Chapter Text
Phoebe Thunderman had just returned from stopping a robbery at the bank, incredibly exhausted.
It was late, Phoebe assumed everyone else was asleep.
Then Max walked in with a stack of papers in one hand and a chocolate bar in the other.
"Hey Pheebs". He said casually."Wanna mark these summer school papers for me?" Max said as he entered the room.
"Where were you Max?" She asked, a hint of dissapointment in her voice.
"What to do you mean Pheebs? I've been here all night"
"Max!" Phoebe snapped her exhaustion breaking through."There was a robbery at the bank, I really needed your help."
Max shrugged slightly.
"Sorry Phoebe I thought you had it handled"
He replied smugly.
"Ugh I'm going to bed." Phoebe huffed frustratingly.
~~
Phoebe woke up at exactly 6 am, same as every morning but today she had a pounding headache.
Unfortunately for Phoebe, it was the first day of school and not only did she have to teach art-which she knew she wasn't good at- but she also had to sub in for the math teacher.
She really considered skipping but –being the dweeb (as Max would say) she is– she decided not to because Phoebe Thunderman has never skipped a first day of school in her whole life.
"Phoebeee, we're going to be late!" Chloe yelled from the bottom of the stairs. "Come on, Phoebe!"
Phoebe rushed to get ready, her body still aching from the crime fighting of the previous night.
She then hastily prepared lunch for Chloe, Max and herself as she did everyday.
The day had just started and Phoebe already felt immensely fatigued.
~~
She had just arrived at school and there was so much to do.
Phoebe wasted no time and began completing tasks, as usual she was on point and everything was near perfect.
She didn't feel so great but she still got everything done.
Phoebe finally sat down for the first time in 3 hours and thought to herself "okay, that wasn't too bad"
Until her peace was abruptly ruined by Superintendent Ferguson, she could hear him firing people as he walked down the hallway.
She couldn't help but feel like he was headed her way.
Unfortunately, she was correct.
he came all the way to the art class to tell her that she will have to teach math for the rest of the week.
Usually Phoebe would have been delighted to teach math (she loves math) but now even numbers sound exhausting.
Phoebe opened her mouth to protest "I–"
but was cut off by Superintendent Ferguson " If you can't handle it ,YOU'RE FIRED!"
Before she could even answer he left the room.
"Great" she muttered weakly.
~~
The moment they got home Phoebe went straight to her room and quietly shut the door.
No reminders for Chloe to do her homework.
Or lectures for Max to do his share of the chores.
Chloe and Max looked at each other and said in unison
"something's up with Phoebe"
A few hours had already passed and they hadn't heard anything from Phoebe.
Just utter silence and that was odd because Phoebe loves talking.
"I'm ordering takeout from Splat By The Sea, what do you want?" Max asked Chloe
"I'll have my usual of course, let me go see what Phoebe would like."
Chloe knocked gently on Phoebe's bedroom door and when she got no reply she entered.
Chloe was taken aback by what she saw.
Her usually put together sister was asleep 3 hours before her normal bedtime still in her work clothes. Faint tear stains marked her face.
Chloe’s stomach dropped. Phoebe never cried.
Chloe didn't know what to do, so she teleported to Max.
"Max.." she called her brother worry laced in her voice. " I think we need to call mom and dad, Phoebe doesn't look too great."
"Don't be dramatic Chloe, I'm sure she's okay" Max replied almost no worry in his voice.
Honestly who could blame him.
Phoebe was always ok.
"Max!" Chloe exclaimed "She's sleeping 3 hours before her bedtime, she is in her bed in her work clothes. Phoebe hates germs, she would never wear her work clothes to bed."
Chloe hesitated before adding quietly,
"And she was crying"
That piqued Max's interest
Because Phoebe never cried.