AN: Some nice interactions between Ferb and Isabella, from Ferb's POV!

Ferb

When I saw Isabella in the third dress she tried on, I had difficulty breathing. She was breathtaking, gorgeous, stunning, and magical. I told her as much. Isabella was always good at getting me to be uncanny, truly me.

Well, not at first. Not even Phineas got the true me at first. It took a while to warm up to everyone. Phineas first, then Isabella. We started hanging out with the three of us. The first time Isabella and I hung out alone was when Phineas got sick with a one-day head cold and practically demanded Isabella and I make something without him. We ended up sitting awkwardly for, maybe, 30 minutes. Isabella broke first, never good with feeling awkward. She suggested we make origami, she needed to practice for her origami patch. I nodded. Then we talked the whole day while folding paper into little shapes. Due to my nature, it started with just Isabella talking and me non-verbally responding. She knew what I was saying, even some of my more complicated answers. No one had been able to do that outside of Phineas, and sometimes the rest of my family. I was so surprised. But Isabella kept asking questions that almost required a verbal response, so I talked. She didn't even flinch, she just kept the conversation rolling. When I spoke people noticed, and it was made a big deal, it made me feel called out. She didn't make me feel like that. So I kept talking.

This became our norm for a while. Phineas wasn't available for some reason, so just Isabella and I hung out. We worked on her patches together, or inventions, and once school started again we did homework together. Over time it evolved, and we intentionally hung out together. Now we are comfortable talking about anything with each other. I treasure our relationship.

So when I see Phineas as I'm leaving the bathroom, sans Isabella, I am confused. I gesture to the space next to him, wordlessly saying "Where is she?"

"Oh, she said she would meet us here. She's buying one of the dresses."

I hum in response, leaving it to Phineas to not be completely enamored by a beautiful girl in a stunning dress. I know I was.

Phineas led a conversation on some inventions we could make for the upcoming summer. I made sure to be responsive while keeping an eye out for Isabella.
"And I was thinking we could reprise the rollercoaster with more cars. That way everyone can ride it before something happens to it!"

I nodded, that was a good idea. Seeing Isabella I gestured to Phineas she was here.

"Ready to go Ferb?" Phineas asked.

Another quick nod and we all began walking to the car. I watched Isabella as we were walking. Something was bothering her, it was obvious. Or it was obvious to me, as it would be to her should the roles be reversed.

I checked in with her during the car ride, and she said she would tell me later. Looks like we would be taking a car ride later.

I ate dinner with my family, did some homework with Phineas, and then took a shower. When I got back to my room, yes I got my own room since Candance left for college, and checked my phone.

Isabella: I'll drive?

I responded with a quick *thumbs-up emoji*

Isabella: See you in 5

I grabbed a jacket and headed to my parent's room quickly, needing their permission to go out. Popping my head into their open door I see Mom reading in bed and Dad studying a vase at their desk. They didn't look at me when I entered so I knocked lightly.

Mom looked up faster, "Ferb, how was the mall?" she asked sweetly.

I gave her a thumbs up.

"What brings you here son?" Dad asked, having turned around to see me.

"Can I take a drive with Isabella? She'll have me back by 10:30."

Mom nodded and Dad said, "of course, tell her we said hello."

I smiled and headed to the front door. Just my luck, Phineas is still doing homework at the dining room table.

"Oh hey, bro! Where are you headed?"

I point to the door.

"Yea, out, I can see that." Phineas chuckles, at least he isn't upset. "Want company?"

I shake my head politely and put my shoes on. He doesn't need to know I already have company, he didn't ask.

"Okay, see you in the morning!"

I hum and head out, locking the door behind me. Isabella's car is already pulled on my side of the street with her waiting inside, music playing. I walk up and let myself in.

"So, the mood for the night is metal?" I ask her teasingly.

"Look Ferb, I decided I didn't want to be sad, and being angry seemed like the next best thing." She looked at me, kindness in her eyes letting me know she wasn't being mean.

"Okay okay. Let's go." I buckle and she heads off.

Heads off is being polite, she speeds off. Now, Isabella and I learned to drive together so we know each other's tendencies while driving. Isabella is a very skilled driver, but she drives fast when she's emotional. I can't help myself, I laugh.

"Oh shush. You knew what you were signing up for."

"I know, Bella. It's okay. But at least take us to the highway if you're gonna drive this fast."

"Yea yea, always the reasonable one."

At least she adjusted our course to the highway.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked casually, Isabella didn't like being treated like she was delicate. But everyone needed someone that cared for them.

She took a big sigh, "yea."

I prompted her to continue with my hand.

"Right so after you left, I showed Phineas the dress."

I looked at her, Rambling.

"Yea I know. Anyway, he said it wasn't even pink. He didn't even say I looked nice or anything. So I asked him if we could go to homecoming together. And he said, yea the plan was to go as a group anyway! What! I don't even, ugh. I can't, I just. Ferb!" Isabella's voice kept rising until she practically shouted my name.

"Isabella!"

She shot me a glare.

"So scary," flashing my signature smirk, "okay but seriously. I understand, it's frustrating. I don't know why he would have thought you meant that and not as a date."

"Ugh." she scowled.

"Ugh." I agreed with less weight.

"I was thinking,"

"You usually are."

"Ferb."

"Continue."

"Right so." a pause, then much quieter, "what if I just stopped?"

"Stopped what Bella?"

"Trying, Ferb. What if I stopped trying?"

"What? Why would you do that?"

"I'm tired of it. I don't want to feel like this anymore. I hate being shot down all the time even though I try my hardest. It's just ever enough."

The car starts slowing down until she is driving the speed limit.

"He's gonna come around eventually."

"And what if he doesn't."

"Isabella." sternly.

She pulls over and stopped the car.

"Ferb. What if he doesn't." Her breathing hitched, she was going to start crying.

I leaned toward her quickly, wrapping her in my arms. Holding her as she quietly cries. Breaking my heart a little. We remained like that for a moment. I waited until she let go to go back to my seat.

"Isabella Garcia-Sapiro, I have never known you as someone who gave up."

"Ferbs Fletcher, I am so tired of being let down."

I frown and put a hand on her hand.

"Okay."

"Really?" she looks less tired now.

"Yes, if you are done, then you're done."

"Thanks, Fer-"

"But," I interrupted, "Would you give it one more chance? For me?"

She pouted at me, pouted!

"I'm serious Isabella."

"I know you are." She took a big breath, "I'll do it."

"What's your plan?"

She started the car back up and eased onto the road again. "I dunno. I guess I'll ask him to dance with me and tell him how I feel. Maybe if I'm completely transparent he will figure it out."

"I would hope so."

"Me too."

"Will you save a dance for me?" I look at her, daring to hope.

"Of course! As if I could ever turn down a dance from my dancing partner." She flashed me a smile.

I returned it.

We drive back. She dropped me off, a hug between us before we went our separate ways.

I walked in and Dad was sitting on the couch with a book.

"How was it?" He looked up from his book.

"It was nice, Dad."

He prompted me to continue.

"We talked."

He squinted at me, mischievously. "Talked or talked?" He leaned on the second talked, implying something else.

I blushed a little, "just talking. We're just friends."

"Okay. Goodnight Ferb."

"Goodnight Dad." I walked away quickly.