AN: Originally posted on AO3

Part One

The sound of the alarm blaring was the worst sound in the world. Well, at least that's what Castiel thought as the shrill metallic ring pulled him from his dream. With a loud groan Castiel untangled himself from his covers and rubbed his eyes several times before bracing himself for the day ahead. Monday was the worst day of the week and there was no one who could tell him otherwise.

"Suck it up Walsh, just suck it up." He mumbled to himself as he pulled himself out of bed and practically crawled to the messy pile of clothing covering the nearby chair. He didn't even look at whatever clothing he picked up, they were all rumpled no matter what he picked out, and soon he made his way to the bathroom. He had fifteen minutes before he had to watch up his dad and make breakfast. That meant fifteen minutes of time to himself wherein he could brace himself for yet another week of the hell of earth that was high school.

Two months to graduation, two months. You can do it Walsh. Castiel thought to himself as he started up the shower. In two months he wouldn't have to sit through endless classes he didn't care about or be surrounded by the most arrogant people in Kansas. He wouldn't have to wake up at six every morning and he would have to even pretend to care that everyone around him treated him like a second class citizen because his father wasn't a banker and Castiel didn't own a black American Express card. Two more months.

After his morning shower Castiel padded across the upstairs hallway until he came to his father's bedroom. Castiel gave a gentle knock on the door and when he heard no reply he breathed in deeply before opening the door. Judging from the mass in the bed his father was still asleep. Waking Charles Walsh up in the mornings was never an easy task but it was one Castiel knew he had to do; after all, his father had no one else.

"Dad…Dad wake up, its 7:15." Castiel said shaking the mass in the bed ever so slightly. Charles groaned in his sleep but remained fast asleep. Castiel gritted his teeth and tried again. "Dad" he said firmer. "Dad, you need to get up. It's after seven." This time Charles groaned but moved, his hands coming up to rub at his face.

"Dammit Castiel…it's still the middle of the goddamn night." He mumbled.

"I wished." Castiel muttered. "Breakfast will be on the table soon. Don't forget that you have a job interview at 9:30." Castiel said louder this time so his father could hear him.

"I can hardly forget about it, you wrote it on the damn pad in the kitchen and underlined it seven times." Charles grumbled opening his bleary eyes and glaring at his only child. "You're going to school dressed like that?" Charles asked looking over Castiel's worn jeans and frowning at the creased t-shirt Castiel had picked up from a thrift store the week before. "That damn shirt looks like you found it in a hedge."

"Yeah well you never got round to fixing the iron." Castiel shot back before he hurried out the room. The last thing he needed was Charles getting to him so early in the morning. He knew he shouldn't let Charles get to him, especially when Charles had probably spent the best part of the night before drinking but he couldn't help it. Castiel probably could have done with trying to find something cleaner or less rumpled to wear but really what was the point? No one at school gave a damn about him and no matter what he wore he'd still get mocked for it. He'd learnt long ago that he was happier just being himself no matter what people thought of him.

"Well good morning Cassie" were the first words Castiel heard as soon as he entered the hallway. He'd intended to reach his locker without anyone seeing him, though but as soon as Balthazar's booming voice called down the hallway several people turned to look and snigger. Great, just great. It was a general rule that you heard Balthazar before you saw him and that was saying something going by some of his outfits. It was probably the obnoxious looking blazers.

"Good morning Balthazar." Castiel said walking to his locker ignoring the snickering from three fellow seniors. Balthazar leant against the nearest locker, sunglasses covering his eyes and a huge grin on his face. Today's outfit was quite conservative for Balthazar though Castiel was at the loss as to why anyone would wear such a low cut t-shirt or pastel trousers that finished several inches short of his ankles to show off a pair of very bright socks.

"And how are we on this fine morning? Ready for a full day of overpriced higher education?" Balthazar asked throwing his sunglasses off his face and shooting Castiel another wicked grin. He might have been loud and wore ridiculous clothing but Balthazar had been one of his only friends, certainly his only friend at school, since Castiel was young. He couldn't imagine trying to get through the school day without Balthazar really.

"Are we ever ready for this place?" Castiel asked rolling his eyes. If crawling up into a ball and napping in his locker was a viable option then he would have taken it. "I have to get to History or I'll be late."

"Studious as ever dear Cassie, may I admire you again today?" Balthazar asked grinning brightly. Castiel tried not to roll his eyes but it was just too tempting.

"I'll see you at lunch Balthazar." He simply said giving his friend a quick smile as he started walking down the hallway towards his first class of the day.

"Oh you shall, I'll have my people reserve the usual spot outside for us so we don't have to fraternise with the riff raff." Balthazar called down the hallway. Castiel buried his head in his hand as several more people turned to glare at Balthazar then Castiel himself. He loved Balthazar, he was his best friend after all, but sometimes Castiel wished he came with a mute button…and shirts with higher necklines.

History was same hour long hell that it always was. Everyone around him didn't pay attention to anything going on or just sent notes back and fourth to one another. All his morning classes were like that and as long as he kept his head down and focused on his work, after all his scholarship to the school relied on his good grades, Castiel would live through it without much drama. Sure the occasional shitty comment was made in his direction but after several years of this he was used to it. As long as he carried on with his head keep down and caused no possible drama then Castiel assumed that he would get through the next few months without any real drama. At least that was what he hoped for.

In some small way though he knew that because his morning had gone off without any real hitch then something was bound to happen sooner rather than later because that was just how his life worked. Maybe he shouldn't have walked out his final class of the morning with his head bent as his placed his textbooks back into his bag, maybe he should have been looking where he was going or maybe whoever decided to back into him, thus sending him sprawling across the floor, should have been looking where they were going. Castiel spent at least once a week on the floor, people weren't very creative in pushing him over, so it wasn't anything remotely new but as he looked up at the figure who had backed into him Castiel wanted to mutter every swear word he knew. The person that backed into him just had to be Dean Winchester didn't it? Dean Winchester who never went anywhere without his merry band of equally rich and big headed friends. Dean fucking Winchester who was now looking down at him in surprise as if he was amazed someone had entered his precious personal space. Somewhere God was probably laughing at Castiel and enjoying it as he did so. He wouldn't have been remotely surprised.

"Hey sorry about that man, I wasn't looking where I was going." Dean Winchester said holding out his hand for Castiel to take.

"That was evident enough." Castiel snapped ignoring Dean's hand and pulling himself up off the ground. He really did not need Dean Winchester's help with anything. Several items had spilled out his bag and skittered across the floor. "Do you always have your head up your own ass as you walk or are you just blind?" Castiel snapped grabbing his notebook and shoving it into his bag. That probably wasn't the smartest thing to say to Dean but what the hell, Castiel only had two more months until he was free of high school and if he could snap at Dean Winchester then he was going to jump at the chance.

"I'm sorry I was busy-"

"Forget it." Castiel said.

"Had fun down there on the floor Walsh?" one of Dean's moronic friends said laughing loudly. Castiel felt himself blush furiously but he wouldn't let anyone see that it affected him.

"Yeah whatever." Castiel muttered placing the last few things into his bag and brushing the dust off his jeans. There was a tear in knee of his jeans from when he fell so he knew he'd be spending his evening repairing them.

"Cassie?" Balthazar called hurrying up the hallway. Castiel groaned at the sound of Balthazar's concerned voice but that was usually followed by some sort of scene being caused. "Cassie are you alright?" Balthazar asked looking at Castiel with a worried expression. "What happened?" he asked glancing over where Dean Winchester was stood. There was a look of concern on Dean's face that was probably just for show. Why would Dean Winchester really care if he'd knocked Castiel to the floor? Several of Dean's moronic friends were stood near Dean and they were still smirking after all so he'd probably done it on purpose.

"Nothing, everything's fine." Castiel muttered placing his backpack over his shoulder and praying to whoever was up there that Balthazar wouldn't start something. He might have sounded like a PBS presenter but Balthazar could throw a damn mean punch when he actually felt like it.

"Really because you look like you've just spent some time on the floor and not in a remotely kinky way." Balthazar said.

"Balthazar its fine, I'm fine. Let's just go and get lunch ok?" Castiel said trying to drag Balthazar away before he said something perverted or threatening…or both. "Balthazar come on." Castiel pressed.

"Hey see you next fall Walsh!" Gordon Walker chortled as he barged past Balthazar and Castiel to join Dean's other friends who were now slowly making their way down the hall. It was a miracle Gordon could even string a sentence together if he thought that was a witty insult.

"Oi man! Next time, I'll kick your ass! That'll be that!" Balthazar yelled at Gordon Walker's retreating back. Gordon turned and flipped Balthazar off before carrying on down the hallway. Castiel noticed how Dean Winchester watched all off this happen with a pained expression on his, no doubt Castiel and Balthazar's presence was embarrassing him.

"Balthazar stop it!" Castiel snapped smacking Balthazar on the arm.

"Wait was Dean Winchester talking to you when I got here?" Balthazar asked looking over to where Dean was now standing by Bela Talbot, some English girl whose father did something not entirely legal with antiques and pretty much owned a whole county in England.

"No he was the one who helped me on my way to the ground." Castiel said.

"He was still talking to you, you must feel so honoured." Balthazar said sarcastically.

"Yeah like that arrogant asshole even knows who I am." Castiel scoffed.

"Yeah like that arrogant asshole even knows who I am." Dean heard Castiel Walsh say with a loud and scathing scoff. Dean watched as Castiel walked to the cafeteria with his friend, an uneasy feeling settled in Dean's stomach as he watched them walk away. Castiel never looked back.

Annoyance burned through Dean once Walsh had cleared the corner. Who the hell was Castiel Walsh to call him an arrogant asshole? He'd never said two words to Castiel Walsh before today so how could he possibly think that Dean was arrogant or an asshole? Ok true, he'd never had a conversation with Walsh to prove otherwise but he knew who Castiel Walsh was, it wasn't like he was blind. Most people knew who Castiel Walsh was, he was the sulking scholarship student who never went anywhere without that lanky British guy who had seriously questionable fashion sense. Castiel Walsh might have looked scruffy and despondent whenever Dean saw him but there was still something intriguing about him. Though the thought that he thought Dean was an arrogant asshole was unsettling to say the least.

"Dean…" Bela Talbot purred into his ear as she placed a delicate hand on Dean's arm and tearing Dean away from his thoughts on Castiel Walsh. "A few of us are going to the club after school, a few rounds of tennis then drinks in the conservatory. What do you say?" Bela asked cocking eyebrow.

"Oh...sorry I can't." Dean said trying to not look into Bela's eyes for too long because she had a way of looking at anyone and making them do what she wanted. The girl had enough money and self confidence to easily take over the world if she wanted to.

"Hot date you never told us about?" Bela asked still purring but there was a slight frost to her voice now.

"No, nothing like that." Dean said laughing in order to make Bela smile. A frosty Bela was not something people needed to witness. "It's just that I said I'd hang out with my brother after school and he wants to pick up a few books in town." Dean quickly added. Even if he wasn't spending time with Sam he'd still say no to spending time at the Lawrence Country Club, the place was too clean and snooty for Dean. He constantly worried about spilling stuff on the floor. Whenever he went there with his parents he was constant edge and could never feel comfortable there. Plus he couldn't play tennis to save his life depite countless lessons.

"Oh that's so cute!" Bela said actually stroking Dean's cheeks before turning to her heels and tottering down the hall in the direction that Gordon and the others had gone. She'd probably gone off to play her favourite game of Who Has The Most Money, a game which she always won. Dean sighed and rested his body against the nearest locker. He liked his friends, he had to really seeing as they were all the children of his parent's friends, but sometimes it was tiring being around them. Sometimes he wished he was completely normal and not a Winchester.

Sam was waiting expectantly for Dean after school and when Dean came walking towards his car Sam hopped off the hood with a large smile on his face. Sam had forgone the blazer he had to wear for school but Dean still thought it looked like a Brooks Brothers catalogue had thrown up over his younger brother. One good thing about his school was that he didn't have to wear a uniform or he'd probably end up looking as goofy as Sam.

"Your ass better not have scratched the paint." Dean said to Sam though it was said with a smile. Sam rolled his eyes and pushed his ever growing bangs out of his face. Dean didn't have the heart to tell him that he looked like one of those damn annoying kids off the daytime soaps their mom loved. The kid was gawky enough as it was.

"Yes because my slacks are made of rocks. You know, your relationship with your car is not healthy. Everybody thinks so." Sam said as they both slid into the car.

"Your health won't be healthy if you scratched my hood." Dean said starting the car.

"That was the lamest comeback ever and it didn't even make any sense." Sam said shaking his head.

"Shut up or I'm not driving you to the bookstore." Dean shot back. Sam held up his hands in mock defeat as they started driving towards downtown. "I'm gonna head into Trax while you're geeking out ok?"

"Is there even space in your room anymore for records?"

"Says the kid who has filled at least three bookshelves at home." Dean said with a smirk because he knew Sam had no come back from that. Dean had been the one to build two of those bookshelves the previous summer after he had refused point blank to take anymore damn tennis lessons. Sam sighed loudly and went to turn down the music blaring out Dean's stereo. "Don't even think about it princess." Dean waned. Sam rolled his eyes heavily and slumped in his seat. "Don't slouch either." Dean said punching Sam lightly on the arm.

"Because of my posture?" Sam asked scrunching up his face in confusion as he rubbed his arm.

"No dumbass, you'll wrinkle the leather."

"Like I said, your relationship with your car is unhealthy." Sam said.

"Whatever kid. Look, Mom and Dad have that function at City Hall tonight so how about we just order pizza and watch a load of junk on TV or something like that?" Dean asked. It wasn't remotely new for the two of them to have the house to themselves as Mary and John were always out at some event, gala or dinner. As long as Dean wasn't dragged along and forced to talk to a bunch of stiffs he really didn't care. Bela and that lot might have loved all those dances but Dean was much more happy being at home with Sam eating junk food and watching truly terrible TV.

"That sounds good to me." Sam said. "As long as you don't make us watch any of those Spanish soap operas then we're good."

"Hey! Those are educational in helping you learn another language." Dean retorted.

"When are you ever going to use 'You bitch, how dare you sleep with my husband' or 'Be a good boy and fetch me another mojito' in an actual conversation?" Sam asked as they neared downtown. The bookstore Sam loved came into few and Dean could see the excitement in the kid's face. He really was a geek.

"Hey I could become a sassy Spanish housewife in the future, I need to be prepared." Dean said with a smirk. Sam simply rolled his eyes. "I'll drop you off here. You've got half an hour then I'll come and get you ok?"Dean said as Sam grabbed his bag. "Remember, if you can't pick up the pile of books then you need to put some back."

"Yeah yeah. I'll see you later, try and picked up some decent tapes to go in your car for once." Sam added with a snicker as he hopped out the car.

"I'm gonna pretend you didn't say that or I'd make you walk all the way back home!" Dean called out as Sam took off in the direction of the bookstore. "Punk ass kid." Dean muttered to himself as he parked his car in the nearby parking lot and made his way towards Trax.

Trax was the best record store in the downtown area of Lawrence. It felt like it was a million miles from the Main Street where Dean's friends spent most of their time and money which was probably why Dean loved going there. Dean had been going into Trax for years, he knew the owner pretty well, and to him the place felt just like a second home to him. Trax always seemed comfortable and familiar. Well that was until he opened the front door and stopped when he saw who was sat behind the counter reading a copy of Rolling Stone magazine.

Castiel Walsh was sat with his feet up on the table, his Converse high tops scuffed and grubby, and a pen between his lips. He didn't even glance up when the bell above the door sounded and it wasn't until Benny's voice in the back room came filtering into the shop that Castiel even looked up from his magazine. Madonna had just started playing on the radio and Dean knew of Benny's dislike for her music.

"Hey Cas! Change the station; I don't want to deafen everyone with that bullshit. I don't care if she's livin' in a material world or not." Benny called. Castiel snorted loudly as he adjusted the radio until it settled on what Dean quickly recognised as Bob Dylan. Dean watched as Castiel's face lit up as what he recognised as the first verse of It Ain't Me Babe filled up the store. Dean recognised that look because it was the same one that he wore whenever he heard his mom singing along to The Beatles.

"Yeah like there's anyone in here to deafen." Castiel said as he shook his head. He looked up, probably expecting to see the store empty, and the smile that had been on his face dropped slightly when he saw Dean standing by the nearest shelf. When Dean saw how Castiel's face fell he instantly remembered that Castiel Walsh was of the opinion that Dean was an ass. "We don't have a public restroom or anything like that." Castiel said looking back down at his magazine obviously trying to dismiss Dean. Wow, the guy really lacked customer service.

"Yeah dude, I know that." Dean said. Castiel looked back up with a cocked eyebrow and Dean felt his eyes on him as he walked around the store. Either the guy thought he was going steal something or he was just a bit of a stalker. It was probably the former.

"If you're looking for anything pop related then you're shit out of luck, Benny gets hives even thinking about having that stuff in the store." Castiel explained.

"Yeah I know. I know this place like the back of my hand." Dean said smugly enjoying the look of surprise on Castiel's face. "I didn't know you worked here." Dean knew he would have noticed if Castiel had been sitting behind the counter whenever he came in.

"Yeah...Monday, Wednesday and weekends..." Castiel said still watching as Dean walked through the aisle looking at records.

"I'm more of a Friday kind of guy." Dean said smirking again at the look on Castiel's face.

"Fascinating, what a life you lead there Winchester. I'm just riddled with envy." Castiel muttered sarcastically before returning to his magazine. Now who was being an ass? Dean rolled his eyes and grabbed a few records he knew he was missing then slowly made his way to the counter. It took several moments before Castiel sighed and placed both his magazine and his feet on the ground. "Will you be paying with cash or daddy Winchester's credit card?" He asked.

"Cash." Dean said bristling slightly at the 'daddy's credit card' remark because John would never give his card out willingly. He'd worked hard for his money, both of Dean's parents had, and John made sure Dean knew the value of money. "I heard you earlier on." Castiel looked back blankly. "In the hallway at school when you called me an arrogant asshole. You've got me all wrong you know." Dean said pulling a few notes out his pocket.

"Have I now?" Castiel asked as he took Dean's money.

"Yeah you have." Dean said smirking.

"And you're going to do what exactly to change my mind?" Castiel asked cocking his damn eyebrow again. That surprised Dean, he didn't think Castiel would give Dean an opportunity to change Castiel's mind.

"Well how about I sit with you and that boyfriend of yours at lunch tomorrow?" Dean offered. Castiel's expression darkened and Dean instantly knew he'd said something wrong.

"Balthazar is not my boyfriend, he's my best friend and what would be the point of you sitting with us?" Castiel snapped as he shoved Dean's records into a bag.

"In case you didn't realise you work in a record store so you clearly love music and I've probably listened to every record in this store at least twice. Dude, I think we'd have at least one thing to talk about." Dean said enjoying the look on Castiel's face as he obviously tried to think up a witty retort.

"Please, you're favourite song is probably something horrendously tacky." Castiel said scoffing.

"Actually it's Travelling Riverside Blues and if you call that tacky then you really don't deserve to work here." Dean said. For a moment he thought Castiel might hit him or throw something at him but instead he just smirked.

"Fine Winchester, have fun trying to prove you aren't the shallow and pig-headed Neanderthal I think you are." Castiel said handing Dean the bag with his records in. "You'll have your work cut out."

"You're on Walsh." Dean said smirking right back as he took his records from Castiel. "See you at school."

"Oh I can barely contain my joy." Castiel called out sarcastically as Dean started walking out the store. As he walked down the road towards the bookstore Dean couldn't even be bothered to fight the goofy smile that spread across his face.

"And why can you barely contain your joy?" A deep Cajun drawl called out as Benny came walking into the store holding a box of records. Castiel smirked as he hopped off his seat.

"Would you believe me if I said the guy I assumed was the most arrogant of those rich assholes at my school just waltzed in here and invited himself to sit with me at lunch?" Castiel asked as it still slowly dawned on him that he'd not only had a conversation with Dean Winchester but that the conversation might have proven that Castiel was wrong about Dean. He was probably still an asshole, after all everyone that went to Castiel's school as an asshole, but he wasn't half as arrogant as Castiel had been led to believe.

"No because you spend enough time in this place complain' about those kids." Benny said placing the box in front of Castiel with a wide grin. "Fancy pricing these up?" he asked.

"Go on then, I might as well earn my paycheque instead of just sitting on my ass." Castiel said shrugging his shoulders. Benny was a pretty great boss as bosses went. He'd gone to KU in '81 then just stuck around Lawrence for the past five years. He was gruff and had been known the fire staples at shoplifters but Benny was one of the most decent human beings that Castiel had ever met and he was glad to him a friend.

"So what's this rich kid like?" Benny asked.

"You really asking?" Castiel scoffed because while Benny happily listened to Castiel complain about the kids at school he never really asked about Castiel's friends and anything like that. It was probably because Benny knew Balthazar and that was bad enough.

"Yeah I am kid so get talking. This place is dead and you complainin' bout shit always amuses me."

"Good to know that Benny. His parents are like the richest people in Lawrence according to half the people at school. This basically means he owns the damn school. It's so stupid but I had this pathetic crush on him in the ninth grade until I realised he was one of those damn rich kids and I grew out of it. Until today I'd never even spoken to him and I was shocked he even knew my name. That amusing enough?" Castiel said. He still felt stupid about those few months in the ninth grade when he had liked Dean and he was glad he never told anyone about it at the time.

"Talk about cliché." Benny said with a snort.

"Thanks Benny. Remind me not to tell you anything again." Castiel muttered as he pulled several records out the box to price up.

"Hey you asked for my opinion." Benny said.

"No I didn't." Castiel pointed out.

"You know I kissed a guy once. It was in '79 and I was drunk off my ass. I barely even remember." Benny said laughing at Castiel surprised expression. "Andrea thought it was hysterical at the time and she still brings it up every Christmas." Benny had been with his fiancée Andrea since high school and he pretty much treated her like she was the Queen. "It's a good thing I love her so damn much."

"You two could be the poster couple for true love." Castiel said shaking his head. "But what the hell am I even supposed to talk to him about? Don't those rich kids just spend all their time comparing stocks and fancy cars? I don't even own a pager!" Castiel exclaimed. Before Benny could give his answer the security alarm from the back of the store started blaring. Benny rolled his eyes as Balthazar came strolling through the employees entrance, humming Otis Reading as he came.

"One of these days kid I'm going to mistake you for either a burglar and shoot you in the leg or a paying customer and make you actually buy something." Benny said gruffly.

"I don't know what is worse." Balthazar said with a shudder. "Come on Benny, you know how I love wiling away the hours with my darling Cassie here."

"You ever have one of these?" Castiel asked Benny as he nodded towards a grinning Balthazar.

"No but I don't see why you're going to waste your time on some rich kid when you have the British Invasion here." Benny said grinning at Castiel. Balthazar's face became full of confusion as Castiel frowned heavily at Benny's now retreating form as he went to shut the security alarm off. "What frowning at me or I'll make you clean the employee bathroom!" Benny called because the guy had freaking eyes in the back of his head.

"What's the ragin' Cajun on about Cassie?" Balthazar asked looking from where Benny had been stood to Castiel.

"Nothing Balth, it's really nothing. Will you help me price these records?" Castiel asked. Balthazar looked at him warily but shrugged. "Thanks, I'd be lost without you."

"No you'd just have to do your job for once if I wasn't here." Balthazar pointed out. Castiel gave him a smile but he could tell that Balthazar was wondering about Benny's comment. Castiel wasn't sure why he didn't want to tell Balthazar about Dean though it was probably because Balthazar would judge him if he did. Maybe it was stupid, Dean was probably just desperate for everyone's approval, but it still meant something to Castiel and that didn't stop a small smile slowly creep across Castiel's face over the thought of Dean joining him for lunch.