The Tubular Moments // Lucas and Max (Lumax)

A Tubular Breakup

Author's note: Thank you for the prompt from @Marvel_girl23 who wrote "Maybe one where Lucas and Max are in high school and they break up (like a real break up)."

Anyways, it's been a long time since I updated, so I hope you enjoy!

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If Max had learnt anything throughout her first week of high school, it's that it's all bullshit. Unlike most people, she never went into anything with big expectations, but she never thought high school could be this disappointing.

In fact, at the beginning of summer, Max would have been lying if she said that she wasn't a little bit excited for it. She would have Lucas by her side, as well as the entire party. How hard could it be? She assumed she would be happy nonetheless.

But then the 4th of July happened. And well... let's just say Max was struggling.

After everything she had gone through, school was not on her list of priorities. But, like always, Max put on a brave face and got on with it.

It didn't last long. The first day back, the school decided to have an assembly honouring all the victims of the "Starcourt Fire", and of course, Billy's face was among those on display.

"I'm sorry." She heard his voice over and over again. His last moments flashing through her mind as if he was taunting her.

Lucas took a hold on her hand, prompting Max to take in her surroundings once more. Her shoulders tensed as she noticed people looking at her, pitiful expressions on their faces. Her blood boiled. She would not be considered weak.

She snuck a glance at Dustin and Mike, the same expressions on their faces. Great. Even her own friends pitied her.

"Stop looking at me like that!" She whispered with a glare. The boys sheepishly looked away.

But as the week progressed, it only got worse. Random people, who she had never even met, kept offering their apologies. What've they got to be sorry for? They had no idea who Billy was and what he went through.

By Wednesday, Max was finding things very difficult to deal with. She hated to admit it, but Billy's death had taken a greater toll on her than anybody could have predicted. She thought back to the first few weeks after he died. Amongst all the pain and grief she felt, Lucas was the only person who made her feel somewhat better. He stayed by her side the entire time, whether it was to just listen as she tried to organise her thoughts, or even, to just hold her while she cried. He was there.

Feeling the need to talk to him, Max found herself standing by his locker at the end of the day.

"Hey MadMax." He smiled upon seeing her.

She smiled at the familiar nickname. "Can I come to your house? I need somebody to talk to."

"Of course, you're always welcome. You know that."

Despite Max knowing he would say yes, she found herself filling with relief. She didn't think she'd ever get used to having a safe place to go to.

They decided it would just be quicker for Max to ride on the back of Lucas' bike instead of using her skateboard. She wasn't complaining though. She got to hold Lucas extra tightly and rest her head on his shoulder. God, she could be such a girl sometimes. (Not that Lucas minded).

Upon arriving, Max was warmly welcomed by Mr and Mrs Sinclair. Lucas was quick to drag Max up to his room, remembering why she wanted to come over in the first place.

"No funny business!" Mrs Sinclair yelled at her son as they ascended the stairs.

"It's like they don't trust me!" Lucas complained as he closed his door.