Twenty six year old Castiel Novak wiped fat beads of sweat from his forehead. He loosened a navy blue tie that felt as if it were cutting the circlulation around his entire neck. "I feel like a 50 year old menopausal woman," he whispered to his best friend, Balthazar Roche.
The two men met during their tenure at Stanford University. Castiel majored in International Law and Balthazar never finished college. The former travelled one year across Asia with the Peace Corps. At heart Castiel Novak was a closeted hippy, who longed to travel the world for the rest of his life, helping build homes and wells for destitute families. Unfortunately, his entire life had been planned by his parents: Naomi and Chuck Novak. Chuck was a well known political analyst and writer, who won two Pulitzer Prizes within a decade. Naomi became the most famous woman in the world by being elected as the first female president in US history.
Castiel had the misfortune of living his awkward adolescence in the White House, under the lens of the press. His parents were Republicans. Naomi being the most conservative out of the two. Not only did he go through an Ugly Duckling stage with train tracks braces and zits the size of small pepperoni on his face, Cas was painfully shy as a child and early teens.
He was able to count his real friends in high school with one hand. Castiel attended public school in Washington DC, since Naomi insisted that having her only child study there would illustrate to the American people that the nation's education sytem was top notch. Cas rolled his eyes every time his mother said that. What a crock of shit!
One of Castiel's closest friends turned out to be Meg Roman, a girl, who was his age and happened to be Naomi's Vice President's daughter. Richard "Dick" Roman was an asshole and his name described him to perfection. Poor Meg was practically raised as a nun. His father was strict to the extreme. So it came as a surprise, when Naomi and Dick met with the two seventeen year old high school seniors, during the White House's Annual Easter Egg Hunt.
Meg and Castiel were painting eggs with a group of third graders from a local elementary, when their parents called a meeting. The quartet sat in the White House's largest terrace. Castiel fidgeted on his chair. He didn't like the shark like smile Dick gave him.
Naomi poured iced tea in four glasses. Once she put the pitcher down, the President began to speak. She grinned at her son. "We are very proud of the two of you. You're graduating early this summer."
"I will drink to that, Madame President," Dick toasted the teens.
Meg arched a dark brow. "Cut the crap, dad! Why are we really here?"
Castiel whipped his head to the side. One of the things he loved about his friend was her no taking shit from anyone attitude. Cas glanced at his mother. Naomi nervously fingered her pearls, which she never removed. They had been a family heirloom from her late mother.
Richard's nostrils flared. "Meg Roman, you will show me some respect young lady!"
Meg glared daggers at her father. "Well don't keep us in suspense any longer. Spit it out!" She crossed her arms.
Cas folded his hands over his lap. He wished he could have a spine like Meg. Castiel would never dare speak to either of his parents in such an insolent fashion. "Mother, what is it?"
Naomi cleared her throat. "We believe it would be beneficial for the two of you to start dating."
"Say what?!" Castiel and Meg screamed simultaneously.
"Meg, I know I have over protected you, even though secret service has caught you trying to escape the house on a few ocassions. And don't think I haven't heard of the pack of cigarettes the maid found under your pillow," Richard said. He was going to continue talking, but his daughter stopped him.
"What does that have to do with me dating Clarence?" Meg stole a peek at Cas, who turned pale.
"Stop interrupting your elders," Dick banged his hand on the table.
Naomi placed a hand over her son's shoulder. "Castiel, it's time you started dating. People are talking about you."
"What are they saying?" Cas furrowed his brows. He swallowed hard. Castiel was used to people making fun of his looks. Although Meg helped him getting rid of his acne. His braces had come off two months ago. He'd overheard some girls at school say he was hot now. What could people be saying about him then?
"CNN held a poll a week ago," Naomi provided.
"What does that have to do with me? The press usually doesn't bother with me." Cas was extremely confused.
"Sweetheart, you've turned into a handsome young man. Of course the press is interested in you more than ever."
"They have been following me to and from school extensively lately. Inias, Meg and I had a difficult time getting to the SUV after we went to the planetarium last week. The photographers swarmed us."
"Let's cut to the chase, Madame President. The problem is that the poll CNN ran had to do with your sexuality or lack of," Dick stated.
Naomi glared at the Vice President. "Shut up, Dick! I will explain things to my son."
"Mom, what is he talking about?" Castiel unbuttoned one of his sky blue shirt's sleeves.
"The poll asked whether the public believes you to be gay or asexual. You've never dated or shown interest in anyone."
Castiel rolled his eyes. Meg held one of his hands under the table. The girl shook her head. "It's no one's freaking business whether Clarence is gay or not!"
"Meg, keep your voice down," Richard hissed. He turned his head to see the two Secret Service agents, who stood sentry behind them. The two men remained standing ramrod straight with their hands folded in front of them.
Castiel gulped hard. He was afraid of this moment becoming a reality. Cas has been questioning his sexuality for three years now. His sexual identity crisis began, when he kissed one of his male classmates during a spin the bottle game. His cock twitched a little while he shared his first kiss with the blond boy. Castiel enjoyed the kiss way too much. He believed his reaction was due to the smooch being his first. Maybe if it was a girl, Cas would've experienced the same reaction? He and Meg kissed on a couple of ocassions. Castiel didn't mind.
Cas scrunched his brows. Maybe he was bisexual. He personally thought there was nothing wrong with liking both sexes. Castiel's eyes landed on Naomi. Her first tenure as president was almost at an end. She was running for re-election this November. Again Dick would be her running mate. If Naomi remained in office, the plan was for Roman to run for President in the next election.
Naomi Novak was conservative to the extreme. She was anti abortion, anti drugs, and visited the local Episcoplian church every Sunday. The sock poppets that voted for her the first time wouldn't do so again, once news spread Castiel Novak swung both ways. Naomi seemed like a cold and calculating robot to the public, but to Cas she was a loving mother. She always set aside time to be with her son. Chuck was also a great parent.
"OK let me get this straight." Meg side eyed her friend and smirked. "No pun intended, Clarence." She winked at him. Cas' cheeks burned. "The two of you want us to date. This way any rumors that may start about Cas being a Friend of Dorothy will be squashed. And your chances of being re-elected won't be smashed to smithereens." Meg pointed at Naomi.
Naomi and Richard nodded at the same time. Castiel fisted his hands. He licked his chapped pink lips before speaking. "Mother, I am not gay. I am just awkward around girls. My social skills have always been rusty." He used air quotes for the last word.
"Dork," Meg bumped his shoulder.
"Demon bitch," Cas bumped her shoulder back. The right corner of his mouth curled upwards.
Naomi exhaled deeply. "I am so happy, Castiel. You have no idea how relieved I am." Castiel smiled at his mother.
"Are you willing to give it a go with Meg?" Dick inquired.
"Hey I have a say in this...am I right?" Meg rolled her eyes.
"May we speak alone?" Castiel asked Naomi.
"Of course, sweetheart. We need to go. The downed military aircraft press conference is scheduled to start in an hour. I have to get ready." Naomi kissed Castiel's forehead. She combed her fingers through his unruly dark hair. Dick nodded at the youngsters before following the President inside. A Secret Service agent remained on the terrace.
Castiel and Meg were both used to being shadowed by agents; so they didn't mind having Uriel present for their conversation. He was actually their favorite guard. The man looked like a ferocious warrior on the exterior, but in the inside he was a big teddy bear.
Cas covered one of Meg's hands over the table. He chewed his lower lip. Meg thought he looked adorable. She couldn't lie to herself. Meg has had a crush on her best friend since their freshman year of high school. The few times they shared kisses have been the best moments of her young life.
"Clarence, you don't have to do this. I know you and I bet my hidden carton of cigarettes that you lied to your mom." She playfully tweaked his nose.
"I didn't completely lie to her." He nervously tugged an earlobe. "I am attracted to you; have been for a while." He sunk his pearly white teeth deeper into his already swollen lower lip. "It's just...I think I like boys, too."
"So you think you're bi?" Meg's nose crinkled in an adorable fashion. Cas couldn't help but smile.
He nodded. "I would like to give us a try though. It's time I start living life like a regular teen."
"As regular as it can get with being the son of the most powerful woman on the planet," Meg piped in.
"What do you say, Meg Roman? Do you want to be my girlfriend?" The palms of Cas' hands sweated profusely.
"You really like me?" She asked in a tiny voice. Cas could hear the nervousness in his friend's voice.
"Yes, I really do." He leaned his head close to her face. The teens shared a sweet chaste kiss.
Uriel cleared his throat and turned his head to the side. He gazed at a trio of third graders hunting for Easter eggs behind a rose bush. All of a sudden, he heard movement from the table. Uriel returned his attention to the teens. Castiel was on his feet.
The boy hid his shaking hands inside his slacks' side pockets. "Uriel, will you please not utter a word of anything you heard to anyone?"
Uriel gifted Castiel with a rare Mona Lisa kind of smile. "My lips are sealed, Castiel."
"Thank you," Cas extended his hand to the agent, who shook it. Uriel had a soft spot for Castiel Novak. He never had children of his own and Uriel considered himself like an uncle to the often times lonely kid.
Meg and Castiel graduated high school in late May. He attended Harvard University to study law. Naomi chose the major for her son, who actually wanted to be an artist. The President almost went into cardiac arrest, when her only child informed her of his plans. The two of them had their first heated argument over Cas' college education. The President won in the end, as usual. Meg on the other hand, always wanted to become a pediatrician. So Dick was over the moon, when his daughter gave him the news she was attending Cambridge in the fall to study medicine.
Castiel and Meg dated exclusively during their first two years of college. Once Cas began law school, he didn't have much time to spend with his girlfriend. They amicably broke up and remained great friends. Cas met Balthazar shortly after his break up with Meg. The half Brit was studying International Business at Harvard. The two hit it off and shared an apartment off campus.
It was through a friend of Balthy's that Castiel became involved with the Peace Corps. Castiel needed one more year to finish law school, when he informed Naomi and Chuck of his plans to join the Corps for a year. His father accepted his son's decision, yet Naomi was furious. She knew once her son left Harvard, he wouldn't return to his studies.
Castiel couldn't believe he won an argument over Naomi. The woman caved and agreed to his decision. Balthy joined his friend in Asia, because he wanted to bang as many hot volunteers as possible. Cas loved building wells, schools and homes for poverty stricken people. He even convinced Naomi to contribute to cause by having her donate $25,000 worth of vaccinations for underprivileged children, who were in dire need of medical assistance. Roman even went personally to distribute the medicine. He knew this would do wonders for his Presidential campaign.
One night Castiel met a hot Portuguese volunteer named Ion. It had been a long time since Cas had been intimate with someone. The night before his break up with Meg was the last time Cas had sex. Ion was hot and seeing him administer vaccines to the small children and his interaction with them, got Castiel all hot and bothered. Ion had his eye on the sexy blue eyed American since he came to the camp.
For the next month, the two men would meet in Cas' tent and have sex until sunrise. Ion would leave Castiel's tent for his. Unfortunately, Ion's time at the camp came to an end. He was scheduled to begin med school in Portugal within two weeks. Castiel would always cherish the intimate moments the two of them shared. Ion was the first man Cas had been intimate with and thanks to him, Castiel Novak realized he was definitely bi-sexual.
Castiel and Balthazar's year with the Peace Corps came to an end too soon. While Cas said good bye to the local kids, Balthy engaged in his final menage a trois with two female volunteers from Brazil.
Upon returning home, Cas was assailed by his mother, who would cease being President the following January. Roman had been elected and would be sworn in soon. Castiel couldn't believe the douche nozzle was going to be the next President of the United States.
It was during the Inagural Ball that Castiel and Meg finally came face to face. She looked beautiful in a silk red ballgown designed by Alexander McQueen. "You look good enough to eat, Clarence." Meg adjusted Castiel's black tie.
"You look lovely." Castiel kissed the top of her head.
Castiel admitted to himself he missed Meg. The two of them imbibed too much champagne and ended up in bed together. Two years later, after Naomi almost brain washing her son, Castiel Novak and Meg Roman were officially engaged.
Cas was considered America's Prince Charming and most eligible bachelor. Meg was the country's own modern day princess. They made the perfect couple. People magazine shadowed the two during the final preparations for the wedding nuptials.
Naomi, who naturally ran the circus opted for the wedding to take place at Grace Episcopal Church in Pontiac, Illinois. That was her and Chuck's home town and Castiel's birth place. After the religious ceremony, an intimate group of 100 guests were set to celebrate the nuptials at Garfield Park Conservatory. Meg's mother had died ten years ago. The woman lost a long battle against heart disease. So Naomi took the mother of the bride role.
The evening before the wedding ceremony, Dick took Castiel to the side and basically threatened to rip his lungs out, if he hurt his little girl. Cas swallowed hard and vowed to take care of Meg. The acid in his unsettled stomach burned its way up.
Castiel put down the spoon he used for the lobster bisque which was the entree for the rehearsal dinner. He was unable to eat. Balthazar noticed his friend's pale demeanor. "You weren't kidding. You're drenched in sweat, mate."
"I need some fresh air." Castiel stood up and excused himself.
"Are you ok?" Meg asked.
Castiel nodded and ran out of the dining room of the governor's mansion. Naomi was close friends with the Illinois governor's wife. The couple graciously volunteered for the rehearsal dinner to be held in their opulent dining room.
Cas fought with the tie that had been suffocating him all night. He strolled through a lantern lit path that led to the back garden. Castiel clumsily fumbled his hands inside his jacket's pocket for a pack of cigarettes. He always carried them in case of an emergency. This was definitely one of those times. Cas lit the cigarette, which he held in between his lips.
He inhaled and exhaled the nicotine. God how he missed smoking. If Naomi discovered her good little soldier smoked, whe would give him a never ending lecture on the dangers of smoking. Castiel sat on the steps of a gazebo. He leaned backwards and rested the back of his head against the cool wood surface. His eyes landed on a bright full moon.
Castiel closed his eyes. He continued smoking the cigarette. Cas loved Meg, but he wasn't in love with her. He admitted to himself that the main reason he was marrying her was because she had always been like a reliable safety blanket for him. Plus Naomi was hounding him to give her grand kids. Castiel banged the back of his head against the gazebo.
He was only 26. Shit grand kids could wait. Cas knew he shouldn't go through with this charade. Meg didn't deserve to be lied to. Castiel lit another cigarette and puffed on it greedily. The nights he shared with Ion swirled in his head. He wanted to explore his sexuality more before he truly settled down with a person he was in love with.
Cas remembered the press camped out in front of the church and botanical gardens. No, he couldn't do this to Meg. The reporters would have a field day writing about the President's daughter being left at the altar. Castiel finished his second cigarette and tossed the stub on the grass. He stepped on it.
Footsteps approached the gazebo. Castiel froze. He really wanted to be alone. "Mind some company?" Thank God it was Balthy.
"Suit yourself," Castiel whispered.
Balthazar grabbed the pack of cigarettes and took two. He lit them both and handed one to his visibly nervous friend. Cas thanked him. "Getting cold feet? It's normal for most grooms to experience nerves before the big day."
"It's not regular cold feet, Balthy. I can't go through with this farce." Castiel looked straight ahead and blew three consecutive smoke rings.
"What's wrong, Cassie? Level with me."
Cas shared all of his intimate thoughts and feelings with his best friend. Balthy wasn't too shocked. He suspected all along Cas' heart didn't belong to Meg. Also, he'd witness Ion leaving Castiel's tent on several ocassions.
"Cassie, you better think things through tonight. You better be rational tomorrow morning, because it's not only your well being at stake but Meg's. It wouldn't be fair to the girl if you married her without being in love with her. You will live to regret marrying someone just to make your mother happy."
"I know, but I don't want to hurt Meg. She's always been special to me. I won't forgive myself." Castiel coughed. He dropped the cigarette butt and put away the package inside a pocket.
"I bet Meg would appreciate the truth instead of having you lie to her for who knows how long. She deserves to be with someone, who will love her unconditionally."
"She will be made a national laughing stock. I can't leave her to face the wolves on her own. God my head hurts." Castiel pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Cassie, she will not be alone. That girl is as tough as nails. She will know how to handle things. Just tell her the truth before it's too late. The two of you deserve to be happy." Balthy placed a hand on Cas' shoulder. "You're bi for Pete's sake!"
Castiel's shoulders slumped. "Tell me about it."
"My friend, you've only been with Meg and Ion. You're too young to get leg shackled. You need to live life like you truly want to."
"It would be exhilarating to go away and do things I have always wanted to do. But where would I go that people wouldn't know me?"
"You'll think of something, mate. That huge brain of yours will come in handy."
Cas playfully punched Balthy's left bicep. "I can't do this to Meg." Castiel stood up and dusted the back of his pants. "I'll see you tomorrow at church. You're still going to be my best man?"
Balthy wanted to throttle his best friend's neck. "Yes, you wanker. I'll see you at church." He shook his head, as he saw Castiel enter the back of the mansion.
The following morning at 11 am, one hundred invited guests sat on the shiny mahogany pews of Grace Episcopal Church. The organist played "Amazing Grace". Naomi wore an elegant grey pant suit combo with black stilettos. Her hair was in a tight chignon and pearls adorned her slim neck like always. Chuck discreetly chugged whiskey from a silver flask. After he got his fill, the political analyst stood at the church's entrance to continue welcoming guests.
The bride's limo arrived a quarter after 11. The religous ceremony was set to start in fifteen minutes. Dick assisted his daughter in descending from the black limo. Naomi glanced at her watch for the sixth time that moring. Where the hell was Castiel?! Her son was never late.
Naomi smiled at her soon to be daughter in law. "You look beautiful, Meg."
"Thanks, Naomi." Meg accepted a kiss on the cheek from the former president.
Naomi escorted Meg and Dick to the bride waiting room. Meg's bridesmaids were waiting to finish the bride's hair and make-up. Dick turned to Naomi once Meg was inside with her friends. "Where is your son?"
"He is running a little late, but Castiel will be here. You know he is as obedient as they come." Naomi fought the urge to bite her manicured nails. Something was up with her son and it wasn't good.
Balthazar stood at the altar waiting for his best friend, who hadn't shown up. He glanced at his watch. Shit! It was less than ten minutes till the ceremony. All the invited guests were sitting on the pews. The silver haird priest, who resembled Clint Eastwood was opening the bible on the podium. Balthy's eyes landed on Chuck, who sat on the front pew over at the groom's side. The man was discreetly drinking booze from a flask. He was going to have reason to really drink after the news of Cas ditching Meg was made public. Balthazar grabbed his cell from his pocket and texted Castiel where he was.
Castiel paced back and front in the priest's office. No one had seen him enter the church from the back. He was close to having a panic attack. Tears formed in Castiel's electric blue eyes. He didn't want to hurt Meg, but he couldn't go through with this charade. Balthy was right. Cas hadn't experienced much in life. Now was the perfect time to do so. God he hated himself for what he was about to do.
His hands shook. Cas wrote a letter to Meg on the church's stationary paper. He folded the sheet and placed it inside a blank envelope. In his elegant cursive handwriting he addressed it to Meg Roman. Cas placed it on top of the priest's desk.
Castiel removed the tie from around his neck. He also took off the black tuxedo jacket and tossed it on a chair. How would he make a successful escape attempt? Practically everyone in the damn country knew his face. People would recognize him wherever he went. Where would he go? Cas counted the money he had in his wallet. Three hundred dollars and two credit cards. He removed the credit cards and left them on the desk. No way would his whereabouts be traced by him using the cards.
Cas made sure the coast was clear. Shit! He'd forgotten about Uriel. The man stood sentry outside the church. Luck was on Cas' side after all. A florist van was about to leave the church's back lot. Cas wedged himself in between two young guys, who worked for the company. They looked at him funny. Then the skinny one said, "Hey aren't you?" Castiel covered his mouth.
"I'll pay the two of you $100 if you drive me out of here."
"But aren't you supposed to get married?" The chubby guy asked.
"Please...you'll get fifty bucks each just for driving me away from here." Castiel pleaded by giving the two men big puppy dog eyes.
"OK man, hop in."
"Thank you!"
The men would glance at Castiel periodically. The drive took about ten minutes. "This is our stop."
Castiel looked outside the van's back door window. They'd arrived at the flower shop. He handed the skinny guy a one hundred dollar bill. "Split it...and thanks." Castiel opened the side door and lept out.
The street was pretty busy. An auto dealership adjacent to the flower shop brimmed with business. Castiel couldn't afford to be seen. He jogged his way to an ice cream shop called Chilly Willy's. His eyes became rounder an he smiled. Some poor sap wearing a Chilly Willy mascot type of costume held a sign with the name of the ice cream shop on it.
Cas approached the penguin and tapped him on the shoulder. The dude immediately removed the penguin head. "Dude, you're Castiel Novak! Aren't you supposed to get married today?"
"I need for you to sell me your costume." Castiel tugged one of his earlobes.
"What?!"
"I'll give you $100 for it." Castiel was running out of patience.
"My boss will kill me."
"Please I really need it." Cas wanted to choke the teen.
"Ugh! Fine...I'll give it to you for $150."
That would leave Cas with only 50 bucks, but he was fucking desperate. "OK kid. You got yourself a deal."
"Cool! Follow me," the gangly teen entered the ice cream shop. His boss was off today. He led Cas into the men's bathroom. The kid placed the Chilly Willy head on the sink and quickly removed the remainder of the costume. Cas placed $150 bucks next to the penguin head.
The kid remained in boxers and a wife beater. "Thanks man!"
"Please don't tell anyone you saw me." Castiel started pulling on the penguin costume.
"Don't worry bro. You must have a good reason for doing this." The kid saluted Castiel before exiting the bathroom.
Castiel put the penguin head on and adjusted the scarf that went with the costume around his neck. He felt ridiculous, but this was the best way for him to go around without being recognized.
He walked for four hours. Being inside a penguin costume on a summer day was not a good idea. Castiel was sweating up a storm. His feet began to ache. He would definitely have blisters by the end of the day. Cas had no idea where he was. He only knew he was no longer in Pontiac.
Castiel continued walking for a few more minutes. The purr of an engine approached him. He resumed walking. The vehicle drove slowly next to him. Cas chose to ignore the person. A loud honk made Castiel jump in mid air. A throaty laugh was emitted from inside the car.
Cas looked to the side for the first time. The car was a black and shiny muscle car. If he was not mistaken it was a '67 Impala. Loud rock music blared from the speakers. The car stopped.
"Need a ride, Willy?!"
Castiel tilted the penguin head to the side. He couldn't get a good look inside. Getting a ride from a stranger, who could turn out to be the next Jeffrey Dahmer was not appetizing. "Hey man I promise I'm not a crazy ax murderer. You need a lift?"
Cas' feet throbbed and he was tired, sweaty, thirsty and hungry. He mentally said a short prayer before opening the front passenger door. The penguin head was making it difficult to enter the vehicle. The driver laughed.
"Maybe you should remove your head, Willy?"
Castiel rolled his eyes. He removed the penguin head and tossed it in the backseat. "Hey be careful with my baby!"
"Sorry," Cas said as he settled comfortably in shotgun. He wiped sweat from his brow before turning to the side. Castiel's breath hitched. The driver was the most beautiful person he'd ever laid eyes on.
Merry green eyes greeted him. "Name's Dean Winchester. Where you heading to, Willy?"
Thanks for reading and I hope you stick around for the ride! :)