Archive of Our Own ^beta

It seemed like it was going to be an ordinary day at Danville High. 

The Autumn breeze was chilly as the sun was high in the sky, giving away that Winter was just around the corner. Students hussled and bussled within the school as they hurried to their classes as well as extracurriculars. Two brothers walked to the school like usual.. Except it wasn’t like usual. 

Phineas and Ferb’s neighbor didn’t walk with them and that alone made a certain triangle headed boy feel like something was up. Isabella Garcia-Shapiro always seemed to walk with the two boys, her and Phineas chatting the entire walk there as Ferb quietly enjoyed the scenery around him, with the leaves turning colours now after all. 

What wasn’t obvious (in his mind anyway) was that as soon as the three neighbors and their other friends became freshman in Highschool, Phineas finally realized the feelings he’s been feeling for his best friend. As long as he can remember now, he was in love with Isabella even when back then he didn’t even know what that was. The moment the realization hit him it was like a brick fell down and hit him on the head. He’s been trying to be subtle with letting her know, per Ferb’s advice, but it never seemed to work! Holding her hand as they walked? She was none the wiser. Calling her cute and pretty? She just said thank you! Always having an excuse to do things with her alone or sitting next to her whenever he had the chance? Okay, how did she not know? 

Or maybe she did know but…

As soon as their senior year started their routine changed instantly. Happened over the Summer actually. 

Isabella stopped coming over as much. Even when Phineas himself walked across the street to invite her himself or even text her. But she always seemed to be doing something and couldn’t get out of it. Which was okay! Phineas was glad that she was doing so many things she loved doing! Her passion and drive are two of the many things he loves about her so he could never be upset about it. Now what did hurt and make him upset was the thought as to why she was doing all these extra things. 

It happened instantly when Phineas let it slip and called her “one of his favourite people” one Summer night- a week before school started. She seemed to always be busy after that. 

So did she actually know and just… didn’t reciprocate? Was this her way of rejecting him? 

As the two brothers walked into the school building and started heading their way towards the cafeteria building where their friends sat, Phineas immediately flicked his eyes to look for a certain raven-haired girl with a bow in her hair. He saw Buford on his phone, most likely chatting away with Baljeet who was now a sophomore in college, as he held their usual table near one of the windows. As Phineas and Ferb approached the table, Ferb gave a wave towards Buford while Phineas looked all around the huge room for even a glimpse of Isabella. He saw a lot of the former Fireside Girls sitting at a table closest to the doors. Addison and Gretchan were talking animatedly, Katie seemed to be doodling in a sketchbook, Holly and Ginger were laughing at a funny joke that was said by two of the other girls who were talking. But there was no sign of Isabella. 

Phineas frowned deeply as he sat down next to Ferb, his back now leaning against the wall underneath the big window. He sat quietly and that alone got his brother and friend's attention. 

“What's the matter with you, Dinnerbell? You're kinda killing the vibe with my flirting here.” Buford said with a laugh, clearly he was just messing but Phineas only swallowed and started to fiddle with the friendship necklace he and Isabella shared. 

“Isabella didn't walk with us again.” he said simply. 

Buford scrunched his eyebrows and took a look towards Ferb, both seemed to communicate telepathically as they mirrored the look of worry. 

Ferb scooched a little closer to his brother and rested his hand on his shoulder to give comfort but it was Buford who broke the silence. 

“Why don't ya just ask her why she doesn't walk with ya anymore?” 

“W-Well cause I know why! She's busy and doesn't have time to spend time with m- us anymore like before.” He lowered his head and started looking out the window behind him. “It would be selfish of me to ask her to stop just so I can walk with her.”       

The former bully sighed loudly and pinched his nose, placing his phone face down to completely focus on Phineas and not who he was texting. 

He cleared his throat, “How’s it selfish to want to spend more time with her? She’s your best friend right?” Buford stole a glance at Ferb for a second, “Besides Ferb and me obviously.”

Phineas snapped his head quickly to face him, “Of course she is! But that’s why it would be selfish, what kind of best friend would I be if I held her back from what she’s gotta do, y’know? She probably needs to get up early, I couldn’t ask her to wait for me.”

This was sort of true. Phineas really didn’t want to ask Isabella to do something just for him and him alone. She was in so many after school activities so there was bound to be one where she had to wake up super early to attend before school! 

“Why not ask her if you can walk with her when she walks to the school?” Ferb said his one out of two lines calmly, like it was an obvious solution. Phineas let out a small grumble in response. 

“Then I would be a burden to her… and clingy . She’s already pulling away and if I continue to do what I’ve been doing then she won’t be my friend at all.” Phineas took in a stuttering breath, “And that can’t happen. I’ll just… I don’t know, wait for these dumb feelings to go away.”

A growl was heard. An actual growl came from Buford’s mouth as Ferb stared at the ginger in front of him with wide eyes. While Ferb remained calm like usual, Buford held his head in the palm of his hands.

“Okay.. okay look.” Phineas looked over at his friend, clutching the necklace that hovered over his chest like it was a lifeline. “If ya just wait it out then you’ll always be sitting there with thoughts like ‘what might’ve been’ and just be miserable and I-” he dramatically slapped his hand against his chest as he continued to stare down Phineas, “-as one of your best friends don’t wanna see ya like that. She may not even be pullin’ away from ya for the reason ya think.”

Phineas smiled softly despite himself before looking at Buford quizzically. Ferb shot him a glare, demanding that he doesn’t reveal information that is not their business to share. At the look, Buford cleared his throat. 

“It’s our last year of highschool, Nerd, who knows where our lives will take us in a few months? Don’t ya want to at least know what it feels like to be her fella?” 

Phineas was silent for a long time as he thought about what was said to him. He played with the end of his shirt, folding his hands together and fiddled with his thumbs before his hands subconsciously made it back to the second half of a heart necklace once again. He hated how Buford was probably right. He’s stayed up late in the night thinking what it would be like to hold Isabella in a dance for homecoming and prom, to even hold her when they’re doing nothing, riding their bikes in the park,… permission to kiss her. He really wanted to experience all the couple things with Isabella and he didn’t want to live a life of regret and muse about ‘what might’ve been’ when they both went to college, probably only seeing each other when they were both home for the holidays. 

His silence seemed to not satisfy Buford in the slightest as he was now holding his phone in a way where Phineas could see the screen and the caller ID. “Or I could call my boyfriend and he could tell Isa for yo-”

That brought Phineas back instantly as he abruptly stood up with wide eyes as he tried to reach for Buford’s phone. “Don’t.” he said with an edge to his voice, Buford effortlessly stood up and kept his phone out of reach, “Please don’t, I’ll… I’ll tell her. You’re right, she’s my best friend and she deserves to know my feelings for her.” 

Buford locked his phone again and put it in his pocket and the two sat down again, Baljeet would most likely not go along with what Buford threatened but after he accidentally told Isabella the surprise party Phineas was throwing her or when he told Ginger that Ferb had a crush on both Addyson and Gretchen or when he told Buford his own surprise for his birthday when Baljeet was planning on getting his boyfriend another fish for a friend to Biff… it became super obvious that the boy could not keep a secret to save his life. Smart as he is he really couldn’t stop himself from yapping. 

“I’ll tell her… tomorrow. I’ll tell her tomorrow”

Buford shook his head. “Nope. You’ll procrastinate. Try again.”

“Uhhhh at.. The end of the day…?”

“Nah. Still procrastinatin’.”

Phineas huffed and threw his arms up in the air before flopping them on his lap. “Then when are you suggesting for me to tell her??”  

As if the world heard his confusion, the very girl that he was going to confess to walked in the cafeteria to sit with the former Fireside Girls. Wearing a beaming smile on her face as she greeted them. 

Phineas’ face went pink as he watched her sit down before looking back over at Buford, who was pointing and wearing a smirk. Phineas made a choking sound. 

“GUH. Right now? But! I don’t have a plan! I don’t have anything incredible to give her! Ho-how am I supposed to-”

“I’m going to stop you right there,” came Ferb’s voice, “Nothing extravagant. Keep it simple.”

“Tell her how ya feel.” Buford snorted, “This comin from me of all people. You all making me a pansy, I swear.” Ferb responds with a smirk and sticks out his tongue. 

Phineas couldn’t take his eyes off of Isabella as he felt his stomach twist with knots, “But.. I don’t… I don’t know if I should .” He took a deep breath. 

Carpe Diem. “Seize the day..” Phineas whispered to himself. If he didn’t do it now then.. When could he?

He took a final glance at his brother and friend before standing up. But just as he started his way towards the girl who captured his adventurous heart, the bell rang and a bustle of students started to leave the cafeteria. Isabella included. Phineas’ shoulders slumped as he let out a defeated sigh, he blew it.

Buford hurried to his side and wrapped his arm around Phineas’ shoulders, “Alright new plan! In the middle of first period you say you’re going to the bathroom and you tell her to meet ya and then you’ll tell her!”

“My first hour is Band, I can’t just ‘go to the bathroom’ in the middle”.

Ferb gave the two boys a gentle push to get them moving, not wanting to be late. Buford tug Phineas along as they all walked. 

“Right, right.. Okay then… second hour-”

“She has Speech.”

“Then third-”

“I have Pottery II.” 

“Then when are you both free?? Work with me here!”

Phineas thought for a moment. “I.. I’m a library assistant in my fifth period and.. I think she has Web Development at the same time. I have that class too at the end of the day and I know we don’t have anything going on so I can..” He shifted uncomfortably, “I could maybe ask her before class starts if we can talk. But she wouldn’t- !”

“If ya tell her that something’s goin on, she’ll make time for ya. Trust me.”

Buford gave his friend a little shake as he wrapped his hand around Phineas’ shoulder. Offering him a pretty kind smile, maybe even encouraging. To which Phineas eyed him warily before breathing in deeply, letting out a long but shaky sigh. 

“... okay.”

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And with that, Phineas Flynn began his school day with the most anxiety he’s ever felt in his life. As soon as the bell rang to reach the end of fourth hour he shot straight up in his seat and hurried out the door. With a quick text to Katie, the other student who was a library assistant the same hour he was, letting her know that he had personal matters and would be late he made his way quickly down the hall to where the Web Development class took place. He hesitated when he saw Isabella walking in, his posture turning stiff as he forced himself to walk and peek his head into the classroom. 

He saw Isabella’s beautiful raven hair from the door, noting funnily enough that she sat in his seat when he was in the class. What a funny coincidence huh? (the author looks at the camera)

With a final deep breath before he chickened out, Phineas walked into the classroom and headed straight towards Isabella. He was being kind of discrete, not wanting the teacher to see him in here and ask why he was here.

Before Isabella could sit down he took in another deep breath, “Hey Isabella?”

The girl jumped slightly as she turned to face Phineas, she wore a look of shock but then confusion as she registered who was in front of her.

“Phineas?” She tilted her head slightly, “What’cha doin here? Aren’t you supposed to be in the library right now?”

For some reason the very thought of Isabella knowing his school schedule made his heart flutter wildly in his chest, he smiled awkwardly, “Y-yeah I do but… uhm.. I really needed to talk to you.. If that's okay.”

Isabella furrowed her brows as she looked around, noticing more and more students were filling the room. 

“Well… we both have class so can this maybe wait for.. tomorrow maybe?”

Buford’s words echoed in his head along with his usual Carpe Diem that he lived by. 

“It.. uh.. It can’t wait.” When her eyebrows shot up he quickly backpedaled, “It’s nothing bad! There’s just something going on and I really just wanna tell you and since we’re both so busy, I’m not sure there’ll be a good time and I know we’re neighbors and all but I haven’t really seen you much since school started and you don’t walk with us anymore- not that that isn’t your fault! Things are busy and you gotta be here early but I really wanna tell you whats going on so-”

Noticing his rambling was starting to get faster and faster, Isabella instinctively wrapped her hands around Phineas’ own and that alone made his rambling cease. His gulp was audible as Isabella searched his eyes, clear worry in her own. 

“Take a breather, it’s okay. If it’ll take only a second I can chat with you at the Choir stairs. That way teachers won’t see us and think we’re skipping our whole classes.” She offered him a smile as he nodded dumbly, not letting go of her hand as she turned to look at her desk partner. 

“Thaddeus, could you tell Mrs. Redwood that I’m in the bathroom having ‘lady problems’?” 

The curly headed boy raised a brow, looked between Isabella and Phineas and smirked. “Now why on earth would I do that? Kind of delinquent behavior to skip class to make out with your boyfriend .”

Phineas’ face now matched the colour of his hair and, completely unknownest to him, Isabella’s matched the shade of pink of the bow she wore in her hair today. Isabella let go of Phineas’ hands begrudgingly to completely face the annoying boy she shared a desk with. 

“It’s nothing like that, there’s an emergency. I won’t be gone the entire class so please?”

Thaddeous sucked on his teeth before responding with a, “What’s in it for me?”

“You can copy my notes for this next project.”

“I was gonna do that anyway, try again.”

Isabella huffed as she silently searched her brain at what she can offer this guy, when she couldn’t think of anything it was Phineas who spoke up. 

“I’ll build you anything you want.”

That got Thaddeus’ attention immediately, he looked at his counterpart with a look of shock before it switched to a mischievous grin. “Oh really? That important huh? Anything?”

“Yes, I don’t mind.”  

The grin seemed to get even more mischievous as he stared Phineas down, daring him to object to his next request. “I get to take all the credit?”  

That made Isabella’s head snap towards Phineas’ face, where he wore a look of determination as he responded. “Deal. Just tell Mrs. Redwood what Isabella suggested and we have a deal.”

He reached his hand towards Thaddeus to shake but the other boy scoffed and slapped it away. “No need to shake on it, I’ll tattle if I don’t have whatever I decide you’re building for me. You back out, I’m telling the principle. ” Phineas let out a sigh and nodded, agreeing to the terms before looking up at Isabella’s face. 

If he didn’t know any better, he’d say she was looking at him with awe and a subtle blush on her face. He searched her eyes to find any indicator that she was unhappy about him taking over but found no such thing. She simply wore a soft smile and started to walk outside of the classroom with Phineas quickly following behind her, making sure that Mrs. Redwood or any other teacher was nowhere to be seen as they slipped towards the hall of the Choir stairs. 

It didn’t take long for the two teens to find a hidden nook of the staircase, making sure they wouldn’t get caught as the tardy bell rang. Boy this really did feel like they were a couple skipping class to-

“Okay, I think we’re in the clear.” Came Isabella’s whisper. The two sat shoulder to shoulder so that could remain unseen, it made Phineas’ face heat up against his will. He swallowed thickly as she gave her full attention to Phineas and all the sudden it felt like his heart was in his stomach as it beat wildly. “What’s going on Phin?” she said carefully, worry evident in her voice.

Phineas clenched his fists before he started to fiddle with his thumbs and once again, like it was instinct, his left hand wrapped around his necklace as he thought carefully of his next words. 

“Izzy…” He started. 

“You still wear it” 

“Huh?” He stared at his best friend with confusion before realizing where his hand was, “Oh! Heh.. y-yeah.. I know it’s silly since we got them when we were kids but I dunno I just…” Phineas started to trace the edges of the heart- or his half of the heart anyway. “I never take it off. It means a lot to me”

Feeling panic rise in his throat at thinking that Isabella maybe now thought that he was such a weirdo or a loser he started to ramble a little again, “I know that it’s stupid that it means a lot to me but it was something we picked out together when we were super young and it makes me happy remembering what it was like and don’t feel bad if you don’t wear yours! I know that it’s probably super weird.”

He chanced a look towards her and saw how her mouth was slightly open as she searched him with her deep brown eyes, he searched them too and almost got lost in them(he was also totally not looking at her lips! Nope! Why would he do that, why would you ask that??) when she made a sudden movement towards her neck. 

Underneath her white and pale pink blouse, she pulled a familiar orange half of a heart necklace- the other half of his own. Phineas looked at it in her hand and blinked audibly before looking back up at her. “You’re wearing it…”

She smiled. “Of course.” She let the necklace fall on her chest as she reached over to grab his arm, her thumb softly going up and down. “You’re my best friend and it means a lot to me too.”

Phineas felt choked up a bit but kept it together as he gave her a smile. His smile seemed to grow wider as he continued to look at her, his neighbor, his best friend, the girl he fell in love with even before he knew what love was.

They stared at each other for a little longer before Isabella shook her head and cleared her throat. 

“R-Right! Something’s going on? You seemed so anxious earlier.. You still kinda do so..” the hand that was resting on his arm lowered towards his hand that wasn’t clutching his necklace. He automatically curled his fingers around her own. “What’s going on?” 

Her voice held so much worry for him and it made guilt sit like a rock in the pit of his belly. Phineas kept repeating Carpe Diem over and over in his head as he forced himself to look away from Isabella. Staring at their hands fitting perfectly together. He tried to find a way to word this smoothly. Maybe crack a joke? No.. this was a serious thing that he was admitting and the more he waited the more she worried! He just had to say it!

He took in a shaky breath as his leg started to bounce. 

It was on the tip of his tongue. He practiced a bit before walking to her class. He’s said it so much in his head over the years. 

He felt his hands begin to shake as well as his arms the longer he took. 

Ever so quietly, he let out a small sigh as he started to focus on their hands again, trying to stop his shaking but to no avail. His stomach twisted in knots even more as he opened his mouth. 

“I’m in love with you.” 

There. Out into the world it goes. Phineas was quiet after he said it, kind of waiting for Isabella to yank her hand away from him and yell that he wasted her time. That they couldn’t be friends anymore. 

Slowly and shakily, he took a glance up at Isabella and his nervousness didn’t cease. It didn’t worsen either as he studied her face. Only a few inches from him, Isabella blinked at him and studied him back. Now that he was facing her she took the opportunity to look at every inch of his face, maybe to catch if he was serious or if he was lying. 

The lack of him scratching his left ear confirmed that he was indeed telling the truth. 

Phineas was about to apologize and hurry away when Isabella asked something, her voice a soft whisper. 

“Could you say that again?”

Phineas was shocked to say the least, was he too quiet? He gulped audibly as he stared right into her eyes, trying to find his courage again just like he did before. He wasn’t shaking as much this time though. 

“I’m in love with you.” He said again, making sure he said it an octave higher. She didn’t have a reaction again so he wore a very concentrated face as he began to stroke her hand with his thumb gently. “I love you.”

Three times he’s said it now and still no reaction, this wasn’t what he was expecting at all. 

Anxiety got the better of him. “Uhm.. I know that this is probably really upsetting for you to hear but I care about you a lot and I want you in my life still even though you don’t feel the same way! You’ve always been there and I don’t want to live my life without you there so if it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll work hard on making sure this doesn’t ruin our friendship. If you need space that’s completely okay! I still would like to be how we used to be y’know..?”

Isabella listened patiently, seemingly dumbfounded before she wore a smile. A soft and genuine smile. 

“I can’t believe you think I don’t feel the same way.”

Phineas made a small choking noise and was about to question her when she spoke again. 

“I’ve been in love with you since we were like.. ten.”  

Phineas’ jaw dropped . What!

“ You have??”

“Yeah! I thought you knew! I was being so obvious!”

“I didn’t! I had no idea!”

They were silent for a beat before they snorted and bursted out laughing. They laughed for a good five minutes before they took a breath and sighed, both of them looking at each other with something they now knew the other shared. 

Admiration and love.   

Phineas glanced down at their still conjoined hands and carefully let go so he could intertwine his fingers with hers. Isabella watched as he did this with a bashful smile on her face. 

They looked at each other again, blue eyes searching brown. 

“I love you” they said at the same time. To which they laughed, their laughs mixing perfectly together. 

A question was on Phineas’ mind and was on the tip of his tongue when he heard a notification alert from his phone. He sighed defeatedly before he apologized to take a quick glance to read the message, seeing it was from Katie. 

Katie: this a suspiciously long personal matter, dorito boy 🤨 mr s thinks ur dying on the toilet

Phineas laughed nervously and regrettably gave a look of “We gotta go” towards Isabella. She sighed and nodded, both standing up while still holding each other’s hand. 

Before they would leave their sanctuary though, Isabella turned and looked up at him. “Uhm.. maybe… since it’s pretty nearby.. I could maybe meet you at the Library? Or you could meet me after class and we could walk together towards our sixth hour?”

Phineas beamed as he squeezed her hand. “I’d love to.”

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Somehow the two got away with their “skipping”. Thaddeus was actually true to his word and told Mrs. Redwood of Isabella’s.. “lady issues” and wasn’t asked anymore questions. Phineas of course was grateful but definitely not looking forward to telling Ferb that they now had to make an automatic gum dispenser and let someone else take the credit. But Phineas knew that his brother would understand given the circumstances. 

Swampy, or Mr. S, didn’t particularly care that Phineas missed nearly the entirety of his hour. He knew Phineas and his family and had no reason to not trust him. 

When the bell rang, Phineas was quick to wait outside of -- classroom for Isabella. Where she quickly met him and smiled happily at him. As they started to walk towards their respected classes they casually intertwined their fingers, ignoring Thaddeus’ gagging noise and their peers staring at their hands as they chatted animatedly together. 

They did the same for their last class as well when the day officially ended, Phineas looked at her quizzically as they walked out of the school. She simply laughed out her nose and tugged him along towards where Buford and Ferb were waiting, the two noticing almost immediately the difference between the two. 

 “Oh thank fuck I was so worried you chickened out and I was gonna have to pummel you!” Buford did a dramatic sigh before clapping his hands. Ferb smiled at his brother and gave him a thumbs up. 

Phineas of course blushed subtly while Isabella giggled at him, to which Phineas stuck his tongue out at her. 

“Hey! He just threatened to beat me up and you’re on his side? How very dare you!” He teased, his cheeks growing pinker by the minute as she smirked at him.

“Well if you didn’t listen to his glorious advice there, we never would’ve gotten to do this,” without warning, Isabella got on her tiptoes and kissed Phineas on the cheek. When she pulled away she was delighted to see Phineas’ face a beautiful shade of red as he had wide eyes and sparkling smile. 

“Hmm.. now that is true. May I show you what else his, oh so ‘glorious’ advice now allows me to do?”

Isabella’s blush deepened as her smirk turned into a genuine smile, “Yes, yes you may.”

Phineas then leaned down slightly, softly rubbed his nose against her own which made them both giggle as he planted his lips at the corner of her lips. He pulled back to see her, still smiling mind you, squinting at him indignantly. She crossed her arms in a mock pout, “You missed.”

“Oh did I?”

“Yes!” she giggled slightly. Phineas responded with a giggle of his own. 

“I think I’m gonna need instructions on what you mean, my love.” That statement alone made both of them smile wider, hearts starting to beat wildly as both their eyes seemed to look at each other's lips as they leaned closer and closer.

“Oh.. you know… a little bit-”

“Oh my god I’m regretting this, they’re gonna be so annoying.” Buford interrupted their banter, the two blushing more at remembering that they indeed have an audience. Ferb simply nodded and patted Buford on the back. ”Were me and Bal like this?” Another nod. Buford sighed. 

“Goddammit.” he simply remarked as he started to walk towards the direction of their neighborhood. Ferb watched him go and rolled their eyes, tilted their head to display that they were gonna follow him. 

Phineas and Isabella looked at each other bashfully before they followed hand in hand. There was no rushing their first kiss. Their first anything really. 

They have all the time in the world. To grow and learn together now and forever.