Hi guys. Guess what I'm doing? It's called "screwing yourself over in the long run because you're tackling too many projects." But my Suite Life story is nearly complete, and I know I can do at least two stories at once. So this idea has been swirling around in my head for a little while. Not even sure why. But let me know if I should continue. It's rated M because I'm paranoid, and you never know...

Love, Silver

It happened last Friday, at around 6:07 PM. I was talking on the phone with him about how amazing summer was going to be and he said it. "You're one of my best friends, Isabella."

Was I happy? Oh, sure. Phineas is one of my best friends too. But those words stung in an entirely different way. It was only more proof that I was stuck in that evil little place. The dreaded… wait for it… FRIEND ZONE!

The friend zone is so utterly evil that I'm afraid I'm never going to get out of it. No matter what I do or say, it keeps me planted. I know the way to a guy's heart is friendship, but I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this up.

Sometimes I worry if maybe Phineas knows about my feelings for him and he's purposely banished me here. I know all too well how to do it myself. Baljeet? Banished! Buford? Banished! Irving? Triple, one thousand, quadruple times banished! Obviously, I don't need yet another guy friend.

Then again, if you look at how oblivious he is, you'd know he couldn't possibly know. I mean, I have made it obvious for him more than a few times. Even though I've shifted from the girl across the way to the girl across the hallway, it's all the same.

After everybody's graduation, Phineas and Ferb moved to a huge apartment in a gorgeous skyscraper they built in the center of Danville. I couldn't help but follow. Apparently, Baljeet and Buford wanted to follow too.

I can't believe Phineas doesn't miss the backyard. I never thought he'd be the first one to want to grow up. Phineas and Ferb work for the city, basically. They do whatever they feel like; organizing concerts, building amusement parks, making movies, only now they get paid for what they make, instead of just giving it away. Baljeet is the personal assistant to some big wig millionaire. I think he's just trying to climb to the top from there. Buford is trying to be a bodyguard. He says he even has experience. I don't have a job, per say. I know that somehow I'll get Phineas to fall for me and then we'll have a fabulous life together.

I was still stuck on that little phone conversation though. It had been running through my head all day. Gack! I could NOT stay in the friend zone with Phineas any longer. I couldn't even remember the last time I went on a real date. Oh yeah, it was during the summer of my freshman year of college. With some weird kid that smelt like turkey. I only went out with him to make Phineas jealous. Let's just say Phineas didn't get jealous, Turkey Boy ended up with a piece of cake smashed in his face, and I had to call Ferb to drive me home, and leave it at that.

Whatever. I couldn't keep letting my previous failures keep me down. I have a framed Fireside Girl sash with dozens of patches to prove that I can succeed at any task I put my mind to. In fact, I was going to hang out with the troop right now.

I headed out of my apartment with a new sense of optimism. I swirled my keys around on my finger for a second before slipping them back in my pocket. Then, I started whistling. My eyes must have been closed, because I crashed into the person coming out of the elevator.

"Ferb! Oh my gosh, I'm sorry!" I said.

He had been carrying several largish boxes, which were now scattered all over the ground. He sheepishly shrugged, and bent down to pick them up. I instantly bent down to help him.

"What are all these for anyway?" I asked. "You and Phineas building some new project?"

He shook his head no.

I looked him up and down. "Why are you dressed so nicely?" I tiptoed closer to him and took a deep breath. "And you're wearing some fancy cologne!" Ferb blushed super red. I giggled. "What are you up to, Ferb?"

He mimed zipping his lips.

I pouted. "What! You can tell me Ferb. I'm like your best friend." Well, I probably come in behind all three other guys, but still. I'm pretty sure I'm his best girl friend.

He rolled his eyes. "Okay. I'm doing something special tonight."

"Ok, let me think for a minute here. You're doing something special tonight and it DOESN'T involve Phineas. Could it be… for a girl?" I said. Ferb blushed brightly again. "Ha! I knew it."

"Isabella," He said, "Why don't you go see what Phineas is doing?"

"Oookay, Romeo. But you do know that's the same place you're going, right?"

He let out a little groan.

"Relax Ferb. I was going out anyway. I'll swing by later." He nodded in acknowledgement.

I hit the elevator button as Ferb headed to his apartment. "Ferb!" I called out to him. He turned around to look at me. "Good luck on your… something special!"

I plopped down on a beanbag, but found myself sinking right in. "Katie, when are you going to get some real chairs?"

She shrugged. Katie can be… eclectic. Which would explain why her normally blonde hair was currently purple and curly. I didn't feel like asking about it.

"Isabella, no one really cares." Said Adyson, as she stretched out on hers like a cat.

I frowned. Adyson just really loves to irk me sometimes; from making up patch names to making fun of my feelings for Phineas. "I didn't come here to get picked on, Adyson." I said.

"She's not picking on you, Izzy. Just relax." Gretchen said to me, comfortingly.

"What do you guys want to talk about, then?" said Milly.

"Let's have a little talk about guys." Ginger said, giggling.

I smiled. Obviously, she wanted to talk about Baljeet. They recently got together. Unfortunately, I didn't win the pool that the girls and guys had set up. Too bad, because that would've been a nice chunk of change. I can't help wondering if maybe, just maybe, the gang has a pool set up for Phineas and me. I don't know whether that would make me feel happy or sad.

"Ok, Ginger, shoot." Holly said.

"Well, Baljeet took me out to dinner last night, and it was so romantic. I never though I would like Indian food so much." She said.

"Forget the food, Ginger, get to the juicy details." Adyson said.

"Yeah, like what was for… dessert?" Milly said, winking at her.

"Iced lemonade and a kiss on the cheek. Guys, we just started going out. And I know Baljeet will probably want to go really slow." She frowned. "I mean, look how long it took for us to even go on our first date."

"Too bad Ginger. I had A LOT of fun with Toby last night." Adyson said.

"Your stupid punk rock boyfriend?" I scoffed. "What's his idea of a lot of fun? Listening to metal music?"

"No," Adyson smirked, "More like so much fun my bra is still under his bed. Not like you would know."

"Addy, there's no reason to go attack Isabella." Gretchen said.

"Well, she made fun of Toby first!" She accused. "I would make fun of your Phineas, except he couldn't care less about who you sleep with."

"Shut up Adyson!" Now I was pissed off.

"When's the last time you even slept with anybody, Isabella?" She said.

"I'm not as slutty as you." I replied forcefully.

"Miss Morals, you can't even get your best friend to feel attraction towards you." She said spitefully.

At that point, I felt like crying. "Adyson, shut up! Why are you being so nasty?" Gretchen yelled. "Iz, you okay?"

Damn, those tears better not fall!

"Oh my gosh, Isabella." Adyson jumped over to me. "I am so sorry! I was just upset because of you insulting Toby." She sounded genuinely sorry.

"But you're right." I whimpered. "This morning I could barely remember my last real date, much less the last guy I slept with. All because Phineas doesn't even notice me! What if he never does? I'll be lonely forever!"

"You'll still have your friends." Holly commented.

"But that's not enough." I don't know if they'd get what I meant. It wasn't… intimate enough. Not like when you're in a real relationship.

"You know what you need Isabella?" Milly piped up. "Someone to… enjoy… who isn't a real boyfriend. That way, you can still find out if Phineas likes you without getting in a committed relationship."

"What?" I exclaimed.

"I believe the term most commonly used for that is 'friends with benefits'." Gretchen said.

"Girls," I held out my hand. "I am not that desperate or pathetic or whatever you're thinking, and I firmly believe that Phineas will show his true feelings to me someday." I wasn't sure how strong that belief actually was, but the girls were talking crazy! Friends with benefits? ME? And who exactly would be my "friend"? "I'm leaving right now."

I got up to go, and I heard them quietly muttering things along the lines of "Bye, Izzy.". Uggh. Obviously, they wanted to talk about me while I was gone.

By the time I was back in the apartment building, my anger had fizzled away. I wasn't really mad at the girls. They were only trying to help. The only person I was mad at was… Phineas! That stupid oblivious adorable sweet fantastic guy was the whole reason I was so messed up! Oh Phineas. That's it, I had to go tell him I loved him right this second!

I stormed across the hall and loudly knocked on his door. For some reason, I couldn't get the thought of having a "special" friend out of my mind. It would be weird, wouldn't it? It would be like betraying Phineas. Then again, Phineas isn't my boyfriend. And they wouldn't be a boyfriend; they'd be like a normal friend… but with sex. Why was I even thinking about this? Am I crazy? That's it, Isabella! Tell Phineas how you feel about him!

The door opened and so did my mouth. I was ready. Phineas, I'm in love with you and… the person at the door was not Phineas. It was this tall, gorgeous blonde, who looked like a super model. I just felt my mouth open and close like a fish.

"Bye Minka!" Phineas said, as he waved goodbye to the blonde.

MINKA! Who the hell was Minka? Was that even a name? I still looked like a fish.

"Hey Isabella. Did you need something?" Phineas turned and asked me.

"I…I…" Why on Earth did he have a hot girl coming out of his apartment? How could I tell him I loved him now? Adyson was right; Phineas couldn't care less about whom I was with, because he was off having fun himself. I was going to cry. I couldn't! Not now! "I just wanted to see if you were home." I finished lamely.

He smiled. "Well, I am. Ferb's not though."

"Ok." I nodded, and silently turned around. I guess he took it as his cue to close the door. As soon as it shut, I felt the tears start to fall.

Please review or PM and give me some opinions on whether I should continue!