Approximately 2 Years [×Lunch Club×]

Ada...

When they rolled up to the party, their hands sticky from the ice cream, Cooper's mind was blank. He just stuck by Schlatt's side while Carson went to look around for a good place to hang out. "You want anything?" Schlatt asked, eyeing the bar. "A beer. Do I look okay?" They walked over to the bar. "You look surprisingly well," Schlatt said, grabbing two waters and handing a beer to Cooper. "Hey, what the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Schlatt smirked, but before he could answer, Carson came rushing up. "Come on, I found the perfect spot."

He grabbed Schlatt and Cooper, dragging them through the house. "That was fast," Schlatt muttered, just low enough for Cooper to hear. They went through the back door and Cooper had to do a double-take. "When did they put a pool here!?" Carson ignored the question and dragged them to a corner of the yard. Here, next to the shed, they had a perfect view of the house, the pool, and they even had a fire pit in front of them, though it wasn't lit. They all took a seat, and sighed, grateful to have gotten such a good spot.

Tossing a water to Carson, Schlatt leaned back. "This spot is awesome, Carson. Thanks for rushing us over here... You gonna get in the pool later?" Carson eyed the pool, the lights underwater reflecting up onto the side of the house. "Maybe. I didn't bring anything to change into though." Cooper took a swig of beer. "Skinny dippinnnngg," he joked, prying his eyes away from the back door. They sat and joked around for about five minutes before Noah walked up, two beers in hand. "Hey guys, what's up?" He handed the extra beer to Cooper, who had already finished his first. Schlatt reached for it and Cooper snatched it away. "Uhhhmm, no? You don't drink??" Schlatt's hand stayed extended. "I want a taste." Noah sat down, eventually followed by Joko, Amanda, and Brendan. Schlatt cringed and gagged after he took a sip, and a couple people laughed. "That's fuckin' disgusting!"

Soon, people started to jump into the pool, clothes and all. There was a pile of jackets, phones, and wallets next to the pool, along with towels. Music started up inside the house, then colorful lights came on. "The party's staaarrttiingg," Joko said, standing up to stretch. "Hey Joko?" Carson swooned. "Yeesss, Carssoon-san?" Schlatt glared at Joko, disappointed that he had just said that. "Can you go get us some more drinks? Just water for me and Schlatt, and... Coop, do you want anything?" Coopers head shot up from his phone. "Huh? Oh. Don't call me that, and can I get a... beer?" Joko pouted while he memorized everyones 'orders' and Amanda got up to help him with the drinks. Just before they walked inside, Cooper saw Joko flick them off while Amanda's arm snaked around his waist.

His phone went off and Cooper looked down at it, the screen hurting his eyes as he read the notif. "supertraves: Ive been okay... better, at least... Im at th party nowe btw" Taking another sip of his beer, Cooper texted back, his confidence rising, but he could still feel his breath still getting shallow. "I'm out by the pool with carson. Come swning by so I can give you a hug." "Coop, are u alredy drunk?" "Nah tipsey" "Ill be out there in a couple minutes. Gotta say hi to some peopl" "k"

After taking a deep breath, Cooper stood up, (way too fast,) and grabbed onto Schlatt's shoulder so he wouldn't fall over. "Woah, you alright there, bud?" The conversation hushed a little bit and Cooper felt his face heat up, the newfound silence acting as a spotlight pointing right on him. He finished his beer. "Yeah, I'm good, just... hadn't stood up in a while." Brendan stood up as well. "Where you goin, Cooper boy? Want me to keep your seat warm?" Cooper rolled his eyes and nodded, letting go of Schlatt. He was temporarily blinded by Carson's camera flash as he took a video, and he held his hand up to his eyes and yelled. While the rest of the group laughed, easing back into their previous conversations, Cooper took off his hoodie and put it on the ground, placing his phone, keys and wallet underneath.

It had been a while since he went swimming, but he wanted to right now so he could get his mind off of everything else going on. He whipped off his shirt and pulled off his shorts as well, leaving him in just his underwear. "Yeah, strip for us, Cooper." He wasn't sure who had said that, but he decided that if he listened to any of them, his confidence would fade.

There weren't that many people in the pool, so Cooper went ahead and cannonballed, splashing a couple of people on the side and making waves in the deep end. Putting his hands over his head, still underwater, Cooper got used to the water. It was cold at first, but he soon realized it was a heated pool. It wasn't too hot, not disgustingly lukewarm either. Just right for him.

He stayed underwater for a minute and while he was under, he felt someone grab his hand. He held onto them as well, and as he did, he slid down their wrist and he felt that they had a scar. He knew that scar. That beautiful raised scar he hadn't felt in months.

'Ada.'