Speeches
The past that had me paralysed, And all my future analysed, Walk off the Earth.
Match day rolled around quicker than Phineas had anticipated, and before he knew it he was joining his brother, Baljeet, Gretchen and Milly as they headed to the after-party. The cheerleaders and the footballers had already left the celebrations in the field and continued them through down town and into Zach's large sprawling town house. As their car pulled up on the side-walk they could already hear the music pounding through the house. Ferb easily jumped out of the driver's seat moving around to the back he opened the door for the girls. With some trepidation Phineas slid out of the passenger seat, casting a weary glance to Baljeet, who was shrugging on his jacket.
"We will be fine, we know most of the cheerleaders and Buford's one of our best friends how will we not get in?"
"That's not what I'm worried about," Phineas replied, pushing away from the car as his brother joined them with the girls. Even in his worried state Phineas couldn't help but grin. Standing there, in his favoured beaten up leather jacket, and dark worn down blue jeans, with a girl either side, Ferb looked like your average gang leader. Ferb shot a grin at Phineas before crooking both his arms and offering them to the girls.
"Ladies," he smirked.
"Oh Ferb you're such a gentleman!" Gretchen giggled sarcastically before looping her through with his.
"Do not leave him hanging," Baljeet teased Milly, and the elder girl rolled her eyes and looped her arm through Ferb's left. "So are we ready?" Baljeet ran a hand through his hair, regarding the throbbing house with some hesitation.
"Come on 'Jeet," Phineas grinned, taking his friend's arm as they followed Ferb and the girls. "Don't just stand there,"
"You know I do not like these parties," Baljeet muttered as he drew his arm away from Phineas and stuffed his hands into the pockets of his chinos. "Why are you coming? Surely Zach does not want you here,"
"I'm here to see the girls and Buford," Phineas replied, following Ferb around to the back of the house. "I don't really care what Zach and his boys think. It'll be nice to hang out with Django and the guys as well,"
"Fellas!" there was a booming greeting from Buford as the large teen saw them enter the rolling garden. He shouldered his way through the throngs of students before bringing Ferb into a manly hug. "Yer made it!"
"Course we did Buford, we weren't gonna miss it," Phineas grinned as the larger teen let go of his brother. "Great game by the way!"
"Even better with Zach outta the question," Buford thumped Phineas playfully on the shoulder. "I owe you for that one bud. Hey you managed to bring the Nerd out of his room!"
"I would come to your match, you know I would," Baljeet rolled his eyes at his best friend's teasing.
"Aww, whatever Nerd, c'mon the girls are hangin' out near the pool. I'll get you guys some drinks. Usual Ferb?"
The elder teen nodded and Buford grinned knowingly as he weaved his way back through the crowds, beckoning them to follow. They made their way through the throngs of students, waving and nodding in greeting to whomever greeted them. As they came to the pool they realised where the music was coming from. A DJ was set up (someone in their year) playing hypnotic beats that caused the occupants around the pool to gyrate and dance along to the bass. The bar was set up behind the huge amplifiers that were blasting out the sound; so at least they had somewhere to talk and shout to their friends about what they were wanting to drink. Making their way to the back of the garden (where it was surprisingly quieter) the group huddled around the bar as Buford handed out the wanted drinks.
"Sex on the beach for the girls," he grinned, pouring a pitcher of orange liquid into two red beakers. The girls unlatched themselves from Ferb and readily accepted the drinks.
"We're gonna find Izzy," Gretchin stated, and she grabbed Katie's arm, pulling her friend along with her and towards the pool.
"VK and coke for the man," Buford thrust another beaker into Ferb's hands. "Don't worry Jeet got yer sorted," he pulled out some juice from the mini fridge next to the bar and tipped into another glass, which Baljeet took readily and grinned at him in thanks. "So what's yer poison Phineas?" Buford demanded, leaning against the makeshift bar and pulling out a can from the small portable fridge, and popping the cap.
Phineas was stalled for a moment, he'd never really appreciated the taste of alcohol and never really understood the point of the buzz that people told him about. Surely you could be sober and have a good time? Suddenly there was a shriek and a splash, causing a raucous cheer to light up from the poolside. Intrigued the group moved around the DJ to see that both Isabella and Ginger spluttering as they pulled themselves out of the pool. Behind them Django and Katie were both laughing good-naturedly as Gretchin stooped down to help Ginger out of the pool. Isabella easily lifted herself out from the water, sliding gracefully into a sitting position on the edge as she wrung the water out from her hair. Phineas swallowed when he saw her. She had changed from her cheerleader uniform, and was sporting fitted black leggings and a flowing pink top. The top was now clinging to her body in all the right places, her dark bra edging it's way through the fabric as the water seeped down her chest.
"I needa drink," Phineas grunted, suddenly feeling incredibly dry mouthed. Without another word he made his way behind the set and grabbed one of the red cups that was sitting waiting at the bar. He downed the liquid inside without a second thought, wincing as the bitter taste of the alcohol seared his throat. Somehow it made him slow down slightly as the sweet bitter taste his tongue. He hadn't realised that he'd downed the entire thing until he leant back against the table, blinking in surprise he placed the cup down on the table and scrubbed a hand through his hair. He knew that he had to control the way he was suddenly feeling about Isabella. She was his best friend, they had a tight and platonic bond that he'd never want to ruin through some foolish mistake. Jeeze he didn't even know if she liked him!
"Sup Phineas?" the teen turned and grinned as he saw Django coming around to the bar. "I thought you didn't drink?"
"I do now," Phineas grimaced, rubbing his throat as he winced at the taste. "Sorry I needed to think,"
"'Bout what?"
"Things," Phineas shrugged. "You can Katie seem to be getting on," he grinned slyly.
"Well she's nice, pretty," Django blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You want something to wash that taste outa your mouth?"
"Please," Phineas nodded in thanks as Django poured him some juice. The red-head gulped it down thankfully and held his cup out for more.
"You really don't like booze do you?"
"It's the taste," Phineas complained. "Kinda metallic,"
"All depends on the right stuff, I suppose," Django stated. "I saw the way that you were looking at Isabella earlier,"
"You did?"
"Yeah, you were riveted man. So you stopped being so emotionally stunted?" the teen leant back against the table pouring some of an indistinguishable cocktail into his glass and taking a sip.
"I realised it about a week ago," Phineas relented. "What do I do Django? She's like my best friend!"
"I'd say go for it, down the grape vine I've heard that she likes you too,"
"Really?" Phineas couldn't help but perk up at the news, wondering if he should really take a shot with his best friend. "It won't be weird would it?"
"Only if you make it weird," Django replied. "All right I'll make you a deal. I'll ask Katie out by the end of the night if you try it on with Isabella,"
"How is that a deal?"
"We both win, or we both loose, it's your call dude," Django held out his hand between them, and Phineas hesitated, before taking it in a firm grip.
"Okay, but if you break your end of the deal I'll break mine,"
"What's got you so agitated man? There are plenty of guys waiting to get with Isabella, she's practically fighting them off with a stick!"
"Come on Django, look at me! I'm some scrawny guy, I can't even win in a fight!"
"You did try and take on three guys who were twice the size of you," Django replied, patting his friends shoulder. "Look man I say go for it. What's the worst that could happen?"
"I'll be socially embarrassed and never be able to talk to her again?" Phineas sighed, taking another sip of his drink.
"That's the spirit! What's a bit of social embarrassment between friends eh?" Django grinned. "Hey Katie," Phineas raised a hand in greeting as the blond joined them at the table.
"You guys okay? The girls were wondering where you were, they're about to crank up the music," Phineas didn't miss the smile that the blond sent Django's way, and it seemed that Django didn't miss it either as he stood, and held out his hand.
"Well Katie lead the way!" he declared flamboyantly.
Smooth, Phineas thought, although he couldn't help but smile as Katie giggled and grabbed the brown-haired teen's hand and pulled him along to dance. As soon as Django was gone Phineas felt alone. Shrugging off his loneliness he realised that he had to do something about Isabella, otherwise it would continually ware him down until he didn't care any more.
And he didn't want that to happen. Not with Isabella.
Swallowing his sudden fear he stood and headed towards the pool. Katie was right, they had cranked up the music and the bass was pounding through the speakers, and thudding through the concrete around the pool. Pushing through the dancers he instantly saw Isabella, she was dancing with her old Fireside troupe, Ferb and Baljeet were in with the group too, (although he did notice that his suave brother was surprisingly turning down offers from girls who were falling over themselves to dance with him).
"Phineas!" Baljeet shouted, waving him over, and grabbing his hands as he stepped into the throng. "Go get Isabella!"
"What?" Phineas paled. How many other people knew?
"Go dance!" Baljeet grinned. "She has been wondering where you are all evening!" without warning the Indian boy pushed him towards Isabella. The surprised shift in momentum caused Phineas to stumble, and he was about to trip and fall over his own two feet, but two hands caught his shoulders and hauled him upright.
"Phineas!" Isabella was finally in his sight. He grinned at her and stepped closer to best friend so he could hear what she was saying. "You made it! We were just about to send out a search party for you!"
"Sorry, I bumped into Django," Phineas had to lean forwards and shout into her ear so she could hear. He wasn't concerned about their unexpected proximity, (and it seemed that she wasn't either), so he decided to roll with it. Hesitantly he placed his hands on her hips, wondering what she'd do, and to his surprise (and delight) she didn't admonish him for his wandering digits, but instead, pulled him closer by resting her hands on the small of his back.
"S'all right!" she replied, grinning up at him. "So what's brought this on?"
"I need to talk to you Isabella," he explained, his heart beating furiously against his ribcage. "I need to talk to you about something important!"
Her face twisted into concern.
"No, not about that, it's about something else," he called over the music. "Any chance we could get away and talk?"
"You sure?" Isabella asked, and he saw her eyes flicker over to Ginger (who winked and gave her the thumbs up).
"I mean if you wanna dance I suppose it can wait," Phineas back-peddled, just happy to be able to hold Isabella the way that he was doing now. Feeling a sudden boost of bravery he slipped his hands down to the small of her back, bringing her in closer as the music got louder. He knew that there'd be no point in trying to talk over the volume, he was going to have to try and engage her reaction with the expression on her face.
"I don't mind dancing!" she replied, wondering if he could hear her own heart thudding furiously against her chest. Isabella couldn't believe what was happening, one second Phineas had been a mess of gangly nerves and now he was pushing the very platonic boundaries of their friendship. She wanted to know what was going on, ask him if he was feeling right in the head, but as she looked up into his eyes she saw a flash of tempting darkness that she'd never seen before. Deciding to test the waters she let her hands slip up his back so her arms were draped around his neck. To her delight (and surprise) in response to her suggestive gesture his hands dipped below the small of her back, and his fingers rested lightly on the curve of her ass. Part of her now wished that she had worn jeans (or at least something with pockets) as she was loving the effect that his fingers were having through only the thin (slightly) sodden piece of clothing she was wearing.
"This okay?" his breath was close to her ear, (but she could still barely hear him over the music), in reply she nodded, her body tingling with nervous excitement. Feeling bolder she pressed herself against him, her hips swaying to the exotic beat of the music. To her joy he joined her (she always knew that he was a capable dancer but this was beyond the realms of thought right now). Testing the boundaries even further she pushed up against him (he was obvious underneath the feeling of his jeans), wondering what his reaction would be.
"Good?" she asked, almost tempted to look up at him seductively from underneath her eyelashes.
Phineas couldn't respond, he was presently in sensory overload. The music of the disco was thudding through his system, he could smell the perfume and the chlorine from Isabella as she was moving against him. He could feel her warmth and the dampness of her clothing underneath his fingertips. For some reason his senses were in overdrive, everything was crisper, everything was clearer. He swallowed thickly, a wave of dizziness washing over him. The lights started to spin in a multitude of colours, swirling around him in a thick kaleidoscope haze. He shook his head, in a desperate attempt to clear the sudden onslaught of his senses.
"Phineas!" he vaguely heard Isabella worryingly call his name, before he knew it he was being lead away from the dance floor, as she guided him through the back-garden and to a quieter spot at near the edge of the fence. The cold suddenly hit him full on, and he jolted, doubling over as an unfamiliar buzzing high flew through his body. It caught him so off guard that he fell forwards, retching as his mind exploded into colours and patterns. They raced through his brain so loud and so fast that they brought a roaring cacophony of sound bellowing into his ears. Suddenly it stopped, cascading into a vibrant finality, sending thoughts, memories and feelings rushing into his mind in vivid technicolour.
"Phineas are you okay?" from the rush of feelings and emotions he searched for Isabella's voice through the mess, reaching out he grabbed her hands in a desperate attempted to reach her through the haze.
"Isabella I think something's spiked," he managed to string a slurred sentence together, his words tripping over his tongue as they fell through his lips.
"I think you might be right," her voice was taut with worry as she helped him into a sitting position. "Baljeet!"
"That's not my name!" Phineas complained.
"No I think he might have drunk the spiked juice as well! Jeet come sit over here," he watched as Baljeet stumbled over towards them, his arm looped around Ferb's neck as he struggled to walk.
"I do not feel so good," the younger boy moaned as he collapsed on the grass next to Phineas, his head slumping against his shoulder.
"Ferb what are we gonna do?" Isabella's voice sounded to far away again, and he reached out, grasping her hand firmly in his.
"Not panic," Ferb replied sternly, as he sat in front of his brother. "Phineas can you hear me?"
Phineas nodded uneasily. "Sounds muted," he muttered.
"We need to get them somewhere where they can come down safely. I think they're both pretty high up there right now," Ferb decided. "Can you say sorry to Gretchin and Katie that we won't be giving them a lift back home?" Isabella nodded, easing her hand out of Phineas' grip and heading back into the party.
As soon as the girl left Phineas rolled over and threw up, groaning as his stomach heaved, trying to release itself of the foreign substance. "Never again Ferb," he grunted, pulling back from the vomit stained grass as his brother eased him back against Baljeet. "Ugh how you doin' Jeet?"
"I feel worse then I have ever felt before," Baljeet moaned his hand going to his forehead.
"Oi I was wondering- Jeeze are you too okay?" Buford had come to find the pair, and had not expected to find both of them struggling to rid an unwanted high. "Jeet you okay buddy?" he knelt next to his Nerd and took the Indian boy's face into his hands.
"Hi Buford," Baljeet giggled. "Missed you," he leaned forwards and swung his arms around the ex-bully's neck. "Missed you!" he sang happily, pressing his face into the footballer's chest.
"Are they both gone like this?" Buford asked tiredly, easing Baljeet into a more comfortable position.
Ferb nodded, supporting his brother as he helped the swaying red-head to his feet.
"Hey Ferb, where's Isabella?" he slurred, lurching forwards.
"I'm right here," Isabella's voice interrupted Phineas's slurred sentence. "I've told the girls about the spiked juice, what I've seen from Phineas it's more than just alcohol in that. There's something worse,"
"It's been drugged?" Buford growled, helping Baljeet to his feet, and wrapping a strong supporting arm around his shoulders.
"More than likely yes," (for some reason Phineas could sense a hurt tone to her voice). "There are drugs being used at school, and I'm pretty sure that people supplying them could be here tonight. But that's by-the-by we need to get these two somewhere where they can sober up,"
"My house," Buford declared, pulling his Nerd along with him. "Ma's out for the weekend, won't be back till Monday mornin' plenty of time for these two to sober up," he started to make his way down the path and towards the back gate but Baljeet stumbled, and with a refrained sigh Buford picked the younger teen up in his arms.
"So why's Isabella so mad at me?" Phineas asked his brother loudly as the group headed towards the car.
Ferb shrugged, pulling his brother up onto his feet again. Although the British boy could probably understand why, he wasn't about to shame either of the pair.
"What cause she knows I'm high?" Phineas giggled. "Ooh Ferb high is just such a funny word. Hey Baljeet! High!" in response to his singsong voice Baljeet giggled, almost crawling over Buford's shoulder.
"Low!" Baljeet responded, a laugh bubbling from his own throat. "Did you tell Isabella yet?"
"Bout what?" Phineas grunted, trying to manoeuvre Ferb around so he could see Isabella as she walked in front of them, typing a rapid text on her phone.
"You should know! About how you have the hots, for her!" Baljeet sang, but the rest of his sentence was muffled as Buford clamped a large hand across his mouth.
"Okay nerd, that's enough. Girly got the car open?"
"Yeah," Isabella murmured, her voice emotionally exhausted.
"You wanna drive so I can keep these two under control?" Buford suggested, as he helped Baljeet get into the back-seats, before the Indian boy quite happily crawled onto his lap.
"If Ferb's okay with it?" Isabella asked, glancing at the elder teen as he struggled to get his brother into the car. Ferb nodded, easing his brother in next to Buford before sliding in himself. Getting into the driver's seat Isabella started the car and turned it into the road, heading towards Buford's block.
"Hey Isabella?" Baljeet sang. "Did you know that Phineas totally has the hots for you?"
Gritting her teeth the raven-haired girl attempted to quell her anger. It wasn't the fact that they were high that bothered her (well she was worried about their come-down) it was more over the fact that Baljeet was unknowingly rubbing salt into open wounds that she'd thought had long since healed. She realised now that Phineas's bold moves earlier were only because of the drug that was coursing through his system, and she knew that his feelings for her would be nothing more than platonic. Her knuckles turned white on the steering wheel and she bit her lip willing the anger away.
"Well it's not like we're dumb to the feelings that Baljeet has for Buford!" Phineas' deceleration made her freeze, she glanced into the window mirror gauge the boy's reaction, and her to shock she saw Baljeet launch towards Phineas in a fit of uncharacteristic rage.
"You ass!" Baljeet cried in dismay, throwing a poorly aimed punch in Phineas' direction. "How did you?"
"It's kinda obvious!"
"So since you have realised that you are emotionally retarded you have decided that you are an expert on everybody else's life?" Baljeet snarled, and Isabella realised that she needed to keep her eyes on the road, as she struggled to ignore the drama unfold in the back of the car.
"Yes!" Phineas retaliated hotly.
"Well if you had not been such a blithering imbecile in regards to your feelings towards Isa-"
Isabella had enough, she slammed the breaks on hard, causing the tires to squeal loudly as they spun to a stop. Slamming her hands onto the wheel she twisted in her seat, her cheeks flushed with anger and her eyes swimming with unshead tears.
"Will the pair of you stop acting like such children? I understand that both of you are not in your right mindsets now, but now is not the time to try and out do each other on their deep dark secrets! Your secrets may hurt other people too! Now stop being such dicks and let me concentrate on driving!" the two boys were silenced by her furious tirade, and slunk back down into their seats.
"Sorry," they muttered, before turning and glowering out at the darkening street.
"Thank you," Isabella sighed, relieved that she had stopped their petty rant.
"It's just 'round the corner here Girly," Buford directed, and Isabella hit the gas, turning the car into Buford's street. She was the first one to get out after she parked it on Buford's crumbling drive, slamming the driver's door shut and stalking up towards the front door. Buford watched as he helped manoeuvre a stoically quiet Baljeet from the car, and ease him up to the house.
An awkward silence hung in the air as Isabella headed towards the Buford's kitchen, grabbing open the fridge door and yanking out the milk, drinking it hastily from the bottle to try and calm herself. Upon having her fill she slammed the near-empty carton back down onto the worktop, wincing as her knuckles scraped across the wood as she misjudged the distance.
"So, calmed down now Girly?" Buford's voice brought her out of her thoughts and she turned in surprise, placing her shaking hands on the table.
"What would you know?" she bit out, her face still red with anger and her eyes still shone with tears.
"That I'm in the same position as you? Don't act like you're the only one goin' through this," Buford grunted, pushing past her to the fridge and retrieving a beer can.
"Oh," she was struck dumb for a second, mentally wincing as she realised that he was going through the same situation as she was). "How you doing?"
Buford snorted, leaning back on the worktop and taking a hard glug of his beer, before slamming the can down and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "I'm not gay," he stated, crossing his arms over his chest, and glowering at her, daring her to defy him.
"That's not what I asked," Isabella replied coming to stand next to him and grabbing the can, taking a sip and wincing as the bitter taste of the cheep lager penetrated her throat. She handed the can back to Buford. "How can you drink that stuff?"
"Same way that you can drink those girly cocktails," Buford replied, downing the rest of the beer with one swift gulp and kicking it into the rubbish bin. "Come on we'd better go and see-"
"Ferb get away from me!" Phineas' voice suddenly echoed through the small house, sending both Isabella and Buford pounding to his upstairs bedroom. As they pushed the door open, to their shock, they saw Phineas launching a punch towards Ferb's face. Ferb easily avoided the onslaught, and then tackled his brother onto the floor, pinning the struggling boy's hands behind his head. "Get off me Ferb!" the boy bellowed. "Get off!"
"All righ'," Buford growled. "Not in my house!" striding forwards he grabbed Phineas by the scruff of his shirt, before both him and Ferb wrestled the shouting teen towards the bed. "Go check on Jeet would yer Girly?" Buford grinned, before twisting Phineas around, causing Isabella to wince as Phineas let out a yelp and lashed out with a kick to Buford's shin. "Right get him in the shower Ferb!" Buford barked, having finally had enough of the red-head's behaviour. Not wanting to see any more Isabella headed out of the room, and went in search of Baljeet. She found him curled around himself on the living room couch.
"Baljeet?" Isabella called softly, coming to sit beside him and placing a tender hand on his back.
"I feel better now, but why does it hurt inside?" Baljeet muttered, curling deeper into himself, and hiding his shame filled face.
"Oh Jeet," Isabella soothed, running her hand through his tousled black hair. "I'm sorry,"
"S'not your fault," Baljeet moaned. "I am so stupid!"
"People do stupid things," Isabella agreed. "It doesn't mean that you're stupid," she paused. "You need anything?"
"I want to never of had this day," Baljeet whined, rolling over and pressing his face into sofa cushion. "How's Phineas?" A shout and a thud from upstairs answered his question, and he turned, looking Isabella dead in the eye, startling her with the intensity of his gaze. "Don't tell, anyone please?"
She nodded. "I promise. How are you feeling?"
"Zoned out," Baljeet replied, flopping back onto his back and staring at the ceiling. "I think I'll be okay," he threw his arm over his eyes. "I see colours I didn't even know existed. It is hurting my head,"
"You'll come down soon," Isabella tried to hold an encouraging lilt to her voice, although she sensed that her statement would not be heeded. She stood and headed for the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and filling up a large glass of water for when he came down from his high. Heading back into the living room she saw that he was looking at his hands with a confused glower on his face.
"Hey Isa,"
"What?" she set the bowl and the water on the floor before sitting next to the sofa. Resting her back on the sofa's front and her head on the sofa cushions.
"My hands are different! I have never noticed that before! Although they are the same..." he trailed off, obviously lost in deep thoughts about hands. Sighing Isabella shook her head and scrubbed a hand down her face wondering when and how she'd gotten into a mess like this.
"Pin him Ferb!" Buford commanded, grabbing the shower head as Ferb struggled to pin his raving brother down into the bath. With expert ease Ferb looped his brother's arms around with his and pulled them around his back.
"Ferb let me go!" Phineas bellowed, thrashing as colours assaulted his vision. "Let me outta here!"
"You got to come down first, I dunno how long it's gonna take you," Buford stated, his arms crossed over his chest as he stared at the scene in front of him.
"Piss off!" Phineas snarled, spitting in the ex-bully's direction before trying to thrust out of his brother's arms. "I want to go and see Isabella,"
"No, not when you're like this," Buford replied. "She's lookin' after Jeet, that's her job. Calmin' down is yours. What's up with this anyway?"
"Nothing," Phineas spat angrily. "Just let me go! Please!" he blinked rapidly, desperately trying to calm his over stimulated brain. "You sure Jeet's not getting any of these weird over stimulations?" he groaned, his body twisted as something akin to pleasure tore through him.
"Dunno, but 'e ain't makin' as much noise as you, so that's gotta be a good sign," Buford stated grimly, wincing as Phineas took another dig at his brother. "You want me to pin him Ferb?"
Ferb shook his head, as cool and calm as ever.
"Ugh. Why did I drink that stupid drink?" Phineas blinked rapidly, trying to clear his head of the disconcerting lines and patterns that were blurring his vision.
"Heh it's my fault," Buford replied. "If I'd kept an eye on the juice then you'd never have drunk the spiked stuff. Any idea what it is?"
"Do I look like I take drugs?" Phineas dead-panned, not impressed at all by the smirk alight on Buford's face.
"Right now Dinnah Bell? Yes!" he grinned. "Calmed down enough now?"
Phineas' response was a derisive snort. Sensing that his brother was calmer Ferb eased the younger teen from his arms, a shadow of a wince slipping across his face as he rolled his tender shoulders. With slow ease he pulled his brother out of the tub, directing him towards the door of the bathroom and along to Buford's spare bedroom. He couldn't believe what he'd just witnessed. His brother was outgoing and loud (and sometimes wonderfully eccentric), but that was a whole different side to him that he'd only ever seen a couple of times; and neither of those times were good. He withheld a soft sigh and helped his brother onto the bed. Wincing in sympathy as the younger teen groaned when flopped onto the bed.
"Beds are like clouds of love," Phineas drawled, shrugging off his shirt and rolling himself up in the spare blanket. "And the pillows are filled with tiny baby ducks," he rubbed his face into the pillow, now thoroughly out of it as the high started to take it's full effect. "Man I could sleep for a week. Ferb you wanna join me?"
Ferb shook his head, making sure that Phineas wasn't going to fall out of the bed, he slumped exhaustedly into the desk chair next to the bed.
"Ferb you want anythin'?" Buford grunted as he started to make his way from the room.
"Water please," Ferb replied, and Buford couldn't help but let a worried frown slip across his face as he watched the elder teen rub his forehead.
"Right, okay mate," the larger teen headed downstairs into the living room. His heart went out as he saw Isabella curled up asleep against the couch where Baljeet was now lying, his head cushioned on one of the couch arms and his arms wrapped around his body. Shaking his head the elder teen moved forwards, grabbing an old threadbare blanket and draping it over the slumbering boy. His movements stirred Isabella from her drowsy state and she woke, blinking blearily as he manoeuvred Baljeet into a more comfortable position. He realised the younger teen had a crush on him for a while now, and he was coming to term with the changing paradigms of their relationship. For one, he didn't care if Baljeet liked him, heck he was just fine with it, but the one thing that he didn't want was the younger boy pining over him, and ruining his teenage life because of it.
"Buford?" his movements had woken Isabella and she blinked up at him through bleary half-closed eyes. "He's okay, he went to sleep mumbling,"
"I'll make sure he's all right okay Girly," Buford grunted, before heading over to the kitchen to get Ferb's drink. "You get some sleep, you can take my bed tonight. Get this up to Ferb would you?"
"Thanks Buford," Isabella stretched, yawning as she stood, and scrubbed a hand through her tangled hair. "Phin's in the spare room isn't he?" she asked, taking the glass from the ex-bully as she made her way up the stairs.
Buford nodded, before going and collapsing onto the large plush leather chair that was situated next to the sofa, he grabbed the T.V remote off the counter and flicked the T.V on, waving Isabella away. She nodded and headed up the stairs, pushing the door to the spare room open she saw (too her relief) that Phineas was now curled up onto his side, and snoring peacefully as he was wrapped up in the thin duvet. Emotionally and physically exhausted she sat on the bed, running a hand through his mop of unruly ginger hair. She couldn't help but lean backwards, resting her head against the wall, and allowing her eyes to slip closed. She knew that Ferb must have exited the room to relieve himself or get some space, and she hoped that he would leave them in peace.
A movement disturbed her and she forced open her eyes to see that Phineas had curled up against her form, his face pressed against her hip and drool pooling against the corner of his mouth. She smiled, resting a hand against his cheek and absent-mindedly rubbing a thumb across the short stubble on his jaw. Phineas seemed to hum, and nuzzled against her, draping his blanket clad arm across her legs. Feeling warm and protected Isabella drifted into a light slumber, her eyes slipping shut as she felt her body relax into the deepness of sleep.
His head hurt, his body ached, and his stomach was constricting tightly as if a searing hot fist was pulling at his insides. He groaned, the light of a mobile phone assaulting his eyes. Blinking Phineas raised a hand to his throbbing forehead and forced open his crunchy eye-lids, rubbing them against the blanket to clear his vision. He frowned, something was different. He had vaguely remembered being wrestled into the bath, but everything before that had been a hurried meshed blur. Suddenly something, someone, moved against him, there was a soft sigh and he felt a feminine body roll herself against him.
He froze.
Shit. Scrambling out from the bed he yelped as his body dropped unceremoniously against the floor. A short stinging pain flashed through him and he groaned as his head fell against the carpeted floor. Why was Isabella in bed with him? Had they slept together? Did he, force himself on her? Thoughts raced around his head, causing his vision to swim in a mesh of encapsulating colours.
"Phineas?" Isabella's sleep filled voice assaulted his ears, and he glanced up at her, his eyes wide and his face twisted into a grimace. "Phineas is everything okay?" she joined him on the floor her hand finding a place on the small of his back.
"I, did we?" he mumbled into the carpet, not even daring to look up into her face.
"What? NO!" Isabella replied, her hand coming to a still on his back in her shock. "Phineas I'd kick your sorry ass if you tried anything, in the state you were in last night, and you know it,"
Phineas grinned into the carpet. "Okay," nausea suddenly crept up to his throat. "Isa I think I'm going to hurl!" he groaned.
"Come on, can you stand?" she asked tenderly, her hands immediately going to his arms to help him up.
"I think," he muttered. Forcing himself into a sitting position he met her eyes for the first time that morning. "I forgot how pretty you were," he blurted. His eyes widened as soon as the words had escaped from his mouth, and he blushed furiously, ducking his chin to his chest.
Isabella couldn't help but allow her own blush to singe her cheeks. "Come on bathroom?"
"Oh yeah," Phineas groaned. She helped him stand on wobbly legs, easing him from the bedroom and across the hall to the bathroom. "I think-" he burped wincing at the taste in his mouth. Isabella helped him stumble forwards until he reached the porcelain toilet bowl. As soon as he was against the bowl he heaved, his shoulders quivering with the effort as he emptied his stomach. To his surprise Isabella stayed with him, rubbing his back in soothing motions as his heaving subsided.
"Anything left?" she asked, brushing his sweaty hair away from his forehead.
"I don't think-" he stopped as he dry heaved again, bile dribbling from his mouth as he flung himself against the bowl.
"Easy," Isabella soothed. "You'll be fine,"
"I'm an idiot," Phineas moaned, pressing his face against the cool porcelain. "I thought that, at the party, it was kinda nice dancing with you," he shut his eyes and groaned as his head throbbed. "Made a deal with Django," he grinned.
"Made a deal with Django?" Isabella prompted, her cheeks heating from his comments about their dancing.
"He said that he'd heard from down the grapevine, as he put it, that you liked me as well. We said that we'd each go and try and get the people we liked. I think he was going for Katie,"
Isabella's face twisted into an unsightly frown. She was going to kill Katie.
"You okay?" Phineas sensed that he'd said the wrong thing, and turned towards her, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand.
"No," Isabella replied truthfully. She sighed, drawing her knees up to her chest and resting her chin against them. Phineas knew that this was one of her defensive positions, and she mostly used it when she was emotionally stressed. He scooted next to her and placed a tender hand on her knee.
"What's wrong?" he probed, reaching out and bringing her to him in a soft hug.
"Oh Phineas," she pressed her head into his shoulder. "What you heard was true. But it was through strict girl code that she wasn't supposed to tell anybody," her voice was muffled through his shirt and without thinking he pressed a comforting kiss against the top of her head. "I'll kill her," she muttered.
"Maybe it's Django you wanna kill, cause he's the one who told me. Sorry I've been so emotionally dense,"
"It's okay. You were-"
"Don't Isabella, I was stupid and you know it," he paused. "I'm not saying that it was your fault but why did you never say anything before?"
She lifted her head off his chest and gave him the look.
"Ah. I'm sorry, Isabella!" Phineas groaned, refusing to meet her eyes. To his surprise she cupped his cheek and guided her gaze to meet his.
"Don't be," she soothed her thumb against his stubble. "Don't be Phineas. Not all boys are emotionally tuned in as your brother, or Jeet, it takes time. I never wanted you to know. I didn't want to lose what we have."
"That's what I've been saying!" Phineas smiled.
"What?"
"I just didn't want to ask you out cause I was worried about our friendship. I didn't want something to go wrong and then lose you. I couldn't lose you as a friend Isabella,"
She was so touched by his words that a lump formed in her throat. She swallowed, stilling her tender motions on his cheek. "So we've gathered, from this horrible evening, that we both like each other. And we still don't know what to do about it?"
"Yeah," Phineas dead-panned. Still holding her as close to his chest as he dared. "So I know that we're sitting on a bathroom floor, I feel like death and I've just puked up everything from the last twenty four hours, but would it be crazy enough time to ask you on a date? I mean if you say no, it's not going to be the worst thing that's happened to me tonight,"
Isabella smiled, although she didn't know what to say. It surprised her, she had dreamed of the moment where Phineas would ask her out on a date, but now he had, her brain had ground to a halt. She saw she had taken to long to answer as she watched his face fall, and an embarrassed blush rise to his cheeks.
"Oh-"
"No Phineas! I mean, yes I would love to go on a date. If that's what you want to do," she cursed herself inwardly for rambling.
Phineas gave her one of his famous mega-watt smiles. "Really?"
"Yes, I mean, yes!" she giggled, dropping her hand from his cheek and resting it on his chest.
"That's awesome! I have no idea what we're gonna do but I'll think of something," suddenly he paled, all the colour draining from his face as he pushed her out of his embrace. He spun round and dry heaved, letting out hacking coughs as his stomach regurgitated the last of his night's escapades. "That's not what I think of dating you," he managed to mutter as he pressed his forehead against the cold porcelain.
Isabella couldn't help but smile and shake her head. She knew that the rest of the night would be left tending to Phineas, but she didn't mind. She wondered what the rest of the coming days would hold.
Voices woke Phineas the next afternoon. He blinked awake, frowning as he felt his brain throb through his temples. Scrubbing his hands through his shaggy hair he pulled himself into a sitting position. He glanced to the bedside table and saw that there was a scrawled note sitting next to a glass of water and two paracetamol.
For the headache. Isabella xxx
He grinned and downed the water, taking the pills as he did so. Leaving the bed was a greater effort though. He swung his legs over the side, wincing as the room span slightly, before settling into its rightful place. Yawning himself awake he stood, stretched, and headed downstairs. The voices grew louder as he reached the landing. In his muddled state he recognised his brother, Buford and Isabella, but he couldn't place the third, and he wondered where on earth Baljeet was.
"And he awakes!" Buford crowed sarcastically as Phineas entered the adjoined living room and dining room. He shot the larger boy a playful scowl and took the only spare seat at the table. Isabella immediately set a mug of tea down in front of him, and sat in the chair next to him. He grinned at her, not being able to stop the blush from tinting the tips of his ears.
"Morning Phineas," he turned to the voice, surprised to see Cadance's friend Vanessa sitting at the table.
"Vanessa?" he queried, before he took a long drink from his mug.
She grinned at him.
"Ferb rang her as soon as he realised that the drug which had been used to spike the punch last night was a new one on the market," Isabella explained.
"Your dad works as a pharmacist? Or something like that if I remember right," Phineas tried. His brain was still pounding beneath his temples, and he was desperately trying to be his normal chipper self.
"Well kind of," Vanessa replied. "But I know he knows people that can get this drug analysed and see if they can track down the supplier. What the guys were telling me about your and Baljeet's highs seemed like nothing I've ever seen before,"
Ferb raised his eyebrow and gave her a wondering glance.
"Not like that Ferb, you know me," she rolled her eyes. "Anyway seeing as Phineas is up I might as well get going. Any other problems text me okay?"
Ferb sighed and nodded. Phineas watched, even in his hung over state he was confused to the way that his brother was reacting to Vanessa's answers. The elder boy left to walk her to her car and Phineas raised an eyebrow.
"He's totally hitting on that," Buford smirked knowingly and Phineas blinked in surprise.
"What?"
"'im and that Vanessa chick are gettin' it on," Buford elaborated, rolling his eyes. "'e's been goin' out with 'er for a while,"
"Why hasn't he told me this?" Phineas blurted. Betrayal settling deep in his gut. He wrapped his hands around the mug, stilling into a frustrated and angered silence. Realising at that he'd touched a sore spot Buford stood.
"Righ' I'm off down the Seven Eleven, gonna grab summit for breakfast, you guys want anythin'?"
Phineas shook his head, still glowering at the dark wooden table.
"Righ'. Yo Jeet we're off!" Buford called, and to Phineas' surprise a rather energetic Baljeet appeared from the bathroom. He was dressed in different clothes to the night before and grinned when he saw Phineas.
"You are up. How are you feeling?" he asked kindly.
"Great," Phineas grinned, however there was a hint of sarcasm to his tone. "How come you're not feeling it?"
"I was feeling it," Baljeet countered. "I woke up far earlier than you. Then it hit me. I am feeling far better now though,"
"'e was pukin' forever. I've never seen so much sick!" Buford crowed delightedly. Baljeet blushed furiously and glowered at the larger boy.
"Come on we must get something to eat. I am, as you say, starved!"
"Fine, fine," Buford muttered. "We'll be back in a bit,"
Phineas nodded, and turned back to his tea, ignoring them as they left the house. He and Isabella were now left together in an oppressive silence. Neither of them wanted to be the first to break the awkward air surrounding them. Phineas rested his chin on his hand, staring into space. He was jolted from his revere as Isabella gently touched his arm.
"You know why Ferb didn't want to tell you right?" she consoled gently.
Phineas grunted.
"There's a six year age difference between Ferb and Vanessa. I think he was a little unsure where to take it-"
"He talked to you as well?" Phineas bit out, his face twisted into an amalgamation of confusion and annoyance.
"Phineas listen he was going to tell you. It's been really rocky for them. She's been studying at John Hopkins in research, that's half way across the country! The only reason that she's back is cause she's got a reading week this week. Ferb's barely been able to see her, let alone speak to her face to face,"
Empathy was beginning to edge into the back of Phineas' mind. However he was still angry, and frustrated, but he could see why his brother wanted to keep his blossoming relationship on the down low.
"I'm still mad," Phineas sighed, glancing across to her and meeting her eyes. "It's frustrating that he won't trust me with things like this,"
"I know," Isabella soothed. "He was going to tell you, but Buford spilled the beans, like normal. Just don't take it out on him okay?"
Phineas grunted and tried to feel angry, but as Isabella's explanation of his brother's complicated relationship started to unravel he realised that he couldn't.
"Just don't have a go at him. Promise me that," Isabella begged, placing her hand on top of his and giving it a light squeeze. "You feeling okay?"
"I promise," he muttered dully, unable to stop the blush from rising to his cheeks from their brief contact. Without thinking he tilted his hand up and enclosed her hand in his, weaving his fingers through hers and noticing that they seemed to slot together perfectly.
She smiled at him, and he grinned back.
"I'm feeling a lot better," Phineas admitted. "Did someone go and get fresh clothes for Jeet?"
"I did a couple of rounds this morning. I thought you would appreciate something clean. I had to make up one hell of a lie to get around your Mom. She's got killer instincts!"
"I know right!" he paused. "Wait did that mean you went through my underwear draw?!"
To his delight a blush dusted across her tanned cheeks. "No! I vaguely told about the party and that we crashed over at Buford's. Linda grabbed some stuff for me and said if either of you came home with a hangover you were dead,"
Phineas groaned. "You serious about the last part?"
Isabella smirked, her eyes sparkling with withheld laughter. "You're so easy to wind up! You'd better go and get a shower. You kinda stink,"
"Ever the honest one," Phineas downed the rest of his cooling tea and stood, pulling his other hand from Isabella's soft grip. It surprised him how easy it was to fall into an odd state of pre-dating flux. Where their relationship was somehow normal, but somehow different at the same time. He realised it must resign to the fact that both of them were treading on relatively new territory when it came to this side of teenage life.
"I'll be right back," he promised, and then paused. "Where's my stuff?"
"I left it on the chair in the spare room you were staying in. Silly me thought that you would take hygiene into account,"
"Hey! I'm not that bad!"
Isabella raised her eyebrows. Arching it elegantly in a questioning stare. The opening of the front door broke their playful banter, and Phineas turned to see his brother kicking off his shoes in the living-room. Something sour settled in the pit of his stomach as he met his brother's eyes. "I'm going to have a shower," he decided. He turned quickly on his heel and headed up the stairs.
It was Thursday before Phineas finally relented his stubborn silence against his brother. He knew that if he kept the conflict running that his Mom would find out soon then they would have anticipated. Part of him was still furious that his brother was keeping something like this from him, they'd always shared everything between each other, and they had an unspoken pact about no secrets. He sighed, chewing on his pencil as he thought over the physics questions for his next class. He was now in study hall, and the time alone had given him time to think.
"Hey. What'cha doing?" he grinned at Isabella as she joined him on his table at the far side of the room. The table itself was nestled in-between several shelves at the far side of the library. It was a good place to think.
"Physics," he replied, moving over so she could nestle with him in the alcove. They'd still not been on their first date, (deciding to leave it for the weekend) but affectionate hugs and quick kisses were something that both teens had mutually decided they rather enjoyed.
"You still thinking about Ferb?" Isabella broke the silence as she pulled out her biology books.
Phineas sighed, tapping his pencil methodically against the desk.
"I'll take that as a yes then," Isabella refrained from rolling her eyes, and instead, leaned across him so she could take a pen from his pencil case. "So are you going to stop being so stubborn?"
Phineas shrugged, marking down the answer to one particular equation. He realised that he was finding this more difficult then normal. His brother was more the brains of the operation, and they normally worked through homework together. To his response Isabella sighed and placed a hand on his knee, squeezing it gently.
"This isn't like you Phineas,"
"I know," the teen dropped his pencil, sending it clattering onto the desk, and scrubbed a hand through his hair. "I'm just so wound up at the moment. Y'know, with everything else,"
"Have you got any more calls?"
"Only a couple, but it's an immediate drop of the phone as soon as I go to answer it. It's getting weird," he couldn't help but smile as Isabella started to sooth her thumb across his knee.
"Are you still not going to tell your Mom?"
"Nope," Phineas shook his head in defiance. "We sorted out bigger threats when we were kids. I mean what damage could this do to us?"
Isabella didn't look impressed by his answer.
"Look I'll talk to Ferb okay? I'm just sick of people taking advantage of me right now. It's getting annoying,"
"I know," she soothed, and lent forwards, pressing her lips to his in a quick sweet kiss. Before Phineas had even the time to react she'd pulled herself away.
"I mean if you keep jumping me with those I won't even have any time to think!" Phineas joked, leaning forwards and tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, loving the way that she blushed furiously at his tender gesture.
"You'll promise me you'll talk to Ferb?"
"Fine," Phineas pouted. "But only if you let me take you out on a date on Friday night,"
"That's a deal,"
"Hey Ferb!" Ferb turned to see his brother racing towards him, skirting around students as they flooded out of the main corridor. Surprised that his stubborn brother was now talking to him again he stopped and waited for the red-head to catch up. "Thanks bro," the two started to walk in tandem, exiting the school and heading towards their car.
"You know why I'm angry at you don't you?" Phineas prompted as they reached the car. Throwing the bags into the back seats and taking their preferred places.
Ferb blinked, clipping on his seatbelt and resting his hands on the wheel.
"Ferb don't do this too me!" Phineas growled, fastening his own buckle and glowering at his brother. "You know everything that's going on at the moment! The last thing I need is a brother who lies to me! We're best friends!"
Ferb sighed and pulled out of the parking lot. He drummed his fingers against the wheel of the old refurbished car. "I didn't want to tell you,"
"What?" Phineas glanced across at him to see his brother's jaw tightened in frustration.
"I didn't want to tell you because we were rocky at the start and still are now,"
"Oh," Phineas picked at a loose thread on the car seat, scratching at a dent in the leather. "Sorry,"
Ferb shrugged.
"You're okay now?" Phineas probed, wondering how much he could get his brother to open up about his personal life.
Ferb was silenced.
"What are you doing this weekend? We could build something. Y'know like when we were kids?"
"I'm driving down to visit Vanessa. She's having a tough time of it at the moment,"
"Why?"
"She wants to drop out of collage. She says it might not be for her," Ferb sighed, his shoulders sagging. "The last thing I want is for her to make a massive mistake, and to be part of that mistake,"
"Woah, you love her don't you?" Phineas deducted. His question was answered by his brother's reaction. The teen's face flushed brilliantly, and he turned his eyes back onto the road, determined not too look Phineas in the face.
"Suppose I do," Ferb muttered, drumming his fingers on the wheel. "I just don't want to be the one to get in her way," they turned the corner into their road.
"If she really cares about you then she'll understand. I highly doubt she'll wanna dump you," Phineas tried to ease his brother's worries and to his surprise was met with a raised eyebrow.
"Since when were you so emotionally tuned?" Ferb smirked, easily swinging the old car around and reversing up their drive.
"Don't tell Mom, but me and Isabella, well..." Phineas trailed off, a blush sprouting over his cheeks as his brother grinned knowingly. "Don't give me that look Ferb!" he complained. The pair exited the car and headed into the house. "I asked her in the worst possible way!"
"Asked who? Hello boys!" their dad's head popped up from underneath the kitchen cupboards.
"Dad didn't see you there!" Phineas grinned, clutching his heart dramatically as he dumped his bag next to the couch.
"Don't mind me, your mother asked me to fix up the pipe in the kitchen sink, I was wondering if one of you boys could give me a hand," Lawrence smiled at his two boys.
"Yeah sure Dad," Phineas moved around the counter, crouching next to his father.
"A letter came in the post, one for each of you," Lawrence stated, leaning back on the counter as he washed his hands. Ferb had now joined his brother at the sink, both crouching down to observe the pipe. "Something from Stark Industries,"
Phineas' reaction was instantaneous, he leapt upwards, smacking his head on the bottom of the counter and stumbling backwards in surprise. Lawrence caught his arm so his son didn't fall, surprised by the teen's reaction.
"Everything okay there Phin?" he asked softly.
Ignoring the pain in the back of his head Phineas' eyes darted around the kitchen for the mysterious letter. "Where's the letter Dad?" he blurted, his mind now entirely focused on that one aspect.
"They're here," surprised by his son's reaction Lawrence handed Phineas his letter. He watched the boy's reaction closely. Over the last couple of months he'd noticed his son becoming more and more withdrawn. Something was going on, and something was wrong. He knew it, it was a feeling that had rooted itself deep in his gut. Shaking the feeling away Lawrence watched as his boy ripped open the letter.
"FERB!" Phineas bellowed, unable to control his excitement. "We've got instant scholarships to Stark's industries! Demanded from Tony Stark himself! Look you've got one too!" the suddenly animated teen thrust his brother's letter into Ferb's hand, visibly shaking with excitement.
Ferb on the other hand had a different reaction from his brother. Initially shocked from the offer the elder teen had (easily and quickly) finished the sink and had now stood, pulling himself up from the floor and carefully regarding the letter.
"It says here we can start as soon as we graduate in the summer! He's offering full tuition to a nearby university of our choice, and wants us to take a part time course in a scientific subject. We'll get vocational practise, free teaching, free meals, free dorms! The whole package!" Phineas had finally stilled, regarding his brother with a soft stare. "You okay Ferb?"
Ferb nodded, still overwhelmed with the offer. He knew the magnitude of the situation. Intern-ships anywhere were hard to get at an undergraduate level, and it was obvious that Mr. Stark wanted the dream team to influence his company. However he had been quietly planning his future, away from the prying eyes of his friends, and the overbearing suggestions from his family. Ever so often he'd asked his Mother for help, but that was few and far between. He sighed, knowing that the situation would most likely gravitate towards him going with his brother, not that he minded.
"Well boys, I have no idea who this Mr Stark is, or how you have been talent spotted, but this is great news! You should tell your Mum. She'll be so proud," Lawrence couldn't help but gush. He knew that it would bring some rifting between his boys, as he knew of Ferb's preferences for his own future, however he wanted to relish in the now.
"Yeah, Dad I can't wait to tell Isabella! This is going to be amazing!" Phineas was bouncing on the balls of his feet, his phone already pulled from his pocket as he quickly typed away.
Suddenly Lawrence remembered something. "You're mother wanted me to ask. Has everything been okay with you two recently? We were both worried,"
Phineas and Ferb looked at each other, expertly judging each other's facial expressions before deciding on an answer.
"Yes we are fine," Ferb replied calmly, pocketing the letter in his coat and thinking that he'd talk to Vanessa about it later.
"Yes, yes we are," Phineas grinned, suddenly his phone buzzed, and he answered the call. "I know right! I'm so totally buzzing right now! Yes I talked to Ferb, we're cool," he suddenly realised that he was standing in the kitchen with his Dad and his brother. Ferb gave him a knowing smirk whilst his father raised his eyebrows. "Sorry gotta go Izzy," Phineas killed the call, grinning abashedly as he pocketed the phone.
"So you boys okay?" Lawrence was practically beaming with pride. "I think you've earned yourselves more than just a weekend off,"
"Actually Dad could I talk to you about this weekend?" Ferb questioned, and Phineas realised that it was now time to make his exit. It was almost on autopilot when he headed out of the house and across the road. He knocked as he reached the front door, bouncing on his heels as he waited for someone to answer. He was almost knocked off his feet as Isabella tackled him into a surprise hug when she opened the door. His arms closed across her waist automatically as she fitting snugly into his grip.
"You're amazing did you know that?" she gushed, reaching up to brush a quick kiss across his cheek. Surprised by her sudden bout of boldness Phineas was about to lean in and kiss her back, but she pressed a finger to his lips. "Not outside. I don't know when Mom's back,"
Nodding in realisation he followed her into the house, taking his usual seat at the counter-top as she made him a drink.
"So are you going to go for it?" she asked, joining him on the counter, and watching as he swung his legs back and forth.
"I don't know. I want to, but I think he wants us both. Sounds weird but I never really thought about what's going to happen after school,"
"You're worried about losing Ferb?"
Phineas nodded, growing suddenly silent and stopped his swinging legs. "What if he doesn't want anything to do with this?"
"You know he's got to make his own decisions," the kettle whistled as it came to the boil, penetrating their conversation.
"I know," Phineas sighed, watching as Isabella moved around the kitchen, preparing their drinks. "What do I do? I mean we talked about him and Vanessa. He's driving to see her this weekend, apparently she's having trouble about staying in collage,"
"That's got to be hard," Isabella replied, finishing their drinks and handing Phineas his. "You want to head upstairs? We could watch a movie or something,"
"Sounds great," the two made their way up to Isabella's room, and once inside Phineas flopped down onto his normal side of the bed, kicking off his shoes as he did so. As he relaxed he realised that this was the first time in Isabella's room since before they had become emotionally and physically intimate. For some reason this fact made him more nervous than it had done before. Shrugging off the feeling he reclined onto the bed, resting his hands behind his head as he watched Isabella move about the room. A thought came to him. "Have you thought about collages?"
She nodded in answer to his question, but didn't give a verbal reply, concerned Phineas pulled himself into a sitting position, feeling the bed dip from the readjustment of his weight. "What's up?"
"I applied for Harvard, and didn't get in," she sighed, perching on the edge of her bed. "I didn't want to tell any of you because I didn't want to be a disappointment,"
"Hey," Phineas scooted to her part of the bed, his arms wrapping around her in an automatic hug as he rested his cheek on her hair. "You're too good for Harvard anyway,"
"I got an offer for Oxford in England," she stated. "I have to travel over in a few weeks for an interview, they have a different system to ours. I have to take an exam," she paused. "I applied to Browns, Princeton, and Cornell, I don't get any of those acceptance letters until second semester,"
"So if you take the Oxford place you'll be in England for most of the year?" Phineas realised, and without thinking he pulled her a little closer to his chest.
"I don't know, I'll have to think about it. Funnily enough it might be the best option, they give massive scholarships to international students,"
"Yeah," Phineas replied absentmindedly.
"Phin, please say something," she turned in his embrace. "I'm sorry I didn't say anything before. I just didn't want to put any more pressure on you. I know how you don't like thinking about the future,"
He gave her a small smile. "You know I'm behind you every step of the way. Best friend or boyfriend, you know that right?"
Isabella smiled, hugging him furiously and pressing her face into his chest.
"Wanna watch this movie?"
"The second avengers movie good?" she prodded him so he scooted backwards so he was resting against the headboard.
"Yeah, I love that movie," Phineas patted the spot beside him and she rolled her eyes joining him and tucking her shoulders underneath his arm. "Y'know I think I'm getting better at not being so emotionally stunted,"
Isabella rolled her eyes, pillowing her cheek against his shoulder and letting out a sigh. Perfectly content. As the movie rolled on she began to feel more and more comfortable against him. The nerves, which had previously settled tight against her belly were now none existent, and she was loving the feeling of his fingers drawing light absent-minded patterns against exposed shoulder. Without thinking she hooked her legs over his hips, so she was resting flush against his side, and her head was cushioned against his chest. His arm moved so it was resting against the curve of her hip, his fingertips lightly brushing the skin just above the waistband of her jeans. A surprising shiver went through her and she snuggled down closer into his embrace. Part of her desperately wanted to kiss him, but she didn't know how he'd respond. Their displays of affection were more sweet and short rather than hot and heated, and she knew that Phineas was not a natural when it came to romantic displays of affection. She sighed.
"You okay?" his voice surprised her, and she wondered if she'd been thinking out loud.
"I'm fine," she muttered, becoming suddenly engrossed in a loose thread of his shirt.
"No you're not, talk to me Bella," his pet names for her always made her warm. She realised that he had now developed a string of names for different situations. Izzy, for when they were with close friends, Isa, for when they were around in public, and Bella. Bella was a new, far more affectionate term that he had recently coined. He only seemed to use it when they were alone, or intimate. It was something special that they shared with each other, and it was nice having small secrets.
"I'm just thinking," she twisted the orange thread on his shirt around her finger.
"Bout what?" he soothed her agitated gestures by placing his hand lightly over hers.
How I really want to kiss you. She thought, her eyes flickering up to his. Yet, she didn't want to scare him off by being too forwards. She knew that she'd loved him for as long as she could remember, but she didn't quite know where Phineas stood in the entire matter.
"You know you don't have to ask me," Phineas smirked, leaning in and pressing his lips tightly against hers. For a second Isabella was completely stumped, one of her hands enclosed in Phineas' soft grip and the other resting on the pillow of her bed. When she realised what was happening her mind shuddered back into overdrive. Without even thinking she looped her arms around Phineas' neck, kissing him back just as hard. She sighed as he drew her on top of him, using his wiry frame to keep her supported over his chest.
Soon enough they had to break away for air, and the pair pulled back, both breathing hard with stupid smiles over their faces. Isabella's forehead fell against Phineas' and her dark brown eyes met his blue ones. Phineas grinned up at her, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear. He leaned up to kiss her again, his arms snaking around her back and pulling her closer. Phineas couldn't get enough. He was hyper aware of every soft sigh that she made, every subtle movement of her body against his. Something in the back of his mind clicked. He really didn't want to be anywhere else.
He was feeling suddenly overwhelmed by the emotional electric current that was running through him. Things were clicking together, slowly at first but then in an increasing exponential turmoil that raced through his mind and left him almost breathless. Pulling away he swallowed a lump of air that had lodged itself in his throat.
He'd realised that he needed her as much as he needed air.
Phineas tried stilling the furious pounding of his heart and rested his head back against the headboard on her plush double bed. His fingers danced across Isabella's back nervously, trying to find a place to rest, otherwise they might have sought out far dubious destinations.
"Phineas?" Isabella's voice hauled him from his racing thoughts.
"Hmmm," he responded. "Sensory overload," his eyes met hers and to his surprise she giggled.
"That's kinda sweet,"
Phineas raised his eyebrow, and lent into kiss her again. He found that it was just as nice to receive a kiss as to initiate one. His wandering hands slid to her bum, slipping themselves into the creases of her faux pockets. Feeling more secure about his position he kissed her harder, slipping his tongue through her lips. He couldn't help but feel immensely emasculated as he heard her slip out a sigh, before pushing her hands into his hair and running her fingernails across his scalp. His reaction was instantaneous, he groaned heatedly, pushing her against him as he battled her for some type of victory.
Suddenly she pulled away, her cheeks flushed and her breathing laboured, Phineas feared that he'd done something wrong, but her hands where still in his hair so he'd presumed not.
"What's wrong?" he asked worriedly, wondering if he'd been too assertive.
"Someone's at the door," Isabella replied, dropping her hands to his shoulders and sitting across his hips.
"Phineas!" to his surprise he heard his sister's voice echoing dully through the door and up to the bedroom. "Phineas! I need words with you! You're so busted!" he frowned across at Isabella. His sister hadn't used that phrase since they were eleven.
"Geeze, I better get this," Phineas sighed, scrubbing a hand through his dishevelled hair. He paused. "Wait. I thought the make outs were supposed to happen after the take me outs?"
Isabella blushed and grinned, slapping him playfully on the chest as she slipped off him and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "You'd better get going. I think she really wants to talk to you," she paused. "I'll be down in a minute,"
Heaving himself off the soft bed Phineas rubbed his hands through his hair, trying to smooth the unruly mess of tendrils down into a more reasonable look.
"She'll know," Isabella warned, snatching a brush up from her dresser and combing her unruly hair. "Go before she busts a vein,"
"I'm gone," Phineas replied. Readjusting himself he headed back downstairs to the kitchen, his brain working in overdrive to try and work out why his sister had hunted him down at such a strange hour. His sister and Jeremy normally visited twice a month from their small down town apartment, but ever since the pregnancy was confirmed their visits had become more and more frequent. Phineas wasn't bothered, however, he was glad to help the young couple with anything they needed.
"PHINEAS!" Cadance's voice was now loud enough for the whole street to hear.
"I'm coming!" Phineas called as he reached the door. Pulling it open he was about to greet his sister but to his shock she grabbed him across his collar and snarled into his face.
"What the hell are you thinking!" she growled, kicking the door shut with her foot she manoeuvred him into the kitchen. "What were you thinking?"
"'Bout what Cadance?" Phineas gasped.
"Contacting that ass hat again!" she dropped him to his feet, and the younger red-head stumbled backwards, rubbing the collar of his shirt and trying to ease the quickening tightness of his chest.
"How do you?" he started, fear cementing itself quickly into his stomach.
"Because he bumped into me at work today!" Candace almost sobbed, her eyes glistening with unshead tears. "I had to treat him like a normal customer. He gave me his number and said that I should meet him,"
"What? He's constantly ringing me but, none other than that! That's insane. Don't go Cadance!" Phineas slammed his palms down onto the counter top. Scraping his fingers across the vinyl to try and control his anger. "You're not going are you?"
Cadance almost exploded with fury. "You think I'd put Amanda in danger? Do you?" she placed a protective hand across her swollen belly. "I need something to drink,"
Phineas immediately navigated to the cupboard with the glasses and poured his bigger sister a pint of water. She took it from him and gulped half of the liquid down in a desperate attempted to calm her rising anxiety. Cadance lent against the counter, resting her shaking legs against the lower cupboards.
"I'm sorry I grabbed you," she apologised, ducking her head in shame as she studied the bottom of her glass.
Phineas rubbed his throat, swallowing before eyeing his sister. "I think that's okay. I mean you didn't hurt me,"
"I was so worried, Phin! I knew it was him as soon as I saw him! I had to come and make sure that Mom and you were okay!" she downed the rest of the water and placed the glass on the counter.
"What's going on down here?" Isabella's voice sounded from the top of the stairs, and she followed soon afterwards, worry etched across her features.
"It's fine Bella," Phineas soothed, (ignoring the raised eyebrow from his sister). "Cadance was just worried,"
"He's after you too?" Isabella probed, realising what they were talking about.
"How do you-" Cadance began.
"Phin's been telling me everything since day one," Isabella explained calmly, coming to stand next to her boyfriend's side. "I know,"
"Oh," Cadance rubbed her arm. "So you know everything?"
"Not everything," Isabella admitted softly. "But enough to realise that he's an absolute bastard,"
Cadance sent her a small watery smile. "I think I'll be staying at Mom's tonight. I don't feel safe knowing that he knows where I live,"
"I'll be over there tonight too. Me and Ferb will whip up some face recognition software you can take home with you tonight,"
"Thanks," she paused wanting to find a different topic to resort too. "Wait what are you two doing? Where are the," she suddenly grinned, noting the slightly disheveled look of her brother and the freshly brushed hair of Isabella. She wasn't that easily fooled. "You sly dog Phineas,"
Phineas blushed from his ears to his cheeks, rubbing the back of his neck as he shuffled on his feet.
"Anyhow, I'd better get back and leave you kids too it," she smiled. "Sorry for interrupting," she turned just as she was heading for the door. "Phineas, Mom wants you back for dinner tonight, so no sleepovers," she let out a bark of laughter as Isabella's face flushed a scarlet red and Phineas glowered at her teasing.
"You can leave now," Phineas prompted, crossing his arms over his chest and giving her a pointed look.
"Fine I'm gone," Cadance opened the door, grinning as Isabella rested her forehead on Phineas' bicep, trying to hide her furious blush. "I have at least tease him some of the time, otherwise I'd not be doing my job!"
"Cadance!" Phineas snapped, although there no hint of annoyance in his voice, and his face was graced with a playful smile.
"I'm gone! Cadance out! Peace!" With her signature salute the elder woman left the house. Phineas sighed and shook his head fondly. His sister could really be a mix of tumultuous emotions. He glanced down at Isabella who was still resting her head against his arm.
"You can stop being so embarrassed now," he smirked. She glowered up at him playfully, narrowing her eyes and shoving his shoulder lightly. "Look she's my sister, she's allowed. And besides now that she's gone we can continue where we left off," he grinned playfully and trapped her between his body and the counter.
"Well I suppose, but then again," she expertly slipped out of his trap and vaulted over the counter top, a playful grin streaking cross her face. "You'll have to catch me first,"
Momentarily taken aback by her playful taunting Phineas was stunned. It didn't last long however, when he heard her laughter and her footsteps stampeding up the stairs. Shaking his head and grinning he chased her playfully up to her room. His thoughts turning more into the now, rather than the last few minutes before. However the last few minutes definitely escaped his mind when he managed to capture Isabella again. Pressing her up against the door frame as they stumbled into her room, his lips desperately attached to hers as they collapsed onto her plush double bed.
He was definitely not thinking about any of that, now.
For sure.
That was exceptionally long! Sorry! I hope you enjoyed it though! Later on I might split it in two, but it all depends on how this goes.
Hope you're all well and please leave a review if you want!
Thanks, ciao!
LostLyra.