A/N: Hey! So I've been working on a little story here, and this is kind of an intro/prologue of what to expect. To see if it reels anyone in or whatever.
It'll begin with Sam going off to Stanford, and lead on from there (more from Dean's perspective of things, but a little bit of everything mixed in.) I'm about done writing it, but I figured instead of re-writing this intro for the fiftieth time, I may as well get over my anxiety and put it out while I finish up the other things.
If this goes according to plan, I'll put the 1st real chapter out soon, then weekly updates.
We're looking at 13 chapters, maybe? 15, tops.
Also this is my first-ever fanfic. Ahhhh and I truly have the huuugest anxiety revolving around receiving criticism and putting my work out there. This is tough for me, so maybe be at least fairly nice? Lol. That said, I didn't intentionally slack off or anything. I really do hope you enjoy.
And this is officially too long of a note. I won't keep you any longer.
-Vow
No.
It was all wrong.
It wasn't supposed to happen like this.
None of the slamming doors, the scattered emotions. None of the cold looks or bitter disapproval. No silent treatments, no holding of grudges.
It was supposed to be a happy thing.
Where did it go wrong?
They were supposed to have had a decent childhood. Lived a decent life.
A life where one might deem it acceptable for one of them to, I don't know, maybe simply go off to college?
Was that really so much to ask?
.
Take most American, suburban, middle-class kids for example.
Their first day of Kindergarten normally consists of the mother walking the child to the door. She'll hug them tightly, and leave them with their teacher.
When the mother leaves, the child is left in tears.
And sure, this separation may be sad at first. They may be a little anxious and slow to adjust. But by the end of the day, they'll have learned something new, maybe even made some new friends.
They'll decide- hey. This Kindergarten thing isn't so bad after all.
Yeah. Well, things are a little different for kids who have no mother.
You know what Kindergarten shouldn't be?
It shouldn't be the child walking to the school by foot by himself every day. Nearly getting wind-bitten because he can't afford a decently-sized coat, or sunburned because the distance is so far.
They should be driven there by a parent, carpool with a friend, take the bus...
but no.
School buses don't make stops at run-down little motels.
It's hard to make friends when you're only at that school for 3 weeks, and you can't even tell anyone the truth as to why.
And your dad can't exactly drive you when he's out tracking Wendigos.
.
Kids should get special lunches packed with nice notes from their moms. They should get excited that she remembered to pack them a cookie.
They shouldn't have to get up early to pack their own lunches. They shouldn't be holding onto the hope that it won't be moldy or stale by the time lunchtime rolls around.
They shouldn't have to starve some days because they don't have enough food packed inside their poor excuse for a fridge - a cooler or a thermal bag with ice. Occasional motels had mini-fridges, but what help was that? Not much food can fit in those when your dad's got 2 six-packs chilling.
When children have school programs, their parents should be there. Sitting in the front seat of the auditorium, cheering them on.
When they make the honor roll, or get recognized for perfect attendance, or make it to the spelling bee, the parents should be proud. They shouldn't be too busy killing demons to even show up.
A teen should learn to drive in parking lots, get help in algebra when they're stuck on a problem, get relationship advice from a parent...
There should be a parent present in their adolescence, to help them grow.
To shape them into a half-decent person with a fairly-bright future.
To teach them life lessons, act as a support system, to guide them through everything.
There should be a parent present in their life, period.
.
And when they're grown, and the time comes that they're ready to go to college, they should visit campuses with their parents.
And won't it be exciting, touring all those schools? That is, as interested students. Not as undercover janitors working to take down a poltergeist on campus.
Kids should carefully weigh their school options. They should send in applications with the guidance of loved ones. And they should have people there to support them if they happen to get in.
You know what they definitely shouldn't have to do? They shouldn't have to hide their acceptance letter from their dad. Especially when it's for a school as prestigious as Stanford.
And they most certainly should not be shunned for their achievements. They should be congratulated. Praised, even.
But sadly, that was not the case for Sam.
And was that such a surprise, really, with the kind of life they led?
No. It was to be expected.
What more can be said? The Winchesters were not a normal family.
And instead of driving Sam to campus himself, Dean was left sitting on his motel bed, staring at the door. Jaw dropped in shock, tears threatening more every second to come on. As Sam stormed out and left.
On his own.
What had Dean just witnessed? Was it another argument that would blow off?
Sam would come back. He and his dad would cool off, and they'd make up eventually, right?
No...
No, this seemed bigger than that. This time it wasn't like that.
The anger present in their voices was more genuine than it had ever been. As if they could meaningfully say "I hate you." without a hint of irony. As if they weren't just gonna patch things up this time.
Dean feared that what he'd just seen was his brother walking out on them for the last time. And he couldn't bear that thought.