"Come on, Baljeet!" Phineas called from the cooling sand of Danville beach as he spread out a blanket.

"I am coming! I am coming!" A muffled reply yelled from the trunk of the Flynn-Fletcher's station wagon. "I just have to grab my chair!"

The Flynn-Fletcher family, along with the usual extras, had gathered on the shores of Danville lake and we're going to watch the annual Fourth of July fireworks that would be starting in about ten minutes.

"I bet the show is going to be amazing!" Isabella marveled as she dipped her bare toes into the rising and falling water.

"It always is." Ferb voiced from where he was perched on a huge smooth rock.

"That's because the city always puts you in charge of the set up and design crews, bro." Phineas chuckled.

"Yeah, don't get cocky," Isabella piped up coyly as she came back to the group and joined Ferb on his rock. "babe." She added flirtatiously as she leaned on his shoulder just to see what the other brother would do.

Both boys simultaneously raised their eyebrows at the new nickname and Buford, who had overheard, choked on his drink as Baljeet entered the conversation completely unaware of what just went down.
The adults, Candace, Stacy and Jeremy weren't paying attention, so their conversation went uninterrupted.

Isabella cleared her throat and tried not to shift uncomfortably at the suddenly awkward atmosphere.

Ferb looked at her with a questionable glance and Isabella blushed un-noticeably before nodding towards Phineas.

"What did I miss?" Baljeet asked as his eyes darted from one shocked and confused face to another and he set up his chair.

Ferb gave Isabella an unamused look that clearly said; really?

He was getting a bit tired of being used like this by Isabella.

"...did I say...babe?" Isabella asked as she realized Ferb wasn't going to help her. "I-I meant, dude I-" Isabella groaned and buried her head in her knees. "Oh just kill me already." She mumbled.

Suddenly, a loud pop and a whistle sounded through the air before Linda cried out; "Kids look! They're starting!"

Isabella was relieved when the attention of the others was diverted and no longer on her, but the embarrassment of her failed attempt remained.

"You know," Ferb whispered as he nudged Isabella's foot with his to get her attention. "that was kind of funny."

Isabella's head flew up from her knees and she shot a glare towards her friend.

"Oh yes," she agreed hotly. "my embarrassment is hilarious."

"No," Ferb corrected calmly. "Phineas' reaction. Now that was amusing."

This got Isabella's attention and her glare softened.

"Really?" She whispered back hopefully.

Ferb nodded silently.

Isabella became quiet as she watched the fireworks and fell into thought.
She kinda wanted to see Phineas' reaction. Maybe Ferb wouldn't mind if they called each other pet names more often. It certainly would be entertaining.

Isabella opened her mouth to mention her idea to Ferb, but Ferb already beat her to it.

"You don't have to say it." Ferb spoke, keeping his eyes on the sky.
"I don't mind anymore." He continued with a small smile.

Isabella giggled at how well he knew her. She didn't even have to look at Ferb for him to know what she was thinking.

"You're awesome." Isabella stated.

This time Ferb chuckled.
"You bet I am."

Soo, yeah! This one was kinda (sorta) going to be mostly about Fourth of July...but it ended if up being something else on Fourth of July. It's not really-...yeah, you get it. Anyway, sorry it's late and I hope all my American readers and followers (and anyone else) had a great Fourth of July!

~Joy