More story recommendations at the bottom of the authors note!
Isabella's POV
The ride home was eerily silent. After having my arm washed until it was its normal pale colour, I was forced to endure my skin poked and prodded like a rag doll as they fixed up my arm. Incidentally, I had lost quite a bit of blood. Even though it had been a couple of hours since I had fainted, I felt as though my head was being smashed with a sledge hammer, which did not help my mood. I watched as we passed the Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated building, its purple hue and familiar shape like that of a certain green haired boy. Though I knew the Heinz Doofenshmirtz of our dimension was not as evil as he claimed to be, I was nevertheless unable to face him as his undeniable mirroring to that of his alternate ego in the second dimension.
I remembered those days, as well as the ones after it, with such detail it was as if I was living it in the present. I remembered how I was forced to stay in the hospital, my mother bringing me what I thought was a stuffed animal until she shut the door and it began to shake. I had begun to cry at the mere sight of my pet Chihuahua, and I was more than certain Pinky was just as happy to see me, for I told him later on that I knew of his secret life. He was more than a bit pleased, his yipping and ticklish kisses proving me right.
The Fireside girls had come over after that, their tears and squeals turning to whispered thanks as I initiated Katie into the group. No matter how ill I had been, I would never pass up an opportunity for another girl to join my group. They signed my cast before bidding me goodbye, their voices fading with promises to return as soon as they possibly could.
Then, when it was night and after visiting hours, my window was opened quietly as Phineas crawled in. His soundless footsteps carried him over to me as he sat on the bed with me. We would talk for hours, and as twilight passed and I felt I could no longer keep my eyes open any longer, Phineas would wrap his arms around me with the tenderness of a teddy bear. His soothing voice sang lullabies as I was pulled into slumber. A night wouldn't go by without the nightmares invading my mind as though it were a warzone: often times, I would awake screaming, my tears already flowing down my cheeks freely as though I had been crying in my sleep. I'd lay motionless for minutes, my breathing evening out until I finally noticed the soft words my boyfriend would tell me, his nimble fingers stroking my hair and wiping my face dry of any tears.
The routine we held would repeat for my whole stay at the hospital, and although nurses would walk in and try to shoo him away, Phineas would return every night regardless of the consequences. Eventually, the attendants stopped trying to separate the two of us at night, our refusal to give in so "endearing", that they couldn't possible "keep away the two lovebirds".
I wish there had been that kind of connection today, where I could do the same for him and make him feel as loved as he had made me feel when I was in the hospital. I wanted nothing more than to fall asleep in his arms, to have good dreams instead of bad for once, and I was desperate enough to sacrifice everything I owned to get that.
But the boy who was sitting next to me, staring out the window in complete and utter silence, was doing nothing less than unconsciously breaking my heart.
We finally arrived at the Flynn-Fletcher home, and I struggled to unbuckle my seat in an attempt to get some fresh air. As I stumbled out of the door, I couldn't help but notice how Perry was staring worriedly out the window at the youngest Flynn, his bill pressed up against the glass like a child. I turned to see Phineas asking Ferb question after question about his life, and the green haired boy answering them with ease, a small yet warm smile on his face. As though reading my thoughts, he caught sight of the platypus in the front room, his gaze turning on me as he gestured slightly in the house's direction. I nodded before running in through the open glass door. The Flynn-Fletchers probably rushed out the door when they got the call.
Though it was mid evening and the sun was low on the horizon, the house was as hot as an oven. I flicked the air conditioning on carelessly, my eyes scanning the room until they fell upon Perry. He hadn't even noticed my presence behind him, or at least he had done nothing to acknowledge it. As I laid a soft hand on his back and began to scratch his blueberry coloured fur, his beaver like tail popped up involuntarily, and I couldn't help but emit a weak laugh at the antics of the secret agent.
He turned and looked at me, his usual chattering sounding as worried as it could, their roles reversed for once as the pet fretted over the master. His deep brown eyes questioned what had happened, and whether or not the beloved Flynn was okay. I wanted to tell him that the boy I had fallen in love with was perfect, he'd e inside in a moment to play with Perry. But that would be lying, and I could not lie to a platypus that fought an evil scientist today.
"His... his memory is fried, Perry." I whispered, his eyes widening in horror as I uttered those words. "He may remember you, he may not. He hasn't brought you up, yet."
The platypus stared at me, his eyes watering. Before I could stop him, he ran to the painting behind the couch, throwing it off and revealing a circular passageway. Without a moment's thought, he jumped off into the abyss. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose in exhaustion.
As everyone else lingered in the driveway, I slipped out of the sliding glass door and into the backyard. Walking over to the nostalgic old oak tree, I placed my hands on its trunk gingerly, my chest expanding as I took a deep breath. Memories washed over me, of two young boys sitting underneath its vivid green leaves on the shady grass. Their arms beckoned towards my younger self as we all sat down together eating bubble gum ice cream. I leaned my forehead against the cool bark, my mind pulling out memories associated with the scent of a freshly mowed lawn and the faintest remnants of rusted metal.
For twelve years, I had been visiting this same yard every day. That's four thousand, three hundred and eighty days I walked into the backyard with the infamous catchphrase leaving my lips as soon as the gate swung open. Even during school, when we had less time than usual to pull off the crazy stunts my boyfriend thought of, I would wander into the backyard before school. My backpack would be strapped onto my shoulders, ready to walk with them to school. We would spend the next seven hours in class, our lunch time occupied by sketches and inside jokes mostly about Phin's enraged complaints on how he had no time to think of good inventions as he ate. As the melodious chiming of the bell marked the end of our classes, we would rush to their backyard and finish our homework in time to bring whatever the Flynn-Fletcher boys had thought of to life.
Summer, we had more freedom, and with freedom came the promise of extra time to ourselves. As children, the step brothers and I were joined by Baljeet and Buford for the whole day, the neighbourhood nicknaming us the dynamic five. It felt as though we could accomplish anything when it was our group, the way everyone balanced each other out. Baljeet had always been the fun loving nerd who could give us the equations we needed to solve a problem in the architect, were one to arise. Buford acted as our body guard, his strength as big as – yes, to close friends, this was true – his heart. I was the only female in the group, but that didn't matter so long as the boys didn't treat me like I was only good for cleaning and cooking. I knew how to get the job done, and for that I was respected. Ferb was like second in command, his vocal chords opening up as he matured; there wasn't a single problem he couldn't fix, and there had never been a time where he hadn't looked up to his younger step brother. Nobody could deny that Phineas was the leader, his heart simply exploding like a grenade in need to help his friends. I had never met a boy so pure, so funny and attentive, as him. He was everything a girl wanted and everything a boy wished he was; cute, fun, generous, and heartwarming and that wasn't even beginning to put the icing on the cake. And he was mine.
At least, I thought so.
"Isabella?" My shoulders went rigid at the voice, my head snapping up as I stared at the tree, fighting with every fiber of my being not to turn around. I couldn't help it, and as I locked eyes with him, I felt my heart stop all over again. Phineas looked at me worriedly, his blank blue eyes searching into my very soul.
I wonder how I get myself caught up in such awkward moments, the way a fly gets trapped in a spider's web. I wanted more than anything to be away from here, away from him, and I immediately felt my heart stop. Why did I feel as though nothing would ever be the same between the two of us ever again? My brain whispered calmly that he would never again hold me tight, tell me how much he loved me. I could practically feel my fingers grasping that idea, begging for a chance to feel better again.
But my heart, it said to keep hold of what little chance I had of bringing him back to me, and I resolved in that moment to never let him go. It wasn't that I wanted to feel helpless, but I couldn't leave him like this in his time of need.
I felt as though I had been thrown into a thorn bush, my skin pierced each time I struggled to pull myself out of its ensnaring grasp. I didn't want to feel the physical pain anymore, and I knew that each time I saw how confused and lost he was, another thorn would draw blood. It was for that reason that I stopped struggling, embracing my prison until the day would come when Phineas would pull me out. If it meant that I had to get scratched and bruised in order to see recognition appear on his beautiful face, then that's what it meant.
"Hey Phin," I cracked a weak grin, my cheeks pushed up a little forcefully so he couldn't see my pain, "What'cha doin'?"
I had never seen his eyes go so wide before, his hands beginning to shake as he inhaled sharply. As I rushed over to him, bewildered, I saw his knees buckle and caught him before he hit the cool grass. I brought him down to the ground softly, his head in my lap as I called his name out frantically, my actions quick and scared. Phineas looked up at me, his index finger poking me in the nose. I flinched, my face retreating an inch or two as I stared at him in confusion.
"That catchphrase..." he mumbled almost too quietly,"I know it. I can hear it in all these memories, but I can't tell who's saying them." He stared at me, his voice filling with clarity as my eyes widened. "It's you who says it, isn't it."
I could do nothing but nod my head before I looked up, finally acknowledging the sound of the gate opening as I looked at Ferb. Tears stained my cheeks, a real smile on my face as I began to laugh.
Through my chuckles, I managed to say to Ferb, "He remembers." before helping my boyfriend up and walking over to his step brother. A smile as big as my own plastered across his face, he took his brother's shoulder in his hands as he looked between the two of us.
"You both look extremely tired," he noted with some concern. "Why don't you sleep, and we'll try and jog your memory some more tomorrow?" I giggled the moment Phineas let a loud yawn escape his lips, his mouth wide like a roaring lion as he rubbed his eyes and nodded sleepily. With a quick farewell to the two of them, I left the property in a hurry, the revelation still fresh in my mind.
I can hear it in all these memories, but I can't tell who's saying them.
I smiled to myself as I opened my front door. Yeah, I think I could stand to stay in the thorn bush a little longer.
Phineas' POV
I watched her go, her hips swaying as though she were a dancer. I felt my cheeks redden as I pictured the two of us slow dancing, my attention returning to the present as I felt an elbow hit my side playfully. I winced and held it gingerly, giving Ferb a look of annoyance as he laughed. Ruffling my hair as he passed, he slid the glass door open, turning to meet my eyes for a moment.
"Relax, Phin." He chuckled, his eyes shining with amusement. "Last time I checked, she was your girlfriend and you had a right to look at her slightly possessively. Especially after your, erm... Make out session last week. Seriously, next time you want to have a girl over alone, I suggest you not do it in the bedroom we share, lest you want me to walk in again." I stared at his retreating body in shock, my brain going numb. I stuttered to make use of a coherent sentence, but all that came out made me sound as if I were drowning.
As I took off after my brother, I couldn't help but look behind me at the silhouette of the young girl shutting the front door of her house across the street, my heart beating rapidly in my chest. Whether I remembered or not, I was not in the least bit pleased to forget about whatever kissing her and I had done last week.
Alright everyone, you'll never guess what! I, your author, have been allowed to bring myself as well as two friends to the very place I wrote most of The Call at Night! Do you have any idea how exciting that is for me? I love that place! I haven't been since that time! We have a cabin there but stillllllll
Okay review time!
PianoMan5: Hey (: Actually, I just thought of them! I figured people like you need appreciation for the stories they have written. Especially if they are seriously amazing ;)WHAT. YOU CAN NEVER GET BLAND WITH FLUFF. ESPECIALLY PHINBELLA FLUFF. :O Have I ever told you how much I love your reviews? They make me smile so much :')
isabelle (Guest): I actually have all of them finished, I'm just posting them one to two days apart per chapter ;) But thanks for wanting to read it! :D
Bad Wolf and Timelords: Hereyougohereyougohereyougo! ;)
FanficCriticTheThird: I hate when that happens :$ Thanks so much for the long review, even if they don't have anything to do with the story it is nice to hear from people (:
Story Recommendations
The Accident on Danville Mountain, by moonlite 1894. This story centers around the Gang taking the weekend to go camping in the Fire Rangers cabin. But when someone gets hurt, Phineas realizes just how precious his friends are to him. Man, this story just hits me in the feels. It's definitely one of the better written fanfictions and I promise you that if you are looking for Phinbella, you can't go wrong! So check it out! :)
Firecracker, by AlphaBetaSoup: Okay, so this story is another AU in which Isabella doesn't come into the picture until later. She ends up writing all these letters to her teacher, herself, and of course Phineas. The great thing is, she calls him Firecracker, and he doesn't know who she is. The story itself is unbelievably moving and reminded me just how much a little hand-written note can mean to someone. For people looking for quick chapters to read that make them crave more, here you go!
See you next time guys! :)
