Ferb had ventured to the hardware store in order to purchase a reactor tool, one which would successfully complete the day's Big Idea. Buford and Baljeet had insisted upon accompanying him, not obscuring their knowing glances from Isabella. Thus, she and Phineas were alone for the day.
Silence hung in the air for a few moments, though it was quite difficult to resent. The shared peace was comforting.
After some time, the young boy's attention turned from his clipboard to Isabella, who stood by his side as she intently worked on the machinery. Coyness saturated his expression.
"Not to be vain and make it sound like some incredible experience or whatnot, but what does it feel like to be around me?"
Isabella jumped at the sudden break of silence. Calm, assured, serene… He seemed to exude everything but anxiety, a black and white contrast to her tension. How long had she waited for a moment like this, only to receive it in a lack of confidence?
She chose her words as a surgical patient choosing her anesthetic.
"…What do you mean?"
"You know, like, emotionally," Phineas returned. "Do you ever just think about what it's like to be in each other's company?"
Uncertainty still dwelled in a potential response. "You're sure you want to know?" she confirmed.
"Mhm."
She sighed, feeling more like she was jumping off a cliff than professing her love to Phineas.
"I guess the only adjective I can use is 'secure'. I can't really explain it, but it's fantastic, Phineas. There's something so comforting and inspiring about your demeanor. So much so, that I'm… almost afraid to be away from you. I just feel like I can accomplish everything in your presence. Heck, we nearly have. Oh, and the happiness!"
Her words were stopped short as she lightly giggled. Should she continue? It was a wonderful feeling to free herself of this burden, but she had to laugh at the irony. Nothing would become of this. Nothing at all, and she should have grasped onto such a fact firmly. Their relations would remain the same as they've always proved to be: platonic.
No matter, she continued.
"My goodness, the happiness you bring me is near irrational. Everything feels so indigenous, and I thank God for you every night when I pray, and I feel so blessed to have you in my life, and I seriously can't imagine it without you and…"
She cringed, recognizing the weight of her words. Time to stop.
"That was a bit much, huh?" she apologetically asked of Phineas. A discernable expression lay on his features.
He inwardly chuckled as he glanced back to his clipboard, silently thrilled to hear her perceive each and every one of his emotions.
"No. No it wasn't."