Their romance started when they both attended West Beverly Hills High School. The two met when they were assigned as partners in a chemistry lab. Naomi was worrying about her money problems, due to Guru Sona, a con artist, stealing her money. Max unknowingly helped Naomi when he pointed out the land Guru Sona was building on was home to an endangered owl, allowing Naomi grounds to sue the Guru and get her money back. This event helped the two grow closer, and eventually agreed to be a couple as long as they kept it a secret (both were worried about their reputations; Max's as a nerd and Naomi's as a socialite). Finally they realized they could not have a successful relationship in secret, and came out to their friends.