Tiffany, Luke, Rose, and Ken all looked at him like he'd just said something foolish.
Max: Uhhh, did I....
Tiffany: Why would you do that?
Max: Huh?
Ken: Jeez Max. Just leave it to us. Believe it or not, we've got this.
Rose: Yeah. You don't need to go back in there.
Max: But...
Luke gave him a heavy pat on the back.
Luke: Hey. It was about time someone cut Vince down to size. Now, just stay behind us. We've got ya covered. Otherwise, we'll all be in huge trouble.
Max froze for a moment. He couldn't remember the last time someone stuck his or her neck out for him. After all, in the end, he did start this whole mess.
He stared agape as Tiffany moved behind him.
Tiffany: Alright, I've got our rear covered.
Ken: I've got the front.
Tiffany: Great! Now move.
With some groaning sounds, Luke lifted the table up, slowly carrying it across several meters, with the table at times taking fire from other food fighters.
Max simply followed, shocked at the fact that they had chosen to be so nice to him.
As they moved, Tiffany would, every once in the while, push someone peering over back or throw some food herself.
It was only a few moments before they were all safely out of the way and out of the door, which Tiffany closed safely.
Ken: Phew. We are finally out of that mess.
Luke: Yeah. I'd hate to have to clean that all up.
Rose: Yeah. Thanks a lot, Luke!
Luke: No prob, Rose. It was nothin' big.
Luke playfully flexed his muscles while Rose giggled at him.
Max remained silent for a moment while they spoke.
Max: (sadly) Yeah, thanks.
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They all paused after they heard him say it like that.
Rose: Max, are... are you ok?
She lay out a hand to soothe him before she was immediately interrupted by Tiffany.
Tiffany: Are you out of your mind!?
Max stared at what was, for the first time in his eyes, a Tiffany that was actually interested in looking at him. She was angry, but still...
Max: Uhhhh...
Tiffany: You have any idea what could've happened just now? What if he hit you? What if you ended up in trouble?
Max: Well...
Tiffany: Just what in the world were you thinking?!
Max: Well I...
All of a sudden, Rose started giggling again, halting all of them.
Rose: Even you seem to be getting along well with Max, huh Tiff.
Tiffany blushed.
Tiffany: Wh... Whaaat!!!
Ken and Luke started laughing, and Max just awkwardly chuckled.
Tiffany: Wha... ugh.
She turned to Luke.
Tiffany: Am I the only one who thought that was insanely reckless?
Luke: Weeeelllll, we did end up in one piece.
Ken: And to be fair, that was a lot of fun. And because of that we may not have to go for more lessons. And I, for one, prefer having a free afternoon.
Ken stretched and groaned.
Ken: Come on, let's book it.
Tiffany: Ugh.
A defeated Tiffany just gave in.
Tiffany: Ok, let's...
Tiffany turned but immediately froze.
Luke: Huh. Hey, what's wrong, Tiff?
From behind them, a voice sounded.
Voice: What is going on here?
They all turned in horror, most especially Luke, Rose, Ken, and Tiffany. They knew to whom that voice belonged.
A large man with an imposing stature and calm, tired eyes.
Name: Principal Richard Valencia
Age: 50
Description: He's a pretty standard looking principal, but don't let his voice fool you.
Occupation: Hypercity High principal
Fact: He is the country's best golfer.
Tiffany: Ummm.... well...
Luke: Well, there's a food fight over there and...
Principal: A food fight, really?
His voice was calm and elegant.
Ken: Y... yeah.... And we just thought that, you know, we'd just skedaddle and...
Max: (thinking: Just who is this guy. They're all so terrified of him.)
He then moved on to Max.
Principal: Would you happen to be the new student?
Max: Uhhh, yeah.
Principal: Maximillian Hunter, was it?
Max: Uhhh, yeah. Hehe...
He gently patted Max on the head.
Principal: Well, I am very pleased to meet you. I hope you find your stay here very welcoming.
Max: Uhh... thanks.
Principal: Ah, and I see you've already made some friends. I'm very pleased to see that.
Max: Yeah, ehehehe.... yeah....
They all nervously laughed around the principal as he himself gently smiled.
Principal: Well, I suppose I will deal with this mess while you five get on going. Seeing as there's no food on you, I'd say that you are completely innocent of this matter, isn't that right?
Rose immediately shut her mouth, and Luke, Ken, and Max started throwing out lies while Tiffany hid the hand she used to throw food.
Max: Yeah.
Ken: Absolutely!
Luke: Totally!
Principal: Hmm. I see. Well, in that case, I suppose that everything is in order.
His eyes remained fixiated on Rose as he spoke.
Principal: You kids may run along now. I suppose that after today's events, there will be no more lessons for today.
Luke: Ok, sir.
Ken: Well, see you later, sir.
Max: Goodbye.
As they walked away, they all held in their sighs of relief. Walking stolidly and silently until they were just about to reach the corner.