Empty Apartment: Chapter 36
Edit: 7/21/13
Made it so Ferb took his own car. Sorry about that guys.
Authors Note: Hey guys! Sorry about the late update, although I hope you'll forgive me once you read this chapter. As you may notice it's the longest chapter we've had to date! I actually wanted to add more to it, but it'll have to wait until next chapter. I knew this chapter would be huge, which is why the last chapter was wimpy. Also, there are a lot of shifts in P.O.V. in this chapter, so please be prepared for it. I hope I didn't let you guys down after all the party buildup, but let me know either way!
Annie: I know you said you're done with this story (at least for awhile), but I wanted to tell you that I actually don't think you're being a jerk. I think you're leaving constructive criticism, and I appreciate it because while I write for me, I also write to get better. I can't be happy with my writing if it's horrible. I actually wish you had an account or were logged into one because I'd love to talk about some of the points you made (not through authors note) because I think some of them have some validity. Actually the only thing you said that I completely disagree with is that there is no good fanfiction in any of my fandoms. If there's anything I've learned in my 10 years of reading fanfiction it's how to find a good story. And I assure you if you aren't finding any in the fandoms I've written for, it's because you aren't looking in the right places. I may not have written it, but I assure you it's out there. A show doesn't have to be complex like Sherlock to have good fanfiction. Even this Phineas and Ferb fandom has some gold in it if you know where to look.
Oh, and one more thing! There's a poll on my profile about it, but I wanted to know what you guys think about naming the chapters? Do you care? Do you think it'd be easier to know what chapter you're on? Do you think it's a bad idea? If you don't mind please take a second to vote or let me know in a review or pm :)
When Buford picked Phineas up it was just a few minutes until eight.
"So where does Beanpole live anyway?" Buford asked as Phineas climbed into the backseat of Buford's beat up, black Firebird.
"He's just down the street; I'll tell you when to stop." Phineas answered as he buckled his seatbelt.
As Buford drove, Baljeet turned around to look at him.
"So what did you tell your mother you were doing tonight?" Baljeet questioned, obviously thinking about the lie he had told his own parents.
Phineas rung his hands together as he attempted not to think too much about how he had mislead his mother.
"I told her I was staying at Django's." Phineas replied.
It wasn't really a lie. He was planning on staying at Django's. It was just that Django was having a party, and Phineas would probably end up sleeping on whatever couch didn't have someone passed out on it.
"Okay, well if my mother calls you mother-" Baljeet started to speak, but he was cut off by Phineas.
"Don't worry about it, 'Jeet. Your parents aren't gonna check up on you," Phineas said and before Baljeet could argue Phineas was talking again. "This is Ferb's house."
Buford stopped the car in front of the house and turned as though he was going to tell Phineas to go get the other boy, when Ferb walked out his front door. Buford quickly turned back around and rolled down his window.
"You still following us?" Buford called as the Brit left the house..
Ferb only nodded as he walked to his car in the driveway.
"Alright, but hurry up, Buford ain't got all day!" Buford yelled out the window.
Phineas almost laughed, but when Ferb backed out of the driveway he saw the look on Ferb's face.
He didn't look particularly angry, but Phineas knew it wasn't Ferb's typical look of complete indifference. He also that he was the one the look was aimed at, despite the fact that he hadn't said a word.
Phineas shot Ferb a small smile in return, although he doubted he could see it.
Angry Ferb or not, Phineas wasn't backing down. Not tonight.
When the boys got to Django's house, the party was already in full swing. The huge house, which was bordering on mansion status, was full of teenagers, and already the smell of booze in the air was thick. The music was also loud in the background, the voices of The Fireside Girls reaching out into the crowd.
No we're not on the list, come on let's do it
No we don't give a shit, come on let's do it
Dance 'till your pants come off, come on get naked
Party 'till the break of dawn, come let's do it
Now, come on let's do it, come on, come on [1]
"Looks like it's gonna be a good one!" Buford yelled to the boys.
"Definitely!" Phineas agreed good naturedly.
"I must go to the bathroom!" Baljeet told them, struggling to be loud enough to hear, but not so loud as to let the entire party know.
"Why didn't you go before we left?" Buford asked, already sounding irritated.
"I was excited! I was not thinking about it!" Baljeet snapped at Buford.
"This is the kind of thing you always yell at me for!" Buford accused as he threw his arms up in the air.
"Whatever, it will only take a minute!" Baljeet yelled before turning on his heel and heading toward the main floor bathroom.
"We'll catch up with you guys later." Buford said with an annoyed eye roll before he headed in the same direction as Baljeet.
Phineas knew the line to the bathroom would probably be long, but that hardly bothered him. He was more than happy to be alone with Ferb.
"The drinks are this way!" Phineas shouted over the music as he began walking to the kitchen.
He only made it a few steps before he was stopped by Ferb's hand on his shoulder.
"What?" Phineas asked as he turned around.
Phineas was half surprised when Ferb pulled him closer, but he quickly realized it was so Ferb didn't have to yell as loud.
"Who do you think you're fooling?" Ferb asked, his tone a mix between anger and disbelief.
"What are you talking about?" Phineas asked, but he knew before he said it that it was the wrong thing to say.
"Your manipulation might work on the idiots that you spend time with, but it won't work on me." Ferb spat. Phineas could tell that it wasn't so much the manipulation that bothered him as much as it was the idea that he thought he'd get away with it.
Regardless of why Ferb was angry though, Phineas had no good response.
"I'm here to drink, not to see you. Get it through your head," Ferb said, his voice back to its typical monotone. "And you might want to practice your subtlety."
Had anyone else said those things Phineas would have been hurt. However, it wasn't anyone else; it was Ferb. Ferb who thought he was smart, and didn't actually care what he did. Angry tone or not, Ferb was already past the argument and ready to drink without giving it a second thought.
It was too bad that Phineas wasn't going to let that happen. Phineas quickly grabbed his arm and forced him to stop. He waited until Ferb was facing him to speak.
"Who says I was trying to be subtle?" Phineas asked, his full of confidence.
Ferb gave him a look that practically screamed the word 'bullshit', but Phineas wasn't deterred.
"Why should I have to be?" Phineas asked, his face daring Ferb to answer.
"I think we both know why you have to keep things subtle." Ferb answered, sounding bored with the conversation.
"You want something from me too," Phineas almost hissed. Ferb looked ready to tell Phineas otherwise, but the redhead didn't give him a chance to speak. "Deny it all you want, but we both know it's true. You went from completely ignoring everyone to paying attention, you've let me walk home with you, and you let me make blueprints for your car. You're not fooling me either. You want something, and you want it from me. "
"You don't even-" Ferb began, but Phineas cut him off.
"I don't care what it is. I don't care what you want. All I know is that you want something from me, and I want something from you. I have no reason to be subtle about that to you," Phineas said while glaring before he calmed down. "I wanted to make sure you were here tonight. I made sure to lead my conversation with Adyson in a way that would get you here. So what? I'm just trying to get what I want, same as you. I'm not doing anything wrong. Not to you."
"Do you even know what the hell you want?" Ferb asked.
"I know that what I want doesn't oppose what you want," Phineas said first and foremost. "I'm not trying to be your friend. I'm not trying to be anything you don't want me to be. I just want you around, and I know that to some degree you want to be around me. So stop being a jerk when you think I don't understand the boundaries, because I do. You don't have to explain anything to me, Ferb, I get it. I'm not the only one who hasn't been subtle."
For a long time Ferb just stared at him. They were standing almost nose to nose, neither of their gazes breaking from one another. Phineas could see what he was thinking. Ferb was being just as selfish as he was in the matter. Ferb knew what he wanted, and he wanted to get it. He knew the best way to get it was to work with Phineas, despite the fact he wished there was a way to get it without having to ever speak to him. Phineas didn't know what it was that Ferb wanted, but he knew that Ferb didn't want to let it go.
"As long as you get it." Ferb finally answered, his eyes seeming to pierce through Phineas.
"I assure you I do," Phineas answered before pulling his gaze away from Ferb's. "Drinks are this way." Phineas said before leading the way and stepping past other people, including Gretchen, who smiled softly at him like she always did.
As Phineas led Ferb through the crowd he felt victorious. He knew he still had a lot to worry about. He knew he had cheated on his girlfriend, he knew he had slept with a stranger, he knew he was losing control with the scratching, he knew he was lying to his mother about what he was doing, and he knew that he would probably only continue to dig himself a deeper hole.
But he also knew that he was going to be with Ferb all night, and at the moment that was enough.
Meanwhile, Buford and Baljeet were standing at a table arguing about shots.
"It won't hurt you to drink a shot or two." Buford said as he rolled his eyes.
"Yes it will! I am the one who is driving us home tonight, and I do not plan on doing it inebriated!" Baljeet scolded the taller boy.
"You don't have to get drunk; just drink a few shots to loosen up. By the time we're ready to leave you'll be completely sober!" Buford argued.
Baljeet had barely made it out of the bathroom when he and Buford had begun arguing. The two had immediately started toward a table that had liquor sitting on it, and then had immediately begun arguing about whether Baljeet would drink any of it, despite the looks from others at the table.
"He's right Baljeet. Wait an hour per drink and you'll be good to go." Milly suggested from beside Buford.
Milly was a former Fireside girl and also Buford's chief supplier of gossip during homeroom. She and the bully got along well, which had always caused Baljeet a little worry although Milly had never given any indication that she was interested in Buford, or vise versa.
"Yes, I have heard that rule. I just do not wish to lose control of the situation." Baljeet explained, trying to ignore the rolling eyes of the guys who had been sitting with Milly since before Baljeet and Buford had arrived.
"You ain't gonna lose control from a shot or two." Buford argued, sounding frustrated.
Baljeet was about to reply when Milly spoke up again.
"If it'll make you feel better you guys can catch a ride home with me if you aren't sober when you're ready to leave. I'm DD tonight anyway." Milly said while pointing to the two boys she was with. Baljeet was pretty sure one boy was her cousin, while the other was a mutual friend.
Baljeet sighed as he turned to look at Buford.
"Please?" Buford asked, and Baljeet couldn't help the warm feeling he got from the word that Buford almost never used.
"Fine, but I am not getting drunk, and neither are you." Baljeet commanded as he took a full shot glass from the middle of the table.
"Wasn't plannin' on it. Won't be much fun later if we're drunk." Buford said casually as he grabbed a shot and clanged it against Baljeet as cheers.
As Baljeet downed his first shot, he couldn't help but wonder if this would be the night where something actually happened between himself and Buford. He smiled as he slammed his shot glass down on the table.
He was really hoping for it.
Phineas and Ferb had been drinking for a little while. It was obvious that Ferb was a more experienced drinker based on the fact that he had already doubled what the redhead had drank and still wasn't showing a sign of being even slightly buzzed.
Phineas was a different story.
Ferb could tell by the way he was smiling that the alcohol was starting to take effect.
"Are you buzzed already?" Ferb asked as he drank straight bourbon from a red solo cup. It was disgusting, but Ferb enjoyed the burn as it went down his throat.
"What do you mean already? I've been drinking." Phineas defended, although he sounded amused. Phineas wasn't drunk, but Ferb could already tell that he was a happy drunk.
"Guess I'm not used to drinking with people my age." Ferb replied with a shrug.
It was the truth. Even in England Ferb had always hung out with kids who were older than him. He'd spent a few years being the one who couldn't keep up. His alcohol tolerance had been something that he'd gained after many nights spent hugging the toilet.
Of course now he could out drink many adults, while most kids his age had only just started drinking a year or so ago, and not nearly as often as Ferb did. Four years more experience had definitely put Ferb ahead.
"Eh, I'm not much of a drinker anyway. I just like to take the edge off." Phineas explained as he sipped at his beer.
"You should try weed." Ferb told him flatly.
"Do you smoke weed?" Phineas asked sounding surprised.
"Tried it a few times. It's not for me. Relaxes a lot of blokes though." Ferb told him. He'd only ever done it three times when he was thirteen, but it just made him feel hungry and sluggish. It'd been easy to never do again.
Phineas laughed.
"Nothing relaxes a guy like a drug problem." Phineas joked. It was obvious that he was happy. He'd been happy since they'd first grabbed some drinks, and he'd only got happier the more he drank.
Ferb was about to talk about how weed wasn't really that detrimental of a drug when a few guys and a girl walked up to where he and Phineas were standing by the window.
"Hey Fletcher, I've been hearing a lot about how you think you can drink." A tall boy with curly brown hair said in what Ferb figured was supposed to be intimidating.
"Do I know you?" Ferb asked instead of corrected the boy about how he hadn't said anything of the sort.
"Oh, that's Adam McGregor," Phineas said with a smile before he pointed at the other people who were with him. "And that's Mike Leech, Donovan Thompson, and Mellissa Andrews. Have you guys met Ferb?"
"I'm in study hall with him." Adam replied while not taking his eyes off of Ferb.
Ferb nodded, but didn't say a word. If he was being honest he'd admit that he didn't even remember seeing the boy in front of him before.
"So is it true?" Adam asked.
Ferb still didn't say anything. He sensed that Adam was a typical alpha male looking to get involved in a pissing contest with him. Ferb thought it was a little pathetic.
Still he knew people had been talking about him at school. He looked like a delinquent, and he'd managed to piss off more than one teacher. Plus it seemed like someone, he couldn't decide between Buford or Adyson, had been talking about how he could handle his liquor. Obviously Adam felt some need to regain control and prove himself as the badass of Danville High.
It was like the plot to some bad eighties movie.
"Cat got your tongue?" Adam asked before he gave Ferb a shove.
Ferb rolled his eyes. Was he serious?
"Come one guys, there's no reason to fight. Tonight's supposed to be fun." Phineas reasoned.
Ferb looked at Phineas. He'd never seen the redhead talk to Adam, but it dawned on him that he probably had. Phineas was actually quite popular at school. He wasn't the typical popular high school jock, but he was very well liked. He was smart, musically gifted, and the schools soccer star.
"Couldn't agree more, Phin," Adam agreed with a smile. "So if Fletcher here agrees to a little drinking contest, we won't have to have one."
Ferb scoffed. He thought the whole thing was ridiculous. Did he really look like the type that could be bullied into anything?
"Come on, don't feel like a big man anymore?" Adam asked, and the boys behind him laughed, while the girl with them looked annoyed.
"If I beat you do you promise to never speak to me again?" Ferb asked.
He was getting irritated. There was a part of him that wanted nothing more than to start a fight with the boy. He hadn't been in a fight in quite awhile; not since the last time he had his nose broken. However, a fight would just draw more attention to him. He figured out drinking the guy would effectively shut him up, while still staying quiet.
"Of course, I'd hate to make you waste your time with the likes of me," Adam said, and Ferb didn't miss the sarcasm. "Follow me."
Ferb allowed Adam's group to go first before he turned to Phineas.
"I had forgotten this entire school was stuck in a bad eighties movie." Ferb told him.
Phineas laughed, a sound that reminded Ferb that he was still buzzed, before he grabbed Ferb's arm and pulled him forward.
"Come on. You're the protagonist. You have to defeat the bad guy, steal his girl, and finish off with a funky dance number." Phineas joked happily.
Ferb shook his head, but allowed a buzzed Phineas to pull him forward.
Adam and his friends ended up stopping at one of the many tables that had shot glasses lying on it. Adam began filling them with vodka as the rest of the group stood quietly and watched.
After quite a few glasses had been filled Adam stopped and looked at Ferb. He then took a seat and motioned for Ferb to take one as well.
"Let's have a few shots to start us off." Adam said as he slid three shots to Ferb and three to himself.
Ferb had no issue with that as he first finished the bourbon that still remained in his red solo cup before downing the three shots. Adam too finished his shots with no problem.
"Alright, now we match each other shot for shot until one of us gives." Adam explained with a smirk on his face.
Adam's friends, Mike and Donavon, patted his shoulders in support, while Mellissa still looked unhappy by the whole thing.
Phineas grinned as he bent down and looked at Ferb.
"Kick his ass." Phineas 'whispered', and Ferb himself almost laughed just because he'd never heard the redhead curse and I sounded so sharp and forced.
From there the two boys each grabbed a shot and began to drink. They'd each take a glass at the same time, finish it, and slam it down on the table before grabbing another one. This went on for quite awhile, with people near the table beginning to take an interest as they watched the two boys drink.
As they went on clear signs began to appear hinting at the lack of sobriety of one member at the table. Adam was swaying back and forth as he took his shots. He was also slowing down considerably.
Ferb, on the other hand, was taking his shots in the same manner as before, the only change being his slowed down pace as he waited for Adam.
As both boys took another shot, Adam began to sway once more.
"G-Getting drunk, Fletcher?" Adam hissed.
"Finally getting a buzz." Ferb replied before taking his shot and waiting for Adam to do the same.
"Adam, you're making an ass of yourself! Just give up!" Mellissa, who Ferb assumed was Adam's girlfriend, screamed while doing an angry hand gesture.
"D-Don't you tell me what to do! I'm gonna wipe his face- my face- I'm gonna-" Adam didn't get a chance to finish his sentence before he fell out of his seat and passed out on the floor.
Some people looked concerned at the fall, while others cheered at Ferb's victory.
"Not a-fucking-gain! Mike, Donavon, you guys take him home. I'm not dealing with this anymore!" Mellissa screamed before she took off in another direction.
There were a few people who congratulated Ferb, but he ignored them in favor of grabbing a half full bottle of vodka from the table and standing up to go somewhere less crowded.
He had only walked a few steps before Phineas was walking by his side laughing.
"Did you see his face when he fell?" Phineas asked as they walked away from the group still at the table.
"Shouldn't you be concerned?" Ferb asked as he took a swig of the vodka.
"Nah, this actually happens all the time," Phineas said with a grin on his face. "Can I have a drink of that?"
"Knock yourself out." Ferb said before handing the redhead the bottle.
Ferb watched as the redhead took a gulp and choked a little at the taste. Ferb let out a snort.
Phineas handed Ferb the bottle back with a laugh.
"I think someone's having fun!" Phineas singsonged.
"More like someone's finally getting drunk." Ferb said as he took another drink. Phineas just laughed.
The Fireside girls had been playing for quite a few songs when Django showed up at the side of the stage and pointed at his watch.
Isabella noticed this and discreetly moved on stage to bump Adyson. Adyson nodded at her as she continued to sing the final words of the song.
Last Friday night
Yeah I think we broke the law
Always say we're gonna stop
Oh-whoa-oh
This Friday night
Do it all again [2]
Once the song was over Adyson signaled to the other girls in the band.
"Alright guys, we're gonna take a break! We'll be back later tonight!" Adyson shouted before music started playing out of the stereos in the room, no doubt Django's doing.
Isabella grinned at Adyson before she and the rest of the girls walked off of the stage. Once they were off the stage Adyson stopped them all and pointed to Isabella.
"Alright, girls, meet back here in an hour so we can go back on! Until then, go have fun!" Isabella announced.
Holly and Ginger quickly took off together, while Katie and Adyson stuck around.
"Do you wanna come hangout with us?" Adyson asked, although the smirk on her face said she already knew the answer.
"No, you girls go ahead. I'm going to go look for Phineas." Isabella replied as she put her hair up with the hair band that had been around her wrist.
"Big shocker." Adyson joked as she elbowed Katie.
"Hope you find him soon!" Katie said before she and Adyson took off, probably in search of alcohol.
Isabella was about to take off too when Django walked up to her.
"Nice show!" Django complimented.
"Thank you very much!" Isabella said with a joking curtsey.
"So what's the plan now?" Django asked.
"I'm going to try to find Phineas. I don't suppose you've seen him?" Isabella asked.
"Afraid not. I saw Baljeet and Buford awhile ago, but Phin wasn't with them." Django told her.
"Oh, he must be with Ferb then." Isabella said.
"I can help you look for him if you want." Django offered while giving her a sincere smile.
"No, you should enjoy the party." Isabella told him with a wave of her arm.
"It wouldn't be a problem. You know I can't really drink since I'm hosting." Django reminded her.
"I know it wouldn't, but I also know you love beating drunk people at that surfing game." Isabella pointed out with a knowing smile.
"I do really love that game," Django admitted. "But if I see Phineas I'll tell him you're looking."
"I'd appreciate it." Isabella said before she took off in search of her boyfriend.
Adyson and Katie had managed to find the table Buford, Baljeet, and Milly were sitting at fairly quickly and had joined them.
At the moment everyone was drinking and having a good time which made it easy for Adyson to get away with all the texting she was doing.
She and Mishti had been texting since Adyson got out of school, and had only stopped so that Adyson could go on stage.
Adyson had been telling Mishti all about the party in between the drinks she was having. Meanwhile, Mishti had been filling Adyson in on her visit to New York.
"Adyson, drink this tequila with me!" Katie yelled as she poured shots for the two of them.
"Okay, okay." Adyson said as she sat her phone down on the table and moved seats so she could be closer to Katie.
The girls had only taken two shots when Buford interrupted them by grabbing Adyson's shoulder.
"Why is Mishti texting you?" Buford asked.
It took Adyson a minute to realize that Buford was holding her phone, with the screen lit up brightly with the name 'Mishti'.
"Shit." Adyson cursed, as she looked across the table to see what Baljeet looked like.
The small Indian boy looked like a deer in headlights. He obviously hadn't expected Mishti to come up in conversation.
Buford quickly saw where Adyson was looking and turned to face Baljeet.
"Is she here?" Buford asked angrily.
Baljeet closed his eyes as though he was bracing for impact before he opened them and looked Buford square in the eye.
"No." Baljeet answered.
"Is she gonna be?" Buford asked, well aware that Mishti didn't call or text unless she was in the states.
"Yes, but not for a week or two-" Baljeet tried to explain, but Buford was already standing to leave.
"Buford's leaving. Find your own way home." Buford announced before he threw Adyson's phone down on the table and began walking away.
"Buford! Buford!" Baljeet called after him as he got up to follow.
"Fuck," Adyson cursed again as she picked up her phone and put in the bust of her dress. "I'm gonna go find Isabella."
"Do you want me to go with you?" Katie asked.
"No, just meet me back on stage when it's time." Adyson told her before disappearing into the crowd.
Phineas and Ferb were sitting together on a couch, the bottle of vodka still between them. They'd been sitting together for awhile, talking about different things including pieces Ferb had ordered for the car. However, at the moment they were on the topic of music.
"Yeah, I always wanted to play at the end of the year talent show, but I always decide not to last minute." Phineas told Ferb.
Phineas had already explained to Ferb that the end of the year talent show was exactly what it sounded like. It was a talent show held at the end of the year right before finals that was held as a way to relax students before finals.
The acts were approved by teachers and judged by a panel of three judges that were selected by the members of student council who weren't performing. The winner usually got a trophy as well as a savings bond that could be used for college.
"Why?" Ferb asked.
"I don't know. I guess part of it is probably because The Fireside Girls are always in it and win it. Isabella always tells me I should do it, but I don't really want to go up against her, ya know?" Phineas explained before he took the bottle from Ferb. He wanted to make sure he kept his buzz. He was always happier that way.
"You'd win if you did." Ferb said.
Phineas smiled at that.
"You think?" Phineas asked.
"They're good, but you're better. The only thing they have on you is sex appeal." Ferb told him simply.
"Maybe I should work on my sex appeal. Show a little skin." Phineas joked, which got a small chuckle out of Ferb.
Phineas could tell Ferb was drunk, or at least pretty buzzed. It was pretty clear that Ferb wasn't an obvious drunk. He didn't slur his words, or lose his balance when he walked. But Phineas noticed that his eyes were less focused and that he was more relaxed; he actually let out a laugh now and then.
"Make sure you show off your arse. It's nice." Ferb replied, although Phineas knew he wasn't flirting. It was said with too much indifference, and Ferb took back the bottle and took a drink right after.
Still Phineas smiled. It felt nice to get a compliment from Ferb, even if he didn't completely mean it.
"I like drinking. I feel really good when I drink, as long as I don't drink too much. I get sad when I drink too much." Phineas told Ferb as he sunk down a little in the couch.
"Alcohol is a depressant. It makes a lot of people sad." Ferb explained as he took a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it.
"Does it make you sad?" Phineas asked as he took a deep breath, the smell of smoke calming him.
"Makes me not think as much. It's easier." Ferb admitted.
"Does being smarter than everyone else ever bother you?" Phineas asked in a quiet voice. If he wasn't drinking he wouldn't have ever voiced the question.
"It bothers me that they aren't smarter, not that I'm not dumber." Ferb said before he took another drag.
Phineas nodded.
"I wish I was normal." Phineas confessed.
"You were born extraordinary and you wish you were ignorant. I think that's sad." Ferb said bluntly.
"Maybe I've drank too much." Phineas replied with a small laugh.
"I doubt the alcohol's your problem." Ferb said easily before he offered Phineas a puff of his cigarette.
Phineas had never smoked before, but he still took it without hesitation and took a puff. It only took a second for him to start coughing.
Ferb chuckled at the redhead's coughing before he grabbed his cigarette. Of course hearing Ferb laugh only made Phineas laugh.
In fact, Phineas was still laughing when his girlfriend walked up to him.
"What's so funny?" Isabella asked with a grin on her face.
"Oh, hey Izzie!" Phineas greeted, completely ignoring the question.
"You guys having fun?" Isabella asked looking between the boys.
"Yeah! Ferb had a drinking contest with Adam from the basketball team, and Adam passed out. It was cool." Phineas explained, sounding like an excited little kid.
"Jeez, again? Is he alright?" Isabella asked, her voice full of concern.
"Oh, I don't know. Probably." Phineas answered, not sounding at all concerned.
Isabella sighed.
"You really lose sight of things when you drink." Isabella said, but even as she said it she was looking down at Phineas with a look of adoration.
Isabella looked like she was going to say something else when Adyson ran up behind her.
"Isabella, we have a problem!" Adyson announced.
"Huh, what's wrong?" Isabella asked as Phineas watched the exchange closely.
"Okay, so Mishti emailed me awhile ago that she was going to be in town-" Adyson began.
"What?!" Isabella exclaimed, but Adyson ignored her in favor of continuing.
"But I didn't say anything because obviously Baljeet hadn't mentioned it, and I didn't really feel like getting in the middle of him and Buford. Anyway, Mishti's in the U.S. sightseeing before she gets to Danville, and I've been texting her. Buford saw a text from her, put it together, and freaked on Baljeet before he stormed away." Adyson explained quickly.
"Oh no. Where's Baljeet?" Isabella asked worriedly.
"I don't know, he went after Buford. Buford said he was leaving and to find his own way home." Adyson recounted.
"Is Buford drunk?" Isabella asked.
"Probably a little, but he wasn't his usual drunk self." Adyson told her.
Just then Django and Gretchen walked up to the group.
"Hey, Katie just told us what happened. Are Buford and Baljeet alright?" Django asked.
"I don't know," Isabella said, but Phineas could tell she was putting a plan together. "But Phineas and I will go find out. Adyson, our hour's almost up, go rally the girls. Everything will be fine."
"Izzie, are you sure?" Adyson asked.
"Yes, you girls can handle the music, and we can handle this." Isabella said confidently.
"Alright. Sorry this happened tonight." Adyson apologized.
"It's not your fault. Now go, seriously. No one needs to know they're fighting again." Isabella said, and Adyson nodded before she took off towards the stage.
"Phineas, you're cool to come with me right?" Isabella asked.
"Yeah, but what about Ferb?" Phineas asked. His mind was still more on the boy beside him despite what was going on.
"I'm going to head out." Ferb said before standing up and handing Phineas the vodka they'd been drinking.
"How are you getting home?" Isabella asked.
"My car." Ferb replied curtly.
"Um, no. Phineas just said you were in a drinking contest, there's no way that you're sober," Isabella reprimanded him. "I can take you home after all this is settled."
"I'm not leaving my car." Ferb said with a roll of his eyes.
Phineas looked at Ferb a bit disappointed. He didn't really want Ferb to go yet.
"We can take him home if it'll help." Gretchen offered, pointing to herself and Django.
"That would be awesome actually." Isabella replied before looking at Ferb for his approval.
"Whatever." Ferb replied before taking the vodka bottle back from Phineas and walking toward the door.
"I'll take Ferb's car, and you follow us?" Gretchen suggested to Django.
"Sounds good." Django agreed.
"Don't worry, Chief, we have this under control." Gretchen said before she and Django headed out after Ferb.
Phineas watched as they left, wishing that he was going with them.
"Alright, let's go help Buford and Baljeet." Isabella said as she extended a hand down to Phineas.
Phineas took her hand and allowed her to pull him up. His fun was over for the night, and it was time to stop thinking about Ferb and start thinking about the friends who needed him.
"I bet you anything they're still fighting outside." Phineas said with a reassuring smile as they began to make their way outside.
[1] Party at a Rich Dude's House by Ke$ha
[2] Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) by Katy Perry