For my beloved…

The stars were in your eyes the first day I saw you up on the stage. I thought to myself a quiet little thought "that boy is something special, he's going to go far". To my utmost surprise, it was me, boring, plain, and socially inept that you would choose to share that journey with. I loved you from the day you introduced yourself to me, you were patient, kind, so loud, proud, and brave, everything I wasn't, couldn't be. You are the love of my life now and forever more, I love you Dean Winchester.

Chapter 1

"Hello, I'm Castiel."
"What? Speak up boy, we can't hear you."
"Um, sorry, can you hear me now?"
The drama teacher was leaning forward in her seat, a frown on her face but none the less she nodded. I began again. I could feel my face heating up, a rosy red blush up my cheeks as I stuttered out my words.
"Hello, I'm Castiel and I'll be auditioning for the part of Leonardo."
"Get on with it then."

...It was the worst minute and half of my life. Thankfully, they called a stop to my audition before I had the chance to make a bigger fool of myself.

"See I knew you would be amazing." Said my sister with fake enthusiasm.
I looked up from where my head was buried in my hands "Your lies are not helping. I was awful."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, you did okay, it could be worse, at least you remembered your lines this time. That's something."
"Don't patronise me, I'm not a child, Anna."

"I'm not trying to…. listen I'm just trying to help.'

"I didn't ask for your help Anna, you're always trying to push me towards the things I don't want to do and they always end terribly; swimming club; soccer; rugby; shall I go on?"

"I'm not the enemy here Castiel. I'm just trying to help you, you have no friends Castiel, it's not healthy for a boy your age to be alone all the time."

"I already have a mother Anna, I don't need another one."
"This was a mistake." said Anna "I'm leaving."
"Fine." I said as she stormed away.

I crossed my arms, glaring down the empty stage as the next person walked on, trying to figure out what they had that I didn't. As if the man could feel my resentful gaze upon him, he looked up and I caught my breath, he was the most beautiful person I had ever seen. I felt compelled to watch his performance even though my logical brain made its best effort to remind me to look away. The man finished his act, and gracefully walked off the stage, and oh was he walking this way! I felt trapped, but I couldn't go anywhere all the exits were blocked by the students taking their leave.

"Hi, I'm Dean." he said palm extended.

My words were caught in my throat as I fought a silent battle in my brain, trying to determine what was right to do in this situation. I realised too late that I was just staring at him not saying a word. He awkwardly retracted his hand and laughed it off walking away.

"Wait!" I blurted out in an uncharacteristic impulsive rush of words "Your performance was amazing."

"Oh that clusterfuck?" he laughed "That was nothing, I improvised half the lines because I lost my script somewhere."

I shook my head "You're really something Dean."

"Thanks, uh you were… alright yourself."

"My names Castiel, and you don't need to lie I know I was awful. I only auditioned because my sister convinced me it would be a good idea for easily won extra credit."

"Turned out to be harder than you thought then?" Dean said smugly.

"Slightly." I said icily my embarrassment getting the better of me.

"Don't worry Cas, no one is ever good on their first audition. I remember mine, threw up on one of the judges, my boyfriend and judge at the time wasn't too happy about that."

"I couldn't imagine that." I said trying to picture a younger knobbly kneed Dean but failing.

"He got over it eventually, although it took a lot of time on my knees if you know what I mean." He said winking and I blushed looking away. "One thing that's been good to me in my auditions throughout the years is faking it to you make it. If you're having a shitty day leave that behind and go up the stage and pretend you're all that shit they believe you to be, hasn't failed me yet."

"I'll keep it in mind." I said.

"Well it was nice talking to you Cas" He said looking at his phone "but I've got to go pick up my little brother."

"Goodbye Dean." I said "Good luck." Knowing there was no way on heaven or earth that he wouldn't get the lead role.

"I'll see you around." He said suggestively and with that he walked away.

"Young man, you have to leave, were closing the auditorium."

"Right, Sorry!" I said as I ran out avoiding eye contact and wishing I could turn invisible. I must have been standing there longer than I thought. I ran to the bike racks under the cover of my notebooks as it started to rain. I yanked the key from around my neck and got on my bike peddling as fast as I could go. I caught a glimpse of my watch. "Darn it!" I said peddling faster.

I stashed my bike in the shed and ran in the house.

It was too late.

"Where have you been?"

"I had to stay afterschool." I carefully said.

"What for?" said my Dad.

"Study group."

"Study group?" My Dad laughed maliciously "You have to have friends for that. Where were you really?"

"Nowhere." I squeaked out

"I know where you were." Said my Dad waving the audition poster in my face. "Your mother found this in your pocket yesterday. Auditions after school tomorrow 4pm, be there or be square."

"No father." I said "That's not mine."

"Likely story, I warned you about this Castiel."

"I'm sorry father."

"What's this going to look like? This will reflect badly on me. You know what people are going to say? Well, do you?"

"No father."

"They're going to talk and their going to say my son is a faggot! That I raised a faggot! That you have fallen from the grace of the lord. Well do you want that Castiel?"

"No Father."

"I don't believe you Castiel prancing around on the stage dressed up in sequins and glitter."

"It was only auditions father, it's required for extra credit."

"So you admit it then Castiel! You "Auditioned!" I will not allow any son of mine to be a faggot."

"No father please its nothing like that."

"I'm sorry Castiel I take no pleasure from doing this but you've brought this upon yourself. This is a harsh lesson you just have to learn."

"No father please I'll be good."

"It's gone far past that stage Castiel. This is a matter of the lord of virtue and moral righteousness."

Tears fell down my face as his fist collided with my body.

"Hey Cas, they've put up the parts, have you seen?"

"Hello Dean. I haven't, what's the point? I know I won't get a part." I said praying the choice would be taken out of my hands, that I was so horrible they decided not to include me in the play at all.

"Take a look anyway."

I walked over to the sheet, weaving my way through the swarm of teenage girls reading the list. Cast as the lead role was Dean, no surprise there, and right at the bottom was me, as a tree.

"Well done Dean." I said.

"Did you see your part?"

"It's hardly a part." I said thankful for that small blessing.

"A tree is still something, and look it says you're a stand in as Orpheus."

"I don't think I'm going to be part of the play Dean." I said scuffing my feet on the ground my father's words echoing in my head, what will people think faggott?

"uh c'mon Cas, it'll be fun, it's not the size of the part that matters, but how much fun you have playing it."

"I don't know Dean, I'll find another extra-curricular that suits me better. Debate club maybe?"

"Please Cas, just try it, if you hate it you can leave. It's not like you'll even have lines that you can fuck up. No one will even recognise you dressed up as a tree."

Dean was the first person in this place who had wasn't scared to be seen talking to me, so it was very hard to say no especially with his logical reasons. Despite all that I was still afraid of my father finding out so I was ready to refuse his proposal but then he gave me this look that made my heart melt and yes was the only answer left. "I'll be the best tree Lincoln high has ever seen." I said "faking it till I made it" with mustered enthusiasm.

"That's the spirit." Said Dean throwing an award winning smile that took my breathe away.