The start of school is intimidating. He's wearing all new clothes, at his mother's request.

She'd bought him some knew stuff, so that he didn't have to wear anything with his initials stitched into it. He realizes it was meant as a kindness, but it doesn't quite come off that way. His mother's highly formal sense of style varied greatly from his own relaxed comfortable one. Therefore, on his first day back, he'd been forced to wear a starched light blue button down, rubbing his skin in all the wrong ways, tucked into a pair of creased khakis.

He felt uncomfortable. That was never a good feeling. Especially on the first day of school. Especially for him.

"Welcome back to Hell," Gabriel sighs as they pull into the school parking lot. First time this year for Castiel.

It's still pretty empty. Another kindness for Castiel's part. They'd thought it'd be better to avoid the morning crowd. He still had to go check in at the office, but Anna promised she'd go with him so he doesn't have to worry too much about that. Having Anna around calms him, even if it makes him feel a bit incompetent.

They'd parted with Gabriel with minimal incident then made their way through the mostly empty school to the office. Anna stops him just outside the door, then turns to face him. They stare at each other in silence. He examines her for a second then feels a timid smile curl his lips. She looks even more scared than he feels. This leads him to do something that surprises even himself; he puts his hand to her arm, and gently strokes a thumb over the skin exposed by her t-shirt.

"I'll be alright," he promises.

His sister smiles, though she still doesn't look convinced. Something akin to admiration flashes through her eyes and for a moment he feels like a big brother again. Then of course he remembers why they have to have this conversation in the first place. The moment was short lived.

"Come on," she says, brushing a hand over his shoulder, smoothing out a wrinkle in his shirt, "Let's do this."

The front desk is being managed by Jo Harvelle. This is a new arrangement, but he knows Jo. She'd been a senior when he was a freshman. She was always part of the nicer crowd. Seeing a familiar face first thing is nice.

"Hey Jo," Anna greets as they walk in, interrupting whatever it is she was doing at the computer.

"Hey Anna," The blonde looks up with a smile, then her eyes flick over to Castiel, and he sees her falter though she tries to hide it, "Hey Castiel! I heard you were coming back."

"Hello Jo," He says, with as much amity as he can muster.

"How- are you?" He hears the question catch in her throat, and he sees that same look on her face. The one that Michael usually wears around him. The cautious one.

She's scared of you, a voice makes itself known. The first one of the day, She knows you're a freak.

It had been doubtful that they'd stay quiet today. Of all days.

"He's better," He hears Anna say, and curses himself. He'd gotten too caught up in the voice, forgotten to answer.

"Yes, I'm better," Tries to correct the slip up, though he knows it's too late.

"Oh that's good," Jo breaths, then smiles again. At both of them.

"Anyway, we need all of his papers and stuff. Mom, said they'd give them to us here," Anna takes the reins again after a pause. He realizes too late that he was supposed to be the one to ask. He was supposed to act like a normal person.

You're not. Then laughter. That one had sounded like Crowley.

He takes a deep breath, and tries to calm himself.

"You okay?" Anna asks quietly while Jo shuffles about through her desk looking for whatever it is he needs.

"Yeah," he nods, "Just- I'm fine."

"Okay," Jo says as she swivels back over to them holding several sheets of paper in her hand, "So this is your schedule," She places a white paper on the counter, "This is an order form for all your textbooks, you can take it to the library after school," she places a small pink paper on top of the other one, "And this, is for your teachers," She waves a little blue slip, "All of them need to sign it, and when you have all the signatures, bring it back to me," then she pauses for a second, before explaining, "It's so they recognize your condition, and to alert them of an email they should be receiving today."

"Alright," Castiel says. On time this time. He gathers the papers and skims over them himself.

"Thanks Jo," Anna says.

"Yes, thanks Jo."

"No problem guys, and good luck. Let me know if you have any problems, Castiel," She sends them one more smile before returning to her computer screen.

Anna insists she walk him to his first class. It's not that far from her own apparently. She rambles nervously the whole way, a habit she's had from childhood. Castiel smiles again.

"Give 'em hell," She mutters gently when they arrive outside the classroom. She gives him a long soul searching Anna look before leaving towards her own class.

Nothing special happens first period. He hands the teacher his blue slip. He asks the teacher for a signature. The teacher eyes him with a mix of caution and curiosity. The teacher signs the slip. The teacher hands it back to him. The teacher tells him where to sit. He zones out for the rest of the class period.

The same goes for second period. And third period.

Occasionally in between the regular, someone will come up to him. It's either a face from the past, welcoming him back, or a curious stranger wondering who he is. He doesn't say much to either variety.

Fourth period, several boys from the earlier years try starting a chant of 'Kookie Cassie' but Mr Singer cuts them off before anything can happen. Castiel does his best to ignore the snickers that keep steady throughout the class. He's mostly sure they're fake anyway.

Fifth period is lunch, which brings in a whole new lapse of stress. He hasn't had to deal with this many people at once in a long time. It's startling. He doesn't know what to do with himself. He's holding the packed lunch he'd decided to bring to avoiding the tightly packed lines the buyers have to stand in. The last thing he needed was a freak out because a stranger in the cafeteria got too close to him. Now he's just standing there by the entrance with nothing to do.

Across the room he can see a pack of boys. Al is at the head of them. He looks the same as before, tall and menacing, cruel smile in place. Castiel looks away, and tries not to be noticed. Only a matter of time before they're reacquainted.

Then Gabriel pops up out of nowhere, catching him off guard, but he's happy to see him anyway. A couple of Gabriel's friends hover further behind him. They're looking away, but standing too rigid to look natural. Likely avoiding contact.

"Looks like we have the same lunch, eh bro?" Gabriel says grinning that goofy grin of his.

"Looks like."

Castiel fiddles with the sack in his hands, and looks away. There's a rowdy bunch of kids standing near by and their making him nervous. He's not comfortable at all. Gabriel seems to notice.

"Hey, wanna come sit with us?" He asks, jerking his head back in the direction of his buddies.

Castiel doesn't. Doesn't want to talk to any of Gabriel's friends. They're all part of the baseball team. The same kind that would laugh at him if they weren't fiends with his protective older brother. He doesn't want to stay in the cafeteria either. It's noisy and crowded.

Gabriel seems to be doing that big brother thing he always does where he knows exactly what Castiel is thinking. His expression is softening, "Or, how about I leave those dumb asses behind and we go eat in the court yard. It's nicer there, less people."

Castiel meets his gaze again. Gabriel's face is soft with understanding, "It's fine Gabriel. Stay with your friends. I think I can survive another period on my own."

A loud mocking laugh burst right in his ear, and he jerks his head around to find no one there. Even the rowdy crowd had moved on to stand somewhere else. He feels embarrassed. Doctor Mills had long since taught him to distinguish real from fake. He thought he was done with that. When he turns back around Gabriel looks even more sympathetic than before.

"That's bull, Cas! Who do you think I am to let my baby brother sit by himself at lunch? 'specially on his first day back! You have two options; either we go out to the courtyard together, and find a nice, quiet spot to sit at, or you come sit with me and those mutton heads and we'll have a bit of fun at my usual table."

He knows Gabriel thinks he'll chose the first option, but Castiel doesn't want to bother his brother anymore than necessary. Why should he suffer anymore because of Castiel. He deserved to have a normal life as much as anyone else. If not more.

Castiel sighs in defeat, "Fine."

"Whoopee!" Some how he manages to make even that sound sarcastic.

"Let's go eat with your friends."

"Wait, what?" his eyebrows jump.

"You heard me. Come on," he waits for Gabriel to lead, because there's no way he's approaching a group of jocks without him.

"...Alright," he says, narrowing his eyes before pivoting around and marching over to where his friends are still waiting. Castiel trails behind him, a little more hesitantly.

"Boys this is my brother Castiel, I'm sure you remember him. He's gonna be sitting with us," Gabriel says in a way that leaves no room for argument. Castiel looks at the guys, and vaguely remembers seeing them before.

They all nod to him in greeting, playing it cool. Regardless Castiel feels there discomfort. No one ever knows how to deal with the crazy kid. He understands. Doesn't really know how to deal with himself either.

The lunch table is filled with a bunch of other boys, most of them look like seniors, except for one kind of scrawny yet extremely tall looking kid sitting at the corner of the bench. Gabriel introduces him to the crowd again. They all greet him the same way everyone else does.

"So Cas! I'm sure you know most of these losers," he doesn't, but says nothing. Gabriel's still talking though, and he tries to focus in on what he's saying.

"Except for maybe that pipsqueak over there," he points at the tall kid, "This is Sam Winchester. First freshman to make varsity since me!"

Castiel looks over at Sam who just sort of shrugs in response. He looks awkward sitting among the older crowd, like he's only there out of obligation to the unspoken code of jockness. He's making an odd face, too, kind of like he's on the verge of tears. It's almost comical because Castiel's never seen that facial expression on a jock before. For a second Castiel considers saying something to him, but then decides against it. Even with good intentions he has a history of making bad situations worse.

Once they're all settled, the jocks break off into their own conversation about something, and Castiel quietly starts working on his lunch. He's not hungry, but he's never hungry so he forces himself to eat anyway. Just like Doctor Mills would want him too. Gabriel doesn't bother him. Knows he won't want to talk to anyone. Castiel notices that Sam is quieter than the other jocks as well, but he still talks a little. Usually only when prompted. They make awkward eye contact occasionally, but Castiel makes no attempts to acknowledge it. Sam appears less socially awkward than that, however, or at least he tries to be.

"So, Cas, right?" he asks looking directly at him. It's like every other conversation happening stops, and they're all turn to look at them. Listen to them. He feels Gabriel twist in his seat. His pose remains casual, but his eyes are hard. He's getting protective, monitoring his brother in case the stranger turns out bitter.

Sam is still waiting for a response so he nods. A thing he learned when dealing with casual conversation. Better to stay silent for as long as possible.

"That's a cool name," Sam tries, but Castiel only nods again. He can tell the other boy is getting nervous from his lack of response, but it's better this way.

"So..." He fishes for something else to say, "Why are you starting school so late? Did you transfer from somewhere else or something?"

Everyone tenses except Gabriel and Castiel. This seems to be the natural reaction for whenever his condition is mentioned. Castiel is calm. He's learned to be calm, but he feels bad for Sam again. He hadn't known. How was he supposed to know? Brand new to the grind, just a freshman.

"I've been away," He explains. Sam looks confused so he clarifies. Hardly bats an eye, "Cloudy Falls Mental Institution. Just outside of Lawrence."

"Huh," Sam says. He seems startled, but not surprised. It's hard to be surprised with Castiel. Crowley had told him he reeked crazy, "I used to live in Lawrence."

"I'm better now," he blurts on impulse. That's usually the first thing people wanna know. Hadn't even noticed Sam didn't ask.

Sam just nods, "That's good. Welcome back, I guess."

"Thank you."

"You meet any hot chicks?" the boy next to Sam asks, and the others seem to think the question is hilarious, cause they're laughing. They're making more noise than they should be, the laughter sounds bigger supplied by more people then there actually are. Castiel tries to focus. Narrow in on reality.

"I had a friend," he makes himself say, "Her name was Meg... I think she may have liked me."

They're laughing again, and his mind feels even louder then before. He glances over to Gabriel who's crouched low in his seat looking predatory.

"Then my friend Crowley kissed me, and I punched him for it."

It feels like a hundred people are leaning into him and roaring right in his ear. He twitches, claustrophobia sneaking up on him at the wrong time. He glances over to Sam who seems to be the only one besides Gabriel not laughing. He looks even worse than before, and Castiel can't help feeling a little guilty because of it.

"Aw yeah, Cassie! You work that shit! Show 'em who's boss!" Someone hoots, and it seems to break something within Gabriel.

"Alright, all of you! Shut the fuck up! Don't call him Cassie... His name's Castiel," then he shoves his lunch back, and slides out of the bench, "Come on, Cas, let's go."

Castiel's blue eyes feel wide, but at least his mind is quiet. Just like his brother's friends. They look contrite. Regardless he follows Gabriel's lead and get's out of the bench, then together they walk to the courtyard. A few minutes after they're settled, Sam pokes his head through the doors. Though he glares as the boy walks over, Gabriel doesn't protest when Sam asks to sit with them. Just puffs himself up in an attempt of intimidation, and waits for Castiel to nod.

"Hey!"

He's jogging, and doesn't notice the voice calling after him. Too concentrated on the time. It felt too late to be jogging. He'd liked running in the mornings, but he can't anymore, he has to be at school. He doesn't like it. Supposes he'll get used to it eventually though.

"Hey! Dude! Runner person, whos name I don't- Woahfuck!"

He hears this time. Turns around in time to see the boy from before, Dean, face planting into the ground.

"Shit," he's muttering as Castiel walks over to him. He's pushing himself up into a sitting position, brushing dirt from his knees. Green eyes blink up at him, and he's glaring again.

"Now you stop," he breaths hard, seems to be out of breath.

"Sorry," Castiel says, staring down at him. He's a little confused, no one's ever chased after him before. Well, no one real. Except Anna once.

"Damn," he's chuckling now, "You run pretty fast."

Castiel shrugs, "I've been doing it for a while now."

He has to crane his neck to look Dean in the eye, because he's still on the ground and it doesn't look like he's planning to move anytime soon. He seems to be rather comfortable actually, knees bent, one arm locked, propping him up, the other stretched across his leg. He's not sweaty today either, but still casual. A grey t-shirt, and a pair of baggy jeans ripped at the knee.

"You like staring don't you?" He's saying, and there's a smirk curling his lips. Castiel wonders if it's meant to be mean, but then decides it isn't. Dean has no reason to be mean yet. Still doesn't know who he is.

"I don't know. Never mean to."

They fall into a silence again, and it confuses him. What's Dean doing? Why was he talking to him? Did he have something to say? As if on cue Dean seems to realize something, a look of recognition crossing his face.

"My brother met him," he says.

"What?"

"The guy that jumped through the window. Kookie Cassie they call 'im," and he's grinning now. Looking smug again.

"Oh," Castiel says. Tries to think about who he met that day. Several people, could have been any one of them.

"Yeah, while he was at school today. Said he was nice enough. Kinda odd, but that's to be expected I guess," Dean moves his arm from his leg. Pulls at a strand of grass peaking through the sidewalk. He breaths a laugh, and shakes his head, "Kookie Cassie."

Then there's silence again. Their both contemplating things. God knows what Dean thinks about, but Castiel can't help wondering. He wondered if Dean suspected anything. How hard could it be to put the puzzle pieces together after all. He looks at Dean again, tries to see through his brain, determine what he knows. He seems clueless. It makes Castiel want to laugh. So he does.

Dean's head snaps up at the sound.

"Hey!" His grin glistens, "Your smiling!"

Castiel's eyes roll as he contemplates this, "Yeah. So what? You're always smiling."

"No, yeah, sorry," he brushes his hand through his hair, "It's just nice to know your capable of more than one emotion."

Castiel grimaces.

"Anyway," Dean huffs, "You gonna help me up or what?"

Castiel blinks at him. Stares at the hand reaching up to him, waiting for his assistance. He's touched that hand before, shouldn't be too hard to touch it again. He lets their hands meet then tugs. Pulls Dean up with a heave.

Once he's standing Castiel lets his hand fall to his side again. Then they peer at each other.

"What's that?"

Castiel glances down to what Dean's talking about. He's looking at the two letters stitched crookedly into the top left corner of Castiel's t-shirt. CM. Bright green. Practically screaming for attention. He falters for a second.

"I have to go."

Dean looks confused "Huh?"

"I have to go. Home."

"Oh. Yeah, me too I guess. Promised my brother I'd be back soon," he nods, "I guess I'll see you around?"

"Right," Castiel says, tries to check again. See if maybe Dean is messing with him. Still can't see anything unusual, "Bye, Dean."

"Later."

Then he's off running again.

Well I assume if you guys have made it this far in the story, you like it at least a little bit. So please, I'd really appreciate it if you left a review. And if you don't like it, tell me why? I take constructive critacism.