Chapter Text
Band practice was at two-thirty and it was now three. Lucas was late, and it would have been a rare occurrence if he hadn't been late to three practises in the last week.
Mike Wheeler the lead singer, sat on the old musty smelling couch that his mother so graciously donated to the rusty garage that they played in, it smelt like old moth balls and gasoline, it was a bit of a weird combo but Max liked it, it filled her with this sense of belonging, like she was safe, reminding her of the early days of the band. Mike let out another groan, very obviously trying to make the others aware of his annoyance to Lucas inability to show up.
Dustin Henderson or 'Dumpster D' as he so dubbed himself sat on the opposing end of the couch to Mike, absence minding scrolling on his phone. Max was the lead guitarist of the band, and also happened to have a big crush on Lucas however if she was confronted about it she would deny, which Mike and Dustin so painfully learnt, they never mentioned it again after that, stood in the middle of the garage, she was upset with Lucas being late again however she couldn't help but be worried, this wasn't like him. Lucas was almost always on time and if he wasn't he'd call. What if something bad happened and he couldn't call?
Max was pulled from her thoughts by the unmistakable sound of the garage door opening. Dustin and Mike both stood from their positions on the couch, looking eager to start practice and a little pissed for being held back so long but that was mainly the latter. After what felt like an excruciatingly long time the door finally opened and they were met with the face of a very sheepishly Lucas.
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late! it won't happen again, promise." Lucas muttered, pushing pass the other, eyes cast to the floor, moving to the back trying to reach where his equipment sat. He was dressed in a basic dark blue T-shirt the jeans looking like he just ran there, a little out of breath and his cheeks were a bit flushed, but Max thought he'd never looked more perfect.
"What the hell dude!? This is the third time week" Dustin cried, his curly hair bouncing as he followed Lucas trying to get explanation.
Mike was wearing a classic band shirt that if Max had to guess he just picked up off his floor, not bothering to see if it was clean. And he was looking very pissed off.
"Yeah if you want out the band just say that don't just so! Don't bail on us because some of us actually care!-" Mike rant was cut off by a very confused Lucas, who snapped his head up so fast at the mention of not wanting to be in the band Max thought she heard something crack.
"Woah what? Mike I don't want to leave the band I've just been busy! with-uh you know...family stuff" Lucas said, rolling his shoulders the end sentence drifting quite, indicating that he was lying about having 'family problems'.
"Jesus Christ! No one's getting kicked out or leaving-" Max said shooting a glare at Mike then Lucas "-We just think you've been distracted lately and don't you dare say family crap because we all know that's full of shit" Max finished, cutting of Lucas attempts to defend himself. Her firey hair somewhat disheveled and loose.
Lucas stood there surrounded by his bandmates and more importantly his friends, all waiting eagerly to see him try and worm himself out of this one. Which was bound to fail because if there was anyone he couldn't lie to, it was Max and she knew that.
As Lucas opened his mouth his phone started to ring. Lucas somewhat startled, took a second to grab his phone out of his pocket. He glanced at the screen and his face made a weird display of emotions. He looked up and shot a apologetic glance at them
"Sorry guys I-uh need to take this" Lucas quickly apologises before ducking his head and answering the call, walking inside the house through the door that connected to the garage.
"What the hell is up with him" Mike groaned, throwing his head back."I mean seriously what is his problem" Mike grumbled, dragging his feet around the garage. To anyone else it may have seemed like Mike was whining and didn't care but Dustin and Max knew he did, even if he wasn't good at showing it.
Dustin smacked his hand together, cutting Max off from replying to Mike, which would indefinitely lead to an argument. Just because Max knew Mike meant well doesn't mean he didn't piss her off sometimes.
"Isn't it obvious?" Dustin questioned in a way you know it's not really a question. Max and Mike shared a confused look not knowing what the hell he was talking about.
"What's obvious?" Mike asked,getting more and more confused.
"Lucas has a girlfriend!"