Isabella was annoyed. It had been slightly over 6 years since Phineas first built that rollercoaster in their backyard, and even as they got older, Phineas and Ferb kept making their great inventions. Phineas and Isabella's relationship had progressed nowhere. The boy was still totally clueless as to Isabella's feelings, though he was beginning to have some more-than-friendly thoughts about her. Isabella was now, in addition to 'cute', considered pretty by most people. Isabella was annoyed because of their lack of a romantic relationship, and also the lack of Phineas's desire to begin a romantic relationship, that is, until this day. On this day, Isabella received news that her grandfather had died. The two were close, and Isabella was devastated.

"Isabella? What's wrong?" Phineas asked his crying friend.

"My grandfather just died." Isabella managed to tell him through her tears.

"I'm so sorry, i-is there anything I can do?" Phineas asked. As talented with mechanics as he was, Phineas was almost utterly clueless when it came to human emotion.

"Just sit here with me, that would be nice," she replied. Phineas sat down next to her, nothing more, then Isabella leaned into him, her head resting on his chest. Phineas was surprised for a few moments, then relaxed into it, resting his head on hers. Tears stained Phineas's shirt, not that he minded at all. After a while, her sobs subsided and she looked up at Phineas.

"You know, you're really pretty. Even when you're crying." Phineas said, looking tenderly into her eyes.

"You- you think I'm pretty?" Isabella hiccoughed through the remnants of her tears.

"Well, sure! If you're not pretty, then neither are the stars in the sky," replied Phineas. The boy blushed as he realized what had just happened. Isabella looked down, a smile on her face and red covering her cheeks as she noticed how Phineas inadvertently admitted that he thought her to be pretty.

"That's for that Phineas, it made my day a little brighter."

"Any time, hun." Phineas froze as he grasped the potential gaffe of his language. He glanced over at Isabella, and though she was blushing, she smiled as well, and Phineas realized that he could relax.

Isabella, on the other hand, was beyond excited. She wanted to tease Phineas for the little bit of affection that he let himself show her, but decided against it, and instead might use this for teasing material later in their relationship, when they got together. That is, if, they got together.

"Come on, I'll walk you home," Phineas said with a smile. They walked together, shoulders nearly touching, but no other contact. "How about you can come up with what we do tomorrow? Would that help make you feel better?"

"I think so, Phineas. I'll start thinking of some things to do." Isabella smiled widely at Phineas just as they arrived at her house. His gaze lingered on her retreating form before he turned and walked across the street to return to his house.

Later that night, Isabella went bowling at a local lane with the Fireside Girls troupe. After they started their game, Isabella had a faraway look on her face.

"Any developments in Phineas-land?" Gretchen asked as she sat down next to Isabella after her turn and grabbed a onion ring.

"Actually, yes there have been," she replied. Immediately all of the other girls crowded around the table to hear what their troupe leader was going to say. "As you all know, my grandfather died yesterday. I was crying in the park, because my mother called me with the news, but Phineas walked up to me and started consoling me! He let me rest my head on his shoulder, and then, after I was mostly finished crying, he called me pretty," the girls broke into excited chatter around her. "Just wait- then, he called me hun."

"A pet name, ooh," teased Addison. Isabella blushed slightly.

Across town that same night, Phineas told his brother what happened that day. "I didn't even think about it! It just slipped out, I told her she was pretty, and then, I called her hun. Ferb, What's happening?"

Ferb smiled knowingly. "Isn't it obvious? You fancy Isabella."

"Fancy?" Phineas replied, confused.

Ferb rolled his eyes. "You like her. As more than a friend."

Phineas considered this for a moment. "Oh, my gosh," he finally whispered. "I- I think I do like Isabella."

Ferb rolled his eyes again and looked back down at his book. "Ferb you've got to help me. What can I do?"

Ferb exhaled sharply and put down his book. "Well, I know you two are close already, but you're closer as friends. Try to be more physical with her, hold hands for starters."

"Okay, then what?" Phineas asked frantically

"Are you trying to exact love down to a science? Phineas, just do whatever feels right."

"But I don't know what feels right! I only really realized my feelings for her about a minute ago! What order did things go in with you and Ella?" Phineas was referring to Ferb's girlfriend of seven months.

"With Ella, things came naturally. I admitted she was pretty, we held hands, we hugged, we cuddled, we kissed, it's not an exact science. You and Isabella might not be ready for some of these things yet. You have to make sure that both of you are comfortable." As Ferb talked about Ella, a small smile graced his face, though as he finished and looked back up at his brother, it vanished, and it was replaced with a stern look.

"Thanks, Ferb. At least I know what order I should try to do things in."

"No, Phineas, that was not a guide for you to-" Phineas had left. Ferb sighed. He loved his brother, but occasionally, and especially in human interaction, Phineas could be utterly clueless.

AN: Hi everyone! I haven't actually posted a story in a long time, but I had sudden inspiration! This should be approximately 5 or 6 chapters, I haven't exactly decided yet. I'm going to try to have each chapter 1000 words or more. I hope you'll enjoy it!