Hi Phil Fans. Thanks for all of your excellent reviews on the first 3 chapters. It hasn't been that long since I felt like Keely does, so I just tried to write what I would be thinking if I were her. And Phil? Well, I can't pretend to know what guys think, but I just took a shot at it. Oh, and btw, I don't own anything Phil-of-the-Future related. Forgot to say that.

Chapter 4

Phil could hardly concentrate during history class. He had better things to think about than the Battle of Gettysburg. Just us, he thought. Just us. Just us. Me and Keely. Keely and me. Phil and Keely. Keely and Phil. Just us. For my birthday. Phil couldn't believe his luck. Most of his birthdays had been pretty average, some downright rotten. This was one was sure to be a milestone. But, while his head was swimming with plans, he was still a little worried. Could he call this "Just Us" event a date? It did seem a little strange—it was Keely, after all. He had been out with her tons of times before, just the two of them, and it hadn't been considered anything more than a couple of pals enjoying ice cream or tennis or wandering around the mall together. They were best friends—being alone together came with the territory. It had never been awkward before, but Phil was worried that now it would be. Some sort of line had been crossed, he knew, and he wasn't sure exactly how to react. Should I just be the same old adorable best-friend Phil? he wondered. But now, if I touch her, it means something. Or if she gives me one of those bear hugs, it means something. Just looking at her means something. Right? The old fear was creeping back into Phil's stomach. He knew came lunch time he wouldn't be able to eat a thing. Especially not with Keely there.

Meanwhile, Keely was trying to focus on her biology quiz. However, all thoughts swiftly came back to trying to decide about the Reporterama team. Being on the team would provide great experience, not to mention the fact it would look awesome on a college application. But of all the nights for it to meet, why on earth did it have to be today, Phil's sixteenth birthday? And this isn't just a regular evening with Phil. This is the first official "Just Us" night with Phil. Keely was hesitant to call it a date, at least for now. Maybe we can celebrate his birthday tomorrow night? She thought. It could still be just us. Only a day later. The day after his birthday. He won't mind, will he? But deep down, Keely felt terrible. But she didn't see any way around it. Reporterama could be a ticket to a career in broadcasting, her dream job. And Phil would have other birthdays.

After she turned in her quiz (she could only answer half the questions, even though she had studied hard for it), Keely headed toward the cafeteria. She knew there was only one thing to do: tell Phil about Reporterama. First and foremost, Phil was her friend. He would help her do the right thing.

Phil got to lunch first, and sat down at their regular table. Pim walked up with her lunch tray piled high with chocolate pudding.

"What's with the pudding, Pim?" Phil asked his sister.

"Don't worry about it, Diffy" Pim said. "Let's just say I have a score to settle with a certain Fashion Zombie whose name starts with Can and ends in Dida. By the way, kid, I heard about your exclusive birthday party for two with Blondie."

"How'd you hear about that?" asked Phil. "We only decided an hour ago."

"I have my ways, Diffy," Pim said. "For what it's worth, I'm thrilled you two are celebrating all alone this year. One less family-oriented event I have to be a part of." Pim glanced around the room. "Where is your little squeeze toy, anyways?"

"I don't know," Phil said. "She had a biology quiz, so maybe she's still working on it. I hope she did okay. She studied pretty hard."

"I hope she hasn't already dumped you, Diffy," Pim said, laughing. "I need to get back to work." Then she was off in search of her nemesis.

Phil thought a moment of chocolate-covered Fashion Zombies, laughing. As long as he wasn't the victim of all her schemes, Pim was pretty entertaining. Heglanced up at the door just in time to see Keely walking through, looking troubled, but to him, beautiful. She had on a green sweater and a pencil stuck behind her ear. He loved when she did that. Sometimes she'd forget she put the pencil there, and he'd let her search for it frantically before he told her where it was. And green. Green was her best color. He must have been grinning like a madman when Keely sat down.

"Uh, Phil?" she asked. "You okay? If you don't watch it, your face will stick that way. I knew a girl."

"Oh, I'm just working out my face muscles. You know, for the Face Olympics. Gotta have strong cheeks," Phil said. Where do I come up with this stuff? he thought to himself.

"Well, when you're done working out, can we talk for a second?" Keely asked. Gosh he's cute, she thought. Look at him. That smile is to die for.

"Sure. Hit me," said Phil.

"Well, Phil," Keely started, flailing her hands around in the air, "it's like this. After Morning Report right after we had decided on Just Us for your Nirday and the kiss hit your ear and you left the room and I was right behind you late for the quiz and Mr. Hackett stopped me in the hallway—"

"Keel, slow down," said Phil. He covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes like saucers. "Take a big breath and start over. Slowly this time. I can't understand a thing you're saying." He removed his hand.

"Phil, Mr. Hackett invited me to be on the Reporterama team," Keely said.

"That's great, Keel! Yay! All your hard work's paid off! It was the pickles, wasn't it? I knew Hackett would love the pickle story," Phil said. But Keely looked like she was about to cry. "This is a good thing, right? Keely?"

"No, Phil. Yes. No. I mean, no it's not a good thing. It is, but it isn't." said Keely. He's going to kill me, she thought. Why do I have to be a reporter? Maybe I should do something else. Shuffleboard. That team doesn't meet tonight. Chess club? Jello wrestling?

"Why?" asked Phil.

"Because, Phil. The team meets tonight. At 6:30. Hackett won't let me on the team if I don't show up," Keely said. She looked deep into his eyes. He was hurt.

"Tonight?" asked Phil.

"Tonight," said Keely. Why am I doing this to him? I should be happy. It's Reporterama. Everything I ever wanted. Why do I feel so horrible?

"Well, uh, I," Phil started. "I mean, it's no big deal. Don't worry about it. You have to go, Keel. This is important for you. It's fine. Go. Go to Reporterama. I'll have other birthdays. Really. Go." Phil grabbed his lunch tray and stood. He didn't want to look at her. It hurt too much. Ten minutes ago I was the luckiest man on earth. I knew it wouldn't last. You have to let her do this, Diffy. It's all she ever talks about. Face it, you just can't compete with Reporterama. You want her to be happy, right? The let her do this. "I'll see you later then."

Phil left Keely at the table. He wanted to be alone. As Keely watched him walk away she wondered if she'd ever have a second chance with Phil. He'll probably give up on me, she thought. Bear with me. I'm all yours as soon as I can be.

"Please Phil, don't give up," she whispered to herself. She had to think of a way to make this right.