I don't own anything but the story and the bullies. Enjoy the rewrite!

No one's POV

It was a bright and sunny day in the city of Danville. The weather was warm but a little crisp as it was mid to late September and it was leaning towards fall. At the high school, students were being let out for the afternoon and into the weekend. One boy, with hair as red as some of the falling leaves, sat on the steps, waiting for his friends and brother when three unfriendly faces met him.

Phineas' POV

It was a crisp and yet, somehow warm Friday afternoon. I had been let out of my last class early because my teacher had to pick up his daughter, who got sick. As I sat on the stairs to the school, waiting for my brother and friends, three familiar and cruel pairs of feet met my eyes.

"Hey nerd, waiting for your friends and stepbrother?" Snarled one of the boys in front of me. Henry Peterson, one third of my tormentors and honestly, the worst one of the bunch. I hated when people called Ferb my stepbrother. Yes, we're not related by blood but he's my brother nonetheless.

"One, Ferb is my brother, not just stepbrother. Two, it's none of your business." I replied.

"But I thought he wasn't related to you by blood?" One of the other boys, Ben Anderson spoke up. The other boy, Ethan Harris nodded as he agreed with his friend.

"That may be so but me and Ferb have known each other since we were three. That is thirteen years, a majority of our lives. We've never considered each other as step brothers but just brothers."

Ethan huffed. "Yeah, whatever. It doesn't help the fact that he lives with a total loser!" Ethan and the others laughed. My face got red but before I could say anything, the three of them walked off, still laughing their heads off. A few minutes went by and I saw green hair followed by two heads of black and one head of brown.

"About time." I thought to myself. I considered talking to my family about my tormentors but I decided to hold it off because Candace is busy with her life with her young daughter, my niece, Amanda and is working on her law degree. Same thing with Mom and Dad as they're busy renovating their store and Ferb has been busy with his soccer team. I sighed. "Maybe someday." I pushed away the three jerks' words and went to go meet my brother and friends.

"Hey Phineas, what were you doing out here? Didn't you have class?" Baljeet asked.

"I did but my teacher, Mr. Jones had to end class early because his daughter got sick and he needed to go pick her up." Baljeet nodded his head in understandment. We talked for a bit until our parents picked us up. As Mom was driving us home, she was talking to Ferb and I was staring out the window.

The drive home isn't far but there was road construction. Mom pondered for a moment before trying to figure a way around it. I had a feeling that this detour would take a while, maybe an hour. I was sleepy and didn't sleep too well the previous night. As I drifted off to sleep, Mom and Ferb's conversation became fainter and fainter till I was fast asleep.

Ferb's POV

Mum has been talking to me about the renovations she and Father had done to their shop. I thought that they sounded great and can't wait to see the changes. As Mum turned on the intersection, I looked back to see my brother fast asleep. I laughed softly and turned back around to see Mum looking at me.

"Hon, everything alright?" She asked. I returned her gaze and smiled.

"Phineas is just sleeping soundly back there. Probably tired from all the schoolwork."

Mum laughed softly. "I bet but don't you have a busier schedule with your soccer team?"

"Yeah, that's true."

"Speaking of which, don't you have soccer practice?"

"I do but it's on the weekends."

"Alright, just checking." I smiled and looked forward once more. Ten minutes went by and we were home. I got out of the car while Mum woke Phineas up. As she did that, I went inside and upstairs to my room to do my homework. However, something was plaguing my mind.

I was just now realizing that Phineas really hasn't been sleeping all that great. Him getting up early in the morning over the last few weeks has seemed a bit odd. Usually, he's a pretty good sleeper. I don't know if somebody's bothering him but I'll have to ask.

Later…

Linda's POV

After waking up Phineas, I went to clean up the house as the boys were doing their homework. Later, as I was making dinner for Lawrence and the boys, Lawrence came home.

"Darling, where are you?" I heard his voice call out.

"In the kitchen, dear." My husband walked in as I was pulling dinner out of the oven.

"This smells wonderful darling." I smiled. I've known that since I cooked for him for the first time, I knew he would like my cooking regardless of the recipe.

"Call the boys down for dinner, will you?" Lawrence left the kitchen and called our sons down. As they came to the eating area, I noticed Phineas looking a bit upset. "Phineas?"

He looked up. "Yeah Mom?"

"Everything alright? Are you doing okay at school?" He looked to the side before looking back at me and replying.

"I'm fine Mom."

"Okay, just worried about you." Phineas gave me a smile and sat down next to his brother.

Fifteen minutes into dinner, Lawrence and Ferb were talking but Phineas was just poking at his food. I nudged Lawrence and gestured him to look at Phineas. Both he and Ferb looked at Phineas and glanced back with worried expressions on their faces.

"Phineas, if you're not hungry, you can go upstairs. I'm not going to force you to eat." My son glanced up and without saying a word, went upstairs.

Later…

Ferb's POV

After helping Mum clean up after dinner, I went upstairs to mine and Phineas' room to see my brother fast asleep. A sinking feeling in my stomach told me that something was up with my brother.

"I'll just have to ask him in the morning." I quietly told myself. I left the room to take a shower, brush my teeth, and soon enough, I was fast asleep.

Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed the first chapter of the rewrite! I think it's a step up considering when I started this story for the first time back in 2020. Anyways, the rewrite probably will take a while because between school, my part-time job, and keeping my room and myself in check, it's just so much to keep track of. At the time of writing this, the semester is almost over so I may have time to work on other chapters over my month and a half long winter break. Alrighty, that's it from me! See you in the next chapter! ~Aurora