Max: What!

Luke: Yep.

Luke took a sip of his water before he continued.

Luke: If Hypercity High is known for one thing, it's football. As a result, the jocks basically rule the school.

Max: What!?

Max looked on as Lenny shrunk in fear of Vince.

Luke: Yep. But hey! Don't worry about it. I got your back, Max.

Rose: Uh huh. It's a good thing we have you on our side, huh Luke.

Ken: Indeed.

Luke: Heh. It's no big deal.

Tiffany noticed Max staring at Lenny and Vince.

Tiffany: Hey! Don't get any bright ideas!

They all looked at Max, shocked.

Rose: Max? Is something wrong?

Max was of a lean and slender build, and seeing him look at the situation angrily would make anyone think he was a fool.

Rose: Umm. Max?

Ken: Hey bud. It's alright. There is no need to escalate a situation.

Luke: That's just how it is. There's nothing we can do about it.

Ken: Yeah, you'll understand soon enough.

Max had seen enough.

Without a warning, a loud, resounding sound came from his table.

Max: HEY VINCE!

It was loud and direct and shut the entire cafeteria up in one fell swoop.

All the students looked at him.

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Tiffany: (whispering loudly) What the hell are you doing? Sit down! You'll get in trouble!

Max simply stood up.

Vince turned away from Lenny and glared at Max.

The two stared at each other for a moment. Everyone in class watched, caught up by the scene.

Rose: Ummm. Max?

Ken: (whisper) Max, seriously! You need to sit down!

Vince: What's the matter, small fry?

Max: I'm not gonna let you bully him.

Luke: Max! Seriously!

Tiffany: Ugh. Grab him.

Ken made a grab for him, but Max moved his arm away and walked out of his table.

Vince started chuckling.

Vince: Oh, come on. Hey Luke, that kid you're protecting seems to have lost his way. How about you tell him about how things work around here?

Before Luke could answer, Max retorted.

Max: I don't need anyone's protection.

A group of resounding OOOOOOHHHs ran across the room, much to Vince's anger.

Vince: Well then. And how exactly are you gonna pull that off? Haven't you noticed? Not a single person has tried to stop me.

The class remained in OOOOOhs, waiting in anticipation. As did the lunch ladies. This may very well have been the highlight of their jobs.

Luke: Max! Sit down!

Max instead headed directly for Vince.

Vince cracked his knuckles.

Vince: Oh, so that's how it is.

Max didn't turn around. He instead smirked and then started laughing, much to everybodys' surprise.

Ken: Is making light of this his way of getting out of this?

Tiffany: Oh no...

Rose: Max...

Rose didn't know what to expect. Neither did a single soul. The most rational explanation in their heads was that he had just realised what he had done and was trying to get out of it by making light of it.

Max: And here I thought you were a smooth talker. But here you are, talking directly to me. What's the matter, Vince? Ya scared?

The OOOOOOhs stopped abruptly before violently erupting so loudly that the entire room shook.

Vince was visibly shocked to hear that. To see that this scrawny kid that he swore he could destroy in one punch was right there, staring him down, laughing.

Luke: Oh no...

Rose: Max.

Tiffany: This is getting out of hand.

Vince bit at his teeth.

Rose: Luke, you have to...

Tiffany shook her head.

Tiffany: Don't bother. He's gone too far now.

Rose: But...

Tiffany: Sorry, Rose, but the best we can do now is get him to a sick bay after this is over.

Rose: But...

Tiffany: After what he's just pulled, he'll be targeted. Every day of his high school life in Hypercity High.

Rose: Oh...

Ken: Well, you gotta give him credit. He's got guts in spades.

Luke: Yep. But guts won't be enough.

Vince remained there, in shock and anger, before clenching his fist roughly and taking a deep breath.

Vince: I see.

Vince stared right back at him.

Vince: Well then. Since you seem so motivated, why not come here and prove it?

Max calmly walked up to Vince, his eyes never leaving his opponents and remaining in a glare.

Comments such as "He's gonna die" and "Bro thinks he's him" came from all around the mess hall.

Rose: MAX! BE CAREFUL!

Max and Vince stood there. Staring at each other directly. A fight was about to begin.