Chapter 7

Phoebe made it home to find Max sprawled on the couch with his limbs everywhere, snoring lightly which she found odd considered for the years they slept together as kids, he was never one to snore. He's probably exhausted, she thought.

She passed him and onto the stairs, through the hallway and into her room, tugging her dress off, kicking her heels to the side. The night went well, as expected of course, with Link being a gentleman through meaningful gestures such as pulling her chair out for her, wiping sauce off of her cheek and repeatedly complimenting her. Yet even through all that, Phoebe could state that the night wasn't what she'd categorize as romantically unforgettable either, and she knew why.

Their relationship, her love for Link or whatever they had going on was withering, or already withered, simply put that the spark that once ignited their relationship wasn't there anymore.

The longer she thought about it the more prominent it became. She wasn't certain whether it was because of the recent dent courtesy of Max, but what she knew was that the vivid earnest of their relationship was gone. Link probably couldn't see it because it wasn't him, it was her.

For the past few days, she felt a little hollow when it came to them, including that weird pool of regret she felt the day she proposed the idea of them being the perfect pair, but as soon as it came she decisively diverted from such thoughts, reminding herself how great of a guy Link is and how lucky she was to have him in her life.

She sighed, levitating her pajama breaches into her grasp. It was an unwelcoming feeling to learn the love you harboured for someone was slowly fading away, and painful too.

She had to listen to the tales of his travels as they ate dinner, not something ideal given the occasion but she at least pretended to show some interest of his journeys across the world, something his father greatly enjoyed after retiring as a villain.

Pulling her blanket from her bed, she tiredly dragged herself out of her room, and into the hallway, down the stairs and into the living room, acknowledging the slumbering figure of her twin.

Max; the one aspect of her life that was now defined as a large question mark, feeling her heart thump a little too aggressive, something that occasionally happened whenever he's around, accompanied by that funny feeling, similar to the time she first laid her eyes on Cole; her first crush.

Her finger adjusted him to lean to the side, allowing her to inhabit the empty space beside him, another upward twitch of her finger draping the fabric over both their figures.

Yawning lightly, Phoebe peered across her twin through half lidded eyes, casually leaning in to press her lips on his cheek, retracting with a ghost smile, eyes eventually falling shut.

"Wake up."

"-away..."

"Wake up."

She flicked his nose, he lamely rose a hand to slap hers away proving futile when she retracted in time. She nicked his nose further, persuading him to unknowingly press his face into her side.

Phoebe then did something she wasn't conscious of, her hand ventured to his head, fingers soothingly raking along his scalp, feeling him shudder in what she deduced to be comfort.

Their relationship was progressive, each and every day they find a way to connect more, to further their companionship and strengthen their bond, this made Phoebe glad if not giddy.

"Phoebe."

She blinked, not knowing he was awake this whole time, containing a chortle when his murmur sent seismic tremors throughout her body.

"Yeah?"

"How did it go last night?"

"Fantastic."

"You mean it was that bad?"

She glared at his head, knowing she was unable to lie to him, it's always been that way between them.

"I'll admit it was kind of dull, but not entirely bad. We ate, talked, and ate more."

More like Link held both sides of their conversation, but she wasn't about to tell him that probably figuring she wouldn't hear the end of it. Max kept silent, breathing against her side, subtly annoyed when her hand motions seized their comfy rakes through his scruffy hair.

"Phoebe?"

"Hm?"

"I'm hungry."

"Breakfast?"

"T & B?"

"On it."

"Max, stop using your powers in public."

"Oh relax, would you." he replied with a careless wave, grinning when a customer aggravatingly waited for his food which Max suspended with his telekinesis.

Phoebe cautiously looked around, "Max, what if someone sees you using your powers?"

His grin only widened, gesturing her to follow his gaze. "Pheebs, watch."

She raised her eyebrows in worry when a customer at the table adjacent to theirs leaned forward, tilting his head to peer into the tube in frustration, only to regret it when french fries nailed him in the face. Max chuckled when the customer angrily sprung from his seat and fled out of SplatBurger in furious haste.

"You're driving customers away Max."

He reduced his laughter to mere snickers, casually wiping the corner of his left eye. "But you've got to admit, that was funny."

Phoebe shook her head, not able to stop the tugs to the corner of her lips. "It's rude, that's what it is."

He shrugged, seeing Link move to sit among them, naturally next to Phoebe who leaned to greet him with a hug.

"Hey guys, what are you doing here?"

"Meh, Phoebe was lovesick so she decided to come see you."

"If that's so, what are you doing here?"

"Don't mind me, I'm only here for the free food." he said without a care in the world, seeing Link send him a look. "What? I thought that was our deal. You date my sister, and I get free f~ood." he stammered slowly, something or rather someone having caught his eye as he tilted his head past Phoebe.

Phoebe fully turned and followed his gaze, which landed on a rather attractive looking girl garbed in SplatBurger uniform similar to her boyfriend's. She had lengthy raven hair that dangled at her waist, two bangs framing her temples on both sides of her face, asserted by dark obsidian eyes and full natural pink lips.

"Link, hi."

"Jessica." Link returned.

"I suppose you're on your break."

"Yeah."

Max glared at Link, deliberately clearing his throat.

"Oh, right, let me introduce you to my friends." he said, wrapping an arm around Phoebe. "This is Phoebe Thunderman, my girlfriend."

Jessica extended a hand, shaking her colleague's girlfriend. "Nice to meet you, I'm Jessica Thornē."

Phoebe nodded, suddenly self-conscious when she noticed how pretty the girl before her was, Max's confounded and astounded expression was proof enough.

"And that's Max Thunderman, her twin brother."

Jessica stifled a gasp when the now introduced Max Thunderman literally stood up to full height and pulled her into an unanticipated hug, prompting her to return the gesture, albeit slowly. "Wow, how polite."

Link spared Phoebe a glance, surprised to see her frowning.

For the following days, Max and Jessica would often be seen together, either at SplatBurger, or any well known hangout spots around town, but mostly the cinema considered the latter was a huge fanatic of blockbusters. Jessica found she had more in common with Max, including similar tastes in movies, same ideologies and theories based on chemical researching and chemistry in general.

Max was ecstatic to find a girl who shared similar sentiments as his, not to mention a rather pretty one at that. She found his pranks humorous, and hung on to each and every word of everything he uttered, she was attentive, especially when he'd talk about his family.

It aggravated and frustrated Phoebe to no ends since all her stupid twin would talk about is how amazing and awesome Jessica was. They only knew each other for two days yet they acted as if they knew one another for years.

They weren't dating yet, which Phoebe at least commended her twin for taking things slow to probably get to know Jessica more, but Phoebe knew it would be only a matter of time before Max decides to up his game and ask her out, she was sure of it.

"And you know what irritates me the most!" she nearly snarled, her hand which held her nail polish trembling out of pure turbulence. "All he talks about is Jessica! Like she's a princess or something! It's so annoying!"

Cherry tilted her head, partially amused since this was arguably a first seeing her best friend look so annoyed and angry at the same time, never mind towards someone fraternizing with her twin. "But I've met Jessica, she seems so sweet and Max likes her." she offered tentatively, in fear of angering Phoebe further.

"Cherry, that's the difference between the two of us, you see the perfect side of everyone, and I see people for who they really are!"

"Is that so?" Cherry returned with a chortle. "Because it seems to me like you're a weenie jealous of Jessica."

Phoebe seized her verbal onslaught, her face contorting from fury to comical confusion. "Jealous, jealous? I'm not jealous, why would I be jealous?"

Cherry maintained her gaze, slowly nodding, waiting for Phoebe to realize and admit her claim.

"Cherry, I'm not jealous."

"I remember when you once said you and Max were getting along, maybe you're just feeling left out now that he's paying more attention to someone else other than you."

Phoebe's mouth moved to retort, only to find herself unable to counter Cherry's averment. She frowned, a part of her knowing her best friend was right. Even so, she couldn't help it, normally she and her twin would be arguing over some frivolous topic but still managed to enjoy each other's company.

But now, it was all gone, within a week, it was gone; everything instantly changed, he changed. He arrived home late, not bothering to ask how she spent her day or how she was doing in general, or insult her (which she honestly woudn't mind given the circumstances), he's either busy talking to Jessica over the phone or locking himself in his lair to keep his conversations with Jessica private.

It was grievous when she knew she couldn't exactly vent her anger on him, knowing he was in the same boat during her relentless dates with Link, which she only got to acknowledge. But if this went on, Max will forget all the good times they shared during the past few days. He'll probably bound her out in favor of Jessica.

"But, I don't want to-lose him!" she blurted, clasping her hands to her mouth when Cherry regarded her. The latter knowing Phoebe always leaked serious 'stuff' she's not supposed to say whenever she clasps her hands to her mouth.

"What do you mean?"

"No, nothing! I didn't say anything!"

Cherry frowned, adopting a complete serious expression. "Phoebe, I'm your best friend, you can tell me anything." she asserted, leaning forward to peer into Phoebe's eyes, something she always did to make her best friend spill knowing how bad she was at keeping secrets.

Phoebe bit her lip, averting her gaze. Over the days, she tried, tried hard to ignore that funny feeling that swelled up in her chest, but his presence alone, and the small exhibitions of care, comfort and subtle affection from him in the form of hugs or when she couldn't stop herself from planting kisses on his cheeks whenever the opportunity presented itself only strengthened that feeling, which she later recognised to be...love. Worse was when it only seemed to grow.

"Phoebe, come on, out with it."

She had to keep it to herself, but she knew that eventually she had to tell someone, bottling it up was torture enough and she was tired of keeping something she couldn't see herself casually verbalize without consequences.

"Phoebe," Cherry prodded, prompting aforementioned teen to fearfully meet the blonde's eyes. "Tell me what you're hiding."

She suddenly teared, tiny glisters pooling in the corner of her eyes, face betrayed by a pained expression as she planted her face into her open palms, releasing a soft sob.

"I-I feel more closer to Max."

"So? He's your brother-"

"You don't understand!"

Cherry's frowned deepened. "Then make me understand."

Phoebe lifted her face, her nose a tinge of red as she wiped away a tear track only for it to be replaced by another.

"I feel more closer to Max than Link."

Cherry gasped, for the first time her thinking capacity paced as she put two and two together, "Bestie."

Phoebe nodded with a hopeless sigh, afterwards biting her lip, allowing the tears to stream down her cheeks, nervously fiddling with her hands, unconsciously messing up the nail paint on her fingernails, raising her head to meet her best friend's shocked eyes.

"I-I think I have feelings for Max."