The story starts when it was hot and it was summer. The first time Isabella met Phineas. It was set, she was in love. She and Phineas spent a few years just the two of them, sometimes Candace was there, but most of the time it was her and her love. Even as a toddler, he was a genius. Then on Tuesday, Ferb was introduced. Quiet and from England he made for an interesting addition at first. Isabella could tell something was brewing beneath the quiet exterior. Sure enough, he was as smart as his brother. The two of them together? Anything became possible. Well except for Phineas noticing her feelings for him. For years. Isabella, and everyone around her, held out the hope Phineas would come around eventually. She tried many times to get his attention, to no avail. Often ending up with her being upset and ranting about it to her other best guy friend, Ferb. When this dynamic started with the two of them, Isabella felt bad that it was one-sided. Until Ferb started opening up about his problems in life. Often it was homework, grades, or plans. There were a few moments he would rant about a girl in class not being able to understand why he doesn't talk that much. Isabella never understood their problem, she and Ferb talked all the time, and even when they didn't, she knew what he was saying. Now it's Senior year of high school and Isabella has a plan to get Phineas to notice her.

Isabella

"Isabella, that is the greatest plan you've come up with so far! You are going to whisk him off his feet and he is going to fall in love!" Gretchen exclaimed. I was in the changing room in my sixth dress the girls made me try on, struggling with the zipper.

I can't do this alone, "Ginger!" immediately she pops her head in, "what's the situation, girlie?"

I gesture to the open zipper and she steps in to zip it for me. In a low voice, "So what exactly is your plan, with Phineas?"

"Ginge, I can't tell just you, the girls will get suspicious if we are in here too long." to which she rolled her eyes. True to her nature she finished zipping it and patted my shoulders. "Let's see what they say to this one, Izzy."

Ginger stepped out first and I followed quickly. My exit was followed by a calamity of noise from the girls.

"Does that mean you like it?" I asked hesitantly, they had shot down the other five.

"Like it? We love it!" uncannily they said it together.

"Have you seen yourself, Isabella?" A fair question from Adyson.

I shook my head as I turned to the mirror, and froze. Initially, I was adamant about only pink dresses, but Ginger insisted I try on this sparkly light blue sweetheart neckline dress. I felt beautiful. No, stunning.

"Oh my gosh, Ginge. This dress!" I squealed in delight.

"I knew it would be," Ginger said brushing imaginary lint off her shoulder.

I couldn't help myself, I twirled. It flowed beautifully. "I feel magical!"

The girls clapped and squealed. Blushing, I said, "can I tell you the whole plan about Phineas now?"

They got quiet real fast. "Okay. So I'm going to invite him and Ferb here for some male perspective on what I should wear. I will try on the third pink one, which was only okay, then that first pink one, which was horrific, then this one." I paused, the girls nodding along excitedly. "I'll make sure to tell Ferb the plan before so he can politely excuse himself to go to the bathroom and that's when I will ask Phineas to go to homecoming with me!" I clapped my hands together, waiting.

They all nodded furiously, "That is a great plan Isabella, there's no way he can say no after seeing you in this dress." Adyson said.

I ducked quickly into the changing room, Ginger following to help unzip it. I changed into my go-to outfit, a white shirt with a pink skirt. The girls took the other five dresses back to where they found them and I asked the cashier if I could put a hold on the sea foam magical dream dress. She said yes and put it behind the counter with my name on it.

Reconvening with the girls, "okay I'll text them both right now to see if they can meet me tonight after dinner."

Sending a quick text to the Backyard Crew chat we made a couple of years ago.

Isabella: Mall tonight at 6? I need manly opinions on some homecoming dresses!

Phineas: Of course! We will both be there

Ferb: *thumbs up emoji*

Even over text, Ferb was a man of action.

"It's set ladies, I will tell you everything at lunch on Monday?" I say putting my phone away to look at my troop.

They all nod, "I'll grab a seat by the window." Ginger said, the window tables being our favorite to gather at for lunch.

Now I just had to text Ferb the plan and wait until 6.