Lumax One Shots

basketball

It's been a couple of months since the Byers and El left Hawkins. Those months have been hard on everyone but the party seems to be adjusting. Freshman year wasn't very hard for any of them academically. However, two members of what's left of the party are struggling emotionally. Of course, it had to be Max and Mike the two most stubborn people. It's now the first week of December and Dustin, Mike, Lucas, and Max are sitting in the cafeteria.
"I think I'm going to try out for basketball this year," Lucas said starting a conversation. Mike, Dustin, and Max looked at each other immediately.
"Not to be mean or anything but since when can you play basketball?" Dustin asked very confused. The thing is after Will and El left Lucas became very focused on working out. He now lifts weights, runs, and plays sports in his free time. No one knew why he now became all athletic but Lucas had his reasons.
"I've been playing with my dad quite a lot recently and he suggested to join the team. Tryouts are tomorrow."
"You should do it," Max encouraged.
"I mean it's definitely not the av club but I think you should go for it," Mike added in.
"I agree with them but if you make the team don't just leave us in the dust," Dustin was concerned that if Lucas did make the team he would forget about them.
"Are you kidding me? I promise I will never do that," Lucas said as the bell rang.

Unfortunately, he did do that. With making the team comes a lot of new friends and opportunities. Lucas has practice and games every weekday. On Saturday he goes to a party with his new friends and by the time Sunday rolls around he has to finish all his school work. The only time the party saw him was in class or during lunch and sometimes he wouldn't even sit with them. That left Max to wonder where their relationship stood. But now she was done with wondering she wanted answers.
"I'll be back," Max said to Mike and Dustin as she got up from the lunch table. She looked around and spotted Lucas with a group of guys.
"Lucas." He didn't respond. "Lucas!"
"Oh sorry, I didn't hear you. What do you need?"
"I need to talk to you."
"Can we do it another time? I'm kinda busy."
"No. We can't do it another time because you're busy every other time of the week!"
"Woah redheads getting heated," Lucas remarked causing a chuckle from the boys around him.
"Lucas I'm serious."
"I know I can see the crease above your eyebrows."
"Can we talk? Alone please?"
"As long as there's not as much talking involved," Lucas smirked and the rest of the guys nudged him laughing.
"You know what, I can't do this anymore! We're over. You are not the person you used to be Lucas Sinclair," Max said with glassy eyes.
"That's okay just don't come running back this time," Lucas gave a smile and laughed.
"Who are you? Really... who are you? Cause it seems that the boy I fell in love with died and it doesn't look like he's coming back. So don't call me, don't come by my house, and don't talk to me anymore." By then it seemed as if the whole cafeteria was listening to their conversation. Max stormed out of the lunchroom. Dustin and Mike decided to follow her. They finally found her in the janitor's closet crying. This was new territory for the party. Especially, Max, Dustin, and Mike they've never had to comfort each other. But as soon as they walked into the closet they pulled Max into a hug.
"I don't even know who he is anymore," Max said breaking down more and more.
"None of us do," Dustin added with tears slowly rolling down his face. Mike didn't say anything but his sleeves are stained with tears.

That was the day they lost Lucas Sinclair as a friend.

Now Dustin, Mike, and Max were so close. They told each other everything. From what they got on a test to the traumas they were still dealing with. As weird as it seems they got pretty used to sharing their feelings. Two days before winter break they talked about star court in Mike's basement.
"Sometimes I feel like it was all mine and Suzie's fault. If she didn't make me sing that stupid song then maybe everyone would still be here right now," Dustin admitted with a sorrowful look on his face.
"Dustin don't you dare think that. It was no one's fault," Mike comforted him.
"Yeah and maybe this is how it's supposed to be," Max added.
"What do you mean?" Both boys questioned.
"As hard as it is maybe Billy and Hop were meant to die. Will and El were supposed to move, and we were meant to see Lucas's true colors. Maybe one day we'll all be back together again. But I think the universe wanted us to learn something." They all say and pondered on Max's words.
"I just want to go back to simpler times," Mike sighed.
"Me too," the curly-haired boy agreed.
"Think about this though if we went back to simpler times Will wouldn't have gone missing, meaning you wouldn't have met El, Dustin you wouldn't have a friendship with Steve, and I would probably be back in California."
"I just wish they were all here you know?"
"We've got 2 days until we leave."
"Have you guys ever been to Ohio?" Mike asked.
"No but El said it was pretty cool except for all the cornfields," Max answered.
"Ya think Lucas will show?" Dustin asked a few moments later.
"I doubt it."