Dean couldn't get those eyes off his mind. They were so blue. He almost couldn't talk when they were fixed on him. At first glance, there was happiness. But if you looked long enough, there was hurt and pain. So much that it made Dean's chest ache. He wanted to know what had happened to this kid for him to hurt so much.

And that is how he found himself outside Cas' house again he waited in his car for five minutes, debating whether or not to knock on the door. But he never go the chance to. Castiel walked out his front door with his head down. On his back was a beat up and falling apart book bag.

He didn't look up to Dean until he almost ran into his car.

"What are you doing here?"

Dean was startled by the fear in his voice. "Well, I came by to pick you up for school."

Cas looked surprised, but his tone was gentler when he said, "You didn't have to do that."

"Yeah, I know. But I wanted to."

A small smile appeared on Cas' face as he opened the door and got in. in this new position, Dean noticed a red mark on Cas' face. "What happened to your face?"

Cas looked flustered before he answered. "I, uh, fell out of my bed this morning." He forced out a laugh. "It must have been harder than I thought."

Dean narrowed his eyes in suspicion, but he started his car anyway. The short ride to the school was filled with silence, but neither Cas nor Dean seemed to mind. When Dean pulled into the school, he saw Cas was nervously playing with his fingers.

"Are you ok, dude? Is there something wrong?"

"Why are you asking?"

"You seem a little nervous."

He started playing with the straps on his bag. "My peers and I never really get along."

Curiosity bubbled up inside Dean, but he pushed it down. "It'll be different this year. You have me."

Cas smiled but didn't get out of the car until Dean opened his door. Dean could tell he was still skeptical about school. He leaned in close to Cas so the students walking by wouldn't hear him. "Come on Cas. It'll be better. I promise." Cas looked at him, a terrified look on his face. Dean just looked at him for a few moments until Cas got out of the car. Cas clutched his bag tightly to his chest and followed closely behind Dean as they walked inside.

"Dude, personal space."

A blush crept up Cas' cheeks as he moved farther behind Dean, but not enough that he would lose him in the crowd.

Dean wanted to make sure Cas was still with him, but he didn't want to look over his shoulder constantly and he wasn't sure if he wanted to be beside him. So he trusted Cas to stay close- but not too close.

He tried to see what Cas' reaction was as they approached a group of Dean's friends, but he kept his eyes firmly on the ground.

"Hey Dean!"

"Hi Jo."

"So are you coming to my party tonight? My mom has been missing you lately."

"Uh, I don't know. Do you mind if I bring a friend along?"

"Who?"

Dean moved over to the side so she could get a good view of Cas. "His name is Cas and he just moved here." Cas lifted one of his hands in a halfhearted wave. Dean could tell he was uncomfortable, but was too polite to say anything.

"Yeah, sure. He can come."

"Thanks Jo. We should probably go now. I need to get Cas to the office to get his schedule and such."

"Ok. See you later Dean."

As Jo walked away, Cas visibly relaxed. Dean immediately rethought taking him to a party. Maybe he wouldn't even be let out of the house.

Dean mentally smacked himself. 'His parents, dumb ass. If he got hit just for coming home wet, what would they do if he asked out go out to a party with people he barely knows.'

"Look, Cas, I'm sorry. I didn't really think about if you wanted to go or not."

"I cannot go Dean. My mother would not approve."

"Yeah. Sorry. Come on, we do need to get you to the office though."

As he led Cas down the hall, he thought he heard him say, "I don't really need your help Dean." but he wasn't sure.

Dean opened the door to the cramped looking office. He waved Cas through first and urged him towards the woman at the front desk.

"Mr. Winchester, are you in trouble again?" She looked up at Cas. "Did you bring someone else down too?"

Dean could feel the heat rise to his face. "No. This is Cas. He's a new student."

"Cas?"

Cas took a hesitant step forward. "My name is Castiel Novak. My mother enrolled me two days ago." The secretary looked around in some folders before pulling out a stack of papers.

"This top paper is you schedule. And there is the code of conduct you need to sign. And the rest are just letters your parents should read."

"Thank you." Cas grabbed the papers with one hand and Dean's wrist with the other. He left the office and continued pulling Dean until they were on the other side of the school.

He let go of Dean and stood with his back to the wall. Dean noticed for the first time, how tired cas looked. He reached for the papers still in Cas' hands. "What classes do you have? Maybe we have some together." Their hands brushed against each other as Dean grabbed the stack. He saw Cas tense before forcing himself to relax again.

"So, we have first class together. And it looks like our last two are together also." Cas caught his eye and they looked at each other. Dean felt like he was falling deeper and deeper into an ocean, the longer he looked.

They both snapped out of it when the bell rang.

"Shit. We're late."

Cas took back his things and hurried after Dean. He stopped at a door and pushed it open.

"Mr. Winchester, you are late. Again."

"Sorry Mr. Balthazar, I was showing the new student where to go." He lightly pushed Cas ahead of him. He could see how scared Cas looked.

"What's your name?"

"Castiel."

Dean heard snickers. Cas' face started to turn red. Dean turned to see everyone and gave them all his best bitch-face.

"Well. Sit down. Both of you.'

Dean pushed Cas again towards the only two open seats in the very back corner.

"Now, back to the lesson."

A/N: And I'm back! As promised I will post the next chapter tomorrow, and then I'l try to update at least once a week. Enjoy your reading.

As always, reviews are welcome.