My eyes stung for about a half a minute and I continuously rubbed them into my pillow, while whining and cursing as Ferb stood over me silently.
"God- urgh…" I sighed exasperated; I guess I was getting a little irritable. Once I felt my eyes adjust, I sat up and glanced at Ferb, his hands folded behind his back, waiting patiently on me. "How... Do your eyes not burn?" I asked him feverishly, he shrugged coolly and I figured he was too British to understand the aches and pains of inadequate eye sight. Finally, I found my way out of bed and Ferb and I snuck our way downstairs to the back door.
"Where are we headed?" I whispered as I tugged on my sneakers, Ferb shoved his foot into one of his loafers and replied, "The playground, two blocks over." I nodded thinking about the routes we could take. Actually, thinking about it, it's been a long time since we've been to the playground.
Years probably… It'd be a little weird going back, but nice.
Ferb nudged me and I glanced around before tugging open the back sliding door. My mother was a bit of a heavy sleeper, if we're back before seven AM, there would be no trouble at all. We stayed silent as we crossed my back yard to the street, passed Phineas and Ferb's house and as soon as we were at a far enough distance I let out a long sigh. Ferb looked at me and gave me a smile, "A little chilly out, don't you think?" I babbled and he shrugged, "Man, if Phineas was with Django, why can't they just walk home together?" he hummed thinking of a response and I answered for him.
"Phineas didn't like… Ask to have Django stay over."
"So it'd be a little odd to wake up and have him there." Ferb ended the sentence for me and I nodded, understanding.
"I see."
"I agree, Phineas is a moron sometimes." I burst out laughing,
"Funny how you know just what I'm thinking." Ferb shrugged, as if to brush it off as just bad habit. I became quiet, letting Ferb lead our way to Phineas. It was always cool to sneak out, the entire city just seemed to be put on mute, everything seemed quieter and calmer and, obviously, darker. The roads always seemed to look damp, and if anyone else was walking about they were always in a hurry to get back inside.
"Sorry."
It wasn't a phrase I heard often from the green-haired boy and I turned to look at him, if he had bumped into someone, but- No, he was looking at me, with some embarrassed, guilty expression and I could only manage a "Huh?". He flushed lightly and glanced away, "For uhm… I don't know, finishing your sentence like that, it was… Rude to interrupt and-" I held up a hand for him to stop and I just couldn't wrap my mind around his words.
Why was he being so… Nervous? Or was he being self-conscious?
"Ferb I- I'm not mad, it's cool. I find it kind of funny and…" I paused, okay I was the one sounding stupid now. I stopped in my tracks trying to gather my words. "Isabella?" He questioned and I lost all train of thought, replying dumbly once again, "What? Huh? Oh… I mean… I don't mind." I choked out. Ugh, I felt stupid and rubbery and I couldn't think straight while he was looking at me like that. His eyes all wide and worried, his lip upturned like any phrase could make him or break him. I took a step forward, and continued until we were walking steadily once again and I finally sighed as his gaze drifted to the concrete below us.
"I like it." I mumbled and he glanced at me, taken completely off-guard.
Ferb tilted his head a little confused and I bit my lip, trying to come up with something to follow that. "Yeah… Like… It makes you sound really smart and… Uhm… You are really smart, I mean." He quirked an eyebrow, staring me down as I shook my head laughing.
Oh man, I can't speak properly today.
I bit my lip back and avoided trying another conversation, I couldn't seem to keep my mind down on the ground and I figured it was just the lack of sleep kicking in. He made a small thoughtful noise before speaking, ever so softly. "Don't be so worried, I don't think you sound stupid or anything." He muttered, under his breath and I fluttered my eyes trying to filter every word. I kept my eyes down, a smile tugging at my lips,
"Thanks…" I whispered and he sighed, burying his hands in his pockets.