Seventeen-year-old Isabella was sitting in the coffee shop reviewing her notes for her Chemistry 12 exam.
She turned her open text book upside down, to mark her place as she got up to get herself another coffee.
"Another extra-large mocha latte with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Oh, and can I get a lemon loaf and cake pop to go with that?" The barista nodded and started to prepare the beverage.
Isabella took her coffee and snack back to her table to resume her studies.
A couple of sips later she looked up at the sound of the coffee shop door opening. Phineas was here… and some other girl was with him. This wasn't just any girl, this girl was more popular than Isabella, if that could be believed. Isabella would have been okay, but only okay, if Phineas had come in with one of her best girl friends; but no, he came to the coffee shop with this girl.
Isabella heard him laugh at something as he passed by and headed to the counter. She had to find out what was going on. She grabbed her phone and started texting everyone she knew: Ferb, Adyson, Gretchen, Baljeet, Ginger, Milly, Katie, Holly, Candace. She even texted Buford.
As the text responses came back, Isabella rolled her eyes. Ferb's made some sense, as did Adyson's and Gretchen's. All three of them said that it was probably nothing to worry about. They didn't all use those same words, but the message was the same. Ginger and Katie replied that this didn't look good and they wish Isabella the best.
Isabella read the text reply from Candace. 'My brother is in love with you. Stop worrying.'
Isabella picked up her coffee and drained it. After taking a deep breath to clear the head rush, she went to place an order for another. As she was heading toward the counter, she detoured to where Phineas was sitting.
"Hey Phin, I didn't see you come in." Isabella smiled. Phineas looked up and his eyes got that twinkle. "Hey Isabella. I saw you studying, I didn't want to disturb you. You remember Serena, don't you? She needs help with her Physics class." Isabella breathed a silent sigh of relief.
Serena looked between the couple, "What are you studying today?" Isabella tried to remain polite. "Chem." Serena nodded, "Why not bring your books over? There's plenty of room at this table."
Isabella glanced at the Physics text. She passed that class last year. "I don't want to get in your way. That test was tricky. Phineas has some really good tricks to remembering everything."
Phineas grinned and blushed. "It's nothing really." He then stood up and took Isabella's hand in his. "Do you think you'll be able to go out this evening? After you finish studying?"