A/N: *stumbles into room*, *trips over own feet*, *papers fly all over*, Oh! Hi everyone! So uh, here's the next chapter *gestures to papers on the floor*. I actually feel pretty good about this one. AND half of the next chapter is already written, so that should be up soon! In any case, let me know what you think!
And as anyone who has written P&F fanfic knows, it is hard to write Ferb because so much of his personality is visual and it can be hard to write and... yeah. Anway, hope it's not OOC. Enjoy!
"I'm excited to announce that today we'll be starting our term project; building a robot," Mr. Roberts announced. Excited whispers flew through the class. "You'll be working in small groups to build your own robot," he said as he started to pass out the criteria. "There are three main goals: 1. It works 2. It has a specific purpose and 3. You have fun. You'll be constructing it mostly in class, but if you want to go above and beyond you'll probably have to work on it after school as well."
Phineas and Grace exchanged a glance, nodded, and smiled. Theirs was definitely going to go above and beyond.
"You can use any of the materials we have in here and if you want to bring something from out of class, that's ok. I'll be glad to help in whatever way I can. Any questions?"
"How big can it be?" someone asked. "Or, should it be?"
"Bigger than two inches, but smaller than four feet."
"Can it have blades?" someone else asked.
"Come talk to me after," Mr. Roberts said. "Alright. Today we're just going to be working on blueprints so get with your group and get going."
Mr. Roberts went to go talk to that one student and the noise level gradually rose as people moved around and started to talk.
"Okay," said Grace, pulling out some paper. "So what is ours going to do?"
"Something awesome! Like juggle or play the piano or shoot a bow and arrow."
"Those are good…" Grace remarked, scribbling down ideas. "Or what about like a fighting robot? That can hit and kick stuff."
"Or dance!"
Grace laughed. "That too I guess. So we want it to be humanoid then?"
"What if we could make it transform?"
"Don't you think that's a bit outside our skill range?"
"Of course not! Over the summer, me and my brother built a bunch of stuff. We could definitely-" He stopped.
"Phineas?" Grace asked. She waved a hand in front of his face. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I- Sorry, I just. It's nothing. Let's stick with just humanoid for now."
"Alright," she replied, not entirely convinced he was okay. "So here's kind of what I'm thinking…" she said and began to sketch.
::::
"Phineas. Phineas. Phineas!" Ferb called. Phineas jumped, looking up from where he was working on their robot.
"Oh, sorry Ferb. Didn't hear you. What's up?"
"Are you ready to go? School let out an hour ago and there's only so much I can do in the library."
"Is it that late already?" Phineas asked, glancing at the clock. "Wow. Yeah. Let me just put this away."
"What are you working on anyway?" Ferb asked, peering over Phineas' shoulder as he started to clean up.
"The robot project thing. Grace and I are making one that can fight- and bowl."
"I wonder which part you came up with," Ferb remarked with a smile. Phineas laughed, and followed his brother out of the classroom.
"Yeah, Grace wasn't too sure about it at first, but it's gonna be great. What are you doing for it?"
Ferb succinctly explained his and Stephers, one of their friends from band's, project.
"That sounds awesome!" Phineas exclaimed as they arrived home. He wheeled his way up the newly built ramp and into the house. "Oh, hey, are we gonna work on my chair tonight?"
Ferb cringed as he grabbed something from the fridge. "Probably not. I've got practice tonight and got swamped with history homework." Phineas sighed and put his head down on the kitchen table. "This weekend for sure. I promise," Ferb continued, trying to cheer his brother up. Phineas smiled a bit.
"Thanks Ferb. Well, have fun at practice. I've got to do homework too."
::::
Ferb got home just as everyone was sitting down for dinner. Candace was slowly making her way to the table as she continued chatting on the phone with Stacy.
"Candace!" their mom called. "Phone away. Now!"
"Gotta go Stacy. See you tomorrow." The family sat down at the table and began to eat, with their parents asking how their day was and if they had any homework. Candace was going on and on about the upcoming homecoming dance and how she had the perfect dress picked out and was just waiting for Jeremy to ask her.
"And what about you boys?" Linda asked them. "Anything exciting going on?"
"Well we got this cool robotics assignment where we actually get to build our own robot…" Phineas went off, amiably telling about his and Grace's project.
"Is this Grace Pearson?" their mom asked. Phineas nodded.
"Yeah! She's really cool!"
"Better not let Isabella hear you say that," Candace remarked, trying to sneakily text under the table.
"Candace. Phone. In any case, her mother is in the PTA with me. What about you Ferb? How's your project going?"
Ferb gave them a thumbs up.
"Glad to hear it," Linda chuckled. "Oh, and Phineas, your father and I had an idea. We were thinking about turning the guest room on this floor into your room. That way you don't have to worry about getting up and down the stairs. And it's about time you and your brother had your own rooms, wouldn't you say?"
"What do you think Ferb?" Lawrence asked. Phineas and Ferb exchanged glances. Their own rooms? They had shared theirs since the day Ferb moved in. It would be a big change to say the least.
"We'll think about it," Phineas said finally.
::::
"Alright, that should do it," Isabella said backing up. "It looks amazing!"
"Indeed!" agreed Baljeet.
"You're totally gonna win, Isabella," Phineas said. Ferb nodded. She blushed faintly. The group of friends had been working on making campaign posters for Isabella who was running for student body president.
"Thanks guys. Well, voting is tomorrow, so I guess we'll see on Monday!"
"Well, you have all of our votes," Phineas assured her. The others nodded in agreement. Baljeet checked his watch and gasped.
"Ayee! Is that the time? I have to run! See you tomorrow!"
"I better get going too," Buford said. "Me and the boys are hittin' the gym." Ferb tapped Phineas on the shoulder.
"I'll meet you at home. I have to run over to Gretchen's really quick."
"Okay. See you guys!" Once those two left it was just Isabella and Phineas.
"So, how do like middle school so far?" Isabella asked him as she started to roll up the posters.
"Different than I expected, but no so bad. I like that we get more interesting classes. What about you?"
"I like it. I'm glad I have a class with you."
"Me too! Though, it'd be nice if we got to see each other more. And I'm sure you'll be super busy once you get elected."
"If I get elected," she corrected.
"When," Phineas recorrected. They laughed.
"Do you need help with anything else?" Phineas asked as they finished picking up the posters.
"No, I think I'm good now. Thanks for your help though. Can I walk you home?" she asked, a bit shyly, but bravely.
"Sure, if you want to."
They went out the garage so Phineas wouldn't have to manage the stairs and took their sweet time crossing the street.
"How is that?" Isabella finally asked.
"What? The wheelchair?" She nodded. "It's not bad, just took some getting used to. The worst part is not being able to go up stairs, well, easily in any case. Or finding the handicap entrance, that can be a challenge sometimes," he laughed. "No, but really, I'm doing fine. If anything, my head's bothering me more than my legs."
"What's wrong with your head?" Isabella asked. Phineas briefly explained what the doctor had found.
"But I've been studying and trying to relearn all the stuff! I have a long ways to go, but I think I'll get there." They arrived at Phineas' house. "Thanks for being such a great friend Isabella."
"Oh, no problem! I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good night Phineas!"
"You too!"
He waved as she walked away and couldn't help feeling very grateful he had such a great friend.
And maybe someday, something more.