Hey guys, so this will be a choose your own ending fic! The first chapter is Candy's dynamic with Nathaniel, the second will be the concert and focus mostly on Castiel and then there will be two different endings to choose from depending on whether you prefer Candy with Nath or Cas (or you can just read both).
Happy reading!

From the moment I step into the club, I can feel his eyes on me. I take a deep breath, in and out, to stifle the nerves. His gaze is unnerving, but as much as I hate to admit… it's not entirely unwelcome.

My phone buzzes in my hand. I swallow thickly and glance at the fluorescent screen.

Where are you?

A smile slides onto my lips, but I don't bother tapping a reply to Rosalya's message. I'm here now, I think to myself as I glance around the club, which is packed to the brim tonight, my eyes roaming everywhere except one particular darkened corner.

Heading in the general direction of the bar, I tug down on the hem of the strappy, black dress I'm wearing. Rosa picked it out for me, so it's not surprising how annoyed I am by the way it keeps riding up my thighs, or how one of the thin straps keeps falling down over my left shoulder.

Raging music pumps through the mass of bodies both on the dance floor and mingling around the edges as I make my way through them and towards the bar, muttering apologies as I push past. It's only once I have a clear view of the counter that a shock of electric blue hair descends upon me in a flurry.

"There you are!" Alexy exclaims, kissing me on the cheek in greeting. I grin as I sidle up to my best friend and he rests an arm around my waist, pulling me over to the bar where Rosalya leans, tapping on her phone furiously. She looks up as I approach, giving me a pointed glare.

I know I'm late. Like really, really late. But I can't help it that my witch of a boss made me stay late at work to close the café on my own. The music is too loud for me to relay this to Rosa, so instead I settle for shrugging innocently and conveying my apology through my own pointed look.

She shakes her head, her silver hair falling around her shoulders, and smiles despite herself, mouthing "You look amazing," at me before turning to the girl tending the bar to order. I bite on my lip absent-mindedly as we wait for our drinks, tugging down on my hem again. Grateful for the comfort of Alexys arm around my shoulder, I find myself hoping that the large group behind us is big enough to keep me out of sight of a certain pair of eyes.

I already know he's reclining on one of the sofas in the corner, his arm slung carelessly around the shoulders of a girl with short, brown hair. I had seen him there earlier, though I was hardly going to give him the satisfaction of letting him know that. There's others with him too, though I can't tell if they're friends, associates, or… something else entirely.

All I know is that I had bumped into him around town a few times since I moved back, and each time he had been more and more bold. The teasing, the flirtation. It was strange, this new Nathaniel. We had never been close during high school. In fact, we barely tolerated each other at all. He had been so uptight and guarded. I know now that a lot of it had to do with his family problems, but even so, every time we spoke, it was like I could never say the right thing, never choose the right answer.

But now, there's none of that. He's careless, and rebellious. He seems to even enjoy my hostility, and I can't deny, no matter how hard I try, that it's kind of intriguing. That there's something there that makes me want to get to know him better. Though there's something dangerous too. Something that screams at me to keep my distance, to stay away, and I'm not so sure that I can.

Whatever it is, ever since the first night I saw him back in that alley, he's had a hold on me.

"Candy?"

I shake myself from my thoughts at the sound of my name and the feeling of Alexy pushing a shot glass into my hand. I down the shot and set the glass back on the sticky counter, making a face as the liquid burns my throat. I'm not usually one for alcohol, but at this stage, I'd try anything to take my mind off that dark corner, and the amused gaze that simultaneously beckons and terrifies me.

We stay like this for a little while, talking above the music, laughing and drinking. Our university classes have been intense so far, and it feels good to take some time to just enjoy ourselves and our newly reformed friendship. It's not long before other friends join us, and a delicate hand grabs mine as a dark-haired girl with the most enviable turquoise eyes drags me to the dance floor despite my many protests.

Priya picks a spot to dance and I almost stumble into her, catching the scent of her jasmine perfume. I blush as she steadies me by the elbow and mesmerises me with her laughter. Priya is radiant. A sparkling gem within the dreariness of the club. There are more than a few pairs of eyes on her, both male and female, and I'm quite convinced the girl could have her pick of the club, if she wanted to. For now, however, I have her all to myself, and my head buzzes blissfully as we dance hand in hand to the thumping electronica under the pulsing lights on the dance floor.

A pair of arms encircle my waist from behind as Alexy joins us, giving me an enthusiastic kiss on the cheek before he pulls me in to dance with him. His eyes are lingering on a certain brunette at the bar, and I can't help but to laugh aloud and give him a knowing wink, to which he blushes profusely at being caught out.

We dance and dance until I'm out of breath and in desperate need of another drink, and I leave Alexy and Priya dancing together and push my way towards the bar. I pull out my phone as I wait in line, where there's a message from Kim asking if I want to train with her at the gym tomorrow morning, and also an event invitation from Chani who has organised a group to go to Crowstorms' concert together. I ignore the request for the time being. I can't think about the concert without feeling sick to my stomach. Because the thought of seeing my ex-boyfriend… well, it's nothing short of terrifying.

My break up with Castiel had been messy, and the remnants of a broken heart still linger. I was mad at him for so long for giving up, for not trying harder to make things work. He argued that a long-distance relationship was too difficult, that our schedules were too busy to give each other the time and commitment we deserved. We were so young back then, and unsure. Things are different now.

Now… well, I don't know what we are. But I know that I want to find out.

No, I have to find out.

I'm startled from my thoughts when I feel a hand on my waist and then a low voice in my ear, barely loud enough to be heard over the thumping music.

"Meet me outside,"

My breath hitches and my chest tightens. The voice is unmistakable, so I ignore it, and continue to wait in line for the bar. Until he lowers his head and places a single kiss on my bare shoulder, so slowly, sending a burst of electric shivers across my skin.

And then he's gone.

I pull the fallen strap of my dress back up and bite down on my lip instinctively. It's bold of Nathaniel to do something like that with so many prying eyes around. But then again, he probably doesn't care who sees.

Still, I don't look. I don't watch him leave the bar or glance around for who might have seen. And I had almost convinced myself not to go. Almost.

A frustrated growl tears itself from my throat as I step out of line and head towards the exit, my high heels stomping across the wooden floor in annoyance. Annoyance that he can't seem to leave me alone. Annoyance that I might just want to follow him.

What does he want now?

The air is icy when I half stumble outside, and at first, it's a welcome change to the stifling sweatiness of the club.

I scan the street but see no sign of him, and I inwardly curse Alexy for talking me into taking those last three tequila shots, because right now, I'm not at all in the right mind to think clearly around him. In fact, the smartest thing for me to do would be to walk straight back into the club and forget the whole thing. Probably the safest option too.

Although I already know that I won't.

I wrap my arms around myself, attempting to rub some warmth into my skin, and pace towards the corner. The last time I had spoken to him he was with some other girl. Some random, trashy girl that I had never seen before, and who certainly didn't like the attention that Nathaniel was giving me, rather than her. Even still, I didn't regret interrupting them that night if it meant that he went home alone in the end.

Better that then the images that never ceased to run through my head of the two of them together. The ones that I had stayed awake half the night replaying over and over in my mind. Him biting her lower lip, her kissing him back, him pulling her against him by her belt buckle. It sounded stupid, to be jealous of Nathaniel with another girl, and I tried so hard to push the feeling away. I just couldn't understand why I cared so much.

When I find him, he's leaning against the stone wall of the alley between the club and the gym he frequents. He drags a cigarette away from his mouth between his fingers and doesn't spare me a glance until I'm standing right in front of him.

"Knew you'd come,"

A cloud of pearly smoke escapes his lips as he speaks, and my nose wrinkles in distaste.

He smirks, dropping the cigarette and stubbing it out with the toe of his boot, before pushing himself away from the wall and giving me a feline grin.

"I thought you'd have more sense than to poison your lungs with that shit… what with all the boxing and everything," I say, not bothering to attempt to hide the venom in my voice. I really don't know what kind of game Nathaniel is playing with me tonight, but I don't intend to lose.

"Only when I'm stressed, dear Candy. Which isn't often, I assure you," He circles me as he speaks, looking me up and down. I fold my arms across my chest, standing my ground. If he's trying to intimidate me, it's certainly not going to work.

At least that's what I tell myself.

"What do you want, Nathaniel?"

He stops behind me, leaning in so his breath ruffles my dark hair when he speaks. "Have I told you how much I love it when you use my full name? So authorative…"

Something inside my stomach tightens, but I roll my violet eyes, unwilling to let him know exactly how much he's getting to me. It doesn't help that tiny goose bumps are prickling down my neck and back at the thought of him behind me.

"I told you you'd see me again before the concert," He says, still circling until he comes to a complete stop in front of me and shoves his hands into his pockets. When I see the bare sliver of skin above his pants I know that he's doing it on purpose. That he always does it on purpose.

"Maybe you're stalking me," I drawl, lifting my lashes and sounding thoroughly unimpressed with his baiting.

He smirks again, gleaming teeth showing as he teases. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

I shiver against the night air, wrapping my arms tighter around myself while silently regretting the choice to not bring a jacket. I'm tired of this… this back and forth with no conclusion. He must know it, because he runs a hand through his blonde hair and bites on his lip. Waiting for me to ask the question.

"What do you want?" I ask again, softer this time, though I'm painfully aware of the unevenness of my breath. I know he notices, because his lip quirks, ever so slightly.

And then he cocks his head to the side, studying me. "Isn't it obvious?"

That grin again. The one that threatens to devour me completely, until I'm nothing more than a quaking mess at his feet. I bite on my bottom lip, focusing on the pain to dispel the thought, though I'm sure it's one he'd thoroughly enjoy.

"Why?" I ask. I have to ask, because the thought of him wanting anything to do with me is so absurd. "We were never friends, we didn't even like each other."

Nathaniel's eyes darken, and his scarred lip curls into a scowl.

"Says who."

It's not a question, so I don't answer. I only shiver, telling myself that it's because of the autumn wind and not the fact that Nathaniel has stepped so close that he towers over me, his broad shoulders blocking the view of anything behind him. And god, he smells so amazing, it's enough to make my legs shudder and a familiar warmth pool in my stomach. He bends so his lips are against my ear, and his warm breath rolls over my skin in a whisper.

"I didn't want to be friends with you because I couldn't watch you with him…"

My breath catches in my throat, and when I turn towards him, so slightly, his golden eyes are locked onto mine. My strap has fallen again, and his hand runs over my bare shoulder and down to snake around my waist, pulling me against him, while the other tilts my chin up under deft fingers. His body is such a welcome warmth that I have to bite my tongue to keep from sighing.

God, I am such a fool…

"Everywhere I went you were with him. And that intolerable ass loved to rub the fact in my face," He says, his eyes hard, though his fingers on my face are gentle. "Do you really think he never saw how I looked at you?"

I know who he's talking about, of course. Castiel and I were inseparable in High School. Until I moved away with my family, and everything fell apart. Until he broke my heart, and never bothered to put back the pieces.

"And you want me to go to his concert with you? Tell me, dearest, are you trying to make him jealous?"

My violet eyes narrow at his nerve, and I can't stop myself before I spit. "Like that girl you used earlier to make me jealous?"

His lips quirk.

Shit.

"Oh, so you did see me,"

"No, I-"

"And did it work?"

It did, and I would never tell him. Instead, I grit my teeth. Hard.

"You didn't answer my question. Are you trying to make the redheaded rocker jealous, or not?"

His lips are so close to mine that if I tilted my head a fraction of an inch they'd be touching. I know that he's toying with me, though my head is so clouded that I'm falling right into it. It's true I had asked Nathaniel to go to Castiels concert with me, but not for the purpose he thinks. The truth is that the thought of the concert terrifies me, and Nathaniel is strong… so strong… though I guess it was stupid to hope that any of that would rub off on me.

Because in this moment, in his arms, I'm so incredibly weak against him that if he asks, I'm afraid I'll give him anything. And I can't decide if I want him to ask, or not. And my god that's a dangerous thought to have…

"No, that's not…" My voice is barely more than a whisper, fighting to be more, and for the first time I can't look at him. I'm so scared of falling for those golden eyes that the feeling overwhelms me.

"Then what?" He hisses through gritted teeth, and his eyes turn savage. I try to step back but his grip hardens on my chin, not enough to hurt, but as a sign to stay.

"Nath…"

I can't tell him why I asked, and I can't even tell him that's he's wrong… that it's not to make Castiel jealous, but to help me be brave. It's hard to say what this thing is between him and I, whether there's enough to build something on, whether my heart is still with Castiel, or has moved on enough to take a chance on something new.

At the concert, I'll know. I have to know.

Nathaniel lets out a huff of impatience, completely unaware of my inner struggle. His hands drop, taking the warmth of his body with them, and it takes everything in me not to reach out for him.

"You know what? Forget it," He says, waving a dismissive hand in front of him and taking a few steps back. "Forget I said anything, Candy."

His shoves his hands into the pockets of his jacket this time and walks off without sparing another glance at me, and I can feel the warm sting of tears in my eyes as I watch him go, hoping he'll turn back.

He doesn't.