Coop turned red. Yep, he couldn’t escape the past. He just had to live with the embarrassment. But everyone’s past was filled with embarrassing moments. Right?
“And just to check, are you still using DJ Coop as your stage name?” Denise asked.
“Actually, no. I’m making a change.” Coop glanced at his friends, all here for him. “Call me Evan Cooper.”
“Isn’t that your real name?” She asked.
He nodded with certainty.
“Simple. I like it.” She made the change on her clipboard and whisked off to talk with other performers.
“Evan Cooper isn’t really a rap name,” Matty said.
“But it’s my name.”
Akash gave him a hi-five, and Tim and Tom also nodded their approval. Coop was going to miss everyone over summer vacation, but he couldn’t wait to get the gang back together in the fall. He was going to vanquish all their Catan-playing asses.
Matty hadn’t taken his hand off Coop’s knee, which Coop did not mind at all. The past two weeks had been nothing short of amazing. The weather was perfect. Campus came alive with Frisbee and bike riders and kids hanging out under trees. It was their reward for surviving their first year of college. Matty and Coop spent that time getting to know each other more, both with and without clothes on. They even tried studying for finals together in the library. Sometimes, Coop wouldtap taphis pen andflickhis pages just for old times sake.
“I’m going to get a drink of water,” Coop said.
“I’ll come with you.” Rafe was at his side in no time. They crisscrossed through the crowd to the opposite wall. They pulled plastic cups from a sleeve and poured themselves a drink from the cooler.
“Are you upset about not going to Copenhagen this summer?”
What little money Coop was able to sock away in his lucky Copenhagen sock when toward his grand romantic gesture in the library. Last week, he received an envelope from his dad with a check for half the money he had sent and a note saying he’d get the rest with interest by the end of the summer.
“Honestly, every time I got close to raising the money for Copenhagen, I freaked out. Copenhagen suddenly became real, really real. I don’t think I’m ready for it.”
“It’s too early to give up on your dreams. Save your regret for middle age,” Rafe said.
“I’m not. I will make it to that conference one day, I promise you.” There was clarity in his mind that hadn’t been there before, and he knew it was thanks to Matty. Their relationship had opened Coop up, and his performance at Penn had been a turning point. The lyrics were pouring out of him. He couldn’t wait to see where he’d be in a year. For the first time, he felt confident in calling himself an artist.
“I feel like I’ve finally find my voice. And I need to conquer that stage first.” He pointed to the raised platform mere inches away.
Rafe took a sip of water. “So, how’s everything going with your family?”
“Better.” It was still a little weird for Coop to discuss personal things with Rafe. Walls didn’t come down overnight, but Rafe had been nothing but supportive. “My dad likes his new job and could get promoted soon. Things are still tight, but we’re making it work. They’ve found a nice apartment complex to move into. It’s a big adjustment, but…so far, so good, I guess.”
“That’s great, Coop.” Rafe rubbed his upper arm. For the amount of talking the guy did, he turned out to be a great listener.
“The new apartment complex has a pool.” Coop hoped that in the future, Matty could come over for a late-night swim.
“So I have an announcement,” Rafe said. He poured himself a refill from the cooler.
“It’s not an announcement if you’re just telling me.”
“Well, then it’s a pronouncement. I’m not coming back in the fall.”
Coop almost spat out his water. “What?”
“I signed up to go study abroad in England for fall quarter.”
That was quite the blindside. “When did you decide this?”
“Last week. I got my paperwork in just under the wire.”
College without Rafe didn’t seem possible. Rafe was such a vital part to his life at Browerton. To his whole life.
