Chapter 3: Floating Fun, Lovely Light
"Let's light this candle!" Phineas exclaimed happily. The machine was built and we were ready for some fun.
I noticed Candace run out the door to get her mother out of the corner of my eye as Ferb pulled the lever on the machine, causing us to float into the air.
"Wheeeeee!" I exclaimed joyfully in unison with Isabella, my red hair that was cascading down my back was now floating in mid-air.
When we were all up into the air, Stacy stepped out of the house and eyed us curiously, obviously torn between Candace and the fun we were having.
Floating towards her, I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into the energy field, causing her to rise up beside me.
"W-why'd you do that?"
"After Candace, you could use some fun. Besides, do you always want to be in her shadow?"
"B-but—" Everyone else was far away having fun and racing around the yard and nearby, unaware of our heated conversation.
"Live a little, Stacy! It's always Candace this Candace and Jeremy that. Do you ever have time for yourself?"
"Well, no but—"
"Are you even dating Coltrane anymore?"
"Yeah, he's perfect and amazing and—"
"Are you sure he's right for you, Stacy? I don't know, maybe I'm being too judgmental, but I just think you need to expand your horizons, meet new people."
"I don't know—" Stacy said, giving me a look that read, How do you even know these people, know my name? We've never met.
"Do a foreign exchange program; go live with your cousins for a few months."
"I don't like them very much—"
"I don't care," I waved it away dismissively, and in turn gave her a look that said, Ask Phineas and Ferb later if you really want to know. Do I have to explain AGAIN? "In the end you may find that where you were is where you should be, but at least you'll be sure."
Stacy merely blinked.
"You're someone who rarely shines, and I love it when I see your light!"
She gave me a look, and I knew what it meant.
"I'm only eighteen; don't look at me like I'm twenty-two."
She gave me a small smile, and surprisingly, a quick hug.
"C'mon guys, or you're gonna miss the last race!" Phineas called, noticing just before he pulled the trigger on the bubble-fun gun to start it.
We looked at each other and shrugged simultaneously, thinking why not? Then we smiled and pushed off the tree, propelling ourselves toward the starting line.
It was a three arm, three leg race, and of course, Stacy and I were partners.
Twirling and whirling we spun, neck-and-neck with a gleeful Phineas and a delighted Isabella. ON the last stretch to the tree, however; I narrowed the two of us, making us more aerodynamic, and pushing us just inches forward of them, winning the race in a photo-finish.
Just then out of nowhere, a rumbling noise followed and a drill popped out of the earth below the machine we'd built, causing it to explode. Thankfully, we were all on the tree now anyway, so none of us were hurt.
Taking no notice of the occupants of the backyard, the driver (whose face was obstructed by a tinted windshield) carefully filled the hole and added some insta-grow grass, turning it back to exactly as it was before. Then it drove out the gate and down the street, where a small explosion followed.
Only if you were searching for the sound (and I was) you could hear faintly, "Curse you Perry the Platypus!"
And then, Perry, Phineas and Ferb's adorable little monotreme, came into the backyard on all fours via the gate.
"Oh there you are, Perry." Phineas said as he came over and reached down to give him a light pat.
He called me over and I came over to meet him.
"Hi, Perry," I said kindly, giving him a firm and gentle pat, knowing how bright he was.
Just then, a commotion could be heard. All three of us jumped out of the way to see Candace run in with her mother literally in tow.
"See Mom, look! They're defying gravity!"
"What an imagination you have . . ." She said for the millionth time with a smile. "Hi boys, how was your day?"
"Fun." Phineas said simply. "We were flying high in the sky and were racing around the yard. Plus, we made a new friend."
I stepped forward to shake her hand. "Hi Mrs. Flynn-Fletcher. Nice to meet you. I'm Seraphina Greene, but please, just call me Sera."
"Well, if I'm to call you Sera, you call me Linda, alright?" She said with a wink, and I couldn't help but notice the amusement on her face, whether it was due to her children's "wild imagination" or the fact that I was hanging out with her sons, I couldn't tell, but I knew it was there.
"Yes, Mrs.—I mean Linda."
Isabella, Buford, Baljeet, Stacy, and the Fireside Girls all said their goodbyes and headed out of the yard, and Linda, Phineas, Ferb, Candace, and I all headed into the house to the kitchen.
"Why don't we all have a snack and then why don't you stay for dinner, Sera? It wouldn't be much trouble and I don't want to send you home hungry." She said kindly.
Phineas eyed his brother and then looked up at his mom sadly. "She doesn't know which way is home,"
Linda looked at me, and I agreed solemnly, "I'm afraid so. I sort of got lost."
"Well, we always have the guest room. I'll have Lawrence make it up for you. We can help you look tomorrow."
"Thank you so much, Linda. You have no idea how much this means to me," I told her honestly.
"Oh, it's no trouble really." She said with a wave of her hand.
And just like that, I was spending the night at Phineas and Ferb's.