As everyone settled in at the dinner table, the smell of garlic bread and warm tomato sauce filled the air. The plates were stacked high with spaghetti, and a massive meatball sat proudly on Hank's plate, just the way he liked it.

Barb smiled as she set down the last dish. "Dinner is ready!"

She glanced over at Nora. "Nora, would you get Phoebe and Max?"

Nora, who was already halfway out of her chair, grinned. "Sure!" She cupped her hands around her mouth. "PHOEBE! MAX! DINNER!"

Barb sighed. "Not what I meant."

Nora sat back down with an innocent shrug. "Sorry."

Just then, Phoebe and Max entered the kitchen, drawn in by the delicious smell. Max rubbed his hands together. "Oh, spaghetti and meatballs. My night just got way better."

Hank grinned as he reached for his fork. "Barb, did you make me a giant meatball?"

Barb smirked. "Of course, Hank. You know I did."

Hank beamed. "See? This is why I love you. And you're pretty and smart and all that stuff."

Melanie walked in behind Max and Phoebe, looking unimpressed. "If anyone really loves me, they'd pass me some garlic bread."

Nora immediately grabbed a piece and tossed it across the table. "Here!"

Melanie caught it with ease, taking a bite as she sat down. "Nice throw. See? This family can be useful."

Just as everyone started to dig in, a whoosh filled the air. The giant meatball on Hank's plate suddenly rolled off, flying toward Phoebe at high speed.

Without even turning her head, Phoebe swiftly reached out and caught the meatball midair with her fork.

"WHOA." Everyone stared at her in shock.

Max blinked. "You weren't even looking! How did you know that meatball was about to hit you?"

Phoebe frowned at her fork, confused. "I... I don't know. I just suddenly sensed a meaty danger."

Melanie, who had been quietly watching, leaned in. "Did you get, like, a weird tingling sensation?"

Phoebe's eyes widened. "Yeah. How'd you know?"

Billy gasped dramatically. "Phoebe's a witch! Let's see if she melts!"

Nora clapped her hands. "Ooooh, good idea. Someone get a bucket of water!"

Barb shook her head. "Your sister is not a witch."

Nora leaned toward Billy. "We should still test it."

Hank cleared his throat. "Actually, Phoebe is developing her thundersense! It's the ability to sense danger right before it happens. It's the first step to becoming a great superhero."

Melanie leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "Huh. So that's what that weird tingle is."

Barb raised an eyebrow. "Wait... Melanie, you have your thundersense?"

Melanie nodded casually. "Yeah, I've had it for a while. Just figured it was normal. Helps me dodge flying dodgeballs in gym class, so I'm not complaining."

Max groaned. "Oh, come on! First Phoebe, now Melanie? Am I the only one who doesn't have it?"

Billy shrugged. "Probably. But you have other things Phoebe and Melanie don't have!"

Max perked up. "Yeah? Like what?"

Nora smirked. "Bad grades and dumb faces?"

Max shot her a glare. "You wish you were this good-looking, pipsqueak."

Barb smiled sympathetically. "Now, Max, there's no reason to feel bad. You'll get your thundersense eventually."

Phoebe grinned smugly. "Yeah. The important thing to remember right now is... I'm better than you."

Max scowled. "Oh, really?" He turned to his parents. "When did you guys get your thundersense?"

Barb smiled. "I didn't get mine until I was 15."

Max raised an eyebrow. "And Dad?"

Hank awkwardly cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact. "Uh... doesn't matter."

Nora smirked. "Tell us."

Hank sighed. "Fine. I was... twenty-four."

Max stared. "TWENTY-FOUR?! Are you serious?"

Hank folded his arms. "Hey, it happens! Some of us develop a little later than others!"

Melanie took another bite of garlic bread. "So, what I'm hearing is... Max might not get his thundersense until he's old enough to have back problems?"

Max groaned loudly. "This is the worst dinner ever."

Billy grinned. "Actually, it's the best dinner ever. Let's see if you have it now!"

Before Max could react, Billy smacked him on the forehead with a breadstick.

Max winced. "OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!"

Billy shrugged. "Testing your thundersense. Still nothing."

Nora patted Max's arm. "Don't worry. You're safe now."

Max let out a dramatic sigh and dropped his head onto the table. "I hate this family."

Melanie smirked. "Oh, please. You'd be so bored without us."

Max groaned into his plate. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Someone pass me the garlic bread."

Melanie leaned back in her chair, chewing on her garlic bread with a smirk. She tapped Max's arm with her foot under the table. "Aw, poor Maxie. No thundersense. Must be rough being the only one without it."

Max groaned, his head still face-planted on the table. "Oh yeah, Mel, so rough. My life is totally over. How will I ever survive?"

Melanie grinned. "Dunno. Guess you'll have to live the rest of your life in constant fear of flying meatballs. Sounds tragic."

Max lifted his head slightly, glaring at her. "You do realize I can still prank you, right?"

Melanie raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You mean those weak little pranks I dodge because of my thundersense? Yeah, not worried."

Nora burst out laughing. "Ooooh, she got you there, Max!"

Billy pointed at Max. "Hey, maybe that's your superpower! Being the worst at pranking people."

Max rolled his eyes. "Oh, ha ha. You guys are hilarious."

Melanie propped her elbow on the table, resting her chin in her hand. "Don't worry, Maxie. Maybe your real power is being the family disappointment. I mean, somebody's gotta do it, right?"

Max gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "Melanie! That was so hurtful."

Melanie grinned. "You love it."

Max shook his head, biting back a smile. "I tolerate it."

Melanie nudged him with her foot again. "Love it."

Max groaned, finally cracking a grin. "Fine. Maybe a little."

Phoebe, who had been enjoying this entire exchange, smirked. "Awww, you guys are so cute."

Max immediately leaned away from Melanie. "Ugh, don't make it weird, Phoebe."

Melanie snorted. "Yeah, the only thing cute here is Max's sad little face every time we bring up his lack of thundersense."

Max let out a dramatic sigh. "This is my villain origin story. When I finally take over the world, all of you will regret this."

Nora grinned. "Oh no, what will we do? The evil Maximus Weakimus is coming to get us!"

Billy gasped. "Everybody hide your meatballs!"

The entire table burst into laughter, and even Max had to chuckle, shaking his head. He grabbed a piece of garlic bread and tossed it at Melanie, who caught it effortlessly.

Melanie winked. "See? Your thundersense is already helping me out. Thanks, Maxie."

Max groaned. "I hate this family."

Melanie nudged him again. "No, you don't."

Max sighed. "Fine. I strongly dislike this family."

Phoebe smirked. "And that's the nicest thing you've ever said to us."

Max rolled his eyes, but as the family kept laughing and teasing, he couldn't help but smile.

Phoebe barely had time to process what had happened before Cherry grabbed her by the shoulders, eyes wide with excitement.

"Oh my gosh, Phoebe! That was amazing! How did you even know that cart was coming?"

Phoebe let out a nervous laugh, brushing imaginary dust off her sleeves. "Oh, you know... just... good reflexes?"

Cherry narrowed her eyes. "Mmm-hmm. Sure. Reflexes. That makes total sense."

Before Phoebe could respond, Melanie came jogging up, arms crossed, looking unimpressed. "Nice save, but I totally had that."

Phoebe blinked. "Excuse me?"

Melanie shrugged, nodding toward the cart. "My thundersense went off first. I was this close to jumping in, but then you had to go all 'Look at me! I'm Phoebe! I save the day!'" She smirked. "Way to steal my thunder. Literally."

Phoebe rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. I had it handled."

"Uh-huh. And if you hadn't, I would've been right there. Teamwork, you know?" Melanie nudged her with her elbow.

Cherry gasped. "Wait, wait, wait. Melanie, you knew too? You both saw that coming?"

Melanie leaned in with a smirk. "Maybe."

Phoebe glared at her. "Melanie."

Melanie just shrugged. "Fine. It was a total coincidence. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Nothing suspicious going on here at all."

Cherry squinted, then sighed. "Ugh, I don't know how you guys do it, but that was so cool!"

Just then, Max ran up, panting. "Okay, okay, what did I miss?"

Phoebe turned to him with a grin. "Oh, nothing major. Just saved the day. Again."

Max groaned. "Seriously? You guys always get to do the cool stuff!"

Melanie patted his shoulder. "Hey, maybe next time you can develop lightning-fast instincts and save the day."

Max crossed his arms. "Or maybe next time you can wait, like, five more seconds before saving people so I have a shot."

Phoebe smirked. "Sorry, Max. We don't make the rules."

Melanie gave her a high five. "Nope. We just enforce them."

Cherry giggled. "You guys are so weird. But, like, in a superhero-y kind of way."

Phoebe and Melanie exchanged a quick glance before Phoebe forced a laugh. "Pfft, superheroes? Us? Cherry, you watch way too many movies."

Cherry shrugged. "I dunno, Phoebe. If the Thundermans were real, I bet they'd act just like you two."

Max grumbled. "Oh, great. Now she's onto us."

Melanie smacked him on the arm. "Shh! We don't talk about it!"

Cherry tilted her head. "Talk about what?"

Phoebe quickly threw an arm around Cherry's shoulders. "Oh, nothing! Let's just, uh—go get smoothies! My treat!"

Cherry cheered. "Ooh, now that's what I'm talking about!"

As the group walked off, Max muttered under his breath, "I better get to save someone next time."

Melanie smirked. "Sure, Max. Keep dreaming."

As they walked toward the smoothie shop, Max lagged behind, kicking a stray pebble down the sidewalk. His arms were crossed, his usual smirk replaced by a sulky frown. Melanie noticed and rolled her eyes before nudging him with her elbow. "Oh, come on, Max. Are you seriously gonna pout about this all day?"

Max scoffed. "Uh, yeah. Because it's not fair. You and Phoebe have your thundersense and thunder powers, and I'm just stuck being... me."

Melanie glanced at him, then sighed. As much as she liked to tease Max, she knew deep down how much it bothered him that he hadn't developed his thunder powers yet. He'd never admit it outright, but it stung.

She smirked, bumping him again. "Alright, fine. I'll make it up to you."

Max raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Yeah? How?"

Melanie shrugged. "Anything you want. One thing, no questions asked. You name it, and I'll make it happen."

Max's eyes lit up as he stopped walking. "Wait, anything?"

Melanie smirked. "Anything within reason. I'm not robbing a bank or helping you take over the world, so don't even try it."

Max groaned. "Ugh, fine. You're no fun."

Phoebe, overhearing, glanced back. "You're really offering Max anything? You know that's a terrible idea, right?"

Melanie shrugged. "Hey, he's had a rough day. He deserves a win."

Max crossed his arms, pretending to think. "Hmm... I could ask for something ridiculous... but I think I'll start small." He grinned mischievously. "I want a full day where you have to do whatever I say."

Phoebe immediately burst out laughing. "Oh, this I have to see."

Melanie raised an eyebrow. "So, what? I'm your personal assistant for the day?

Max nodded. "Yep. But I prefer the term evil apprentice."

Melanie rolled her eyes but smirked. "Alright, fine. But if you waste this on making me fetch you snacks and do your laundry, I'm never offering this again."

Max grinned. "Oh, don't worry. I have big plans."

Phoebe crossed her arms. "And this is why I don't offer Max anything."

Max threw an arm around Melanie's shoulders. "Oh, lighten up, Phoebe. This is gonna be so much fun."

Melanie just sighed. "Yeah... I already regret this."

But deep down, she didn't. If it made Max feel better, maybe it was worth it.

As Max lounged on the couch, he dramatically sighed, taking a slow, exaggerated bite of his sandwich. "Is that sandwich making you feel better about not having your thundersense, sweetie?" Barb asked, hovering over him with her signature worried mom look.

Max swallowed and leaned back. "It would if I had my fancy mustard." He held out his hand expectantly.

Barb, eager to comfort him, flicked her wrist, using her telekinesis to swoosh the mustard bottle into his hand.

"Swoosh! Thanks!" Max grinned, squeezing a generous amount onto his sandwich.

Suddenly, a loud clank echoed through the house as Hank smacked a golf ball straight into the wall.

Max groaned, rolling his eyes. "Do you really have to play golf right now?"

Hank adjusted his stance, eyeing an imaginary green. "Hey, it's the only tee time I could get."

Just then, Melanie sauntered in, arms crossed, smirking as she plopped down on the couch next to Max. "So, what's with all the pity gifts from dimples up there?" she teased, nodding toward Barb, who was fussing over a batch of brownies in the kitchen.

Max leaned in with a sly grin. "Mom feels bad I don't have my thundersense, so I'm gonna keep working her until I get the ultimate prize—a 10-terabyte supercomputer with satellite connectivity." He rubbed his hands together. "And after Phoebe's big save today, Mom will do anything to make me feel better."

As if on cue, Barb called out from the kitchen. "Sweetie, I'm sending you some brownies!"

Max grinned. "Thanks, Mom!"

Melanie smirked, nudging him. "Bravo, kid. Way to make your complete lack of ability work for you."

Hank lined up another shot. "Fore!"

Suddenly, Max's entire body tensed, his eyes widening as a strange sensation buzzed through him. He bolted upright.

"No, no, no, no, no."

Melanie raised an eyebrow. "What's up with you?"

Max grabbed his head, shaking it. "This means I have my thundersense! I don't want my thundersense!"

Hank shrugged. "Tough break, kid. Looks like you're gifted."

Just then, Barb appeared with a glass of milk and a warm plate of brownies, her expression still full of motherly concern. "Coming down, honey. I brought you some milk to go with your brownies! Is there anything else you want?" She hesitated. "Like a hug?"

Max took a deep breath, adjusting his tone to peak dramatics. "Actually, there is something I really wanted to tell you."

Barb leaned in, hopeful. "Yes, sweetie?"

Max locked eyes with her. "I'd like a 10-terabyte supercomputer with satellite connectivity."

Barb sighed, softening. "Two hugs?"

Max groaned. "I don't have my thundersense."

Barb blinked. "But, Max—"

Before she could finish, Max threw his hands up, practically wailing. "I don't have my thundersense!"

Barb gasped and immediately wrapped him in a tight embrace. "Oh, honey!"

Melanie, watching the entire thing unfold, bit back a laugh before shaking her head. "You really are committed to this, huh?"

Barb pulled away, wiping a fake tear from her eye. "Okay, I'll get you the computer, okay?"

Max's fake crying stopped instantly. "Thanks, Mom!"

Melanie just shook her head. "You are so lucky I like you, because this is ridiculous."

As soon as Barb left the room, Max kicked his feet up, a victorious smirk spreading across his face. "And that, my dear Melanie, is how you play the long game."

Melanie, however, wasn't buying it. She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, leaning in slightly. "Mhm. That's cute, Max. Real cute."

Max looked at her, feigning innocence. "What? You're not actually mad, are you?"

Melanie tilted her head, giving him a slow, knowing smile. "Oh, no, I'm not mad. I'm just thinking... if you're willing to pull off a whole emotional performance for one computer, then you definitely owe me something."

Max frowned. "Owe you? What could I possibly owe you for?"

Melanie tapped her chin dramatically. "Oh, I don't know... maybe because you were going to lie to me anyway about not getting your thundersense?"

Max sat up straighter. "Wait, what? No, I wasn't!"

Melanie just stared at him, unimpressed. "Uh-huh. Sure."

Max held up a hand. "I wasn't! Look, I literally just figured it out right before you did."

Melanie scoffed. "Max, please. I know you. The second you realized you had it, you were already thinking up ways to keep it quiet. And that, my dear Maxie, is why you now have a black bill with me."

Max's smirk faltered. "...A what now?"

Melanie smirked, leaning back on the couch. "A black bill—basically, a favor you owe me that I can cash in whenever I want."

Max blinked. "That's not a thing."

Melanie shrugged. "It is now. Because let's be real, even if you weren't planning to lie, you would've at some point. So, to make up for it, I get one no-questions-asked favor."

Max groaned, rubbing his temples. "This is extortion."

Melanie grinned. "No, Max. This is justice."

Max huffed, slumping back into the couch. "Fine. But I swear, if you make me do something ridiculous—"

Melanie cut him off with a knowing smirk. "Oh, don't worry. You'll find out when the time is right."

Max let out a dramatic groan. "I hate this already."

Melanie just patted his shoulder, looking way too pleased with herself. "Oh, I know."

Just as Melanie basked in her victory, Max's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and groaned. "Ugh, it's Phoebe." He answered begrudgingly. "What do you want?"

Phoebe's voice came through, impatient and urgent. "Not you. Put Melanie on."

Max arched an eyebrow and turned to Melanie. "It's for you. Did you also black-bill my sister?"

Melanie smirked. "Not yet, but thanks for the idea." She snatched the phone from Max. "Yo, Phoebs. What's up?"

"Training. Now. Meet me at the park in ten minutes."

Melanie groaned. "Ugh, seriously? I just got Max to admit he owes me a favor, and I was so ready to enjoy this moment."

Phoebe was unfazed. "Yeah, yeah, congratulations. Now hurry up, we've got work to do."

Melanie sighed dramatically. "Fine. But I better not regret this." She hung up and tossed the phone back to Max.

Max smirked. "Have fun."

Melanie stretched and cracked her knuckles. "Oh, I will. And if I don't, guess who's paying for my post-training snacks?"

Max narrowed his eyes. "...This feels like a trap."

Melanie winked. "Smart boy." She grabbed her jacket and headed out, already regretting not staying on the couch.

☆

As Max winced from yet another tennis ball to the stomach, Melanie strolled into the training room with her arms crossed, watching the chaos unfold. "Wow," she said dryly.