A/N: Ok, for one this is a lot earlier than usual, but I got another chapter already done for my other story, so I have time to upload this more. I don't want the updates on my other story to be too frequent(for reasons that are unknown to me), but on this I don't care. There are people who are actually showing they want to see more (i.e Ihopeyoulove18. Thanks for the support man!) I'm not getting too much of that on the other story, so I'll keep this going as often as I can. Enough of that! Time to continue!
Mordecai's happiness significantly began to grow as the days rolled by. The fact that CJ didn't completely hate him anymore brought a considerate skip back to his step.
"You're too happy," Rigby said. "Come on! It's not like you're dating again!"
"No, it's not that, but I don't feel like the biggest jerk on Jerk Alley, and that's good enough reason to celebrate in my book," Mordecai said cheerfully, holding a trash bag in his left hand.
"What about Margaret? Have you forgotten you still have to make things clear with her?" Rigby said.
"Way ahead of you. I already asked Eileen to send her over here so we can get things cleared up. Christmas was just an accident. We got caught up in the memories and stuff," Mordecai said, starting to swing the bag.
"Whatever you say man," Rigby muttered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Mordecai asked, dropping the trash bag and crossing his arms.
"Nothing. You do what you want to do," Rigby said.
Mordecai watched his friend with an apprehensive eye before picking up the trash and tossing it in the dumpster.
"Why do you bother coming with me to the trash? It's not like you help me carry anything," Mordecai said, clapping his hands together to get the dust off.
"I helped you with the trash before," Rigby argued.
"Yeah. Once. Even then, you dropped it, raised you hands in the air yelling, 'This is too hard!'" Mordecai said while laughing. "How many times have you said 'This it too hard', I will never know."
"I don't say it that often," Rigby said.
Mordecai stopped walking, crossed his arms, and looked Rigby straight in the eye with a raised eyebrow.
"Do you really want to go down that road?" he asked.
"Never mind," Rigby mumbled.
"Hmm-hmm. Thought so. Anyway, we still got the gutters to clean. And I'm getting the hose, since you do nothing with it," Mordecai said.
"Remember that one time I hosed the stuff off the house?" Rigby corrected.
"Not all of it because we found that stupid 'Summertime' song, and that was only once. Since I actually do the work, I'm going to make this as quick as I can. You can play with it after I'm done, I don't care," Mordecai said, waving a dismissive hand at his friend.
"Nah, if we don't have to work, I'd rather play video games," Rigby said.
"Of course you would," Mordecai said, predicting that answer.
"Like you don't goof off when you're working," Rigby retorted.
"But not as much as you. A few times a week for me, but everyday is a bit much. That's why I had to vouch for you to even get this job in the first place. I'm actually thinking about going back to school," Mordecai said, remembering his dream 2 days ago.
"You're not serious about that," Rigby said, taking his friend's words for bluff.
"Nah, I'm thinking about actually going back to school. Art school I guess was a little too narrow on the opportunities list. I may be able to get into college here," Mordecai said.
"Come on man! Are you really going to do a Margaret on me?" Rigby said.
Mordecai visibly flinched. That memory still stung a bit.
"You'll still see me everyday. Just not in the evenings," Mordecai said.
"You're seriously going to do this?" Rigby asked.
"If I can get things started, yeah. Might be able to get a better job too," Mordecai said.
"Where is this coming from? Why the sudden need to go back to school of all things?" Rigby said, saying the word with distaste.
"Because this is my chance to do something better. Some things made me think about how downhill my life went. You know I didn't even finish a year of art school?" Mordecai said.
"Yeah. I remember. Because you told me you dropped out. Then we went to apply here and this is where we ended up," Rigby said, gesturing all around the park.
"In a dead-end job that we're probably going to be working for the rest of our lives. I don't want that. The park is home and all, but I want to do more than this," Mordecai said.
"So you're really going to leave me here?" Rigby said angrily.
"Could you be my friend and support my decision? I know you don't have to like it, but at least support me man. We're bros, and nothing is going to change that. Not even another job," Mordecai explained.
"A bro wouldn't leave me here!" Rigby exclaimed.
"Look, how many times do I have to…" Mordecai stopped himself and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "Look, this is going to happen. If I can do better than this place, I will do it. No guilt trip you try to pull on me will change that. I suggest you get over yourself and get used to the possibility that I won't be here to do the work. You know, because I'm pretty sure that's the only reason you want me around." Mordecai then left with a bitter disposition and walked out of the gates of the park.
Rigby was slightly stunned at the bitterness his friend addressed him with.
"He's right you know," Skips said, walking in the from the kitchen.
"Were you listening?" Rigby asked.
"I was in the kitchen and could hear every word you said and paid attention, so yes. I was listening," Skips said, taking a sip from the cup in his hands. "You think he wants to leave?"
"How could he not with the way he said that stuff. Is working here really that bad?" Rigby said.
"I've worked here for decades, and I understand how straining all the stuff that happens here can take a toll on you. But I'm sure that's not why he wants to leave," Skips explained.
"Why does he want to leave? Because I have no idea," Rigby said.
"I believe it's because of Margaret," Skips said.
"Her again?! Really?!" Rigby asked, throwing his hands up.
"Yes, but not in the way you might think. I've heard that Mordecai dropped out of art school and then filled out an application to work here. I believe he had aspirations to become a professional artist. Get paid well for his work and become a noticeable face. But he dropped out and that broke the dream apart. Margaret was a painful reminder that she left everything she had ever known here to achieve her aspirations. Mordecai felt as if he could never do that to you, so I also think that's why he hasn't tried to go back to school sooner," Skips explained.
"So I'm the reason that kept him from going back? What changed?" Rigby said.
"Well, he's not moving far away from you and all of his friends. He's only about a half-hour away to get his education, and he'll have a job here in the city so he won't leave anyone behind. This day has been coming for a while now. I think it's long overdue. Also, it was horrible on your part not to support Mordecai's decision," Skips said, his tone getting more disapproving.
"Why? I don't like it. I just kept it real," Rigby said.
"You don't have to like it, but you could've told him you were supportive. What's the difference between doing either? He believes it was for the selfish reason that you wouldn't have to do any work if he were still here. So, I can't really blame him for being upset with you," Skips explained.
Rigby felt a rush of guilt. No wonder he left so bitterly.
"I didn't mean to do that! I just didn't like the fact that he was going to pull a Margaret on me!" Rigby exclaimed.
"That's not what he's doing. What do you think he has to do in order to pay for college? He still has to work here. College isn't free. Even after he graduates, he'll still be in the city. Just not living in this house anymore. That's why he's not 'Pulling a Margaret' as you call it. Because he's conscious about this decision. But he's not going to talk to you anytime soon unless you apologize. Don't bother trying now. He needs to cool off," Skips explained.
"Yeah ok," Rigby said, before silently muttering, "I'm sorry man."
"Darn it man, you're making this harder than it already is," Mordecai said, rubbing his temples.
Mordecai made his way down to the library and looking at books on college level algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Never hurts to prepare if he does get accepted.
"Mordecai?!" a voice exclaimed.
He looked up to see a familiar person he saw in art school.
"Stacey? Never expected to see you again," Mordecai said, surprised.
"I never expected to see you either. Least of all in a library," she said grinning.
Mordecai sheepishly scratched his head. He never was big on books.
"Yeah, I'm only doing this because I planned on going back to school," Mordecai said.
"You're going back to school? You've changed," Stacey said, her expression amazed.
"In this case, change is good. You want to catch up sometimes?" Mordecai asked.
"That would be great. Uh, Cheezers?" she asked.
"That would be great. Uh, if I don't have any work to do, uh, would tomorrow at noon work?" Mordecai asked, praying to God something inconvenient wouldn't happen.
"That works. Now, I'll leave you to your studying," Stacey said.
"Thanks," Mordecai said, going back to his book.
Mordecai's mind began to fry as he sat there, looking through the thousand plus page books over and over and over again, trying to memorize it so he'd have it down to memory. The urge to fall asleep was getting so bad, he'd collapse before he got home and literally take a dirt nap.
Mordecai stood up and walked around and got water to help with the drowsiness.
Hours seemed to have passed, and it was taking all of Mordecai's self control not to leave right now.
Then when he felt satisfied enough that he could memorize the book word/number for word/number, he put the books and went online and looked at information about the Twin Pines college. Luckily, they accepted drop-outs if they worked hard within the first month of school, but the textbooks were crazy expensive. All together, they were $780. And that was just for the one year!
To support himself for the other 4 years, he would need $3120! Mordecai's head spun from the amount. He only had about $80. He was going to be working overtime for years before he had enough money to get support himself in college. Luckily because he worked at the park, the food and living arrangements were not a problem, but he needed money. And the park wasn't the best source of income. He needed another job. And he had a good idea of where to go. But first he needed to talk to Benson.
A/N: Mordo's going back to college. Unfortunately, college ain't cheap, and Mordecai's not rich. Next time… well, use your imagination as to what's going to happen. Also, another longer chapter. I'm proud of myself. Until next time.