As the kids ran off to celebrate, Melanie let out a sigh of relief. Finally, this was over.

☆

Hank stood at the center of the room, grinning mischievously as he held up a scrappy-looking stuffed badger. He shook it slightly for effect, making its button eyes gleam under the living room lights. "Okay, I've got the perfect plan to restore Phoebe's confidence," Hank announced.

Nora squinted at the stuffed animal. "Stuffing her in a sack?" She gasped dramatically. "So weird—I had the exact same plan!"

Hank sighed. "No, Nora. We're gonna make her feel like a hero again with this!" He shook the badger again, adding a low growl for effect.

Billy's eyes lit up. "Cool! We got a dog!"

"No, it's a stuffed badger," Hank corrected. "We're gonna strap it to Billy's arm, pretend it's attacking him, and when Phoebe freezes it, she'll think she saved his life. Boom! Confidence restored."

Melanie, lounging on the couch, tilted her head and frowned. "Isn't there a way to restore Phoebe's confidence without using roadkill?"

The badger let out another low, growling rrr!

Melanie crossed her arms. "Okay, that was creepy. If that thing moves on its own, I'm out."

"Relax, it'll work," Max assured. "Now we just need to get Phoebe down from her room."

Billy grinned. "Oh, I got it." He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "PHOEBE! THERE'S A CHANNING TATUM MOVIE MARATHON ON!"

From upstairs, a loud thud was followed by hurried footsteps.

"Sweet cheese!" Phoebe's voice rang out. "GO!"

Melanie sighed. "This is gonna backfire spectacularly." The plan was in motion. Billy stood dramatically in the middle of the room, flailing his arm where the stuffed badger was loosely attached.

"OH NO! My arm! I'm being attacked by an angry badger!" he shrieked.

Hank nudged Phoebe. "Phoebe, do something!"

Phoebe's eyes widened as she took a step back. "Uh—uh—okay! Quick! What's the number for animal control?"

Melanie groaned, rubbing her temples. "Oh my gosh, Phoebe, just freeze it."

Hank stepped in, arms crossed. "Phoebe, a bloodthirsty varmint is chewing on your brother! Do something!"

Billy flailed harder. "AHH! I SEE THE LIGHT! SO MANY BAD DECISIONS FLASHING BEFORE MY EYES!"

Phoebe took a deep breath and finally used her freeze breath. The stuffed badger turned into an icicle, still attached to Billy's arm.

Max grinned and clapped. "Ha-ha-ha! All right, Phoebe! You did it!"

Nora cheered. "Let's hear it for our little hero!"

Billy gasped for air. "And what about me? You think this kind of acting just happens?!"

Melanie rolled her eyes. "Acting? Please."

Billy turned to Max. "You did say I should make it believable."

Phoebe squinted at her frozen "victim," then raised an eyebrow. "...Wait a second." She pulled the badger off Billy's arm, inspecting it. "This thing is stuffed!"

Max smirked. "Stuffed with Billy arm."

Hank sighed. "It's over, Max."

Phoebe's eyes widened in realization. "You staged a pity save?"

Max hesitated. "Well—technically—uh—"

Phoebe groaned. "Oh my gosh! Now I feel worse, thanks to your dead badger lies!" She dramatically turned toward the stairs. "At least I still have my Channing Tatum movie marathon."

Billy winced. "Yeah, about that..."

Phoebe gasped. "MY WHOLE LIFE IS A LIE!" She stomped upstairs.

Max scratched his head. "Okay, yeah. We did not think this through."

Melanie crossed her arms. "Told you this would backfire."

Max walked in with a pleased expression. "All right, here's your trampoline! Now, where's my supercomputer?"

Nora smirked. "Billy threw it in the lake."

"WHAT?!"

Billy gasped. "Lighten up! It's right behind you." He pointed at the box sitting on the patio.

Max smirked. "Meanies." 

Billy stepped onto the trampoline. "Step aside, Nora, I need to get my bounce on." He leaped into the air. "Wheee! This is the best thing ever!"

Nora crossed her arms. "Come on, get off, Billy. It's my turn."

"No way! This is too much fun!"

Then—his foot got stuck in the safety net.

"Uh—Nora? Help! I'm stuck!"

Nora gasped. "Uh-oh! Phoebe! Billy is stuck on the roof!"

Billy flailed his arms. "SOMEONE HELP ME!"

Downstairs, Phoebe leaned against the counter, unfazed. "Bravo, Billy. Almost believed you were actually in trouble."

Billy flailed harder. "I'm not acting! I'm really stuck!"

Phoebe turned to Melanie. "You think his thundersense is going off?"

Melanie smirked. "Like that's reliable."

Max groaned. "Oh my gosh, Phoebe! Just help him!"

Phoebe finally caved, teleporting up and catching him before he could fall.

Billy stared at her in shock. "...Wow. You actually saved me."

Phoebe smirked. "Guess I am a hero, huh?"

Billy grinned. "For real this time!"

Barb suddenly stepped outside, arms crossed. "Max, what was Billy even doing on your trampoline?"

Max hesitated. "...Well, this isn't my tram—HEY EVERYBODY, LET'S HEAR IT FOR PHOEBE!"

The others clapped, covering for him.

Barb squinted at Max. "I bought that trampoline to make you feel better because you don't have your thundersense."

There was a loud creak.

Max gulped. "...Good news, family! I, uh, got my thundersense! Just now. What a great day for all of us!"

Melanie sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Take it from the actual actor in the family—no one's buying this."

Barb's expression darkened. "I cannot believe you played me this whole time. Say goodbye to your supercomputer."

Max gasped. "MOM! Wait! It was Billy and Nora's idea to get the trampoline!"

Nora clasped her hands together, blinking innocently. "Don't believe him, Mom. Look at me. I'm adorable."

Melanie snorted. "Nice work, Phoebe. You totally nailed this one."

Phoebe grinned. "I told you—I'm the best." She struck a superhero pose. "I'm so ready to drop out of school and go full supe."

Hank chuckled. "That's not funny."

Melanie smirked. "It's kind of funny."

Phoebe sighed. "Fine, I got a little carried away. But at least I know I still have a lot to learn."

Hank nodded. "And you will."

Max crossed his arms. "...So, about my super suit?"

Phoebe hesitated. "Uh... yeah. About that... I don't have laundry duty this week."

Max groaned. "Ugh. Figures."

As the school bell rang, students flooded the hallways, chatting and gathering their things.

"Pheebs, hold up!" Cherry called, jogging over to Phoebe with a bright smile.

Phoebe turned, her eyes widening as she took in Cherry's face. "Cherry, your hideous bump is gone!" She quickly forced a grin. "I mean—hey, look at you!"

Cherry beamed, tossing her hair dramatically. "I know, right? No more freak accidents for this gal."

The two laughed, walking side by side. But before they could get too far—

Air whistling.

Phoebe's smile faltered. "Do you hear a whistle?" The sound grew louder, almost like something cutting through the air at high speed.

Mystical whooshing.

Phoebe's eyes widened. "Cherry, duck!"

Cherry gasped. "Where?! I love ducks—"

THWACK!

A rogue dodgeball nailed Cherry square in the face, sending her stumbling back with a dramatic groan.

Phoebe winced. "Cherry! Are you okay?"

Cherry groaned from the floor, rubbing her forehead. "Forget about me. How's the duck?"

Before Phoebe could answer, Melanie strolled up, arms crossed. "Seriously? Another 'freak accident'? I swear, it's like you have a magnet for disaster."

Cherry let out an exaggerated sigh. "You'd think the universe would cut me some slack now that my bump's gone."

Melanie smirked. "Guess the universe thought your face was looking too perfect."

Phoebe helped Cherry sit up, shaking her head. "Okay, that's the third time this week. Either my thundersense is lagging, or Cherry's just that unlucky."

Cherry held up a finger. "I prefer to think of it as... unique life experiences."

Melanie raised an eyebrow. "Getting smacked in the face with a dodgeball counts as a 'unique life experience'?"

Cherry sighed dreamily. "Depends. Did anyone cute see it?"

Phoebe and Melanie exchanged a look before shaking their heads.

"Nope."

Cherry groaned. "Great. What a waste of a perfectly good face-plant."

As the final bell rang, students poured out of the school, eager to escape for the day. Melanie adjusted her bag strap, scanning the crowd until she spotted Max leaning casually against the lockers, his usual smug grin plastered across his face.

"Took you long enough," he said, pushing off the wall and holding up a small shopping bag. "Here. Got you what you wanted."

Melanie's eyes narrowed in confusion as she took the bag. "Wait, how? I thought your mom took everything away after finding out about your thundersense scam."

Max smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Luckily, I got this before she went all 'Mom Mode' and cleaned me out."

Melanie peeked inside, and sure enough, the makeup she'd been wanting was sitting neatly in the bag. Her lips curled into a small smile. "Huh. Guess you're not completely useless after all."

Max feigned offense. "Wow. That's the thanks I get?"

Melanie rolled her eyes before looking both ways, making sure the coast was clear. When she saw that no one was paying attention, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.

Max blinked in surprise, his usual confidence flickering for a second before he grinned. "What was that for?"

Melanie smirked. "For making up for being an idiot earlier."

Max laughed as they started walking toward class together. "Guess I should be an idiot more often, then."

Melanie nudged him playfully. "Don't push your luck, Thunder Dork."

Hey guys, I'm currently not feeling well right now so if you have any concerns, I will try to get back to you soon! Thank you!