Hey everyone!

So this is my very first supernatural fanfic (hurray!)! It will be a multichapter story. I already wrote most of it, so I hope to update frequently. As a non-native speaker of the beautiful english language, I have to check the story multiple times on errors before publishing (I hope I did a decent job ;-) ). So that might take a while. If you notice any mistakes, please alert me so I can fix them =D I hope you enjoy the story! Reviews and constructive criticism are allowed and much appreciated ;-) FYI: Dean is 18 in this story and Sam is aged 14. Oh and ... any medicial explenations used in later chapters will be entirely made up by me. Don't blame me, unfortunately I am not a doctor ;)

Greetings!

Ellyn

It was an exceptionally sunny day and the end of the school year was nearing. If everything went according to plan, Dean would be graduating from high school, much to his relief. But of course, for the Winchester family, nothing ever went according to plan…

"What do you mean by 'we got a hunt'?" Sam spat at Dad. Dean rolled his eyes, as he knew this discussion was never going to end on good terms. Both he and Sam had been studying for their finals all afternoon, until their dad came home fifteen minutes ago. The youngest and oldest Winchester had been arguing ever since.

"It's not hard to understand Sammy, Bobby called about a haunted house in a nearby town and we got to go," John shot back.

"Can't Bobby help you out? We got to study," Sam indicated himself and Dean with the ballpoint pen he was holding.

"No, he can't. He's too far away. And – o look!", John gazed around and pretended to be surprised to find Sam right in front of him, "You're already here!"

"It's not funny dad, I got math on Monday and Dean has to study so he can graduate – remember?" Sam looked at Dean for a little support, but Dean just shrugged and said: "I'll go, but Sam stays here. We can do just fine with the both of us, dad. I'm done studying anyway."

That was a plain lie and Dean knew it, yet he didn't care. He realized that this discussion was going to end with his dad dragging both of them along for the hunt. Sam would be complaining the entire ride to that haunted place and back, and Dean wouldn't have it. He'd rather go by himself and let Sam study. At least one of them would get what he wants.

"But Dean!" Sam yelled, "you got to graduate man, come on." Sam threw his pen onto his math book and rose from his chair. "This isn't fair, dad! For gods sake, that ghost has been haunting that place for years. One week more or less won't make any difference!"

"Tell that to the next person who will get trapped in there and hurts himself. Sam, this thing has been harassing people for years! We got to act, and we got to act now. Do you understand?" Johns eyes pierced Sam's. Sam took a step forward and was ready to continue the argument, but Dean decided he'd had enough. He moved himself between Sam and his father, facing his dad.

"I'll go, Sam stays. He won't be of any use anyway, 'cause he does not want to go. All he'll do is complain. He'll only be in the way," Dean told his father, folding his arms. He saw Johns face relax a little as he realized that Dean was right, yet the man would never admit it.

"You'll be sorry for this Sam," John barked over Deans shoulder. After that, he turned around on his heels and stormed out. Just before he slammed the door shut behind his back, he yelled: "Dean, get your bag, now! We leave in 10 minutes!"

As soon as the sound of Johns footsteps and his swearing died, Sam grabbed Dean by the shoulders.

"Why do you do this? You know how important school is, Dean! Do you want to fail?" he asked, an edge of worry in his voice.

Dean groaned, he didn't have the time nor the will to continue arguing: "Listen Sammy, someone's gotta go. I'll pass my finals anyway, and if I don't, dad'll make sure I can graduate by threatening the headmistress. Besides, if I don't tag along with dad, you'll have to. Is that what you want?"

"No, but-" Sam began, but Dean cut him off with one angry glare.

"Drop it Sam. I'll go, you stay. And I'll kill you if I find out you didn't study all weekend!" Dean turned away from his brother and walked over to his messy, unmade bed in the corner of the living room of their rented apartment. The place was so small they had to use the living room as a bedroom and dining room as well.

Dean grabbed his duffel and started to pack some stuff, but he felt Sam's gaze on his back. Deep inside he felt guilty for acting so rude, but Sam needed to understand. Sam was the one who valued education above anything else, but Dean's future did not depend on his math grades. Dean never cared about something as dull as school – his heart lay in the hunt. Saving people was his job. A ghost or werewolf didn't care if you failed your tests or excelled in them, the thing would kill you anyway. Sam didn't see things that way, which was fine by Dean. Dean just hoped that one day, Sam would realize that the things we want most in life are not always the things we get. Dean learned that lesson, and he'd been living it over and over again for almost 14 years by now. He never got what he wanted, but at least he could try to give Sam a chance at living the life he dreams of, can't he? Even if that includes math and wicked science.

"Fine," Sam finally sighed as Dean swung his duffel over his shoulder and made his way toward the door. The youngest Winchester's eyes shot daggers at Dean. It hurt Dean to see his brother like that and he really felt like he didn't deserve Sam's hatred. But they'd talk about it later.

"See you!" he forced a smile and looked at Sam one last time before he closed the door of the apartment behind him. Sam had not responded, which made Dean feel pretty bad. Sighing, Dean made his way towards the car, opened the door of the Impala and dropped himself in the passenger seat, his duffel at his feet.

"Took you long enough," John remarked coldly. Dean didn't reply.

"Did Sammy say something?" Dad asked.

"No," Dean's answered, "Just drive, ok? It's getting late. You don't want me to fall asleep during the hunt, do you?"

John eyed his son but said nothing. Clearly he understood that his oldest was fed up with the situation and for once, John was smart enough not to drag it out.