The Tubular Moments // Lucas and Max (Lumax)

A Tubular Best Friend

Max was very much over this 'bed-rest'. She knew that she was doing the right thing by not leaving the house, but god she was bored. The minutes seemed to tick by at a snail-pace; an hour felt like an entire school day. Not to mention, she didn't even have Lucas to keep her company because he was going to school. She was grateful for him bringing home the work she missed, but she wished he could've stayed home with her. The only thing that kept her will strong was the fact that spring break was in a week, and by then, she'd be off bed-rest, free to go wherever she wanted.

Thankfully, Max received a visit everyday from her best friend. El wasn't going to start at Hawkins High until after spring break because both Joyce and Hooper agreed it would be easier for her to start in a new term. Therefore, Max's days consisted of El and her laying in bed, keeping each other company with their constant flow of conversation.

It was kinda like a giant sleepover, but one that was slightly less exciting and never ended.

"Ugh." Max slammed Lucas's pillow into her face. "I want to do something! Anything!"

El was folding some of Max's clothes and placing them into her drawers. "I'm sorry Max, but it'll all be worth it at the end."

"I know! But why do I have to suffer? Why can't Lucas share the pain?"

"Because men wouldn't be able to handle it. Besides, you and I both know that Lucas holds his end of the stick. I'm telling you. That boy has to be the most supportive boyfriend in the world."

"Yeah, I know... but I'm bored out of my mind El!" Max dramatically flopped to her side making it ever so hard for El not to burst out laughing.

"You only have two more days to go, then you can do whatever you want. The boys will be back in about three hours and that's when things get a little more interesting, but until then, I'm here and it is my personal duty that you don't die of boredom." El told her, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Fine, but what are we going to do?" Max sat up a bit.

El reached into her pocket pulling out two small nail polish bottles. "Lucky for you, I came prepared.

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Max raised her eyebrows at the bright blue and pink nail polish that adorned her fingers. El had insisted it be those two colours, perfectly alternating between each finger.

"You gotta make it even, you know? We don't know the gender yet, and I wouldn't want to tempt fate by accidentally painting six fingers pink and only four blue!" She had said.

So Max sat still for the next two hours watching El focus on painting her fingernails and toenails. Max couldn't help but smile at the concentration etched on her face with her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth. It was so wholesome.

El twisted the pink bottle shut. "You know, when your far enough along, I'll be able to sense the gender."

Max choked on her apple juice. "You what?"

"Remember when I sensed you were pregnant?" El laughed. "The same thing will happen again, but this time, it'll be the gender of your baby."

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" Max all but tugged El's shoulders towards her.

"I thought it was obvious!"

"El! This is huge! Oh my god. You cannot tell me as soon as you find out, ok?"

"Why not?"