"Fireside Diaries"
Story Written by Freedom Fighter
So another Fireside Girl takes point for her season's solo entry. Also, some loved (or hated) characters make their return this week! Lots to get to, so let's just get to it!
Disclaimer: The characters of 'Phineas and Ferb' belong to Disney.
Prerequisites (i.e. read these first before reading this):
- Entries #400 & 508 ("Fireside Diaries," Episodes 216 & 408)
"MWA HA HA HA! MWA HA HA! MWA HA HA HA HA HA!"
Candace was laughing like a maniacal evildoer, with her arms raised up in the air.
"You DO know we're all right here, right?"
Isabella's voice brought Candace back to reality, as did the sight of all the other members of Troop 46231. The redhead coughed to clear her throat, then stepped up to the podium as Isabella took a seat with the rest of the girls.
"Alright, you Firefly Girls, listen up! First order of business: BUSTING PHINEAS AND FERB!"
Isabella gasped out loud. Even though Candace was now in charge, she could not let her commandeer her troop for such a purpose. Especially since it involved getting the love of her life in trouble. But before she could voice an objection...
...someone else did.
"That's all well and good," Adyson said, getting up out of her seat and making her way up to Candace, "but before you can even motion for such an act, there's a list of things you MUST do first!"
"Like?" Candace queried, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
Adyson took a deep breath, then rattled out a list of duties.
"You have to fill out 'Change in Leadership' paperwork, sit through a two-hour 'Leadership Duties' training session online, get authorization to give out patches, be empowered to formally induct new members, given access to the worldwide Fireside Girls' membership database, learn how to do weekly reports of all of the activities our troop does, communicate with local businesses about how to assist them in their daily duties, finalize travel plans for the next Jamboree, get the troop signed up for next month's youth charity bowling tournament, pull taffy out of the water generator, put water into the taffy maker, AND set the feeding schedule for our unofficial troop mascots, Oscar and Milo!
Adyson pointed to a water-filled bowl in the corner of the room with two fish in it.
"They got too close to a fish hook," Adyson whispered to Candace.
Candace sighed, rolled her eyes, and groaned.
"Fine. THEN I can get you all to bust Phineas and Ferb?"
"Sure!"
Adyson snapped her fingers. Milly and Katie bolted out of the room. The two returned two seconds later pulling a cart with three stacks of paper.
"Once you fill out these forms in triplicate, that is."
"Oh, no, no, NO! I don't do triplicate. Or anything ending in -icate! Ugh, I'm outta here."
Candace handed the Troop Leader Patch to Adyson and then stormed out, slamming the front door shut behind her. Isabella slowly made her way over to Adyson.
"Wow, Addy, that was great!"
"It was nothing," Adyson said, smirking. "I knew that'd scare her off."
"I'm talking about all... that! How did you know all that?"
"I happened to be watching everything you did in this lodge for the past month. Pre-injury, of course. By the way, here's your Troop Leader Patch back."
Isabella smiled. "Keep it. 'Cause I think we just found our true temporary leader!"
The room erupted with applause and jubilation, as the other girls got up to go and congratulate Adyson.
And just like that, I became the interim leader of Fireside Girls Troop 46231! And this... is my first entry since the appointment!
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Entry #512-1 [FSD409] - Power Play, Part 1 (08.06.13)
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Entry #512 - Written by Adyson Sweetwater, (interim) troop leader
I won't lie - and I'm not supposed to because it's against the Fireside Girls' code - but my life's gotten a whole lot more exciting since the second Candace handed the Troop Leader Patch to me...
Isabella smiled as she observed Adyson lead the rest of the troop in helping successfully free a cat from underneath a fallen tree branch.
"That's it, girls! Altogether... PULL!"
Tugging the rope in unison, the girls managed to lift the large branch enough so that the cat could move out from under it herself. She ran into the waiting arms of her owner, who has happy to have her back safe and sound.
"Great job, everyone!"
"Thanks for saving Mittens!" said the boy, with gratitude. "You're all awesome!"
...and it's not just because we had to rescue a few more animals this week than normal...
We helped paint over graffiti left on a wall outside a local nursing home...
The girls were in the midst of applying paint when Katie accidentally brushes paint onto the back of Milly's shirt. Milly responded by brushing a line down the middle of Katie's face. Katie retaliated by picking up a half-full paint can and flinging the contents at her friend. Milly jumped out of the way, avoiding it all.
Unfortunately, Adyson, who had come over to tell them to stop horsing around, stepped into the line of fire and was subsequently splattered in paint from head to toe. At first, Adyson looked as if she was going to get mad, but instead, she just laughed it off... and Milly and Katie joined in as well.
...we participated in a pie-eating contest for charity...
Adyson was representing the troop and was blindfolded as she tried to eat from a foil tin that Holly was holding up close to her face. At one point, though, Holly got distracted by something. While looking away, she moved the closer to Adyson's face... at the same time she was leaning in to dig deeper in the tin. As a result, the brunette ended up getting pie on her face. Holly gasped as she let the tin fall into Adyson's lap, leaving what was left of the pie all over her friend.
...and we helped Phineas and Ferb. Of course.
Adyson was seen running screaming from the boys' yard. While trying to escape from something that had gone horribly wrong, she ran into Candace, who was coming in to bust her brothers. A few seconds later, the two were drenched by a dark cloud that rained hot sauce.
Yeah... don't ask.
But remember, I'm STILL class president, so I had to deal with things like serving my constituents' best interests...
Adyson was talking at a parent-teacher association meeting, presenting an idea that was near and dear to her heart...
"...and that's why I move to immediately abolish tests on Mondays. Thank you."
The crowd applauded her after giving such an impassioned and heartfelt speech. She was about to take a bow when the fire sprinklers started going off for no reason. Particularly one right above Adyson, which drenched her in an instant.
"Also, I propose fixing the school sprinkler activation system. Just a thought."
...keeping tabs on the enforcement of the school's new 'no bullying' policy...
The next day, Adyson and a few school patrollers confront Buford, who had taken some poor boy's underwear and was hanging it from atop the flagpole in front of the school. He was ordered to do so, and he complied. Once it was down, he balled it up and handed it to one of the officers - who only then realized that it was his that had been plundered.
...and abolishing the rope climb from gym class.
A large rope hanging from the ceiling was cut down, and instantly Adyson was mobbed by grateful unathletic kids, who wanted to thank her. That, or keep her in place until a small group of older kids could dump a five-gallon container filled with lemonade on her from behind.
Needless to say, I've spent this week more wet than dry.
But given all this new responsibility, there's one thing I haven't been able to do...
Baljeet walked up to Adyson's locker after school with a candy bar in hand and a flyer for a new candy store that was opening up today.
"Thanks, but no," Adyson said, rejecting it. "Big dinner with the girls tonight. All-you-can-eat pasta! Woo hoo!"
Adyson closed her locker and ran off, leaving behind a dejected Baljeet.
Next day...
Baljeet walked up to Adyson's locker after school with a rose in hand and a flyer for the reopening of the neighborhood park's playground today.
"Thanks, but no," Adyson said, rejecting it. "Class officers meeting. Revisiting the whole 'to change the mascot or not' debate. Might go all afternoon.
Adyson closed her locker and ran off, leaving behind a dejected Baljeet.
Next, next day...
Adyson walked up to Baljeet's locker with a word-a-day calendar in hand and a flyer for the new indoor rock climbing exhibit at the museum opening today.
"Seriously?" grumbled Baljeet. "Today's regionals!"
Baljeet closed his locker and stomped off with a 1000-page math book in hand, leaving behind a scoffing Adyson.
...spend time with my boyfriend, Baljeet.
It was rough going for a while, but after a few days, we managed to get together at a time that was convenient for the both of us.
Adyson and Baljeet were sitting at a table outside the Olde Malt Shoppe. Adyson was sipping from her strawberry smoothie, while Baljeet was having a go at their new curry-flavored smoothie.
"This is not half that bad," Baljeet commented, licking his lips joyfully.
"Sorry about not being able to hang out," Adyson apologized. "Busy, busy, busy."
"Yes. You with being class president and interim troop leader; me with being book club president, youth yoga instructor, on the mathletes, and a bunch of other extracurricular activities. There is just no time for us anymore!"
"Oh, don't say that! I'll make time for you. Count on it!"
Baljeet smiled. He knew he could trust Adyson's word.
"Adyson, Adyson!"
Hearing her name being called, Adyson spun around in her seat. Django ran up to the table in a hurry, needing to tell her something.
"Django? What is it?"
"Why'd you leave right after school? Today was the day we got those fancy test model lockers! You need to come back to sign for them!"
"Wha? But can't you see..."
She bobbed her head over at Baljeet, trying to non-verbally tell Django that the two of them were out on a date.
"Can't someone else sign for them?"
"But..."
Before Adyson could shoo Django away, a second person ran up from the opposite direction. It was Holly, in uniform, and she was screaming for Adyson as well.
"Adyson! Adyson!"
"Holly? What's wrong?"
"What do you mean? It's Friday, girl, and there's still end-of-week forms you haven't filled out yet, remember?"
"Wha? But can't you see..."
Just like she had done for Django, Adyson bobbed her head at Baljeet to indicate what the two of them were currently doing.
"Can't someone else do it?"
"But..."
Adyson wanted to send Holly away, but then Django reminded her that he was still there.
"Adyson," Django told her, "you're needed at school right now!"
"Adyson," Holly shouted at her, "you're needed at the lodge right now!"
The two of them then shouted her name in unison.
"ADYSON!"
"Okay, okay!" Adyson exclaimed, finally giving in.
The brunette jumped out of her seat, ready to leave with Django and Holly. But before she did, she took a long, sad look at Baljeet. And at her half-finished strawberry smoothie. But mostly at Baljeet.
"Sorry, Baljeet! Promise I'll make it up to you."
"You do what you must do! Go."
"Thanks, Baljeet! You always understand!"
Adyson waved goodbye, and then headed off with Django and Holly. Once she was out of earshot, Baljeet let out an elongated, disappointed sigh.
"I just wish you would do what you must for me."
Baljeet spoke loud enough that his words reached a trio of boys in Riverside Rats uniforms, who happened to be standing a few tables away. They were about to get in line to purchase some smoothies, but they decided to delay that for the time being. They instead headed over to Baljeet's table. Without asking them, one of them plopped down in the chair Adyson had been sitting in, while the other two pulled up chairs from the next table over.
"Excuse us for intruding," stated the one that had taken Adyson's chair, "but we couldn't help but notice what just transpired between you and your girlfriend..."
Ugh... the blond kid talking to Baljeet right now? You remember him, right? That's Taylor. He and his friends - Larry and The Chaz - once hijacked our blog and made up stories that I, Gretchen, and Isabella had fallen head-over-heels in love with them. They also participated in that rafting race we had, too. They're all members of the local Riverside Rats troop. I thought after that last incident that we had seen the last of them.
We were apparently wrong.
"How did you know that Adyson is my..."
Baljeet paused, as the boys' faces started to look familiar to him.
"Wait. Have we met before?"
"Probably," replied Taylor. "Being Riverside Rats, we meet dozens and dozens of different people."
Larry and The Chaz nodded, having agreed beforehand to stay silent and let Taylor do all the talking.
"Oh." Baljeet nodded, accepting the faux explanation.
"Listen, dude. Having known Adyson for, uh, a good time now, I know when she's actually busy and just saying she is to get out of doing something. Like spending time with you, for instance."
"What? That is an impossibility! I know that since Adyson became temporary troop leader, she has had more eggs in her basket then she knows what to do with. But that does not mean she is trying to avoid me. She MADE time for me today!"
"Yes, but she also made those two friends come and get her."
"That is because she has duties and responsibilities to fulfill."
"No. That's because she wanted to not be out here with you, so she called them before coming here so that they could bail her out! Face it, man. She's a preteen just like the rest of her. You're just a fling to her. And she's already getting tired of you."
Baljeet gasped, believing every word Taylor was saying.
"No way. Why... why would she continue to lead me on then if she does not want to be with me anymore?"
Taylor got up and walked over to Baljeet. He leaned into him slightly, putting a reassuring arm around the Indian boy's shoulder.
"'Cause she doesn't want to hurt your feelings."
"So what should I do? I still like her!"
"Well, my friend, that's why I'm here!"
Taylor started whispering the plan into Baljeet's ear. After a few seconds, Baljeet's eyes perked up, as he loved what was being suggested to him.
I'd tell Baljeet not to listen to anything Taylor says, but unfortunately, he can't hear me from the other side of a computer monitor. Sigh...
Too bad I wouldn't find out about what Taylor was up to until the next day...
18 hours later, at the lodge...
"I think that's everything, so... meeting adjourned, girls!"
Adyson lightly tapped the gavel down on the podium, ending that week's Fireside Girls' meeting. The girls all gave Adyson a pat on the back for getting through her first meeting without incident. Most of them left immediately, off to earn some patches on their own. Adyson was ready to follow them out, but first she had to tidy things up...
...and answer her cell phone, which was currently ringing.
"Baljeet!" she exclaimed, answering happily after seeing his number on the display. "Just the boy I wanted to talk to!"
"Yes! Adyson! Hello!"
Adyson did not like the hesitant tone in her boyfriend's voice. "Baljeet? Is something the matter?"
"We... we n-n-n-need to t-t-t-talk."
Gretchen leaned in, with a to-do list and a schedule for the day in hand. Adyson took both papers and scanned them quickly.
"Let's see... how about..."
"8 p.m. Danville Links Mini Golf."
Adyson was taken aback. "8 p.m. tonight? But..."
"Adyson! Do you love me?"
"What? Of course I do! But..."
"If you love me, then you will make time for me! O-o-okay?"
Adyson looked uneasy. She still had plenty to do until late at night, but she knew if she kept blowing Baljeet off...
"Alright. But only 'cause it's you."
She heard Baljeet sigh with relief. "Thank you. You will not regret this! Goodbye!"
With that, Baljeet calmly hung up. Adyson lowered her phone from her ear and turned to Gretchen, who had a quizzical look on her face.
"Is everything okay?"
"I... think?"
I knew something did not feel right at the time, but there was no backing out now. Besides, I owe Baljeet. It was the least I could do after walking out on our smoothie date yesterday.
That night...
After paying the entrance fee, Adyson entered the course grounds. She saw a bunch of people, most of them kids and preteens, congregating near the tee at the first hole. Baljeet was up, and Adyson smiled as he swung his putter. Baljeet's ball went bouncing off one barrier, off a second, and then rolled into the cup for a hole-in-one! The small crowd hollered in congratulations. Baljeet was mobbed with pats on the back and high-fives from several around him.
"Heh," giggled Adyson. "Baljeet did once say miniature golf was a mathematician's game."
She walked towards her boyfriend to congratulate him. Before she could reach him, though, another girl went up to Baljeet, hugging him and wrapping her arms around his waist. Adyson froze; her jaw dropped in shock.
Whoa whoa WHOA! I knew Baljeet wasn't happy with me because we haven't been able to spend much time together lately. But was he really already at the point where he had already started dating another girl behind my back?
Come on!
Baljeet may be a boy, but he's not the typical kind. He's got brains! And he knows how upset I'd be if I saw him do something like this! Baljeet would never do this to any girl, much less me! There's gotta be more to this.
There's just gotta!
Adyson took a slow, deep breath, and then promptly exhaled. She regained her composure before completing her trip over to Baljeet.
"Baljeet!" she greeted. "Hi!"
"Adyson! T-t-t-this isn't what it looks like!"
Already on the defensive. Typical Baljeet, or trying to save himself from ending up on the bad side of my smacking hand?
Adyson smiled sweetly, squatting down to get at eye level with the cute girl that was clutching to Baljeet.
"And who are you, little one?"
The girl wrapped herself a little tighter around Baljeet, a little frightened of Adyson despite her friendly face.
"This is Cindy," Baljeet replied. "I found her in the parking lot."
"The parking lot?"
Adyson got up once more, curious to hear this story.
"Her parents accidentally forgot her, and she was scared for her life! I tried asking her if she knew her address or her phone number, but she wouldn't answer me! She's even shyer than me!"
"Oh, really?"
Adyson put her hands on her hips as she glanced down at the girl once more.
Baljeet couldn't really be lying to me, could he?
She reached over to try and pull Cindy off of Baljeet, but she just shuffled to the other side, staying as far away from Adyson as possible while still keeping a hold on Baljeet.
If he is, then he got Cindy to play the part well. Then again...
...this isn't like the Baljeet I know. Something does NOT add up here.
"Maybe we should call the police," Adyson suggested. "They can help find her parents."
"I would," Baljeet said, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, "but she refuses to release herself from me. Except for when it is her turn to play."
As if on cue, she let go of Baljeet, picked up a rented putter she had placed on the ground, and then she went to the tee. Placing down her yellow ball, she hit it, watching it go about ten feet. She then ran back to Baljeet and wrapped herself around him once more.
"And then she does this. See?"
Baljeet sighed, then walked over towards where Cindy's ball was so she could take her next shot.
"But I thought we were gonna talk!" Adyson exclaimed. "Or least have a make-up date!"
"We still can!" Baljeet told her. "We will just have a plus-one."
"But Baljeet! Threesomes are weird."
"Perhaps. Maybe we should attempt to find a fourth?"
And guess who happened to appear at that exact moment? Oh, and no, there isn't a prize for being right.
"Hello again, my sweet!"
Adyson gasped as Taylor stepped out from behind the cardboard castle wall of the adjoining second-hole fairway.
"Taylor?"
To be continued...
Next Week: Adyson's in a tight spot as the boy she likes is being kept at bay by a girl three years her junior, while a boy who likes her is doing everything possible to woo her. Adyson's forced to make a tough decision about love on the course, on the next new episode of the "Fireside Diaries."