Unbeknownst to Max, a conversation was happening somewhere with his friends.

  Earlier at the pizzeria.

  Luke was just about ready to drive as Ken and Rose hopped on into the back.

  Ken: Looks like he forgot his backpack.

  Luke: Jeez. He's pretty careless.

  Rose: Oh! We should give it back to him!

  Luke got into the van as did the others.

  Tiffany: Tomorrow.

  Rose: Tomorrow?

  Tiffany: Yeah. We're too busy right now.

  Rose: Oh, right. Silly me. I almost forgot about today.

  Tiffany sat shotgun.

  Luke started to drive.

  Luke: On the plus side, though, that was a lot of fun.

  Ken: Absolutely.

  Rose: Yeah. He is soooooo cool!

  Tiffany: (sighs) What did I tell you guys about hanging out with normal people?

  Luke: Lighten up, Tiff.

  Ken: Yeah, it was just one day.

  Tiffany: (sighs) We are all aware of the danger that that could bring him and us. Aren't we?

  Ken: And us?

  Tiffany: Yeah. What if he's a spy, sent to befriend us and take us down from within?

  Ken: Oh, come on, Tiff, what are the odds of that.

  Tiffany: What matters here aren't the odds. What matters are the risks we keep taking. Sooner or later, we might be screwed.

  Ken: I see what you mean, chief, but...

  Tiffany: No buts. After this week, keep away from him.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Rose: But Tiff....

  Tiffany: No buts. He should make new friends immediately.

  Rose started sobbing.

  Luke: (sighs) Much as I don't like it either, Tiff is right. We can't put an innocent bystander in danger like that.

  Rose: But...

  Ken: The chief is right, Rose. There's nothing you can do about facts.

  Rose: Awwww....

  She shrugged and turned away from the group.

  Tiffany: I'm sorry, Rose.

  Luke: Yeah. We all know you had a crush on him.

  Rose suddenly turned around.

  Rose: N... No, I do not...

  Luke: Really?

  They all gave her a side eye.

  Rose: It's just... I just... I just think he's cool.

  Ken: Mmmm, hmmm.

  Rose: Ken!

  Ken: And for what reason do you think he's cool?

  Rose: Well, he... well, he... well.....

  Ken: Mmmm, hmmmm.

  Rose: When he saved me, he said I didn't owe him anything.

  Ken: Hmmm? You didn't say that before.

  They were all a bit shocked to hear that.

  Ken: Huh. A person you've never met also being the kind of person to save you and ask for nothing in return. That Max guy is full of surprises.

  Luke: No kidding.

  Rose: I know, right? So there. I just think he's cool. That's all. Hmph.

  Luke: Suuuuurrree.

  Rose: Luke!

  Tiffany: Hey, while we're on the subject, I'd like to ask you something, Rose.

  Rose: Yeah?

  Tiffany: How exactly did Max save you?

  Rose: Oh, right. Weeeeeeeelllllllll. I remember the car coming from my left and just as I was about to turn around, bam! Something hit me, and it turned out to be Max.

  Tiffany: Uh huh. So Max moved faster than a car that was about to hit you.

  Rose: Uh huh!

  Rose suddenly paused.

  Rose: Wait. M.. maybe the car wasn't at full speed or...

  Tiffany: That's enough. We aren't speaking to him after he gets his backpack. In fact, Ken, check the bag.

  Rose: Wait! Wait!

  Rose and Ken shared a knowing glance before Rose finally yielded, and he opened the bag up.

  Rose: Fine.

  Ken: There's nothing here but books and some random junk.

  Rose: See!

  Tiffany: Alright. But we're still not talking to him tomorrow.

  Rose: Awwwwwwww.

  Tiffany: I'm sorry, Rose, but it's for the good of the team.

  Luke: Yeah. Sorry, Rose.

  Rose: Hmph.

  Luke: I am gonna miss the guy, though. He was pretty crazy.

  Ken: Yeah. Did you see the way he walked up in front of Maths' class? Dude's got nerves of steel. I haven't seen a single person with that much nerve on his or her first day of school.

  Luke: And standing up to Vince.

  Ken: I still can't believe he did that.

  Tiffany: Yeah. That all just makes him more suspicious.

  Ken: (sighs) Oh, what would we be without our faithful leader?

  Tiffany: I heard that!

  Luke: Hey, it's all good. I mean, even though we all liked him, sometimes you just gotta work in the mud. You know what I mean.

  Ken: Agreed.

  Luke: I mean, even Tiffany liked him.

  Tiffany immediately gasped and pouted.

  Tiffany: I did not.

  They all laughed at her after she said that,

  Tiffany: Ugh. Whatever. In any case, Ken?

  Ken: Yeah.

  Tiffany: Tomorrow. Scan Max completely. From head to toe.

  Ken: Sure.