Monday and Tuesday went alright for Phineas. He did his geography presentation with Gretchen and received one of the highest marks in the class. Milly did her presentation. "I regret to say that my project partner isn't feeling well, but I'd like to present Sweden." The teacher gave her full marks on the project. Milly took her seat and discreetly pulled out her phone and sent a text to Ferb. 'Project success. Full marks!' Ferb would later find out that he only received 60%.
By Tuesday afternoon Ferb was feeling much better. He convinced his mother that he needed to get out of the house for a while, she took one look at him and shook her head. "You're not going out of the house looking like that. It looks as though you've got moss covering your face. If you can manage to get yourself cleaned up, I suppose you can go out for a bit." Ferb lifted his hand to his cheek and nodded. He went to the bathroom and took a good look at himself in the mirror. I guess I'm just not cut out for facial hair. He thought to himself before he stepped into the shower.
Once finished, he went downstairs. "Is this better Mum?" He inquired of her. Linda turned around and took a look at him. "You've lost so much weight, Ferb. Would you like something to eat? A sandwich? Pizza? Anything?" She asked and he shook his head. "I'm fine." Then his stomach growled and he sighed. "I'll make you a sandwich. How does chicken salad sound?" She said and started pulling the leftovers out of the fridge. "Sounds great Mum." He replied and took a seat at the table.
Linda handed him the sandwich, some cut veggies, a glass of juice and a cup of tea. "This is too much..." He said then took a bite. The sandwich was gone before he knew it, as was the rest of his lunch. "Thanks Mum, I didn't realise how hungry I was.
Linda laughed a little. "Would you like me to drive you somewhere? I've got some errands to run." Ferb put his dishes in the sink. "I wanted to go to the mall for a bit, Gretchen's birthday is the day after tomorrow and I'd like to get her something."
Linda smiled and grabbed her keys. "Of course dear. Not a problem."
Once at the mall, Linda went to pick up what she needed and Ferb went to the bookstore. He was in luck, Gretchen's favourite author was still here for the book signing. He picked up a copy of the newest book and read the back cover, then decided to get a copy for himself. He queued up for the signing.
Once both books were bought, Ferb made his way to the food court. He looked around; but nothing appealed to him. He turned and started walking to one of the coffee shops down the hallway. He got himself a hot drink and a piece of coffee cake.
Linda was finishing her errands and decided to get herself a drink, she stopped off in the coffee shop and saw her son sitting there reading a book. If I didn't know better, I'd swear he had no friends. She thought to herself as she got her order and sat down across from him.
Ferb didn't notice that anyone had sat across from him until his name was called. He then startled and almost spilled his drink. "Are you ready to go home?" Linda inquired and he nodded his head. "Did I startle you?" His mother asked and he sheepishly nodded again. "Sorry about that." She said and he shrugged his shoulders and picked up his parcel and drink.
As mother and son were walking towards the exit, Linda paused. "You said that was a birthday gift?" She asked and Ferb nodded. Linda looked sternly at him. "Do you have a card? Or were you just going to give her the book anonymously?" Ferb sighed.
"Do you want me to wait for you, or can you find your own way home?" Linda inquired. "It's okay, Mum. I'll find my own way." Ferb replied and went in search of a card for Gretchen. It has to indicate that we're friends, and if possible... more than friends. He thought to himself.
After searching through the cards Ferb finally found one he thought was perfect. After making the purchase he left the mall.
On his way home he passed by the Fireside Girls' lodge. Gretchen was standing on the porch waiting for her troop to show up. "Ferb?" She called, then a bit louder. "Ferb!" She ran down the steps and called to him again. "Ferb!" He walked over to her and smiled. Gretchen smiled back and flung herself at him in a hug. "You're out and about, that means you're feeling better." She said and looked up at him. Ferb nodded and offered a small smile.
Gretchen then heard giggling behind her. Ferb placed her on the ground and she looked around. "Gretchen has a boyfriend, Gretchen has a boyfriend." Four girls chorused and went into the lodge. Gretchen blushed, then calmed herself a little before turning to Ferb. "Are you able to help me out this evening?" She asked causing him to raise an eyebrow. "I just thought that the girls could try to earn their first aid patches. Would you care to help?" Gretchen asked and looked at Ferb in a way he just couldn't resist. He nodded and whispered in her ear.
Gretchen lead Ferb up the steps into the Fireside Girls' lodge and opened the door. "Okay girls. This evening, we'll be working on our 'First Aid' patches. My friend..." Gretchen said, and many in the troop started to snicker. "AHEM!" Gretchen called then continued. "My friend has agreed to help. Need I remind you to be courteous to our guest?"
Gretchen sat off to the side as the meeting started, she then got things organised for the girls to earn their patches. "Ferb if you can please lie down on the floor." She said, and then turned to the troop. "Help! My friend's been hit by a car!" She screamed.
The girls gathered around and learned what they were and weren't supposed to do with the accident victim. Gretchen then taught them how to check for a pulse.
"I can't find the pulse." One of the girls complained. Gretchen came over and demonstrated using Ferb's wrist, causing his pulse to quicken. He tried to calm himself but he found Gretchen's proximity distracting.
Three of the girls were off near the far wall chatting and giggling amongst themselves when one of them spoke up. "Gretchen, you're going to demonstrate CPR to us... right?" Flustered, Gretchen looked to Ferb then back to the troop. "One can't perform CPR on a conscious individual." One of the girls who could almost be described as a younger version of Adyson called out. "We're supposed to know CPR in order to receive our patch."
Gretchen buried her face in her hands for a moment. "Fine." She then turned and guiltily looked to Ferb who nodded and lay down on the floor, again. Gretchen knelt beside him and the troop formed a circle around them. Gretchen then started describing the steps. "Now I'm not actually going to perform CPR on Ferb, here, because he's conscious and breathing. Though, if he were unconscious and not breathing I would place my hand under his neck, like this." She demonstrated and continued. "I would then pinch the nose closed and place my mouth over his in an attempt to inflate his lungs. Then I lace my hands together like so, and with the heel of my hand placed here apply compression."
"Can you demonstrate how you would inflate his lungs?" One member of the troop asked, a little too sweetly. Gretchen closed her eyes a moment. "I'm so sorry Ferb." She said and leaned over him and placed her mouth over his. Oh, my... I could get used to this. If I wasn't doing a demonstration right now, I think I'd actually just kiss him. She thought to herself. "Eww, I'm not going to do that. It looks like you're kissing." A young Fireside Girl shrieked then started making gagging noises.
Gretchen stood up and Ferb sat up. She went to close off the meeting and he stood up and unobtrusively went to stand beside the door.
"That was a great meeting girls. I would like you all to thank Ferb for assisting with today's demonstration." Gretchen said and the troop chorused out "Thank you Ferb." as they turned toward him before the final words of the meeting.
As the Fireside Girls filed out Ferb heard a few of them. "Gretchen says she's just friends with him, I don't believe that for a minute." One of the girls stopped and asked him directly, "How long have you known Jr. Leader Gretchen and are you really just friends with her?" Ferb blinked in surprise and Gretchen came over to save him. "Ferb and I've known each other for five years, and yes, we're just friends." She said as she took a protective step closer to him and carefully reached out for his hand. The girl looked at the two of them. "Yeah, right." She said and left.
Gretchen looked around the lodge. "That's everyone. Thank you so much for your help Ferb." She said as she turned to him and raised herself onto the balls of her feet and kissed him. Shocked, Ferb wrapped his arms around her and gently kissed her back before letting her go.
Ferb and Gretchen looked into each others eyes for a moment, then Ferb tried to speak. "Gretchen, I know that we're friends, but..." Gretchen's eyes went wide for a moment then she took a step back. "We can't be anything but friends, I get it..." She said and walked further into the lodge. "You should leave now." She said as she went into the back room.
With a sigh, Ferb picked up his bag and headed out the door. As he walked home he thought to himself. I thought that I might have had a chance with her. Who am I fooling? We're just friends and that's all it'll ever amount to. It's for the best really, I see the torment that Isabella's put Phineas through with her I love him so much, I need him... then when he starts to think that there's something there, she agrees with him. That's right Phin, we're just friends and she smiles at him as though there's nothing wrong. She then has the audacity to turn to me and complain. Phineas actually thinks that there's something between Iz and myself. I don't like her that way, the thought of Isabella and myself together... that's preposterous. She's outgoing, fun and much better suited to my brother. Gretchen on the other hand. She's smart, witty, sweet, pretty, caring, she can hold a conversation... and I just found out that she's quite the kisser.
Ferb's thoughts continued to plague him as he walked up the driveway and into the house. "Where have you been?" Linda demanded of him as he closed the door and took his shoes off, shaking him out of his thoughts. "I, uh... was helping a friend with something." He replied then walked toward the kitchen. "You've been ill for the past week and now you..." She ranted as she followed him into the kitchen. When Ferb turned around she saw the pain in his eyes. "What happened sweety?" She asked, completely changing her tone. Ferb shook his head. "Nothing." He quietly replied as he went to look in the fridge for some leftovers. "We had some casserole for dinner, let me get you some." Linda said as she placed her hands on his shoulders and nudged him toward the table.
Linda warmed up a plate and placed it in front of Ferb, she then took a seat. "Something's bothering you dear, I can tell. You were happy earlier, what happened? Did Gretchen find out about her birthday present?" Linda inquired and Ferb tensed up slightly and shook his head as he took a bite of his dinner.
Phineas came into the kitchen. "Ferb! There you are. I've got some homework assignments for you. Your teachers decided it was a good idea for me to bring them to you. These three are due ASAP... and these four are due on Monday." He said as he placed a folder beside Ferb; who opened it and quickly read through the notes before closing the folder then rested his head in his hands. Phineas stepped up beside his brother and clapped him on the back. "It's okay bro. I'll help you; I got top marks on mine." Ferb shook his head, finished his dinner then took the folder upstairs.
Ferb entered his room and threw himself onto his bed and pulled the pillow over his head. He lay there for a few minutes. The bedroom door opened and Phineas stepped in. "Hey, Ferb." He said as he took a seat on his yellow bed. The distraught one pulled the pillow off his head, turned onto his side and faced the wall. "Come on Ferb. I'll help you with the assignments. I know you've read the assigned book for English class..." Phineas said gently, eliciting a groan from his brother. "Leave me alone Phin. I'm... not feeling well."
Phineas pulled Ferb's homework out and displayed it on the desk. He then read out, "English, 300 word report on why the main character..." Ferb sat up, glared at the intruder and yelled at him. "Leave!" He then continued to glare. Phineas, shrugged it off and continued. "Math, pages 80-120." Ferb growled at him and stood up, arms crossed. "History..." Phineas said and looked up at his brother, who was crossing the room with a determined step. "5000 word report on Early Settlements in the Area." Phineas gulped as Ferb placed his hands on the desk and leaned in close. "What part of LEAVE! DID YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?"
Phineas had seen his brother angry before, this wasn't angry... Ferb was hurting and Phineas wanted to help. "Okay Ferb." Phineas almost squeaked, but didn't back away. Instead he remained standing beside Ferb's desk waiting to see what would happen. "Brother to brother, tell me what's wrong."
Ferb's eyes dropped to the desk and he shook his head. Phineas took a step closer and rested his hand against his brother's arm. "I can't help you if you won't let me." Ferb shook his head again, then turned and walked over to his bed. Phineas followed him. "Come on Ferb. The last time you didn't tell me what was bothering you, you gave me the silent treatment for a whole week; and that was because I used up all the hot water for my shower... I'm sorry about that, I really thought you had yours first."
Ferb sat on his bed and hung his head. Phineas sat across from his brother on his own bed then commented. "Mom said that you were feeling better today and that she drove you to the mall." Ferb kept his eyes downcast and nodded; Phineas continued. "You chose to walk home." He stated calmly, knowing that sooner or later Ferb would start talking... filling in the blanks. Phineas saw his brother nod again and open his mouth to say something.
Linda knocked on the bedroom door and entered. "Ferb honey, what's wrong?" Ferb snapped his mouth closed and shook his head. Phineas sighed and looked worriedly toward his brother, then to his mother. "He said that he wasn't feeling well. I think he's just exhausted, being sick does take a lot out of a guy." Linda looked at her two sons. "If you say so, but before I forget... there's some ice cream and cookies downstairs." Phineas glanced at Ferb, and then stood up. "Sounds great Mom, I'll be right down."
Gretchen got home, had some dinner then went to her room to finish her homework. Ferb kissed me. Well, I kissed him first, but he kissed me back. Why would he say he wanted to be just friends if he... but he didn't try to French kiss me. I wonder what that would be like though, having Ferb wrap his arms around me, taking my lips with his and having his tongue invade my mouth... Who am I kidding? He doesn't like me like that. I'm just an ugly, little girl with brown hair and glasses. I know everyone thinks I'm a know-it-all, who could possibly like me as more than a friend? I don't even deserve Ferb as a friend; he's probably just being nice because of Isabella.
Ferb remained in his room and started working on the urgent assignments.