Author's Note: Nostalgia was a vocabulary word of mine from the seventh grade. :D

Chapter Fourteen: N is for NOSTALGIC

Nostalgic: longing for something past

Part I - September 15, 2009 [ Age Ten ]

Today was a very important day. It would be a bookmark and a time sake-and a very critical one-that would outline the entire lives for two specific individuals. They just didn't know it yet. Mainly because they were only ten years old. And the fact that they hadn't actually met yet acted as a complication as well.

But all that would soon be changed.

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no!" a shrill voice let out, the sound echoing across the field surrounding the school's courtyard. "Look out!"

A young girl was one of many to hear the warning, and it was a good thing she had. Just as it had turned out, the danger was headed towards her. Well… not so much danger as… a remote control monster truck.

"I'm sorry," the familiar voice apologized profusely. "It just slipped away. The turbo boost keeps malfunctioning like this. It's still new."

The young girl picked up the truck after it his the white of her sneakers. When she straightened her back from her bent position, she nearly dropped the toy again. So she was ten years old. But this was love. She was sure of it.

In front of her stood a confident looking young boy, slightly shorter than she but just as exuberant. He had mop-like auburn hair, what appeared to be naturally tanned skin, and a thinly pointed nose, quite possibly the most noticeable feature of his face. The young girl, however, seemed to overlook all three. She was staring into sea blue eyes, as wide and as vast as the oceans themselves. They were cerulean like the sky; a very light blue. They were not dark as night like hers; no. They were quite the opposite. And they were hypnotizing.

"Are you all right?"

"What?" the young girl snapped, shaking her head to distract herself. "Oh! Oh, yes. Yes, I'm fine. Thank you."

The boy smiled, his cheeky grin taking up most of his face as it spread nearly ear-to-ear. "My name is Phineas," he introduced, "Phineas Flynn."

The girl handed the truck to the young boy-Phineas-with an embarrassed smile, but a grin nonetheless. "I'm Isabella Garcia-Shapiro," she responded politely.

Phineas held out a hand, which the young girl took the instant it was offered. He reinforced his already luminous smile. "It's nice to meet you, Isabella," he replied.

And there the destined finally met; standing on the pavement outside of the gym.

Part II - May 25, 2013 [ Age Thirteen ]

Isabella humming peacefully, watching the softball game take place. She would love to play, but this time it was her turn to sit out. She would receive all of her participation points, which Isabella found strange but acceptable, even as she sat on the pavement merely kicking her legs while her classmates exercised.

Sudden darkness came over her eyes, causing Isabella to gasp and jump slightly in place.

"Guess who," came a cool voice. It ran low and smooth, too fake to be realistic. Isabella didn't even have to guess.

"Phineas," she whined. "You scared me out of my wits." Isabella hugged her arms close to her chest, milking the fact that Phineas may fawn over her being upset. He did not, however, only joking further.

"You better collect them all," he warned, "I can't win the game of quick comments with no competition, Isabella, and you're my best game."

Isabella smiled meekly, tucking a stray hair behind her ear and watching it as it fell loose once more. Phineas watched the attempt and chuckled, taking it upon himself to get the stubborn strands to stay put. He brushed her hair back with a feather-light touch, going over her ear twice just to be sure. He smiled when it stayed.

"Thanks," Isabella mumbled, her face flushing as her ears grew hot.

Phineas' face went blank and he cleared his throat, running a hand down the back of his neck. It didn't take long for him to regain his composure, quickly replying a simple, "You're welcome," to which Isabella accepted dully.

That love Isabella had claimed to be there the day they had met was still present; she felt the same way towards him as she had three years ago, if not a greater understanding. Those feelings remained unrequited even into their teenage years, or if they were, Isabella never saw them. Isabella knew what she felt was real. She just wished it was in the flesh.

So both remained quiet, one keeping relationship related thoughts to herself why the other maintained a continual state of oblivion.

And so the pattern continued; sitting on the pavement outside of the gym.

Part III - June 7, 2018 [ Age Eighteen ]

"Hey," a deep voice called, "I was looking for you. You're missing the dress rehearsal."

Isabella looked back for only a moment. "Yeah," she recognized. "I just wanted to get some air. It's kind of stuffy in the auditorium."

"Kind of?" Phineas questioned, taking a seat next to Isabella on the concrete beneath his feet, hanging his legs off the side. "Are you kidding? It's like a sauna in there. No lie. I can't imagine what it's going to be like tomorrow evening with all those people there. I can't believe the department of health would even let in such a huge crowd."

"I can't believe we're graduating tomorrow," Isabella sighed, smooth the tassel on her hat as it sat perfectly folded on the concrete next to her. "It's crazy."

"Seems that way," Phineas agreed, grin still in place. "But it's the real deal now. No more talking about being big shots. We're finally there."

"Just not quite top of the food chain anymore," Isabella joked, allowing a smile to sweep across her lips.

"Not a chance," Phineas laughed, fussing with the hems of his graduation gown as it stuck to a clasp on his pants.

"Promise you won't forget me," Isabella pleaded, suddenly serious. Phineas' face grew concerned.

"Why? How could-"

"Just do it, Phineas," Isabella urged. "Just… promise me that after commencement tomorrow… you won't forget about me."

Phineas nodded slowly, silently agreeing. "I promise," he whispered. "Never."

Isabella accepted his response well enough, nodding rapidly and wiping tears off of her cheeks. Phineas caught sight of the tear trails on her face and widened his eyes, he pulled Isabella into his chest, hugging her close to his body.

"I'm going to miss you," Isabella sobbed, words breaking between sharp intakes of breath and gasps.

"Shh," Phineas soothed, smoothing the hair on the top of Isabella's head all the way down to her bangs. "It's all right. And I'll miss you, too. But we'll see each other again soon. I know we will."

Except he didn't know. He didn't know where Isabella was going to college. He had no idea where she was going to be for the next good portion of her life. He had never even asked. Isabella was beginning to wonder if he even cared. If he ever did.

He just didn't know. Just didn't know… how far away she would be. How very, very far.

And so they said goodbye; crying on the pavement outside of the gym.

Part IV - July 12, 2013 [ Age Twenty-Three ]

"Is it as weird for you as it is for me?" Phineas wonders out loud, looking down to meet Isabella's eyes.

"Weird?" she mimics.

"Yes," Phineas confirms, his chin tilting to the night sky above. "This is where we first met. Thirteen years ago. It feels like… like a lifetime ago. You know what I mean?"

"Hmm," Isabella hummed in accommodation. "Yes. We had a lot of good memories here."

Phineas watched Isabella's smile grow slowly, spreading across her face in a single wave.

"Do you remember…?" Isabella spoke, carrying out the first line of many a conversation that had occurred several years ago. Phineas laughed and nodded along, eventually adding in his own details and relating memories as well. Their laughter carried long into the night, spreading warmth into the coolness of the sticky evening air.

And so they rambled; reminiscing on the pavement outside of the gym.

Author's Note: Le sigh… what beautiful memories! :'D Hardly. Haha, not really a huge fan of this one, but I really like Part I. Because bumbling Isabella is cute and Phineas is oblivious even then. Even as she stares at him doe-eyed like a deer caught in the headlights. But, psh, you know. Happens. Whatever. 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: O is for OBVIOUS