Tiffany grabbed Rose and led her to a corner, well out of Max's earshot, leaving him on his own, dumbfounded.
Once Tiffany had Rose on her own, she continued.
Tiffany: (sternly) Rose?
Rose: Yeah?
Tiffany: What did I tell you about making friends with random people?
Rose: Oh, well...
Rose nervously and innocently spoke while Tiffany sternly gazed at her.
Tiffany: Well?
Rose: He seemed really nice.
Tiffany: Ugh. Nice isn't good enough.
Rose: But but....
Tiffany: No buts.
Rose: Awwwwwwwwwww...
Tiffany: No.
Rose: Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
Rose pulled out the puppy dog eyes, leaving the usually stern Tiffany slightly bothered.
Tiffany: No means no!
Rose: But he's new!
She continued with the puppy dog eyes. Tiffany's eyes narrowed. Being the new kid was hard, she thought.
Tiffany: Ugh. Fine. I'll let it slide for now. But you'll have to let him loose later, alright?
Rose: Alright!
Tiffany: And that doesn't mean that I've changed my mind.
Rose: It's ok. I'm sure you'll like him too.
Rose turned around and giggled.
Tiffany: Really now?
Rose: Yep.
The pair decided to go back to Max and were well on their way.
Tiffany: And why is that?
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Rose: Because, because.... hmmmm....
Rose began to think quite carefully about something.
Tiffany patiently waited for her answer.
It was just before the pair had gotten within earshot of Max that she said it.
Rose: Oh, and also, he saved my life.
Tiffany: He wha...?
She hardly got to question Rose before she continued to Max.
Rose: Hey, Max! Sorry for keeping you waiting!
Rose went to him, waving to him, leaving Tiffany out in the dust with so many questions.
Max had, in the meantime, looked for his locker and had found it.
He had opened it with the keys in his backpack and was already starting to unpack his books.
Max: Oh, hey.
He was a bit surprised to see her come back.
Rose: Wow, you found your locker?
Max: Yep.
Rose: Wow, you're so self-sufficient.
Rose's wonderous earnest interest continued to somewhat shock Max. He really had never met someone quite like her.
Tiffany showed up and remained behind the two. Quietly observing them.
Rose: Oh, Tiffany! Look! His locker isn't too far from ours. We can hang out between lessons, right?
Tiffany: (flatly and uninterestedly) Sure.
Tiffany's eyes remained fixiated on the pair, especially Max. What did she mean, saved her life? Just who was this guy?
Rose: (excitedly) So, are you ready for first period?
Max was, again, surprised. How could this girl like school?
Max: Not particularly.
Rose: Oh. Well, you should know....
Tiffany: Hold on, Rose.
Tiffany suddenly walked towards the pair and took their attention. Her eyes fixiated on Maxs.
Tiffany: Excuse me, Max?
Max: Yeah?
Her uninterested gaze had suddenly become more interested in him, much to Maxs surprise.
Tiffany: Is it true that you saved Rose's life?
Max stopped for a moment and looked at Rose, who simply smiled reassuringly back at him.
Max: Well, yeah. I guess you could say that.
Tiffany: Really now.
Rose: Yeah, Tiff. It happened just this morning.
Tiffany: I see.
What happened next shocked Max.
Tiffany took two steps back and bowed.
Tiffany: Thank you for saving Rose.
Max looked around nervously. He did not know what to think. In all his life, he had almost never seen someone bow to anyone, most especially himself.
Tiffany: My deepest gratitude for what you did for her.
Max: Do all girls in this school bow down to say thank you?
Everybody in the vicinity who heard that smirked or let out a muffled laugh.
Tiffany looked back at Max with a questionable look that said, "What is wrong with you?" Much to Max's confusion.
Did the laughs mean yes or no?
Rose giggled, too.
Tiffany simply looked up at Max and continued.
Tiffany: In any case, I suppose you will need a tour around the place. So, please, allow me to give you a tour.
Rose: Oh, umm, Tiffany? I forgot to mention that...
Before she could continue talking, they were interrupted by a voice.
Voice: Hey, new kid!
A large young man with black hair, a lot of muscle, and wearing a sports jacket walked in on the pair.
He stood right next to Max.
With a big fake smile, he continued.
Voice: I would like to welcome you to Hypercity High.
The kids around the classroom became quieter.
Max, noticing this, as well as the kids, was a bit perplexed. He knew what bullies were, but this level of control over a group of students was shocking.
Max: Oh, tha...
Vince: Of course, I should introduce myself. The names' Vince, Vince Herrington.
Name: Vincent Herrington
Age: 16
Description: Overconfident bully
Occupation: Student and football team leader.
Fact: His hygiene is top notch.