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Against the blaring of the bell, dozens of shoes squealed against the linoleum as people rushed out of class to break for lunch. Only one student hesitated getting out of their seat.
Phineas Flynn.
With only forty minutes left before he had to stand in front of his class and give a presentation on renewable energy systems, Phineas was nervous.
It was for his AP mechanical engineering class—the class had some of the school’s smartest students, and Mr. Horowitz was the teacher. He was a legend in the mechanical engineering world.
Phineas was uncharacteristically nervous, actually. It’s just that everyone in that class is so well-spoken and highly intelligent— it was nerve-wracking.
Odd, too, because Phineas has been public speaking in some form or the other since he was a child. Presenting the “coolest coaster ever”, singing the songs he wrote in front of a stadium full of people, broadcasting a Summer concert all over the world simultaneously— you name it.
It was strange that Phineas felt nervous, but that’s just how it is. Comes with the territory. Suddenly, you’re sixteen and you worry about how you’re perceived by your peers.
Phineas eventually sat down at the lunch table, his eyes blankly staring at his food, preoccupied thinking about the lump forming in his throat. It was Buford who spoke up first.
“Dinnerbell, whatstha matter with you?”
Phineas shrugged, staring down at his tray. For a second he thought about texting Isabella, but that felt… silly. It was just a presentation. He could handle it. Right?
“Hm?” Phineas grunted as his eyes hesitantly drifted to Buford.
“You’re bein’ weird,” Buford said, waving a hand in front of Phineas’ face.
Phineas sighed. “Oh, I’m just really nervous for my presentation next period.”
Buford was taken aback. “What? You? Nervous? Speaking? Public?”
Phineas looked at Buford, concerned that his brain was breaking, as he rapidly tapped his fingers along the surface of the lunch table in a sporadic rhythm.
“Didn’t you build a space station when you were eleven? Aren’t you Phineas from ‘Phineas and the Ferbtones’?” Buford pestered.
“Yes, yes, and I’m Phineas of MCH203— the AP mechanical engineering class,” Phineas retorted. “I look up to Mr. Horowitz, and the people in the class are really smart and well-spoken.”
Buford was in disbelief. He nudged Adyson, who was sitting beside him, and let her in on the conversation. “Add, you’re never gonna believe this. Phineas here is nervous for a presentation he’s gotta give!”
Phineas raised his hands in protest, so as to say, What the hell?
Adyson’s face scrunched, confused. “What? Why are you nervous? Didn’t you and your brother orchestrate Love Handel’s reunion in front of your house?”
Buford also nudged Baljeet, wanting him to chime in.
“I do not get it, either. You have more public speaking experience than anyone there combined,” Baljeet admitted.
“I mean— I know what I’ve done, guys. You’re not helping,” Phineas complained. Frustrated, and suddenly feeling like the walls were closing in, he got up from the table, leaving his bag and his lunch behind as he walked out of the cafeteria.
His feet naturally guided him to the room where, during this period, ENG300 was held. Isabella’s class. The door was ajar, and when he aligned himself right, Phineas could see Isabella sitting at her desk from the hallway.
He stopped and watched her for a moment.
Eventually, she noticed him.
When she saw his face, Isabella lit up with a big smile— she would’ve waved, but she didn’t want the teacher to notice. Phineas returned with an awkward half smile, eyes clouded with worry.
Isabella’s head tilted in concern, trying to say What’s wrong?
Phineas motioned for her to come outside, eyebrows raised— more of a, can you come outside? kind of motion.
Immediately, Isabella raised her hand and asked to be excused to go to the bathroom. Phineas backed away from the door as Isabella got up, taking himself out of view. When she came outside, Isabella wrapped Phineas in a quick hug, pulling back with a smile.
“What’s wrong, Phineas?”
Phineas took a deep breath. He found it a little embarrassing.
“I… I have a presentation next period,” he started.
“Yeah, on renewable energy sources, I remember,” Isabella replied cheerfully.
“Oh, right,” Phineas laughed. “I–it’s just that,”
His eyes darted around the hallway for a moment before they landed back on Isabella’s— she stared at him compassionately, inviting him to open up despite not saying a word.
“I’m nervous. I really look up to Mr. Horowitz— and the people in the class are super smart, well-spoken…” he admitted, “and I’m like… so… rapid and… and odd?” Phineas hesitated for a moment, another sigh escaping his mouth as Isabella’s hands grabbed his. “I don’t want to mess up.”
Phineas shut his eyes and braced, ready to hear the “What? Nervous? But you’re Phineas Flynn!” spiel for the fourth time today.
But instead, Isabella just giggled. “Rapid and odd?”
Phineas furrowed his brow playfully. “Well, yeah,” he said. “I talk really fast and sometimes that makes me stumble over my words when I have to say rehearsed ones.”
“It’s not the same as singing, because… when you sing, the speed is kind of determined, you know?” he continued.
Isabella squeezed Phineas’ hand firmly, a comforting smile on her face. “I get it.”
“Yeah?”
“Of course I get it,” Isabella exclaimed, “I get nervous all. The. Time.”
She giggled again, and a smile crept up Phineas’ face. Mostly because of her words, but… not entirely, if he was being honest.
“What’s important, though, is to remember that one, it’s okay to make mistakes,” Isabella continued. “And two, it doesn’t really matter what they think of you…”
Isabella stared at Phineas with pride. “I’ll always be proud of you. I think you’re awesome.”
Suddenly the lump in his throat waned as the sweating on his forehead stopped running, and Phineas chuckled softly. “You’re pretty awesome, too.”
“Thank you,” Isabella grinned playfully.
He took a breath. The kind of breath you take when you’re about to do something a little reckless.
“And you have a really pretty smile,” Phineas said, his heart jumping.
Isabella cheeks flushed pink as she laughed and playfully nudged Phineas in the shoulder. “Yeah, whatever! Stop messing with me and go eat your lunch.”
Phineas beamed. “I’m serious! It’s my favourite! Also, how’d you know I didn’t eat my lunch?”
“Because, Phineas,” Isabella teased as she quickly wrapped Phineas in another hug. “I know you.”
Phineas huffed a laugh. “Thanks, Isabella. You’re the best.”
“I kinda am,” she teased, walking back to her class and closing the door behind her.
And with that, Phineas set course for the cafeteria again, Isabella’s words of affirmation helping ease the nerves as he prepared for his presentation— his heart now racing for an entirely different reason.