To clear some things up, Dean and Castiel are the same age, Gabriel is a year older and Sam is two years younger. I know he's supposed to be four years younger, but I wanted the age difference to be shorter to help the storyline flow more easily. Also, I'm sorry if the chapters are short. Enjoy :)


Eighth grade was supposed to be easy. You were in junior high, you knew where everything was, but you didn't feel the pressure of getting ready for high school. A nice, easy year. And for Castiel, it was an easy year. Then Anna Milton got her schedule changed.

It happened in his Science class. They were studying volcanoes when a stunning girl with flaming hair walked in. She carried stacks and stacks of books. Her arms filled with three binders and two notebooks, a textbook, and a pencil pouch. Absolutely drowning. When class was let out, Castiel, in a surge of bravery, came up to her.

"That's a lot of books," he said softly.

"Yeah, I know," she smiled, "I, like, just got my schedule changed and now everything is messed up."

"Ah, what class do you have next?"

"Um, math I think."

"No way, with Mrs. Miller?"

"Um, actually yeah."

"Me too!"

And they both knew that this was going to be a good friendship. They traded phone numbers, class schedules, and began to talk.

"So do you have any close friends Castiel?" Anna asked over lunch.

"Not really," Castiel admitted, "Most of my friends and I grew apart. I stayed home and studied while they went off to sports and such."

"You must miss them," Anna said.

"Not so much," he said, "I've got you now."

"I suppose you do," Anna laughed, "Well I have one really close friend, Dean Winchester, you know him?"

Oh no way. The world was too big for this to be happening.

"Yeah, he's in my History class," Castiel said, fighting a blush, "How do you guys know each other?"

"Ah, well, we kind of grew up together," Anna smirked, "Same elementary school, same neighborhood, he used to have the biggest crush on me."

"Oh?" Castiel said, ignoring the ice that trickled down his back, "How did that go?"

"It didn't," Anna laughed, "But if I knew that awkward kid was going to grow up into... well, that." she gestured to him, "I might have given him a chance."

"I see," Castiel sighed. Now his new friend was competition to get Dean's affection. Not like there was any competition. Castiel did have a certain physical trait that didn't exactly put him into Dean Winchester's book of potential sexual conquests.

"And what about you?" Anna's eyes sparkled, "I see you staring at him, trying not to blush. So tell me!"

"Alright fine," Castiel said, "I may have a little crush on Dean too."

"Of course you do," Anna said, "All the girls here have a crush on Dean."

"And our friendship?"

"Castiel, we are not going to fight over a boy, I refuse."

"Then we are in agreement."

"Exactly, what are you doing tonight?"

Since Castiel and Anna had so many similar classes, they agreed to meet up at Anna's place to do homework. Castiel practically skipped to his brother's car.

"Hey little bro, what's got you all perked up?" Gabriel asked, pulling away from the school, "Haven't seen you this happy since you found out about your 4.0 GPA."

"I made a new friend," Castiel said, "Her name is Anna."

"Now, when you say friend..."

"Completely platonic," Castiel clarified, "You know who is the object of my affections."

"Seriously Cassie," Gabriel said, "You're 14, stop talking like you're 40."

"I see no problem in the way I talk."

"Of course you don't," Gabriel sighed, "So how is this wooing of Dean going?"

"It's not," Castiel said, "He's a completely heterosexual boy, I don't stand a chance. He'd be better off with Anna than me."

"Wait a minute," Gabriel slammed on his brakes, "You mean to tell me that this Anna, your new friend, Anna, has the hots for Dean too?"

"Gabriel, you would too if you had met him."

"Sure," Gabriel shrugged, "And you're sure this is a good friendship?"

"I would appreciate it if you didn't try to sneak your way into my personal life."

"Whatever," Gabriel sighed, "Don't come crying to me if it all ends in tears.

The drive home was quiet after that. Castiel lived with his brother Gabriel and their mother. Their father went off, who knows where, leaving Rachael with two boys to raise. Gabriel, as a coping method, chose to play pranks on everyone, quickly earning him the nickname 'trickster' and Castiel, well, he stayed a nerd. He closed in on himself when their father left, leaving room only for his family and his school work. Recently, however, Dean and Anna had pushed their way into his life.

"Mom!" Gabriel called as he opened the door, "We're home!"

"Hello sweetheart," Rachael poked her head out of the kitchen, "How was school today?"

"Wonderful," Gabriel walked over, kissed her on the cheek, and grabbed a bag of chocolate chips before heading to his room.

"I made a new friend," Castiel said, sitting at the table, watching his mother flit around the kitchen, "Her name is Anna."

"Anna Milton?" Rachael guessed, "She is a lovely girl. I used to babysit her with you."

"Really?" Castiel asked, "Why didn't you mention that?"

"It wasn't important," she shrugged, "I'm glad you two are friends."

"Yes, in fact, I'm going to her house tonight to study, is that okay?"

"Honey, you can do whatever you want with your friends," Rachael said, sitting next to her son, "It is so good to see you get out of the house every once in a while. You spend all your time at home. It isn't healthy."

"I know Mother," Castiel said.

"Good," she kissed his forehead, "Now, will you be eating here or there?"


Dean picked up Sam from school and the two of them walked home. In one year Dean would have his permit and he could drive, but for now he was stuck walking. It really sucked to be 14 sometimes.

"Hey Sammy, how was school?"

"Don't call me Sammy," Sam said, "I'm almost 13 years old, I am not a kid anymore."

"You keep saying that," Dean grinned, "How was school?"

"It was okay," Sam said, "Nothing to exciting. What about you?"

"You remember Anna?"

Sam nodded.

"God she turned into a babe," Dean sighed.

"Grow up," Sam punched his brother, "You had a crush on her when you were 8."

"And you had a crush on Jessica," Dean said, "And, oh yeah, you still do!"

"Shut up," Sam punched Dean again, "It's not the same."

"Whatever," Dean shrugged.

They walked home side by side, occasionally talking to each other about casual easy things- complaining about homework and teachers, talking about the kids, the sports, the bullies, how the movie prices went up again.

"So you're gonna ask out Anna?" Sam asked, "Or Bela?"

"Shut up Sammy."

"Oh, so neither?"

"I said shut up," Dean said, opening the door, "I'll scout out the house, you head to your room, okay?"

Sam nodded and went up the stairs silently.

Dean dropped his backpack in front of the door and quietly moved about the house, looking for their father. If he wasn't home then they would stay with Bobby for the night. If he was home then it would depend on the state of John Winchester.

Dean found their father, snoring softly on the couch, a bottle of whiskey, empty, lying next to the half filled bottle of vodka.

A bad night then.

Dean went upstairs, packed a duffel bag for them both, and dragged Sam out of there and across the street to Bobby's.

"Hey Bobby," Dean said, "Sorry to be a bother again, but..."

"I know, I know," Bobby said gruffly, "Come on in. I'll take you boys to school in the morning."

"Thanks Bobby," Dean grinned.


Anna opened the door and found Castiel standing there, book bag over his shoulder, looking ready for battle.

"Hey Castiel," she smiled, "Ready to study?"

"As ready as ever," Castiel grinned back, "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Milton."

"You must be Castiel," Anna's mother gushed, "My name is Amy and my husband is Richard. It is so good to meet you!"

"It is good to meet you as well," Castiel said, "Now if you'll excuse us."

"Of course," Amy said, "Anna's room is down the hall and to the left, she'll show you I'm sure. Don't get into trouble!"

Castiel followed Anna to her room. She pushed him into the lavender room and shut the door behind her.

"Alright, we need to talk," Anna said, "Before we study."

"Talk about what?"

"About Dean of course!" Anna pushed him down onto her bed then sat next to him, "I mean, you know he's straight, right?"

"Of course I know that," Castiel said, "Who wouldn't know that?"

"And you think you're the exception?" Anna said.

"No, not that," Castiel said, "Look, he'd be happy with you, and I know that. But please, I have to talk to him. I have to get to know him, that is all I ask."

"You're okay with being his friend?"

"It is better than not knowing him at all," Castiel said.

"Alright, I'll introduce you guys tomorrow."

"Alright," Castiel nodded, "Now, should we do Math or English first?"

True to her word, Anna introduced them the very next day during lunch.


"Dean!" she called to him, "Over here!"

Dean walked (more like strutted) his way to them. Castiel could feel his face turn red and his heart pound.

"Hey Anna, what's up?"

"I wanted you to meet my friend Castiel," she said, "Castiel, this is Dean Winchester."

"Castiel," Dean smiled, "You look familiar, have we met before?"

"We had English together last year, and you and I share the same History class," Castiel said breathlessly.

"Oh yes," Dean's face lit up, "You helped me with my project last year,"

"Yes," Castiel said.

"So, how did you two meet?"

Anna dove into the story of her dramatic schedule change and Dean just sat there, smiling and nodding in all the right places. Castiel was mesmerized by the move of his mouth, the sparkle in his eyes, the dimples when he smiled.

"Anyway, Cas and I have History next, why not walk together?" Dean said, pulling Castiel up by his elbow, "I'll see you around Anna."

Anna waved and Castiel allowed himself to be dragged away by Dean.

"Listen," Dean said, "Don't you dare make a move on Anna, got it?"

"Dean, I would not make a move on Anna," Castiel said, "She's not exactly the right gender for me."

"You're gay?"

"You couldn't tell?"

"Um, no," Dean shrugged, "Sorry about that Cas."

"Did you call me Cas?" Castiel asked.

"Yeah, is that a problem?" Dean asked, "If it is, I can stop."

"No!" Cas said a little too quickly, "I mean... no. I've never had a nickname before, it caught me off guard."

Because 'Cassie' was not a nickname, not matter what Gabriel said.

"Well, come on," Dean said, "Can't be late for class."

"No, of course not."

Dean smiled and it took Castiel's breath away.