John Smith stood on the sidewalk staring at the intimidating building. Thoughts raced in his head, his heart pounding in his chest as his hands began to sweat. A bell rang and he nearly jumped out of his skin. He was going to be late! Sprinting up the steps two at a time, he made it all the way to the top before tripping over his long and awkward limbs. Pushing his floppy hair out of his eyes and thanking the heavens nobody was around to see him fall, John pushed through the large wooden doors into the unfamiliar and now-empty hallway. A few straggling kids sprinted past looking terrified and John decided they must be freshmen who couldn't find their rooms. He wandered round for a few moments before he stumbled across a door marked OFFICE and with a sigh, walked in. A small, round lady was sitting behind a desk, typing frantically and looking at the computer over the rims of her small glasses.
John had to clear his throat twice before she sighed and looked up at him, "Tardy?"
"No? I'm, uh, I'm John Smith. I'm new. It's my first day and I need a schedule."
The lady examined him in such a way that made John's skin tingle. She must have sensed his fear because her gaze softened and she even gave him a small smile, "Alright, hun, let's see what we can do."
She went back to the computer and as the printer began to whir the door to the right marked HEADMASTER HARRIET JONES opened slowly. A boy about John's age exited sporting a black eye. He seemed on edge and tensed up when a larger man with red knuckles pushed past him. The secretary frowned again, but called the smaller boy over, "Rory, this is John Smith. You have the same first period. I'll write you a pass and you can show him to his locker, it's just next to yours."
Rory was only slightly smaller than John and they shared the same wiry build, but Rory seemed intimidated by him. By anyone, really. John sympathized with him. "So you're a senior, huh?"
The boy's sudden stop pulled John from his thoughts, Yeah, just moved here."
"Well take it from me man, that outfit's gonna get you beat up," Rory walked up to a red locker as John glanced down at his outfit, bow tie and all. He frowned, but shoved his things into the cramped locker and followed Rory down the hall. The kid had warmed up to him and was chattering away about their classes and teachers. In the classroom, Rory sat down quickly, but John stayed at the front while the teacher introduced him.
He surveyed the large crowd of bored teenagers. No one looked terribly friendly and John avoided their eyes as he sunk into a seat near the window. He hoped his little sister was having a better day. When lunch rolled around, John was surprised to see Rory waving him over from a large table of people. He felt bad for thinking Rory wouldn't have friends, but it quickly shifted to relief that they were welcoming him. He sat next to Rory who actually smiled as he introduced John to his friends, "Okay I'm just gonna go around the table: Amy, Mels, Jack, Martha, Dean, Cas, Donna, and Clara."
John nodded, desperately trying to remember all of the names, and introduced himself to the group. Suddenly, an oversized kid fumbled his way over, his too long hair hanging in his face. He stopped next to one of the boys at the table (John remembered him being called Dean) and grabbed some money off Dean's tray, "Thanks!" The kid ran off, straight over to a table where three young girls and a boy waited eagerly. Dean looked confused, "Who's that new kid over with Sammy?"
This was a question John could answer, "That's my kid sister, Rose. Is Sammy your brother?"
"Yeah, he's a freshman, believe it or not. The kid's a sasquatch."
"Who are the others?"
"That's Jess next to Sam. They've been dating for a while now, since the end of eighth grade. Other two are Mickey and my sister, Jo. All freshmen. Don't worry, they're all good kids, damn geniuses in fact."
John smiled; glad his sister appeared happy. She'd left her best friend when they'd moved, and she'd been miserable. "So how are you all…friends?" John asked, "I mean, you don't seem like you'd hang out with the same people."
Everyone laughed, but Cas finally answered him, "Well, Amy and Mels have been friends since birth and all the girls at this table are sci-fi fanatics," he paused and grinned wickedly as they all furiously protested, "Jack's just crazy and a tad too outgoing for most people, Dean here spent his first two years being too overprotective of his brother to make any real friends – ow!" Cas flinched as Dean's fist connected with his shoulder, "And I'm gay and my twin brother's an assbutt so nobody really pays any attention to me. They're just glad I don't prank people like Gabe."
He finished his story and looked proud of himself, despite everyone else's glares and snorts of protest. John couldn't help but burst into laughter. Jack grinned and flicked a spoon at just the right angle to smack Cas right in his oblivious face, wiping the smug grin right off, "Don't screw with me pretty boy or I'll tell your…" he paused for dramatic effect before leaning in to whisper, "SECRET." The entire table laughed a little too loud when Cas's face turned deep red. The girls stayed silent for the rest of lunch, occasionally whispering to each other while the boys joked and laughed, occasionally launching croutons at each other across the table.
John ended up having his next class with Dean and Clara, so the three walked together through the crowded hallway. John may have been wiry, but he towered over Clara's small body. She was pretty, he thought. Sweet, too. She reminded him of his sister, and he made a not to introduce her to Rose. Dean yanked him into the open door he nearly walked past and the two grabbed seats at one of the lab tables across from Clara and her friend, Ruby. He and Dean talked all through chemistry and their next two classes before they could go to final period. English must have been Dean's favorite class because it was the only one where seemed all too eager to sit in the front row of desks.
John laughed out loud when he realized why. With a few minutes until the bell, a young teacher walked in and introduced herself as Bela Talbot before sitting at the desk to read through her roster, "Winchester, I hope you decide to behave yourself this semester." She didn't even look up from the computer. Dean grinned and was about to give a sarcastic response when the bell rang and Cas sprinted in the room, breathless with his trench coat flapping behind him. John could've sworn he saw Dean blush. Curious…
Bela began class and John tuned her out, thinking of his old home as she spoke in her delicate British accent. Dean left to get Sam as soon as the bell rang, barely throwing John a wave as he ran out of the room. John gathered his books and left, thankful to find Rory waiting outside the classroom. He pushed off the wall when John left, excitedly asking about his classes and they left the building. John didn't mention Dean and Cas. They got outside and Rory waved to two pretty young women that John recognized from lunch. One was Rory's girlfriend, Amy. She had long red hair and wore a short black skirt. Her round eyes sparkled up at Rory as she reached up to kiss him, her friend faked gagging and John looked to her. She was beautiful. She might have been the most beautiful girl John had ever seen. She was shorter than him and had outrageous curly hair that poofed out into a golden ponytail. She smiled up at John and he felt his own face turning red. Luckily, his phone vibrated in his pocket.
FROM: Rose
TO: John
Hey u. Can i hang out w/ my friends? b home 4 dinner.
FROM: John
TO: Rose
Sure thing. I'm going out too. Don't forget – dad is coming home tonight.
FROM: Rose
TO: John
Oh. Right.
John sighed and flipped his phone closed. His sister had never gotten on with their dad, especially since he forced the move to Kansas. He decided to text her again.
FROM: John
TO: Rose
Chin up, Rosie Posie. Have fun with your friends.
FROM: Rose
TO: John
Don't call me Rosie Posie. I'll see u 4 dinner
He snapped his phone shut as it buzzed again.
FROM: Unknown Number
TO: John
Who are you texting?
John looked up and Mels grinned at him. Amy and Rory didn't notice.
FROM: John
TO: Unknown Number
How the hell did you get this number, Mels?
FROM: Unknown Number
TO: John
I have my ways.
FROM: John
TO: Unknown Number
Rose
FROM: Unknown Number
TO: John
You said it not me, pretty boy. Call me River.
FROM: John
TO: Unknown Number
Why?
FROM: John
TO: Unknown Number
Everybody does. Except Rory. He acts like my dad :P
John laughed and River winked at him. Amy and Rory looked amused, "Are you two done with your secret conversation?" John flushed scarlet and the other three laughed, "Can we go? Rose and I have to be home for dinner." Amy grabbed Rory's hand and they lead the way to the movie theater.
FROM: Unknown Number
TO: John
Good luck getting revenge ;)
He blushed again, refusing to make eye contact. Maybe this girl wasn't so bad.
...
When John got home he ran straight to his sister, "Rosie, why did you give River my number?"
"Mels? Because she asked for it and I saw how you were looking at her during lunch."
"I wasn't – oh, shut up!"
"Johnny likes a giirrrrrrll!" John lunged at his sister as she smirked and continued her singing, diving just out of his reach.
"Oi, no fighting on my first night back."
"Dad?"
"Hey kids!" he grabbed Rose in a hug and clapped John on the shoulder, "Do you like your school?"
"It's not too bad," John noticed his sister's cheeks flush ever so slightly and smiled to himself.
...
He was finishing homework in his room when his phone buzzed again.
FROM: Dean TO: John
Hey, man! Party tomorrow?
FROM: John
TO: Dean
Sure. Hey mate, what's up with you and Cas?
FROM: Dean
TO: John
WHAT. Nothing. Nothing.
FROM: John
TO: Dean
Right. Because that's the response you give when there's 'nothing'.
FROM: Dean
TO: John
I'll pick you up at 7.
A/N - Hey guys! I already have a fair amount of this written so I'll probably have an update for you all tomorrow. Bear with me. Please read and review! It means the world to me to hear from you guys. If you have any questions, leave them in a review and I'll answer them at the beginning of the next update :)
