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19. Priorities

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.

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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.