Vince continued, much to all of their discomfort.
Vince: So, since you're new here, maybe it would be best for you to learn a few pointers, right?
He gave another big smile before continuing.
Vince: For starters, you're gonna need a mop. Fact is, that the football locker room always reeks after we use it. And it's gonna need somebody to clean it, amirite?
Max: Hold on...
Vince: And of course, this jacket will need some cleaning every once in a while, too. You get what I mean, right?
Max: Wait...
Vince: Oh, and I almost forgot...
Tiffany: That's enough, Vince!
Vince: Oh, come on, Tiff. It's no big deal. After all. He's gotta get used to being here somehow.
Tiffany: Mmmmmmm....
Tiffany held her tongue.
Rose: Vince, please.
Vince: Oh, come now, sweetie. You know, me, right? I won't hurt a hair on his precious little head.
He fakely laughed as he patted him on his head.
Vince: Unless, of course, there's a problem. But there isn't one, is there, new kid?
Vince's seemingly happy mentality had immediately disappeared with that one question.
Max was about to say something yet again but was interrupted by yet another voice.
Voice: Hey, lay off him, will ya?
A young man, muscular, handsome, and blond, showed up. He was just as tall as Vince.
Rose: (happily) Luke!
He stood mere paces from them all.
Name: Luke Parks
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Age: 16
Description: Most handsome man in high school
Occupation: Student, quarterback, works part-time
Fact: For varying reasons, knows where every student lives.
Vince: Wha...
Luke: Lay off the kid.
Vince: Ugh. Come on, dude, you've already got your hands full taking care of that other kid. Who's gonna teach this kid how to deal with tough things if you're so busy?
Luke sighed as he looked at an expectant Rose.
Luke: I'll handle it.
The pair looked at each other for a moment. Staring each other down.
He was yet another person that Max had learned was strange. In all his years, he had never heard of a jock that would protect a student.
As these two giants of teenagers stared each other down, Max pondered to himself. The third time this day, he was surprised.
It went on for a while. The entire school was silent. Deathly silent.
Eventually, Vince cockily smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
Vince: Alright then.
He turned to Tiffany and Rose.
Vince: Ladies, if you'll excuse me.
And then he turned to Luke again.
Vince: Let's do our best to better Hypercity High. Right?
His fake smile returned. He patted him on the shoulder once more.
Vince: And if you feel like it's too much trouble, don't be afraid to ask for help, alright?
He then happily walked away and chanted loudly.
Vince: Hypercity Howlers?
There was a chanting amongst the other football players going, Woo Woo Woo. It somewhat mimicked a wolf howling.
He disappeared into the crowd, and the murmurs amongst other students started again, bit by bit until they returned to normalcy.
Tiffany: Ugh. Thanks, Luke.
Luke: No, problem.
Rose: Yeah, thanks a bunch. You were amazing.
Luke: No big deal, really.
Max: Yeah, thanks.
Luke: No, problem...
Luke stopped for a moment, suddenly realising he didn't know who Max was.
Luke: Uhhhh
Max: Name's, Max. Max Hunter
Max lay his hand out with a smile and a surprised Luke shook it. He did not expect Max to be that forward, given the fact that he was a new kid.
Luke: Luke Parks. It's nice to meet ya.
Rose squealed yet again.
Rose: Ooooooh. You guys are getting along so well!
Luke was yet another of Rose's friends.
Luke: Getting along?
Luke looked at all of them with questions running through his mind. Did he miss something?
Tiffany: Oh, right. Max here saved Rose's life earlier this morning.
Luke: He did what?
Rose squealed again.
Rose: I know, right. He's so cool.
Max was taken aback just a bit. Being called cool was an oddity in his life.
Luke: Really now.
Luke looked at Max smilingly.
Luke: Well, now I'm really glad I got involved. Hey, Max, if Vince or any other footballer ever tries to bother you, just tell me about them. I'll deal with it.
Max couldn't believe it. The kind of person who would bully him was the kind of person who had just promised to help him out.
Max: Well....
The school bell rang loudly. It was time for the first lesson.
Rose: Oh, right. We've gotta go for maths class.
Tiffany: Right.
Luke: Oh, bother.
Rose: Come on, Luke. You've got this!
Luke: I'll just take a nap and have Ken tutor me later.
Max: Who's Ken?