(A/N – You know, I'm kinda wondering why I'm writing this, because I hate AUs, and I hate genderswaps even more. But somehow this fic manages to keep my attention. Huh.
So, this chapter we get acquainted with a few characters, however they're all students, so don't spend your time trying to figure out who all the teachers represent. Anyway, have fun reading about Castiel in all his first day awkwardness.)
Chapter 2 – They Always Bring Ham
Castiel became acquainted with his UPSU when he was shoved into it while searching for his first period class. He clung to the cubbie for a moment as teenagers stormed around him. Once the first wave had subsided, Castiel took the opportunity to fish his schedule out of his bag. His first period class today was AP Biology, followed by Spanish 4 and a study hall. Then he would have to figure out where the hell the lunchroom was. Afterwards he would attend his Information Technology class, and then US History Overview. Castiel quickly memorized the rooms his first and second period classes were in (North Hall room 214 and Main Hall room 3) before trudging through the Quad to the science building. The building was similar to the main one, except smaller. The path leading towards the door was paved with bricks naming alumni and important donators. Castiel trudged up the stairs, only a few yards behind the initial crowd, and managed to make it to his room before the bell rang. He slipped into one of the back seats, noticing that his class was an odd number and that meant he would not have a lab partner. He silently thanked God for that fact.
The class slipped by fairly quickly, as the teacher seemed to recognize all the students except for him. The teacher herself was a rather eccentric lady by the name of Dr. Mahone, and her rather strange attire consisted of an 80's reminiscent blazer with oversized shoulder pads and all, paired with a rather short skirt and sparkly flats. What made this disturbing was that the lady was easily in her sixties and Castiel did not want nor need to see that much leg on a woman of her age. She was, however, funny (albeit a bit easily distracted) and Castiel thought he might enjoy her class.
Spanish he did not enjoy as much, as he was in a class filled with sophomores, and they all seemed to be intrigued as to why a junior was in their Spanish class. Castiel tried to stay quiet, but the exuberant Sra. Gloss insisted in making all sorts of introductions, and when Castiel spoke all the girls giggled at him, which earned him glares from quite a few sophomore boys. One boy in particular, who was dark skinned with rather startling green eyes, seemed to hate Castiel's guts, and tripped him on his way to the board to conjugate the verb "estar". Castiel recovered from the fall, although he was a bit flustered. The trick where they pulled his seat back was not taken as lightly, and Castiel had to stay in the nurse's office during study hall, as the fall caused him to crack his head on the chair and they had to take him in for concussion testing.
Castiel was perfectly fine by lunch, though, and he made his way to the West Hall fairly quickly. He was a bit irritated at the kid (whose name escaped him) but the teasing was nothing he couldn't handle. His brother Gabriel was constantly teasing him at home, so he was used to it. He was just caught off guard by the strange bright-eyed boy. He would be ready next time, though, Castiel assured himself as he entered the lunchroom. He glanced around, eyes scanning for any student that might catch his eye and invite him to a table. There was none, so Castiel took his bag lunch to an empty table and opened it. He had packed himself a ham sandwich, a bag of chips, and an apple along with some bottled water. He sighed, a bit disappointed that no one had even attempted to talk to him so far today. He cracked his water open, and was about to take a sip, when a huge slap to the back of his head caused him to spill water all over his face and uniform. His eyes narrowed as he recognized the cackle coming from his assailant and turned to face his older brother, Gabriel.
"Dude, you're getting soft. How the hell did you not see that one coming?" Gabriel chuckled as he smacked Castiel on the back, causing the younger to lurch forward a bit and glare at his brother.
"Now is not the time, Gabriel," Castiel stated in his low, gruff voice. He glanced around to notice a few students were watching them, and mentally cringed. Yes, this was really what he wanted to be remembered for.
"Aw, c'mon Cassie, don't be that way!"
"What do you want?"
"Nothing, baby brother, I was just wondering if you wanted me to sit with you because you're lonely and have no friends," Gabriel sneered. Castiel kept his expression neutral.
"Goodbye, Gabriel," Castiel stated, deciding that maybe if he ignored him he would go away. Castiel took a bite of his sandwich, ignoring his brother's taunts.
"Fine, be that way, ya little bitch," Gabriel finally gave in, flicking Castiel in the ear as he walked past. Castiel sent a glare his way as he rubbed his abused ear.
Castiel barely got two more bite of his sandwich before someone else slid into the seat across from him. He was so absorbed with filling his empty stomach that he didn't even notice his companion until he felt the table shift as elbows were placed on it.
Castiel looked up and stared at the girl sitting across from him. She had beautiful, long, chocolate-brown hair that fell around her face in waves. Her hair reached to her waist, and Castiel wondered how she managed to keep all that hair so clean and beautiful. He gazed into her deep brown eyes, which Castiel absentmindedly noticed were at eye level, meaning the girl was probably the same height as him.
"Hi, I'm Kelsey," she smiled, a light blush on her cheeks. Castiel imagined his own cheeks were probably flushed crimson by now.
"Hello… Kelsey," he mumbled, staring at her eyes. They kind of drew him in and he couldn't look away. He wondered if Kelsey thought he was weird for staring at him and attempted to look away, but couldn't.
"Oh wow, your voice is so deep," she giggled. Castiel blushed and finally found the strength to turn his gaze towards the lunch table.
"Thank… you?" Castiel stumbled, glancing at Kelsey again. She gave him a huge smile.
"What's your name, then?" she asked politely. He cleared his throat, which was suddenly very dry.
"Uh… Castiel. Novak." Castiel stated shyly, trying not to seem too nervous. Kelsey's eyes widened at his name.
"Castiel! Ooh, that's so pretty! I've never heard that name before," Kelsey mused, staring straight into his eyes. Castiel felt his trench coat getting a bit too hot for comfort and fiddled with his tie, which seemed to be constricting his breathing.
"The meaning is 'my cover is God'" Castiel blurted out before he knew what he was saying.
"I thought that sounded Christian! Castiel is the angel of Thursday, duh," the brunette smacked herself in the forehead, causing her long hair to flutter, which caused Castiel's heart to do the same.
"Yes, that is correct," he managed to choke out through an incredibly dry throat.
Kelsey opened her mouth to mouth to say something, but was interrupted.
"Kelsey! Godammit, get your butt back to the table and stop harassing the poor kid!" a girl from a couple tables over yelled. Castiel couldn't tell which girl had yelled, but her voice sounded deep and melodious, a strange yet somehow pleasant combination. Castiel raised a hand weakly in a wave as Kelsey retreated to her table and tried to eat the rest of his food without melting into a puddle of nervous Castiel-goo at his interaction with the incredibly pretty girl.
XXXXX
Kelsey took her seat at the table, next to Rachel and across from Miles, who was glaring at her. Kelsey stuck her tongue out at the blonde boy, who returned the favor. Rachel, however, just rolled her eyes and bit into her cheeseburger.
"So… what was he like!?" Angela practically screamed from a few seats away. Kelsey's eyes lit up and Rachel watched them closely without seeming like she was interested. Sure, the new kid looked kind of interesting. He was the only new student their class had gotten this year, and new students were always interesting. It was sort of a race to see which social group would accept the new kid into their ranks, and as Rachel glanced around the lunchroom she could see the rest of her grade eyeing the poor guy.
And it wasn't just for social status either. They were scoping him out for fuckability. The kids at this school had known each other for years – they were almost family. The only time they dated someone at the school was when there was new meat. AKA the kid wearing a trench coat, sitting alone, and eating a ham sandwich. Of course it was ham. They always bring ham.
So the whole grade was racing to snatch this kid up, stick him in their friend group, and fuck his brains out. Possibly. Either that, or he turned out to be weird, in which case, he would be forced to hang out with rejects from years past and his school life would be utter crap. Not hell, but possibly purgatory.
So, of course Rachel was a little interested in the kid. She hadn't really gotten a good look at him, so she didn't even know if he was attractive, let alone a nice person. So she stealthily glanced at Angela and Kelsey as they chatted about the boy.
"He's really cute," Kelsey squealed.
"Careful there, you might shatter the glass," Rachel deadpanned. Kelsey ignored her, used to the older girl's sarcastic remarks.
"He is!?" Angela asked, her blue eyes shining with possibilities. Her straight platinum blonde hair shone along with her eyes. Her excitement almost made Miles and Rachel puke as they shared a look.
"Yeah. He's got these huge blue eyes and he's almost like a puppy, tilting his head to the side with those eyes all hopeful," Kelsey fangirled. Miles frowned at her. He loved Kelsey, and was just about ready to beat the new kid enough for just existing and speaking to her, because she was his, dammit!
Well, not really. She had no clue he was kinda-sorta in love with her. Although everyone else did. Fuck.
"He's weird, though. It's like he's shy but confident at the same time," Kelsey bit her lip, and Rachel smiled. She knew that look. It was the look Kelsey got when she was analyzing something, or someone as the case may be.
"Ooooh, that is interesting," Angela said, tapping a manicured fingernail against her chin. "Sounds good to me," she grinned evilly. Rachel set her cheeseburger down. The look was not good. That was the look Angela got when she wanted something.
"Angie, sit the fuck down. You're not jumping the kid's bones in the cafeteria," Rachel stated, smirking slightly at her friend.
"That's the second time! Why're you defending this guy, Rache? You don't even know him!"
"I'm not 'defending' him. The kid deserves some time to get used to the place, not get caught up in our fucking border wars and stupid relationships. He just got here. I know what it feels like to be the new kid and get caught up in the drama the first week of school. It ain't fun," Rachel frowned, glaring at Miles and Kelsey, who smiled sheepishly at her. "Give him time."
"Aw, but he'll be all snatched up by then," Angela pouted.
"Tough shit," Rachel barked. Kelsey laughed and Rachel ate the last of her burger, washing it down with bland cafeteria iced tea.
(A/N – So, how'd it go? As of now, I'm opening up the reviews for guesses regarding the identities of the characters. Good luck!
Please review with your guesses and also whatever other feedback you have. Thanks for reading!)
