So guys, what's up? I know this might seem like an odd time for an update, but I'm a night owl, and I can pretty much guarantee I would never have had time to update this on New Year's Eve. Also, this might be upsetting to hear, but I've really started losing the inspiration for this story. *dead silence* Whoa, don't all freak out now! First of all, I would never cancel this story; it's my most popular and some of my best work. Second of all, I'm certainly still full of ideas for it. I just feel like maybe it's losing some zest that it used to have. So I think I'm going to take some time to refine the newer chapters, and try to make them the best they can be. Meanwhile, you review each new chapter, and seriously, tell me exactly what you think about the tone/quality of the writing, when compared to the beginning and middle. I just want to be able to reread my stories and not want to rewrite everything. Does that make sense?

I don't like secrets. They're like little demons in your head, trying to force you to let them out. Which is pretty much why everybody knew about my crush on Phineas. Everything about me has been secret lately. I'm sneaking around and hiding things from my best friends. And for what? So I can fall in love with Ferb and have to keep that secret too? I really really want to tell him.

I was at home. Maybe I was waiting for him to make the first move this time. There was more than a fifty percent chance Ferb liked me. He didn't tell me specifically, but just by the way he kissed me, and spoke to me, or by the way he avoided my attempts to get him to confess anything, there was a very high probability he would consider giving me a chance. Please please give me a chance!

But he had hung up on me yesterday. I don't know why Ferb called from his apartment, but I bet it's Baljeet's fault. And of course, Phineas and his bad timing had to show up then. He just wanted to say hi.

I sighed. Poor Phineas. Ferb and I had both kind of been weaseling our way around him. But I didn't really want to talk to him. Talking to Phineas would bring up all sorts of doubts in my mind about myself. And I just couldn't let that happen, not when I was determined to tell Ferb I love him.

I wanted to see him. I left my apartment and knocked loudly on his door. No answer. "Baby," I called softly. "You home? I really want to tell you something." The door opened and I shrunk away from it in horror. "Phineas!"

"Hey, Isabella!" He said brightly.

"Did you hear me?" I asked.

"I heard you knock." He said.

"And nothing else?" I inquired.

"No…" He stared at me. "Would you come in for a second, Isabella?"

I nodded, and followed him in. "Where's Ferb?" I asked timidly.

"I don't know. I hope he's all right. He's been acting weird again, and practically avoiding me. And now Baljeet and Buford have even started doing it!" Phineas said.

I didn't even know what to say. He looked so sad. I don't know why the guys would ignore Phineas. Ferb wasn't even with me. "You'll always have me, Phineas." I said comfortingly.

He looked up at me and smiled. "I know. Do you want to sit down?" He gestured towards the couch. We sat down.

I was puzzled. Why does everybody have to be so secretive?

"So, umm, what have you been up to Isabella?" He asked.

"Nothing." I said half-heartedly. "What about you?

"Oh, well, I had some new plans for the ultimate candy; sweet, sour, nutty, crunchy, fudgy, all combined…"

He started rambling. My eyes began to wander until they landed on a photo on the table. A younger Phineas… with his arm around a younger Meredith.

"Phineas," I grabbed the photograph. "Who is this?" I questioned angrily.

"Meredith." He said simply.

"Who is she? Why was she over here the other day?" All my questions started pouring out. "What were you two doing at the bakery? Why are you keeping secrets from me?" I almost felt like crying. There was so much more I wanted to say. Why did you betray me? I love you. What is it about me that you don't like? Why can't you treat me… the way Ferb treats me?

"Whoa, Isabella, what's wrong?" He exclaimed.

"Just tell me." I whimpered.

"Meredith and I were pals in college. That's where this picture is from. She was a little too antisocial to meet all of you guys, so she didn't." He said plainly.

"Well, did you ever… like her?" I asked.

"No." He chuckled. "Even if I did, I'd be out of luck."

"Why?" I asked.

"I'm… not really her type." He responded.

"Well, what about Minka then?" I said sharply. "Who's she?"

"Meredith's fiancée." He said.

"Meredith's… wait," I stopped. "So, they… "

Phineas smiled. "They're just about the perfect couple. They're getting married next summer. Merry wanted me to help plan the wedding. So, you know, I had to get their opinions on everything, like the cake at the bakery."

My hand floated over my mouth for a second. "Phineas, you never…"

He arched an eyebrow at me. "What did you think I was doing, Isabella?"

"Nothing." I said.

Oh my god! OH MY GOD! Phineas had done NOTHING! He hadn't betrayed me, or anybody else. He had been doing a favor for his friend. He hadn't turned into a player. Ferb was right… I hadn't known the whole story. I could've just asked Phineas who Minka was. Instead… I WENT AND FUCKED HIS BROTHER!

"Oh my god!" I covered my face with my hands.

"Isabella, are you okay?" Phineas asked.

Oh my god, no! No no no! Isabella, what the hell have you done? Why would you ever give up on Phineas Flynn, the most wonderful boy in the world? And why… I felt like beating my head against a wall… why would you actually follow through on ridiculous advice, and become friends-with-benefits with his brother and best friend, Ferb? And bare both your body and soul to Ferb until you're helplessly in love with him? And now you really can't decide because your old feelings for Phineas are back and just as strong as your new ones for Ferb! NO!

"Isabella, you really don't look well." Phineas said in a concerned voice.

"No, I'm fine." I really did sound like I was about to cry.

"Izzy?" He gently stroked my head.

"Oh… Phineas." No! NO! I haven't said that in so long but now… I'm back to gushing over Phineas.

"Isabella, would you like to be my date to the Mayor's charity ball tomorrow night?" Phineas asked.

"What?" I gasped.

"Yeah. Ferb and I got four invitations." He said.

"Who's… Ferb going with?" I asked cautiously.

"Nobody." Phineas said. "He backed out, and gave his two passes to Baljeet and Ginger." I closed my eyes. Ferb. I didn't even know what to think. "Anyway, I kind of need a date." Phineas said.

"Date?" I whispered.

"Yeah, I was kind of hoping," He looked at me with big hopeful eyes. "Maybe you wouldn't mind going out with… me?"

Oh my god, I was going to pass out. Phineas really was my Prince Charming. "Phineas, I definitely want to go!" I cried, and I hugged him.

I think I'm going to have to keep my feelings for Ferb secret.

Whew! So what did you think? Ha, so were any of you right about Meredith and Minka? I can't believe myself; I just put Phinabella together AGAIN. Curse me. Please keep reading and please keep reviewing. There's a lot more coming up.

Love, Silver