Isabella and Phineas made it to History class with time to spare. A good thing they did, too, because their usual civics teacher, Ms. Jenkins, was out and a crabby-looking substitute was in her place.

"Alright you little brats, Ms. Jenkins decided to run off and get married today so I was called away from my vacation to babysit you children" she began, "I want nothing to do with you, so you all can talk amongst yourselves, but do not under any circumstances bother me".

The class did as they were told and began to move around. Isabella looked across the room at Phineas, as this was the only class they didn't sit together in, expecting him to start across the room, but was surprised when he didn't. So instead she walked over to Katie, Ginger, and Addyson, who were talking by the window. Gretchen and Ferb had AP government this period so the group was smaller than usual.

"Hey Izzy, we just had an idea!" Katie exclaimed, "you know how usually we perform with you when you sing?"

"Yeah" Isabella said confused, "what about it?"

"Well your voice is so much prettier than ours, so we think you should sing by yourself this time" Ginger suggested quietly.

"So you guys are backing out on me?" Isabella asked.

"No!" Addyson defended, "we just figured, maybe if Phineas heard you sing by youself he might notice you."

"You really-"

"Hello Dweebs, so, Ickarella, I hear you are performing in the talent show" one of the popular girls, Raquel, interrupted Isabella.

"Hello Raquel, yes I am singing in the talent show" Isabella retorted, "are you?"

"Yes I am, and I will be the best one there" Raquel bragged.

"It's not a competition Raquel" Isabella pointed out, "it's just a fun way to kick off summer vacation".

"Pssht" Raquel hissed, "it doesn't matter whether or not it is a competition, I will still be better than you, because you are nothing but a stupid, ugly, worthless little twit!"

The entire time the argument was taking place, Isabella was vaguely aware of Phineas sitting on the windowsill behind her. He had a dreamy look on his face and was staring at Raquel, similar to how Isabella would look at Phineas, or Ginger at Baljeet. And when Raquel insulted Isabella, he laughed along with Raquel's friends. Isabella was shocked. Phineas was supposed to be her best friend, and he was laughing at her.

Suddenly the room started to spin, and Isabella felt as if her arms and legs were going numb. The room started to go black and she could hear her friends and Phineas calling her name.

"ISABELLA!"

"Isabella, wake up, are you okay?"

Isabella opened her eyes and saw Phineas and the others hovering over her.

"Ohh" she moaned, "what happened?"

"You fainted. Izzy, do you remember anything about what happened before you passed out?" Addyson queried.

"Well I remember Raquel insulting me" Isabella answered, "Then after that, nothing".

Of course she was lying to their faces. She remembered everything, she just didn't want them to know the REAL reason she fainted.

"Well maybe you hyperventilated or something" Katie reasoned.

"Yeah, that might be it" Isabella encouraged, "How long was I out?"

"Over half an hour" Ginger told her, "The bell is about to ring".

Isabella stood up and went back to her desk to gather her things. She watched Phineas walk out of the classroom when the bell rang, confusion on her face.

'Why her Phin?' Isabella thought, 'why Raquel?'

"I'll get to the bottom of this" she resolved, "Even if it kills me".