Lumax One Shots

senior night

Senior night, the night where everyone cheers on the eldest players on the team. Tonight's senior night is for the girl's varsity basketball team. The varsity team is excellent. So far, they've dominated every team they've come across. However, tonight they play their biggest rivals, Elkhart High School. Until they make it to the championships, this is one of the most critical games in Max's high school basketball career, and honestly, she's pretty nervous about it. Considering Max is one of the best players on the team, she holds a very important role in their victory.

The team started warming up as huge crowds of people started walking in. Lucas made sure he and the party had good seats so they wouldn't miss a thing. Max noticed as all her friends filled up the bleachers. Lucas and Max made eye contact, and Lucas could tell she was nervous by the way her eyes widened and how she unconsciously bit the sides of her cheeks. He motioned his head to the side of the court where they went to talk.

"This team is ridiculously good," she says as they watch the other team warm up.

"Yeah, but you guys can beat them."

"Are you kidding me? Look at the arc in her 3 pointer. That girl has been swishing threes for the past 5 minutes."

"Ok and? I've seen you swish 3 pointers."

"Yeah, but not that many in a row," she said in astonishment.

"Hey, listen to me," Lucas turned her shoulder so she'd look at him.

"You are one of the best players on that team. I've seen you swish threes, make layups, even post up on girls double your size. You can play every position, most people can't, so use that to your advantage. That girl can't make threes if you get in her face. So, I want you to go out there, work your ass off and break some ankles! Okay?"

"I can do that," Max says confidently.

"Hell ya, you can. Now go out there and show everyone what you're made of!" He kissed her on the forehead and she went back to the court.

"Hey! Bet you can't get 3 fast breaks," he yelled jokingly.

"You have to buy my milkshake at Benny's if I do!" Max laughed as she rejoined warmups. Lucas laughed at her as he made his way back up to the stands.

Dustin and Mike were betting how many points Max would make when Lucas sat down. This wasn't new, whenever they came with Lucas to her games, they always made bets. Sometimes it was with money and sometimes with food.

"Do you want one?" El made homemade posters for Max, but Lucas said no, knowing it would just get in his way of cheering.

"Ooh, it's starting!"

"Tonight our Seniors will take their home court as they near the end of their career as a Hawkins player. It is with great pleasure that we bring to you our Senior Night program in honor of our Senior players and their parents," The crowd cheered as the announcer began. They began announcing each senior in alphabetical order. Finally, it was Max's turn.

"Please welcome Max Mayfield, she plays point guard and wears jersey #14. Her parents are Susan and Sam. Other activities Max is involved with are softball, skateboarding, gaming, and hanging out with close friends. Her future plans are to have a gap year and spend her time traveling. Max's favorite basketball memory is going to states with her team. Her most embarrassing basketball moment is air balling two free throws in a row. The accomplishment Max is most proud of is making captain this year. Max's advice to future players is to play to your strengths and once you find what your good at work to become even better. Congratulations Max, and good luck!"

"WOOHOO THAT MY GIRL!" Lucas hollered as she walked across the court. Once all the seniors were announced the game started.

Hawkins got the jump ball tilting it back to Max. She dribbled down the court doing a behind the back crossover when the other team got in the way. Using the fast break to her advantage she went in for the layup.

"Max Mayfield scoring the first 2 points of the night!"  The crowd roared with excitement.

Max made eye contact with Lucas in the stands and held up her finger. Lucas snickered and rolled his eyes. "shit..."

"What was that?" El laughed.

"I'm gonna have to buy that girl a milkshake," he chuckled.

The fourth and final quarter rolled around and it was still neck and neck. There was no telling who was going to win this game. Both teams put their best players on the court for the last 10 minutes. It was Elkharts ball and Max was defending the girl who had the ball. She was doing an amazing job staying in front of her and pressuring the ball. That is until the ballhandler had enough and decided to go in for the layup. The girl charged into Max knocking her over in the process. The thud from Max's head hitting the ground could be heard from outside. Lucas practically sprang onto the court. Both teams cleared the court leaving the athletic trainer to help Max.

"You probably have a concussion we need to get you to the hospital," The trainer suggests.

"No, I'm fine."

"Max you took a really hard fall. If you need a break that's okay." The coach said.

"I can still play," Max argued as her head was pounding.

"Are you sure?"

"I promise I'm fine," she said getting up.

The players and fans clapped as she got up and returned to playing. The party sighed with relief as they saw she was fine. Lucas was the only one who knew she was putting up a front.

It was 43-42 Elkhart was winning with 6 seconds left. Max had the ball as everyone was counting down she passed it to Amelia outside the three-point arc. Amelia banked the three-point shot and won the game for Hawkins! The student section piled onto the court so they could congratulate the players. Max jumped into Lucas's arms happily, hugging him.

"You scared the shit out of me," Lucas sighed.

"I know, but I'm fine. My head does hurt a little."

"Just a little?"

"Yup, nothing a nice milkshake couldn't fix," He laughed, agreeing, and she went back to the locker rooms to change.

The party arrived at Benny's and took a booth. They all ordered food, milkshakes, and Lucas asked for a bag of ice. The night ended perfectly, as Max leaned her head on Lucas's shoulder drinking her milkshake, while Lucas held a bag of ice to her head.

I tried to write this so people who don't understand basketball could understand it. There may be a few words you might not know if you don't play/watch basketball, but I tried not to make it too complicated. I hope you guys enjoyed it and I'm planning on updating my lakehouse quarantine book soon!!