The Guardian - 2

I hope you guys are enjoying it thus far. :D

I don't own Supernatural.

The Boys Are All Grown Up

Sam Winchester was the middle child and fell into the typical middle-child role of being looked over. He never complained—he knew that Dean needed more attention his senior year to make sure that he got all of his college stuff prepared. He knew that his parents often worried about Dean's college antics and whether or not he was "being safe" with his plethora of girlfriends. He knew that Adam, who was just a year younger than him often got more attention since he was the baby of the family. He knew all this and was mature about it. Even though he did feel left out at times, Sam did his best not to let it get to him. He had his special moments like his birthday, the school dances, his first prom, and his high school graduation.

The day of Sam's high school graduation—May 27, 2001—was Sam's day. It was his time to finally step forward and shine. Dean had graduated from Lawrence High School just four years early. A few more weeks and Dean would graduate from the University of Kansas and receive his degree in business. But that was a few weeks away. It was Sam's turn.

He waited outside the gymnasium, his stomach a bundle of nerves. Even though he was nervous, it was more anticipation than anything. It was that anxious excitement you feel when you're on a rollercoaster, climbing that first big hill. That was how Sam felt—that he was climbing that hill and was just a few feet from the top. The moment the gym doors opened, he'd make it over the top of that hill after eighteen years of climbing.

"Are you ready?" his best friend, Brady, asked. The boy stood beside him in the line, their last names both starting with W. Just because they were some of the last names to be called didn't mean anything—Sam had been named Valedictorian and he would get to give a speech to the entire graduating class.

Sam nodded, letting out a shaky breath. "I've waited for this my entire life," he confessed with a shy smile. "I'm more than ready."

The graduation coordinator, some teacher Sam didn't recognize, raised his hands for quiet. The sounds of the school band roared from within as the doors swung open. Sam balled his hands into fists to keep them from shaking. His nervous excitement grew until it was almost unbearable. But he couldn't keep the smile off his face.

This is it, he thought. I made it.

Dean Winchester sat next to his father in the bleachers of the Lawrence High School gymnasium. Once he graduated, he never wanted to "set foot in this hellhole again" as he had eloquently put it the day of his graduation. However, there were few things that Dean wouldn't do for his little brothers. If making Sam happy meant coming to his graduation and watching him walk and receive his diploma, then Dean would be damned if he didn't do it.

"Can you believe little Sammy's graduating?" Dean asked his father with a smile.

John Winchester's lips twitched if a smile was lurking below the surface, but it didn't emerge. "Of course I can. Sam was the smart one—I never doubted he'd graduate… You on the other hand…"

Dean scoffed. "And now I'm graduating from college in two weeks. Bet you didn't see that one coming!"

A smile appeared then. "No, I didn't… But I'm so glad you are."

Dean felt warm and fuzzy at his father's compliment. They were rare, which only made them more meaningful. He glanced over at Adam who was sitting on the other side of John. The seventeen-year-old stared at the other people blankly. His blond hair that was lighter than Dean's was growing shaggy. It wasn't exactly Sam-level long, but it wasn't short either. At least Sam looked decent with long hair, Adam needed to get his cut. "Next year, Adam," Dean called across to his brother.

The blond boy looked at his older brother before rolling his eyes and looking at the banners that hung from the gym's ceiling. Dean snorted; Adam was in his angst-filled stage it seemed. He was only a year and a few months younger than Sam, being born in August, just a few months after Sam turned one. He had one more year of high school hell to endure before he was allowed to leave. Dean pitied him—he knew how crappy Lawrence High was and figured that the siblings of the same boys who picked on Dean were now picking on Adam too. That or he was just being a stubborn little shit.

Dean looked over at Mary then, who was on the other side of Adam. He couldn't see too much of his mother's face, but he did see the tears rolling down her cheeks. "Mom, it hasn't even started yet," he pointed out.

Mary looked toward him before giving him a warm-hearted, teary-eyed smile. "I know… I just… I'm so happy for him. Valedictorian and a full ride to Stanford! My sweet baby boy…" she trailed off, wiping at her eyes with a tissue.

Dean smiled a little—Sammy deserved this. Sam never got enough credit for anything he did, Dean knew that. He tried to make up for it and look after his little brother, but he had his own life to worry about, especially with college.

He jumped when the band began to play, their sound echoing throughout the large gym. Dean sat up a little straighter when the doors opened and waited to lay eyes on his little brother.

The commencement went off without a hitch. Sam received his Honors Diploma and gave his big speech about the future. He spoke about going off to college, about finding your path in life and playing your part. He spoke about destiny and fate, about angels and demons. It was the perfect speech that was downright movie-worthy. And Adam didn't believe a word of it.

He listened to his brother's speech, the entire time trying not to roll his eyes at the sappiness. His mother was too caught up with her own emotions to notice Adam's distaste. His father watched but bottled up his feelings inside. Dean's eyes were glued to Sam and he was smiling like a proud idiot. Adam was the only one who was not impressed by Sam's performance. When the ceremony was over, the Winchesters met up with Sam in the cafeteria after the ceremony. Adam watched with cold eyes as his older brother was received with hugs, kisses, and praise. Teachers, students, and school faculty came over and shook Sam's hand and congratulated him on his full ride.

Adam was shoved aside and completely forgotten.

He knew that this was Sam's day and he deserved it, but he couldn't help but be bitter.

Sam was the successful one.

Sam was the smart one.

Sam was the one who got a full ride.

Sam was going to Stanford.

Sam was going to be a lawyer.

And then there was Dean—another older brother that was off to do better, more important things than Adam ever would.

Dean was going to graduate from college.

Dean was going to get a degree in business.

Dean was going to become a businessman.

Dean was going to own his own company.

Dean was going to be rich.

What about Adam?

What was Adam going to do?

A few people stopped to talk to Adam after seeing Sam. They spoke to him about his future mostly, almost all who spoke to him asked the same questions. "What about you? You're graduating next year aren't you? Where are you gonna go to school? What do you want to do?"

The answer was always the same: "I don't know."

And it was always followed by: "Well, you should start thinking about it—you'll be a senior next year. You need to have a plan."

But all Adam heard was: "I figured as much. You could never fill your brothers' shoes. Sam and Dean are going on to such great things and you're just going to live in your parents' basement until they die and you can take the house, aren't you?"

That was the last thing Adam wanted, but he knew it was a frighteningly likely scenario. He had no idea what he wanted out of life, what he wanted to do, what he wanted to study, where he wanted to go to school—none of that was figured out. He didn't have answers because he had no idea what he wanted.

Adam didn't notice Dean had come up beside him until he felt his older brother's hand come down on his shoulder. He jumped a little, looking at Dean with mild irritation. "What?" he snapped.

Dean's eyes narrowed and his shoulders tensed a little. "What's up with you lately?" he queried. Adam didn't miss the sharpness in his brother's voice.

"Nothing," he grumbled.

He sighed, his grip on Adam's shoulder tightening. "Now, I know that ain't true."

Adam rolled his eyes and jerked away. "Stop, Dean," he growled under his breath.

"Hey!" Dean said sternly, but Adam ignored him, walking off toward the restroom.

"I have to pee," he mumbled, ignoring Dean's sigh of exasperation.

A/N: lol I know this chapter ends on a strange note, but this is where i had to cut it off or else it would just further drag on with graduation stuff. The next chapter will be more exciting and will get on with the plot. :)