GETTING UNDER MAXIMILIAN

Chapter Twenty - Two

Max chuckled as Amaliah sniffled and continued helping him pack his stuff. He'd been assigned a new locker yesterday after school but it was quite far from hers and was in the area of Katia's locker. Of course the bitch had been happy about it and even managed to change lockers with the person next to Max.

"I'm just moving my stuff Liah,I'm not leaving the school." Max teased.

Amaliah scowled at him. "So?you're still moving away. No more locker notes,holding hands inside the locker."

"I'm still your seat partner and we hold hands in class remember?. Max whispered softly. He took out a paper from his jacket pocket and handed it to her.

"What's this?". Amaliah looked down at the folded paper then she unfolded it to see Max's house address,his phone number, WhatsApp number and Facebook username. She looked up at Max with a smile on her face. I can call,text and visit you?".

"Anytime you want to." Max grinned.

"Okay. Amaliah nodded and pocketed the paper.

"Leave this first. Max took the books from her hands and put them back inside the locker. I don't want to move yet."

"Alright. Amaliah smiled and immediately she closed the door,the bell rang for classes to begin so they rushed to their class quickly before the principal would show up to punish late students.

By lunch time Max was in the boys locker room changing out of his basketball outfit when Jonathan Paxton and his co captain Jason walked into the room talking about Empire Heights Montessori School which caught Max's attention because that was the school his siblings attended.

"What did you say happened at Empire Heights?". Max interrupted them.

Jonathan looked at him. "Oh, you haven't heard?it's all over the news. Jon said. The school was under attack by some unknown gunmen. Apparently they were there to kidnap the Vanderwoodsen quads but...the four of them were missing and the men were arrested,not all of them anyway."

Max froze. "The quads are missing?were they kidnapped?".

"Funny thing..no. Jon chuckled. No one saw them leave. They just disappeared into thin air."

"Poof!". Jason said.

Max frowned wondering how four eight year old kids could just disappear without anyone noticing but his thoughts were the interrupted when the coach came into the room to call him.

"The principal wants to see you." The coach said.

"Sure." Max nodded putting on his shirt over his jersey and left. When he got there,he was shocked to see the quads and he had to pinch himself.

"You sent for me sir?".

"Yes. Henshaw said and gestured to the quads. They're here to see you?".

"Max!!. The quads cried and rushed to hug him almost pushing him down.

"Hey guys. He laughed and crouched down to their level and hugged them tight. How did you guys get out?are you alright? you're not hurt anywhere right?". He checked them for wounds.

"No. They shook their heads. We are so scared Max. They hugged him again.

"It's okay. You're safe now. Max told them. How did you get out?."

"Well Britt told us to hide in the cupboard at the back of our class but it wasn't really a cupboard you see. Zion spoke up. It was like a tunnel and nobody realized that we were gone."

"It was dark and scary but he told us to keep going and when we did..we fell right on the carpet grass at the back of the school!it was awesome!. Esme exclaimed animatedly. There was this gate his friend Robert showed him..he remembered the code to open the gate and then we went out!.

"Hmmn.. So what happened after you escaped?". Max asked.

"We got into a cab and we came here after Britt told the taxi guy the name of your school." Zion replied.

"I'm so proud of you guys. He kissed their foreheads. Guess all that spy kids marathon really paid off. I'm going to call dad and tell him you're all safe. I know mom will be worried sick. He stood up and went to meet the principal. Uh.. they're my siblings sir."

"Siblings?how come?". Henshaw looked surprised.

Max blew out his breath. "My father is Zion Vanderwoodsen. I'm his first son."

"Do you want to call him then?".

"Yes sir."

"Go ahead."

Max picked up the receiver and dialed his father's number and waited.

"Vanderwoodsen". Came Zion's distracted voice.

"Hey Dad,it's Max."

"Max? what's wrong?".

"I uh..heard about the attack. Max said. How's Mom?".

"Devastated. Zion sighed. They weren't kidnapped. I don't know where to look for them."

"They're here with me. Max informed him. They escaped and came right here."

"Really? you're not pulling my leg are you Max?".

Max laughed. Talk to Britt. He handed the phone to Britt.

"Daddy." Britt said. We're fine."

Zion heaved a sigh of relief. "We're on our way okay?".

"Yes daddy." Britt nodded then gave the phone back to Max who dropped it on the cradle. They're coming."

"Do you guys want anything?". Max asked them.

"Just Mommy and Daddy." They replied.

Max chuckled. "Okay."