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.