Read Online Max Baker: Guardian of the Ninth Sector by Matthew Cronan - Free Book Online

seat.
    “I believe that the easiest solution to these annoying little interruptions is to pair you two together for our upcoming research project,” Shook said with a smile.  “Perhaps the answer lies with the two of you spending some good quality time together.  Maybe then you’ll both be able to focus once you step into my classroom.”
    Max sat there sulking for the rest of the period, refusing to take his eyes off of the notebook in front of him.  Kennedy did the same as she doodled on the notepad in front of her, pausing once to shoot Max a glaring look.  As Max thought about how his day could not possibly get any worse, Mr. Shook took the liberty to assign the rest of the students into pairs for the research project. 
    The bell rang, and Kennedy was the first to grab her books and dart out of the door.  As the rest of the class made their way toward the exit, Mr. Shook asked Max to stay behind.  Max listened as the remaining students filed out of the door, snickering about the incident.
    Noah peeked his head in the classroom.
    “Max,” he whispered loudly.  “It’s fish taco day.  Let’s go.”
    “Mr. Allman,” Shook said, “I would suggest you give me and Mr. Baker a few moments to ourselves.  That is, of course, unless I could interest you in detention later on this afternoon.”
    Noah looked at Max and shrugged.  Without an objection, he gave the old man a quick nod of respect and then disappeared back into the bustling hallway outside.
    Max sat back down at his desk and stared venomously at the blank notepad in front of him.  He sat there brooding as Shook moved from his own desk to the one in front of Max’s.  The old man turned the chair around to face Max and then took a seat.
    “You’re upset with me,” Mr. Shook said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs.
    “You think?” Max snapped at the old man.  Max had never been cross with a teacher before, but Mr. Shook had stepped over the line.
    “Your sarcasm is unwelcomed here, Max,” Mr. Shook said.  The old man paused for a moment as he stared deeply at Max.  “It is unnecessary as well.”
    “Did you really need to embarrass me like that?” Max asked. He did his best to avoid eye contact with the old man.
    “Yes,” Shook said quietly and stroked his beard.  Max, who had not been expecting him to answer with such bluntness, shot the man an angry look.
    “Mr. Baker, I have been on this earth for a very long time,” Shook began, his voice barely above a whisper.  “One thing that I have learned is that we only have a limited amount of opportunities with certain people.”  The man looked even older than he had when he was standing in front of the room.  Up close, Max could see long hairs poking out from Shook’s elongated ear lobes.  His eyes were sunken and droopy.  His lips were pursed together in a stern manner.
    “What are you talking about?” Max asked.
    “You are one of my best students, Mr. Baker,” Shook said. He continued to stroke his bushy beard; the act made him look like a super villain with an evil plot in mind.  “However, you are such a quiet boy.  The school counselor refers to you as introverted anytime that your name is brought up.”
    “Why is my name being brought up in front of the counselor?” Max asked worriedly.
    “That is of no importance,” Mr. Shook said.  “What is important is that you are afraid to speak up for the things that you want and desire.  For example, you wanted me to be quiet today as I embarrassed you amongst your peers.  You wanted me to let the incident go, but instead you sat there without so much as an objection.”
    Max didn’t respond to this, nor did he know how.  He wondered why Shook was telling him all of this.  He looked into the old man’s sunken eyes and instead of seeing anger or disappointment, he saw that they were gentle and kind.
    “I have seen the way that you look at Miss Coleman,” Shook continued, “I have seen the way