Pogs n Shit (a oneshot book)

It's Okay I Wouldn't Remember Me Either

 We're just gonna pretend the Lunch Club all lives together mk mk mk

Cooper frowned at the house he'd lived in with his best friends for years. What changed? What happened to bring them to this moment? He shivered in the chill winter air and turned towards his car, a solemn look on his face as he shoved his suitcase in the passenger's seat.

Piling himself and a few extra bags into the front, Cooper fumbled to retrieve his keys from his pocket. Before he did, though, he heard a knocking on the window. Looking up, he saw Ted. Cooper rolled down the window and gave his friend an impatient look.

"What's up, dude? Can't you wait to tell me on Discord later or something?" he asked. Ted shook his head. "Penny for your thoughts," he said, tossing a slightly blackened penny into the car using his thumb and index finger. Cooper caught it between his hands. This was a game they played. Either of them would say those four words and toss a penny at the other, and that person would have to say exactly what they were thinking at the time. "I'm gonna miss this place," Cooper replied, putting his hands on the steering wheel to steady them, as they shook slightly. Ted frowned. "Just know that everyone respects your decision. While this house or group won't be the same without you here, we know wherever you're going is where you want to be."

Cooper laughed. "You're acting like I'm gonna die. Relax. I'm just going back to college." He flung the penny back to Ted, who caught it and moved away from the open window. "I'll be back. I promise."

---{~~~~}---

Two years. Two years Cooper had been gone, and two years the Lunch Club carried on without him. The group's following had been dented with the boy's absence, but not enough to make the whole group shit completely.

At college, Cooper was thriving off of exceeding in what he knew exactly how to do. There were subjects which he fully didn't understand, but his knowledge in most was just enough to keep him going. He'd stopped uploading on YouTube, meaning almost nobody ever mentioned him and his channel had barely grown since a few months ago.

When he first left without a trace, none of the Lunch Club mentioned it, and it had spiked mystery in the community. It continued until a few months later when one of his peers mentioned him going to their college, and everyone figured he left to pursue a dream of his.

As Cooper sat on his four poster bed and scribbled out a messed up math equation, he thought about how much he regretted leaving YouTube. He had done it because he was given a scholarship, and the opportunity was simply too great to pass up. Now, however, the super strict rules and teachers made the school seem like a terrible place to be.

Students were only aloud outside between the hours of 9 AM - 9 PM.

Students will address staff politely (ex. "Yes ma'am", "No ma'am", "Yes sir", "No sir", "Please", "Thank you", "You're Welcome").

Students must volunteer at the cafés at least once per month.

Any sound coming from student dorms after 8 PM will get you a free ticket out of the college.

The list went on.

Cooper hated this place. The lack of freedom made him miss the place where he lived prior to coming here. He heard a chime from his computer and got up, hoping to god if wasn't audible from the hallways. It was 10:15 PM, after all.

Another chime. Cooper hurried to his desk and some up the computer, checking to see who in the school would dare be texting him at this hour.

TedNivison:
Penny for your thoughts, buddo. The whole house is wondering how you're doing.

[1 image]

Bewildered, Cooper logged onto Discord. The image was of a slightly blackened penny. He quickly muted his notification chime to avoid trouble with the college and typed a reply:

cscoop:
Very funny.

You're gonna get me kicked out.

And I'm doing good.

I miss home though

TedNivison:
How the hell is talking over Discord gonna get you kicked out?

cscoop:
Strict rules and stuff I guess

No sound after 8 o'clock

I don't like it here

I want out

TedNivison:
I see.

Your college doesn't seem to be filled with very good staff.

cscoop:
Yea. I'm thinking about leaving.

What would I do when I come back though?

TedNivison:
Wdym?

Are you talking about

No offence but

Nobody really remembering you after all this time?

cscoop:
Yea

I don't blame them

I wouldn't remember me either 

TedNivison:
Bruh

cscoop:
I'm leaving tomorrow

Fuck it

Not waiting for a response, Cooper shut down the computer loaned to him by the school and packed his bags and got ready for bed. He climbed under the sheets after turning out the light, making sure to email the school saying that he wouldn't be attending classes the next day before drifting off to sleep.

---{~~~~}---

Awoken by the piercing shriek of his alarm, Cooper bolted upright. He reached for his phone and turned it off, climbing out of bed with a stupid grin on his face. He seized the handle of his suitcase and left his room, the only thing keeping him from leaving the dorm completely being his roommate.

"Cooper! What's up, man?" greeted Robbie. "Leaving so soon? It's not even the middle of the second semester yet!" He threw an arm around his friend, who moved away uncomfortably. "Yes, and I'm kinda in a hurry, so...," Cooper said, trailing off and hoping that Robbie got the message. Luckily, his roommate released him.

"Oh, yea. Apologies, my guy," apologized Robbie. Cooper moved towards the door, giving a small wave and a goodbye to Robbie as he opened it and left the room.

Freedom felt good.

---{~~~~}---

"Cooper!" yelled Travis enthusiastically, hugging his friend as he came through the door. The one who received the hug laughed, looking over his friends that he hadn't seen in years. Travis released the hug, and Cooper moved on to greet Noah, Mason, Schlatt, Carson, Charlie and the others in the house. When he got to Ted, Cooper flicked a coin in the taller's direction. "Penny for your thoughts."

Ted smiled. "I'm glad you're back."

1063 words

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