"A little skill and telekenisis can do wonders." Max said closing the front door. Phoebe was inclined on knowing how he managed to effortlessly beat someone twice his size in terms of stature and physical prowess.
"Hmph. For a moment there I thought you actually possessed immense 'natural strength'. Fitting you'd use your powers in such a situation." she said offhandedly moving into the kitchen with Max in tow.
"I'll brush your insensitive remark aside.." she flinched at that. "..but my body is probably twice as strong as Dad's." he exclaimed catching the can of soda she threw him.
"Have you met Thunderman?" she asked mockingly referring to her Dad just before her gleamed. "Hey! I've got an idea!"
"Humor me.."
"How about you compete Dad in an arm wrestling contest?" she knew he wasn't that stupid enough to entertain the idea.
"If Dad wins?"
She sputtered. Was he being serious?. Nonetheless Phoebe took to the bet. "You uh, do my Maths homework for a month." There was no way he'd agree to that.
"Reasonable. But if I win.." he paused for dramatic effect. "..I get to kiss you." he concluded with a straight face.
She spilled some of the soda on her person.
Split seconds were all she needed to catch up to her rational side preventing it from chickening out of the bet. Conscious awareness and all logic reassured her Hank would win. And she staunchly set her bet on that. [Including her lips' virginity].
"Y-you won't be able to win Max. And you know it." she didn't know who she was trying to convince. Him or Herself.
"We'll see about that Phoebe, now won't we." he said effortlessly crushing the can in his hand flat moving to his lair.
And Phoebe's reverence in hopes of her father being the victor slightly diminished seeing the display of strength.
- Line Break -
Colosso was too engrossed in watching some online viral video to acknowledge Max's sudden presence in the lair.
Max shrugged. 'I'd rather have my mind fixate on being reticent around the family to avoid suspicion before I win the contest than being pathetic and vying for Colosso's attention.' he thought retrieving his phone from his pocket for much needed newsfeed that needed to be read.
- Line Break -
But it wasn't so for one Phoebe Thunderman.
She found difficulty in concentrating at the task at hand.
Completing some Biology task that she vowed to score an A on. But it proved agonisingly hard knowing with the substantial amount of questions she would finish in the evening.
But her mind was occupied by one Max Thunderman. She frustratedly threw her pen down groaning clutching her hair. In retrospect she suddenly remembered Max couldn't have used his telekenisis to flip Hayden over. It would be impossible with the position he was in. Never mind his hands which were facing the earth. He probably couldn't have used powers then.
Doubt was eating at her.
She was feeling queasy. And couldn't help but quaver at the thought of her and Max kissing. Technically it was him kissing her but the action required two individuals so both would be kissing.
Max.
The name alone sent her jitters. Why was she in this predicament? Why couldn't Billy have been the one to be exposed to the 'namealreadyforgotten' gas? Or even Nora. This whole fiasco was knotting her stomach in various ways of discomfort.
She sighed and convinced her mind to keep studious. It probably won't do her any good if she failed to get an A for her task due to getting all riled up at the probability of her and Max kissing.
No.
She inhaled deeply and released small regulated breaths afterwards. Focus and concentration were what she needed now, including a clear mind. She clutched the pen back into her hand and faced her books.
She halfheartedly cursed Max knowing him he probably wouldn't do the task and won't get punished for it.
There she goes again thinking of Max. She groaned frustrated using her telekenisis to hurl the book towards the door which opened into the face of an unsuspecting Billy.
- Line Break -
Dinner already forgone. Max and Hank sat across one another. The rest of the family was scattered around them anticipating the outcome of the contest.
Phoebe was standing beside Max. Holding his unoccupied hand to prevent him from cheating by using his powers. And Max didn't complain one bit.
Back to Hank and Max.
They stared at one another...a hard gaze.
One of conviction. The other of total smugness.
"You know son, its not too late to quit you know...back in my day-" Hank coaxed.
"This is no time to display male dominance Dad..Let's get this over with." he said not in the mood for his father's insensible speeches.
He felt Phoebe's palm moist a bit. Curious, he looked up at her and noticed she was flustered shying away from his gaze.
"If you say so son.."
Hands were clasped. Eyes were narrowed. Jaws were clenched. And muscles were tightened.
"Before you start.." Nora announced. "Max, I've got three words for you." Max faced her with a blank look. "You. Are. Delusional." she finished crossing her smirking. She knew her Dad would win. I mean, who'd not.
"Kiss your bows goodbye after I win Nora." was all he said facing his Dad.
"OK, everyone ready?" Barb asked glancing between her son and her husband who both nodded. "We do three trials, three and the contest is over, contestant who wins two or more trials is the victor..Clear?" she got two nods in response. "Begin!."
Hank tightly clutched Max's hand and brought it down instantaneously garnering a win for himself. He released Max's hand to wipe off the sticky moisture [Sweat] from his palm.
Everyone cheered for him knowing he already won from the beginning.
"What was that about kissing my bows goodbye Max?" Nora jeered mockingly.
Max felt Phoebe squeeze his hand making him raise his eyes at Phoebe who sent him a smug look.
"Hank Thunderman 1. Max Thunderman 0. Trial two starts..in 3.." Max and Hank reclasped their hands. "..2..1."
Max brought Hank's hand flat on the table. Hank was wide eyed. Barb was shocked. Billy was soundly asleep in Phoebe's room with a bandaged nose under sheets. Nora was..Nora. Chloe was already reclining upstair not having the energy to stay awake this late at night. Phoebe looked agitated. Max kept on smirking.
"H-hank Thunderman 1. Max Thunderman 1. Trial 3 starts in 3..2.." Barb stuttered before starting the last trial as Max and Hank rejoined their hands. "..1.."
That was all Max needed to hear as his right arm muscle bulged feeling Hank literally attempt to break his hand which proved futile when Max broke the table utilizing Hank's hand and his strength.
Silence.
Max smirked at Nora who fainted. Barb was first to tend to her. Hank stood up clutching his throbbing hand patting Max on the back. "Y..ou finally surpassed me son." Max would have believed it if Hank had not ran up the stairs his face tear stained wailing comically. Barb ran after her husband with Nora in her arms.
Max suddenly felt alone. That was because Phoebe had already evacuated the kitchen. He shoved a large piece of broken wood out of the way and made his way towards Phoebe's room.
- Line Break -
He knocked. She opened.
He entered noticing a blop of black hair beneath her sheets deducing it was Billy. And he didn't want to know why. Phoebe was finding the floor very interesting considered she was staring it from the moment he entered.
At a moment she averted her gaze towards him.
"You know you could always back out if you opted to.." Max offered temptingly moving to stand in front of Phoebe.
She gained a hopeful expression. "Really?!" she silently shout-asked.
"No, not really.."
She face faulted groaning in the process. "Maaaax." she knew it was inevitable at this point. "This is haphazard." she said softly staring at him nervously as he neared her.
"No it isn't.." he said grabbing her arm. "Now instead of haranguing as old people do..how about fulfilling the hankering yearn I have." he concluded.
Phoebe almost thought she sensed haughtiness from him but negated the thought. She steeled herself for what's to come. She glided her hands behind his neck and mashed their lips together.
His hands automatically grasped her waist. Nanoseconds later Phoebe couldn't comprehend the fact that kissing Max felt this enticing. She temporarily forgot it was all a bet and pulled on his neck harder deepening their lip locking.
Who would have thought her annoying brother was a good kisser. She was fluttered. Flushing tremendously she didn't know what to feel. Relieved or Disappointed that she felt him release his grasp on her waist and lean back bringing an end to their palatable kiss.
"Just as I expected.." Max muttered dazed. He shook himself smirking satisfied. "I'll be reclining to bed now." he said turning and leaving for the door.
Phoebe hesitated.
She saw Max about to leave did something she was not consciously aware of.
"Max wait!" she blurted out surprising them both. Max stood at the door about to leave before Phoebe reached him, hands clutching behind his hair fingers sliding through his locks pulling him into her as she kissed him passionately one last time. She caught his upper lip between her lips probably savoring the moment.
Her heart rammed heart. She didn't know whether to be proud of what she did or not. But what she knew was that kissing Max felt right at the moment.
She let go and gave him a hug. Probably to hide her flushed face. He hugged her in return wordlessly.
"G-goodnight M-max.." she couldn't help but stammer which caused Max to chuckle.
"Goodnight PT." and with that Max was gone. She sighed heavily to ease her heart which banged hard against the constriction of ribs. She was overwhelmed with emotion. She smile touching her lips not believing how her night ended. Not what she expected anyway.
She turned and planned on finishing her Biology task.
- Line Break -
What Max and Phoebe forgot to notice during their lip locking was one Billy Thunderman who held Nora's phone slightly beneath the covers but the camera was exposed accurate enough to record everything in its line of trajectory. In other words Phoebe and Max making out.
He smirked. "Well, this was unexpected.." he muttered silently to himself grinning madly making sure not to arouse attention from a studious Phoebe.