm really glad I received this suggestion from a faithful reviewer. I hoped it lived up to your expectations, and I truly hope you enjoyed it! If anyone has suggestions or requests for any impending chapters, I'd be glad to take them into consideration! I'm always up for input. I'm thinking about only adding one chapter a day from now on, but knowing me and my impatience, I'll probably update sooner. Because I am way too obsessed with getting reviews. Speaking of which, reviews are appreciated, although not expected. I will update inconsistently, but the story will be finished within the month, I'm certain. Look out for new chapters.
Coming Up Next: I is for IMPULSIVE
