Disclaimer_I do not own the 'Thundermans'
Better Left Unsaid
Chapter 7
- Signs II -
She hadn't see him the whole day. Given the fact she had to ask her mother, who revealed Max and her father went to some expedition. She was saddened - deeply.
The day was lamented over by a phone call from her father - claiming they won't be able to make it back home because of how late it was.
"What about Max? We have school tomorrow."
'I know honey, but you don't need to worry, he'll make it, the hotel has a fleeting package.'
"A fleeting package?"
'The accommodation included transportation - therefore Max will be driven to school by the hotel's private chauffeur.'
"Oh," she bit her lip. "..Is he with you right now?"
'Yes, he's getting a massage as we speak.'
She succeeded in receding the question on the tip of her tongue regarding the gender of the massager tending to Max's back - no point in lamenting her jealousy when she practically told him off last night.
"Dad?"
'Yes Phoebe.'
"Did... did Max mention me, or talk about me?" Her eyebrows were risen - as her hopes.
'... No he didn't. Why would he- oh right, his condition. Sorry, he didn't.'
Her eyebrows rose even higher, scrunched together - unfortunately her hopes didn't mimic the notion .
"Alright, goodnight Dad."
'Night Phoebe .' She hung up with a heavy heart.
- Line Break -
The walk to school was depressing and lonely. Phoebe actually got to acknowledge his absent presence. And everything that made him, him. From his charisma to his charms and every little attribute that defines who he is - she missed him immensely
She sighed, trying to think of something else that was not her twin brother - fortunately the school entrance came in view helping her discard the thoughts soaring her mind.
She pushed the double door open.
She watched as Cherry took years to reach her.
Phoebe stifled a snort seeing Cherry nearly trip on her way towards her.
"Hi bestie!" Cherry greeted, with her ever bright cheeky smile.
"Morning Cherry." Phoebe returned as Cherry fell in line with her on their to the lockers.
"So, uh, Phoebe. Where's Max?"
The disguised guilt at the name of her twin prickled Phoebe's heart. She didn't have a suitable answer to the question. Good thing Cherry could hold both sides of the conversation.
"No forget that. It's a good a thing he isn't here at the moment." Cherry glanced around. "C-Can I ask you a question?"
The Thunderman girl noticed the hesitation in her best friend's query.
"Go ahead." Phoebe answered rummaging through her locker, plucking books and stashing some away.
"Does Max like chocolate?"
The question surprised - if not annoyed her.
"I... think so." she answered unsurely closing her locker. "Why are you asking Cherry?" Though a part of her knows why.
"N-Nothing!" Cherry yelled looking to the side - to hide her darkening face.
- Line Break -
Class was in session. The talking seized as Ms Smith entered the class with a her trademark scowl in place.
"Claire, you know the drill." she announced moving to her desk.
A teenager with short brown hair stood up and glanced around the classroom.
"One absentee, Max Thunderman." she said softly.
"Thank you Claire." Ms Smith returned noting down some on a piece of paper. "Now, take this to the office."
Claire made to move towards Ms Smith.
"That won't be necessary."
Everyone turned to one Max Thunderman in the doorway.
Cue murmurs.
Phoebe's heart rate skidded in hopes of him looking her way. Her lip twitched as she barely restrained the urge to call on him - he looked neat. His skin was a bit... pale. But it did nothing to cloak or disfigure his flamboyant charms or looks. As a matter of fact it made him more appealing. Stupid thoughts. Her eyes roamed his face ignoring the whispers coursing through class.
"Why are you late Thunderman?" Ms Smith asked with barely restrained annoyance.
Max didn't answer - instead, he wordlessly moved to her desk apparent of the hushed small talk around him.
He handed her a paper. She accepted it.
"What's this-" she cut herself as her eyes scanned the paper - her eyes widened. "Oh. Y-You may take your seat."
Max did so - almost robotically not sparing Phoebe - or anyone for that matter a glance.
Phoebe glumed sadly.
- Line Break -
He chanced by his locker. Ignoring how literally the whole school was talking about him behind his back.
"Dude."
He turned to his entourage... That's what they were to him anyway. "I haven't seen you guys in a while."
Oyster smirked, his eyes wide open. "Dude dude. Have you seen it?"
"Seen what?"
Oyster turned to Gideon.
Gideon turned to Max. "You mean you didn't see it?"
Max frowned. "Seen what exactly?"
Gideon guffawed and turned to Wolfgang. "He didn't see it."
Wolfgang sputtered. "Wolfgang!" And hastily retrieved his phone from his back pocket. A few slides and touches and he handed to Max.
Max noticed a video was in play - loading actually.
Oyster, Gideon and Wolfgang were all smiles watching Max... Well... Watching himself.
A few minutes and a thoughtful look was on Max's face. "Who posted this?" he asked handing the phone back to Wolfgang.
"We don't know dude." Oyster claimed before shaking his head. "Anyway, dude, do you know what this means!?" he yelled excitedly.
"I don't."
Oyster turned to Gideon.
Gideon focused on Max. "You mean you literally don't?"
Annoyed. "Get out with it or else I'm going to snug it out of you."
Alarmed, Gideon raised his hands and slightly backed away.
Max turned to Oyster. "What is it that I need to know."
Clearing his throat. "It basically means you run the entire school."
"What do you mean?"
"Hayden was a tyrant." At Max's snort he continued. "A highschool tyrant to be exact, everyone feared him yet despised him because of his cruel ways-"
"Cut the crap and get to the point Oyster."
"... Look, Hayden bullied everyone. Everyone hated him for that. But none could stand up to him. He was stronger than all of us. Scary even. But you defeated him. Effortlessly. He was Goliath. You were David."
Max stared. "You actually read the Bible? You, Oyster."
Oyster grunted. "Don't blame me. My mom forces me to read, on any other day threatens or drags me to attend their Church union on Sundays. And it sucks."
"You're going off topic Oyster."
"Oh right! Now that you defeated Hayden. You're in charge. All the girls are talking about you-"
"Why?"
"You saved us from Hayden, that's why!"
"Wolfgang!"
"I find that hard to believe. I was simply defending my sister."
"Gideon."
The asian reentered the conversation.
"Max, you're role model now. No one had the guts to do what you did. To top it off, you were protecting Phoebe. In a sense, girls dig that in a guy."
Oyster nodded. "Don't mention you've a raging fanbase, a fan club and an all male ThunderMax group on social media."
"Wolfgang!"
Max blinked. "And that all happened when exactly?"
"Over the weekend, I guess. Right about the time they posted that kickass video online." Gideon chimed in.
"Wolfgang!"
"Come to think of it. Where were you over the weekend man? I've been trying to get a hold of you." Oyster asked.
"Me and my-"
"Max Thunderman."
The voice - was soft and sultry - the presence was inviting - accompanied by a feminine scent that circulated around the boys.
The four turned to what seemed like the most intricate female they have ever seen.
"Who's asking?" Max said. Doing a good job at keeping his eyes trained on the angelic face before him - even though the sizeable chest was compelling him to let his gaze fall.
Next to him. His friends didn't bother hiding their primal instincts as they stared at her chest.
"My name is Madeline Dobber. Nice to meet you." she said with a small smile outstretching her hand.
Grasping it, Max rose an eyebrow in disbelief at how soft her hand was.
"I haven't seen you before. You a transfer student?" he asked not finding humor in how his friends glanced between them - slack-jawed.
"Yes."
"How come? Its almost the end of the term." he returned releasing her soft hand.
"My previous school dubbed on the similar syllabus as this one. My academic records were transferred into this school's system - stemming me as an enrolled student here." Her explanation alone gave Max the impression she was an A grader.
"Alright. So, what did you want with me?"
"Oh right. I'm here to interview you."
"Interview me? What for?"
"You rose morale and boosted social standards in an educational institution highly-"
"Max!"
All of turned to Cherry standing next to Oyster with her bright smile in tow, with Phoebe a step beside her.
"Cherry." he returned offering the girl a smile.
"M-Morning Max." After pondering this scenario in class, yet she couldn't find the courage to look him in the eye.
Phoebe who inhaled deeply, regarded him. "Hi Max." She was all fidgety, and the ramming of her heart wasn't helping either.
"Phoebe." he returned - not wasting his eyes on her before they fell back to her best friend.
Phoebe deflated - and bowed her head.
"Anyway, I bought you this." Cherry said a chocolate bar in hand. ".. I didn't know which flavour you like so I chose the one that reminded me of your eyes."
Everyone glanced her way.
"That's a totes weird thing to say Cherry."
"Seriously." Gideon added.
"Guys." Max bit out.
"Sorry." Gideon and Oyster apologised in unison.
"Anyway," he took the chocolate from her hand. "That's very chivalrous of you Cherry. Thank you." Max said sending her a smile doing a good job at keeping his eyes from meeting his twins'.
"N-No problem!"
Madeline chose that time to adjust her glasses she just wore - the action aroused Max attention.
"I want you guys to meet Madeline Dobber-"
"Max's new girlfriend!" Gideon piped in.
Cherry didn't say anything, she was busy sending Madeline a strange look.
Phoebe was sending her an all in one putrid stare - she was jealous. She wouldn't deny it this time. This Madeline was everything she wasn't. Her hair was longer, silky and black - a deep dark raven black. Her eyes were obsidian. Her cheek bones were perfectly set in line with the bridge of her nose neatly coated by the lightened complexion complimenting her dark eyes and hair. Her glasses were thin glassed with slim frames on the sides. Her voluptuous body didn't help the situation either.
All in all Phoebe wasn't fond of this beautiful individual affiliating with her brother.
The girl in question sputtered before adjusting her glasses - a nervous habit she acquired in situations such as these.
"She isn't my girlfriend, we just met." Max stated flatly, slightly glaring at Gideon.
"50 bucks say the two of you will hook up in a week." Oyster challenged.
"100 bucks, 3 days." Gideon challenged.
"You're on!"
"Wolfgang!"
"Are they always like this?" Madeline asked, watching the two bicker and raising the stakes while moving away from the small group accompanied by the German transfer student.
"Yeah," he cleared his throat. "Anyway, this is Cherry..." he said pointing to a smiling Cherry who waved. "And this is Phoebe. My sister." he concluded having pointed with a jab of his thumb backwards to Phoebe's position.
'He's ignoring me.' she thought to herself dipping her head to hide her quivering lips. 'I probably deserve it.'
Madeline nodded in acceptance of what she heard. "I'm Madeline Dobber, nice to meet you."
Cherry waved back. Phoebe didn't. Though Madeline didn't seem to conjure on her curiosity.
"About that interview..."
"Is it fine with you if we do it at my place?" Madeline asked, half expecting him to decline.
"Sure. Direct and I'll be there."
Phoebe wasn't about to question his generosity - her self pity was ascending while her confidence wained greatly.
"Could I probably have your number as well?" This time Madeline was sure he'd decline.
Cherry and Phoebe glanced at each other.
"Sure."
Phoebe clenched her jaw.
"... Are you willingly giving your number to someone you just met?" Phoebe couldn't help but ask while looking at the side of his face.
"You find fault with that why?" At his stern question everyone looked at her.
She blinked and looked to the side. "Nothing.." A whisper of sadness ignored by one - misread by two.
Cherry wasn't dumb - far from it. She was slow at picking things up, but even she could detect the tension between the Thunderman duo. Apparent was Madeline as well who faintly noticed the vague communication between the two siblings.
"Can I write it on your arm?" he asked.
Madeline nodded. "No problem."
She moved near him - too close. She brandished her arm to him. His fingers softly dug sidely into her flesh to keep it firm. He moved into her personal space. His hand folded slightly clutching a pen. The end of his palm touched her skin. Her lips twitched in humor as the tip of the pen dug into her skin.
And Phoebe watched all this in great detail - in transmotion - with carefully restrained jealousy. She breathed and released the focus to her eyes and silently walked away.
"I'll be going now. Bye Max! Bye Madeline. Nice meeting you!" she said moving after her best friend.
Max nodded.
Madeline mimicked his action.
The two looked at each other in a wordless coalition in confusion to Phoebe's reaction.
She couldn't maintain eye contact before using her other hand to take her glasses off of her face - as an excuse to hide her gaze.
She's gorgeous. "Don't take your glasses off."
"W-What?"
"I said don't take your glasses off."
"... Why not?"
"It means you're nervous around me - the way you fidget with them during a conversation gives it away."
That shocked her. "How do you know that?"
He shrugged. "I watch a lot of anime." he lied. "Besides, I think you look cute with them on."
Madeline blushed and literally avoided eye contact.
"I-I don't know what to say."
"You can let your tongue loose."
"Wow... you're so forward." She had to point that out.
"That I am."
She nodded placing her glasses back on the bridge of her nose. "And... charming." She sounded breathless.
"I get the feeling you've been wanting to say that the moment we met."
Her eyes fluttered. "I-I..." she sighed her lips glowing a bit.
He chuckled before scribbling the number on her arm.
"There."
"Yeah, thanks."
"Why'd you need it anyway?" he asked ignoring the group of girls that giggled when he momentarily glanced their way.
"What?"
"My number."
"I-I."
"How about I make this easier for you." he suggested smirking at her.
She had difficulty to categorize his face which represented his tenacious good looks.
"Tomorrow, I'll take you to SplatBurger. We get to know each other. I'd really like to get acquainted with you on a based level."
She just stared.
"Madeline?"
"Y-Yes." she cleared her throat to relieve the momentare stammers. "That would be a good idea."
"Its a date then." he smirked the last time before walking away.
Madeline bit her lip and watched his retreating back - before smiling and adjusted her glasses for the second time that day.
Although she missed the blop of long brown hair at the corner of the other end of the corridor.
'Dobber huh.'
- Chapter End -