Phoebe stands frozen, her hands clenched into anxious fists as Cole walks away, completely oblivious to the fact that she just humiliated herself. Melanie, who's been leaning against the lockers watching the disaster unfold, winces before stepping up beside her.

Melanie whispering. "Well... that was painful."

Cherry nodding. "Like watching a train crash into a puppy parade."

Phoebe groaning, burying her face in her hands. "Why am I like this?"

Max grinning, arms crossed. "Because you're a dork?"

Melanie nudges him—hard—with her elbow, shooting him a warning glance. Max clears his throat, adjusting his stance. Max forced sincerity. "I mean... you were totally fine. Super smooth. No one noticed."

Melanie rolls her eyes but smirks, amused at his terrible attempt at being supportive.

Cherry brightly. "Oh! Except for when you started listing medical conditions. That was kinda weird."

Phoebe groaning louder. "I know! My brain short-circuited! What kind of person just blurts out gout on a first conversation?"

Melanie pats her shoulder sympathetically. "Look, it wasn't that bad. At least he still wants to meet your parents, which means he's definitely into you."

Phoebe mumbling. "Or he just felt too awkward to say no..."

Max grinning, hands in pockets. "Either way, should be a fun dinner. Make sure to bring up arthritis next time—real conversation starter."

Melanie shoots him another look, and Max sighs dramatically. "Fine. I'll actually be helpful. Phoebe, you just need to stop overthinking. Cole already likes you, so all you have to do is be normal for, like, an hour."

Phoebe sarcastic. "Oh, sure, so easy. Let me just flip the not awkward switch."

Cherry goes on. "You do have a habit of talking a lot when you're nervous..."

Melanie grinning. "Which is why we're here to help."

Phoebe looks between her friends, then lets out a long sigh, finally nodding. "Okay. I accept your help. But if this dinner turns into a disaster, I'm dragging all of you down with me."

Cherry gives an exaggerated salute, while Melanie just smirks. Max, however, scoffs. "Uh, yeah, no thanks. I like my rep the way it is."

Melanie raises an eyebrow at him. "What rep?"

Max turns to her, feigning offense, but there's a spark of something playful between them. Something different. Melanie smirks, waiting for his response. Max mock dramatic. "Wow. That hurts, Mel. Here I am, trying to be a better person, and you just crush me like a bug."

Melanie laughs, shaking her head. For a second, the teasing between them feels... easier. Like they're both testing the waters of something neither of them wants to name yet.

Phoebe watching them, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "Wait a minute... Are you two being nice to each other?"

Cherry gasping, clutching her chest. "I never thought I'd live to see this day."

Max grinning, shrugging. "Hey, Mel and I can be civil. Right, Mel?"

Melanie smiles slightly, then nudges him playfully with her shoulder. "Yeah, don't get used to it."

Max chuckles, and Phoebe squints between them before shaking her head. "Okay, whatever's happening here is weird, but I have bigger problems. Like not humiliating myself in front of Cole again."

Melanie smiles, looping her arm through Phoebe's as they start walking down the hall. "Then let's get to work. First step—no random diseases."

Max grinning as he follows behind. "Aw, but those are the best part."

Melanie shoots him a playful glare, and he just smirks, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he falls into step beside her. For once, neither of them feels the need to ruin the moment. Melanie is walking briskly, arms full of books, when—

BAM!

She collides hard with someone, sending her books flying. She stumbles back, barely catching herself before hitting the floor.

Melanie groaning. "Oh, perfect. Just what I needed."

He starts chuckling, extending a hand. "You okay?"

Melanie looks up—and her stomach flips. It's Jason Reed, tall, effortlessly cool, and unfortunately her biggest crush. He offers her a charming smile as he bends down, picking up her books with ease.

Melanie blinking rapidly, trying to form words. "Uh. Yeah. Fine. Good. Standing. You. Me. Gravity."

Jason laughing slightly, handing her books back. "Right. Well, try not to let gravity win next time, yeah?"

Melanie swallows, nodding dumbly as he gives her a small smirk and walks off. She stays frozen for a beat before exhaling sharply, pressing the books against her chest as she hurries off to class. Melanie slips into her usual seat, still a little dazed. Before she can process, someone drops into the chair next to her.

MAX.

He leans back casually, arms crossed, eyes narrowed as he studies her.

Max smirking. "So. What was that about?"

Melanie blinking, playing innocent. "What was what about?"

Max explained. "Ah, I don't know. The whole stumbling into a guy, turning into a human glitch, and looking like you just walked out of a rom-com meet-cute situation."

Melanie rolls her eyes, setting her books down. "It was nothing."

Max mocking. "Oh, Jason, thank you for saving my life. I was but a fragile little flower, and you—my knight in shining varsity jacket—have rescued me from the cruel fate of the floor."

Melanie glares at him, shoving his shoulder. "Oh, shut up."

Max grinning, leaning closer. "I'm just saying, it was painfully obvious. You like him."

Melanie muttering. "And you're jealous."

Max scoffing. "Jealous? Me? Of what—Mr. Perfectly Quiffed Hair? Please."

Melanie smirks, resting her chin on her hand as she studies him. "Mhm. That's why instead of just asking me out like a normal person, you're stuck being nice to me to see if we work first."

Max mock gasp. "Mel, you wound me. I always know what I'm doing."

Melanie raises an eyebrow, unconvinced.

Max grumbling. "Okay, maybe sometimes I know what I'm doing."

Melanie just grins, turning away as the lights in the classroom flicker, then suddenly go out completely.

A few students gasp, others groan. The teacher grumbles about a power issue. In the dim light, Melanie barely registers a shift beside her—

Then, Max's hand finds hers.

It starts as a casual brush, but then his fingers slowly trace over her skin, caressing gently. Melanie stiffens slightly, but she doesn't pull away.

Max muttering, barely audible. "What is his deal?"

Melanie frowns, following his line of sight. Across the room, Jason is staring in their direction—staring at her—with a look she can't quite place.

Before she can think too much about it, Max shifts closer, his hand tightening around hers. His thumb glides over her knuckles absentmindedly, almost possessively.

Melanie exhales slowly. Melanie softly. "Max..."

Max low, barely above a whisper. "What? You mind?"

Melanie studies him in the dark, a small smile tugging at her lips. She doesn't answer—just lets her fingers curl slightly, returning the hold.

Max murmuring, smug. "That's what I thought."

The lights flicker back on, but Max doesn't move his hand.

Neither does she.

☆

Phoebe bursts into the room, practically glowing with excitement. Max is lazily sprawled on the couch, flipping through a comic book, while Barb and Hank are sitting nearby. Melanie is perched on the arm of the couch next to Max, casually twirling a strand of her hair.

Phoebe grinning. "You guys will never guess what happened today!"

Max without looking up, deadpan. "An asteroid was heading toward school, and you single-handedly stopped it with your powers?"

Melanie smirking, nudging Max's arm. "And then melted it into a puddle with your heat breath?"

Phoebe rolling her eyes. "No, a boy asked me out."

Max & Melanie simultaneously, uninterested. "Yeah, we're done here."

Hank groaning, shaking his head. "What he said—but with more disappointment."

Barb perking up, excited. "A boy, huh? I think your father and I agree that you're a little young to be dating."

Melanie grinning at Max, whispering. "You hear that? Too young. Guess you better cancel all your future plans."

Max grinning back, leaning slightly toward her. "Oh, please. Like anyone could resist me."

Melanie rolls her eyes but doesn't move away.

Barb beaming, ignoring them. "Is it Cole Campbell?"

Phoebe dramatically gasping, nodding. "Uh-huh!"

Barb clapping excitedly. "That is so exciting!"

Phoebe rushing out her words. "I know! Oh, also, his entire family is coming here for dinner tomorrow night. 'Kay, bye!"

She turns to make a run for it, but—

Hank & Max simultaneously, alarmed. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!"

Max mock horror. "You invited a family of non-superheroes to our house?!"

Hank sternly, crossing his arms. "No non-supes in the house is rule number one."

Max grinning mischievously, pointing at Phoebe. "You lift that rule, and next thing you know, this place will be crawling with Phoebe's giggle buddies, yappin' about nonsense— "I like boys! I like dancing! Let's go to horse camp!"

Melanie snorts, covering her mouth to hide her laugh.

Phoebe flatly. "Real mature, Max."

Melanie teasing, nudging Max again. "Maybe you're just jealous you weren't invited to horse camp."

Max mock offense, hand over heart. "I would rock a riding helmet, thank you very much."

Melanie giggles, shaking her head, while Phoebe rolls her eyes. "Come on, like you're never gonna want to have any of your friends from school over? Not one?"

Max grinning smugly. "Nope, because when non-supes are over, I can't do this."

He flicks his wrist, and suddenly, his comic book levitates in the air before flipping its own pages. Melanie watches with an amused expression.

Barb warning tone. "Max."

Hank matching her tone. "Max."

Max sighing, dropping his hand—the comic flutters to the floor. "Sorry."

Phoebe reassured them. "Dad, Cole's parents just want to know I come from a good family."

Hank grumbling. "Sure, bring 'em over. Billy can super-speed around the ceiling while Nora zaps laser beams at him with her eyeballs."

Phoebe ignoring him, turning to Barb. "So you're good with it?"

Barb explained. "Honey, we moved to Hiddenville to be a normal family. That means keeping our powers a secret. You're going to have to cancel the dinner."

Max grinning triumphantly, holding out his hand for a high-five. "Yes! Classic Hank. Up top."

Hank lifts his hand to return it but pauses when he sees Barb's expression.

Phoebe dramatic, clutching her heart. "How are we supposed to have normal lives if we can never have anyone over? But don't worry. I probably won't cry at all."

Melanie leans closer to Max, whispering with a smirk. "I think she's guilting them into it."

Max grinning, whispering back. "Amateur move. I would've gone with full-on waterworks."

Melanie laughs softly, and Max glances at her, clearly enjoying her reaction more than he should.

Barb sighing, relenting. "Wait. Maybe we can make an exception this once."

Hank & Max simultaneously, alarmed. "Barb..."

Melanie mock whispering to Max. "Uh-oh. She pulled the mom card. You're doomed."

Barb reassured her. "We'll both be here, Hank. And the kids will behave themselves."

Phoebe turning to Hank, big pleading eyes. "Please, Dad?"

Hank groaning, rubbing his temples. "Well... okay."

Phoebe excited, clapping her hands together. "Thanks, Dad! Up top!"

Max shaking his head at Hank, mock betrayal. "I don't even know you anymore."

Melanie grins, leaning closer to Max with an exaggerated whisper. "Admit it, you're just mad that now you have to be nice at dinner."

Max grinning, mock groaning. "Ugh. This is the worst day of my life."

Melanie laughs, nudging him playfully as Max watches her with an amused smirk, the playful banter lingering between them.

The family is gathered in the living room watching a movie. Phoebe, Barb, and Hank seem invested, while Max lounges on the couch with his arms crossed, clearly bored. Melanie sits beside him, curled up with a blanket, enjoying the movie. Cherry is on the floor, fully engrossed.

MOVIE CHARACTER (ON SCREEN). The girl looks dramatically. "I'll always find my way back to you..."

Phoebe sighs dreamily, hugging a pillow. "Ugh, so romantic."

Max groaning, rolling his eyes. "Ugh, so nauseating."

Melanie nudges him with her elbow, smirking. "Oh, come on, Max. Even you have to admit that was sweet."

Max deadpan. "Yeah. Sweet like rotting teeth."

Melanie shakes her head, amused. Max shifts in his seat, clearly getting restless. "Alright, I can't take this anymore. I'm out."

Melaine gives him a side-eye as he stands up, stretching dramatically. "Shocking. The guy who refuses to acknowledge emotions doesn't want to watch a romance movie.

Max grinning, leaning down toward her. "Oh, I acknowledge emotions... just not the gross ones."

Melanie snorts, pulling her blanket tighter around her. "Well, I'm staying. This is the best part."

Max mock offense. "What? You'd rather watch some sappy love story than hang out with me?"

Melanie grinning. "Yep."

Max playfully glaring. "Wrong answer."

Before Melanie can react, Max swoops down and picks her up bridal-style, blanket and all. Melanie lets out a surprised squeal, flailing slightly as he starts walking toward the stairs. "Max! Put me down!"

Max grinning, effortlessly carrying her. "Nope. You're coming with me. Consider it a... change of scenery."

Phoebe glancing over, unimpressed. "You two are exhausting."

Cherry still watching the movie, barely paying attention. "That's cute. You guys are like an old married couple."

Melanie's face flushes slightly as she glares at MAX, who is clearly loving this. Melanie grumbling, half-heartedly struggling. "You are so annoying."

Max smirking, adjusting his grip on her. "And yet, you still like me."

Melanie huffs but doesn't deny it.

Hank and Barb exchange a knowing glance but say nothing. Max reaches the stairs and starts heading up, Melanie still in his arms, her annoyed expression slowly shifting into an amused one.

Melanie muttering, defeated but secretly enjoying it. "Fine. But I'm picking the next movie."

Max grinning, kicking open his bedroom door. "Yeah, yeah. As long as it's not another sappy love fest."

Melanie rolls her eyes, but there's a small, unmistakable smile on her lips as Max finally sets her down—only for her to promptly smack his arm.

☆

Melanie watched as the kid bolted down the hallway, lunch in hand. Before she could react, a voice beside her cut through the moment, smooth and unimpressed.

"Dark Empress strikes again."

She turned to see Tara Campbell leaning casually against the lockers, arms crossed, eyes sharp with amusement. Her dark hair framed her face as she observed the chaos with a smirk.

"Sorry," Melanie muttered, though she knew it wouldn't change anything.

Tara shrugged. "Don't be." She shot Melanie a knowing look. "I'm a big fan of your work."

Melanie raised an eyebrow. "I don't suppose you'd want to grab lunch?"

Tara's smirk widened as she held up a sandwich—one that definitely wasn't hers. "Too late. I already grabbed yours."

Melanie blinked, then let out a small laugh despite herself.

"If you like that," Tara added, unwrapping the sandwich with a dramatic flair, "you'll love turkey wrap Tuesdays."

Before Melanie could respond, a figure suddenly jumped out from behind the lockers.

"Aha!" Max exclaimed, grinning like he'd just caught her committing a crime.

Melanie barely flinched, but she did scowl. "Max, what the hell?"

Max folded his arms, looking way too pleased with himself. "Oh, don't 'what the hell' me. I knew it! You have a crush on Tara Campbell."

Melanie rolled her eyes, hugging her books to her chest as she turned to walk away. "Do not."

Max easily kept pace, a knowing smirk on his face. "Oh, you so do. You used to call this dinner plan 'the worst idea since Phoebe's jazz phase,' and now suddenly, you need it to go well?" He gasped dramatically. "Because if it impresses Tara, maybe—just maybe—there will be chemistry."

Melanie groaned, shoving him lightly. "Shut up."

Max put a hand over his heart. "I feel betrayed, Mel. We made a pact that this dinner was a disaster waiting to happen, and now you're bailing on the bad idea because of a girl." He wiggled his eyebrows. "Admit it. Say it out loud."

Melanie huffed, spinning to face him. "Fine! Yes, I have a crush on Tara, and yes, I need tonight to be perfect." She grabbed his arm. "Look, if you don't agree to this dinner for Phoebe, agree for me."

Max eyed her, pretending to consider it, but he was already caving. "Ugh, fine. But if this turns into a rom-com disaster, I'm out."

Melanie grinned, grabbing his hand. "You won't regret this."

Before Max could protest, she pulled him along, dashing out of the school doors. "Come on! I need something cute to wear!"

Max groaned as he got dragged along. "You already own, like, a hundred outfits."

"Yeah, but none of them say crush-worthy."

"You realize how ridiculous you sound, right?"

Melanie just laughed, pulling him faster.

☆

Melanie was leaning against the lockers, lazily scrolling through her phone when Cherry suddenly rushed up, wide-eyed and breathless.

"Pheebs, we have an emergency."

Phoebe barely looked up as she grabbed a book from her locker. "You forgot your password again?"

Cherry blinked. "It's your birthday."

Phoebe frowned. "It's my birthday?" Then realization hit. "Oh—oh no, that's my password." She shook her head. "Okay, what is it this time?"

Cherry dramatically held up her phone. "I was doing some research online, and look what I found."

Melanie, curious now, leaned over as Phoebe took the phone. "Photos from Cole's family vacation?"

Cherry nodded frantically. "Yeah, except that's not a hotel." She swiped to another image. "It's their house." Another swipe. "And that's their pool." Another. "Oh, and those are their polo ponies."

Melanie raised an eyebrow. "Polo ponies? That's some next-level rich."

Cherry let out a dramatic gasp. "Look at this one!"

Phoebe's eyes widened as she stared at the screen. "Is he feeding that horse money?"

Melanie peered closer, whistling. "Wow. That's a whole new level of 'we have too much cash and don't know what to do with it.'"

Cherry grabbed Phoebe's arm. "Pheebs, if I were you, I'd be very nervous."

Phoebe huffed, crossing her arms. "What are you saying? That my family's not classy enough for theirs?"

Cherry wordlessly turned the phone around again. "His parents are on the cover of this month's Snob and Country."

Phoebe's face drained of color. "I have to go home now."

She turned to leave and smacked