Hey guys! Remember me? That girl who used to regularly update? She still exists. Okay, you knew I was sick, but did you also know... I'M LAZY. Surprise, surprise. Anyway, you guys have probably all been hoping for updates to all my junk. At least, I HOPE you were hoping :(

An outdoor concert. That's what Phineas had planned for us today. It was in the park, since we didn't have our own yard anymore, but it was still great. A big beautiful stage and aspiring artists performing; no professionals, just dreamers. We were starting at dusk, so that by the end of the show, we would light up fireworks. It was going to be beautiful. Phineas, for what it's worth, would be the world's best wingman, if only he understood the game a little more.

I sat down on my picnic blanket next to Vanessa. I smiled softly at her and she just barely smiled back. We were both wearing warm sweaters, since it was a little chilly out, and she had a black shawl over her shoulders. I know I've mentioned Vanessa isn't very big on smiles, but she still seemed so low. I couldn't bear to admit to myself that she's still missing her fiancé.

"Hi guys!" Phineas and Isabella approached us. He unrolled his own blanket for them to sit on. "Isn't this going to be cool?"

I glanced at Isabella. She was stunning, as always, but in an ice-blue turtleneck with matching eye shadow, she seemed particularly frosty towards all of us. I almost felt her prickling at the sight of me.

"Hi Phineas. Hi Isabella." Vanessa said sweetly. This was all so out-of-character. Vanessa was being the sweet, welcoming one, while Isabella was icy and distant.

"Isabella, sit here." Phineas said, as he sat down and patted the empty space next to him, with as much eagerness as a child trying to save a seat for a friend on the school bus. She sat down, but still didn't say anything. I couldn't tell if this was an attempt at being coy. If she wasn't careful, she would give Phineas the wrong impression, and that would be the end of their relationship. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world…

"Isabella, do you want a drink?" Phineas chirped.

"If I wanted one, I could've gotten one myself." Isabella snapped. Phineas stared at her. He had probably never seen Isabella as anything other than sweet. Welcome to the real world, brother. She's the most frustrating, irrational, distrusting, insane, attractive, addicting, amazing… she's not a ball of sugar.

"I'll take one." Vanessa piped up. Phineas handed her a soda, and took one for himself. "So, umm, what kind of stuff are these kids going to play?"

"Anything they want." Phineas said.

"Cool. I'd love to hear something by the Scraping Fangs." Vanessa replied. Isabella gave a little huff. Vanessa flipped towards her. "Something you want to say, Isabella?" She said sternly.

"Huh? Oh, nothing. I'm just listening." She said sweetly. "Scraping Fangs, huh? You have Van Gogh's ear for good music."

"Thanks?"

I glared at Isabella. She shrugged at me. Even though Vanessa missed her subtle insult, it didn't undo the fact that she was sniping at my girlfriend. And, sadly, I couldn't help but find it almost alluring. There was something very attractive about a quick wit. Meanwhile, Vanessa had always been sassy too, but now she had turned into a dishrag… without Monty. Gah, I would have to blame Isabella for returning the idea that Vanessa belongs with a different man.

Vanessa glanced at me with narrowed eyes, and I put on my best poker face. I honestly had no idea what she was thinking or maybe suspecting, but I wouldn't let any inkling of whatever tension was growing in the air mess up the night. As it went on, and the musicians played, she still looked a little irritated. In fact, I noticed she had absent-mindedly been juggling her soda can around in her hands.

"I think I'm going to grab my sweatshirt from the car." Phineas said, as he got up and ran off towards the parked cars.

Isabella distinctly grumbled. She's not exactly an easy person. Let me put it in perspective. Isabella is a… puppy. She's full of energy and love, but she gets way too attached and needy to the owner, and she requires a lot of presents and "play" to be happy. And what Phineas needs is… a platypus. Somebody that doesn't really need constant attention, and who is just as weird as Phineas.

I gently nodded towards her. She muttered. "I'm fine." She ran her hands down her hair. "Where are those sodas again?"

"Here," Vanessa tossed the same can she had been juggling at Isabella. Maybe she hadn't liked the flavor. Suddenly, I knew what was about to happen, but I was just about two seconds too late.

Isabella shrieked as she opened the soda and it sprayed all over her. Obviously, Vanessa had shaken the can too much.

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!" Vanessa said, but even though she was apologizing, I saw her covering her mouth with her hand to hide a laugh. I guess I would have found it funny if it had been anybody else, but not Isabella. And I couldn't help wondering whether or not this was actually an accident.

"I have to go clean up." Isabella mumbled, as she got up. With her head down, she took off. And as if by instinctive reflex, I got up and followed. I didn't say anything to Vanessa; I just got up after her.

I saw her sitting at the edge of the road, not knowing where to go next. I ran and sat next to her. She looked like she was about to cry. I had no idea what to say. I guess nobody wants to be doused in soda, but that probably isn't the whole problem.

"Will you listen to me rant like always?" She asked in a tearful voice. I nodded. "What did I do to deserve this? I've always been a good girl. Why do I have to live such a screwed up life? I'm with my longest ever crush who has me in probably the best relationship I'll ever have in my life! But, somehow I'm with him even after he's broken my heart a million times unknowingly. And, I can't help thinking… Phineas and I are not supposed to be together!"

She finished her little exclamation with that statement and I didn't even know what to feel. The thought of Isabella finally being over Phineas was just about the craziest thing I had ever heard. And, at the same time, possibly the greatest thing that could ever happen. No more Phineas and Isabella. No more. I would never have to play matchmaker to my brother and Bella again. Never deal with her heartbreak or my own jealousy. Never be the third wheel. Of course, there was always the possibility that they could have a tremendously huge fight when breaking up and our gang would be ruined forever. That was one of the worst things I could think of. If Baljeet and Ginger broke up and we never hung out with the Fireside girls and Ginger again, I wouldn't be that sad, but if we… if I… was forced to choose between Phineas and Isabella, it would be awful.

Also, it seemed strange that Isabella would draw the conclusion that she should break up with Phineas from Vanessa messing her up. What did that even mean, anyway? Was Vanessa… jealous of Isabella? My childhood friend? Of course, I had secretly slept with her, but she didn't know that! Was Isabella jealous of Vanessa? My childhood friend… my brother's girlfriend, was jealous of mine?

I didn't know how to respond to her, so I just gently wrapped my arm around her shoulders. Isabella responded by throwing her arms around me and burying her face in my neck. At that moment, the fireworks began. And, unfortunately, the last thing on my mind was the probability of soda stains.

Psst. Hey, you. Yeah, you reading these words. Review!