Chapter 3
The next day
The sound of squeaking shoes and gossiping teens reverberated through the hallway as Dean dug through his locker for his copy of Shakespeare's 'As You Like It'. Chuck, one of his new friends which he'd met yesterday, stood patiently beside him, leaning against the locker, wolf-whistling as one of the preppy junior's sauntered past them, textbooks hugged to her chest. Dean rolled his eyes, a small smile plastered on his face. "Can't you control yourself? That's the third girl today and it's not even first period yet." Dean chuckled, slamming his locker shut as he picked up the play.
"What? She was totally stacked and it distracts me from the crushing feeling that every teacher has already told me that if I don't buck up soon I'm going to flunk all of my subjects. It's only the second day of the term!"
"That's got to be a new record, right?" Dean laughed. "If you don't watch it, you're gonna be spendin' all your free time in Mills' office."
"Oh yeah? She's gonna wish she'd never met me."
"Is that so? And what are you gonna do?"
"I'm not gonna take any of her crap. I don't take no crap from nobody."
"Chuck?" Prinicipal Jody Mill's voice rang from behind them. How long had she been standing there?
"Speak of the Devil." Dean coughed under his breath.
"Oh, Hello ma'am." Chuck answered curtly.
"Aren't you supposed to be in first period now?"
"I was just going to the little boys' room."
"Both of you? Looks to me like you were just dawdling."
"No ma'am. Yes, ma'am."
"Are you going to stand there all day?"
"No ma'am, I mean yes ma'am I just..."
"Which is it?"
"No ma'am."
"Perfect. Then get going!" she ordered, strutting back to her office, clipboard in hand.
"Yes ma'am."
"I'm sure glad you didn't take any of her crap Chuck, you really told her off, huh?" Dean snickered.
"Shut it." Chuck grumbled as they both made their way to English.
As the pair walked in to class, ghostly faces turned to face them, void of energy and life. The room was as silent as a morgue which meant one thing only...they'd turned up to the right room. It was 's English class. However, he was more commonly known as Crowley to the students he teached. "Ah, looks like you've decided to join us boys." he announced with his thick english accent, turning to face them. "Hurry up and take a seat. I haven't got all day."
"Yes, sir." they muttered in unison, scrambling to get the only spare seat at the back. They fought for the space for a couple of seconds before Dean shoved Chuck backwards, sliding in to the seat first, grinning from his small victory. Chuck cursed under his breath. "What was that, ?" Crowley asked, holding a hand to his ear.
"Nothing, sir." Chuck grumbled, grabbing one of the stacked chairs by the wall and dragging it towards the teacher's desk. He couldn't believe he was going to have sit there, right at the front of the class under the strict supervision from one of the most terrifying teacher's in school. Chuck sent Dean a deadly glare, making the eldest winchester let out a stifled laugh.
"Settle down." Crowley instructed, his tone seeping with authority.
Dean slouched back in his chair and soon recognised the girl who was sat in front of him. How could he forget those ebony locks that brushed against her shoulders. It was Cassie, he had no doubt. He tapped the back of her chair with his foot, making her turn around. "Hey." he whispered, making sure he wasn't heard by Crowley.
Cas gave him a small smile in acknowledgement but didn't answer him. She didn't want to be caught red-handed by of all people. He was known for racking people's knuckles with a ruler if they weren't paying their full attention. Cas ripped a piece of paper from the corner of her notebook and began writing a message for Dean.
Can't talk. How about we meet up at lunch? We could go to the diner down the road.
She folded the slip neatly and passed it over to him.
"Now, where was I? Ah, yes. 'As You Like it' was a play composed by William Shakespeare. It tells the story of Rosalind who disguises herself as a man so that her true identity wasn't discovered by the people of Arden. However, that wasn't the only reason, was it? People who read the book over Summer Vacation like I had instructed will know the answer. Who can suggest another reason as to why she chose to disguise herself this way? How about...Dean?" Crowley asked, his beady black eyes fixating on the boy who wasn't paying any attention.
Dean unravelled Cassie's note and began to read, smiling at her curly handwriting. It was the neatest handwriting he'd ever seen and it completely reflected her personality: studious, shy and unique.
"Dean?" Crowley said, more forcefully this time.
Cassie turned around and tapped Dean's desk, desperately trying to get his attention.
"Huh?"
"Sorry, was I disturbing you?" Crowley replied sarcastically. Walking over to Dean's desk, he picked up the slip of paper and read it out loud to the class. "Aww."
Dean's face flushed bright red, slipping further down in his seat, attempting to disappear.
"How about you two lovebirds go to the Principal's office at lunchtime, instead? Won't it be romantic...but first, answer my question, Dean."
Cas whimpered, her face growing hot from embarrassment.
"What was the question?" he asked, swallowing nervously, feeling the hairs on the back of his sweaty neck prickle.
"Can you suggest another reason as to why Rosalind chose to disguise herself as a man?"
It was crazy to think that Crowley knew something about his own façade but Dean felt like that it could be possible. It was unnerving. Dean squirmed in his seat and chewed is lower lip thoughtfully. "I guess...because...men have more power and authority than women. Not to mention, freedom. And I guess, that's what made the disguise so appealing to her."
Crowley narrowed his eyes but eventually nodded. "Correct...you're off the hook this time, Winchester."
It was midday and Dean was already slouching in the rough, itchy seat outside Prinicpal Mills' office, waiting for the yelling that awaited him. It was then that Cassie glided in, all nervous and timid. She gracefully took the chair beside him, making sure to avoid his eyecontact. She was still incredibly embarrassed by the whole ordeal.
"Sorry." Dean muttered, breaking through the silence. He scratched the back of his neck nervously, hoping that he hadn't ruined the friendship they'd created by getting them both in trouble.
"Don't be. I was partly to the blame. I should have known better."
Dean placed his hand gently on hers, his fingers brushing lightly against her soft skin. Cassie's head snapped around to face him, surprised, the touch sent a light shiver down her spine. When he'd noticed what he was doing, he quickly pulled away, placing his hand back on his lap. "I...uhh...it's your first time being sent to the office though, I'm guessin'? So I guess it does mean it's my fault. But...I would have said yes anyway, if that's any consolation."
"Yeah, it's my first time. I've always been wary of the rules." Cas admitted, hoping that it didn't make her sound like the shy little school girl she was. "Yes to what?" she asked, adjusting her glasses, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"Goin' to the diner." Dean replied buntly, shrugging as he tried to look casual about it.
"Oh." Cas said, the corner of her mouth tugging upwards slightly.
"I mean, we don't have to...only if you want to...but, we could go some other time." Dean couldn't have sounded more awkward if he'd tried. There was something about Cas that made him want to impress her. His brain was in constant overdrive, always trying carefully to articulate the perfect sentences for her.
"Sounds good. How about Friday?" she asked, her sharp blue eyes settling on his own green hues. The connection gave Dean a new sense of vitality; it was as if her soul was feeding his. For a few moments he was too distracted to answer her question, but then the creak of the principal's door opening, snapped him awake.
"Friday? Cool-"
"Winchester and Novak, you may see me now." Prinicpal Mills' called from inside her office.
The two trudged inside side by side, standing in front of the principal's neatly arranged desk. In entering, the strong scent of overpowering perfume and cheap coffee hit Dean's nostrils, making him wrinkle his nose in disgust. He felt the strong need to jump over her desk and pull open the windows to take the breath of fresh air he needed so badly. Sadly, he didn't though as he stood patiently waiting for the lecture they were about to recieve.
"I hear you were sending notes to each other in class."
"It was just one t-"
"Don't answer me back, Dean."
"Sorry, ma'am."
"As it is only the second day of the term, punishment will be a mere detention after school of thirty minutes."
"I was the only one who was writing notes though, ma'am. I swear...I was gonna give 'em to Cassie it's true but I didn't get the chance, so can't you just punish me instead?"
"How noble to take the fall but I honestly doubt that it was the case."
"It was, wasn't it?" Dean said, nudging Cas in the ribs, indicating for her to just go with it.
"I...I...yes. It's true." Cas stuttered, sending Dean a confused glance. Why would he take the fall for her? She deserved the punishment just as much as he did.
"You do realise that this will mean you get double the time, Winchester?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Right. Well, I'll see you after school in my office for an hour."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Right, now run along. I've got paperwork to get through before the end of the day."
The two nodded, leaving the room and shutting the door behind themselves.
Cas looked up at Dean all doe eyed, her soft lips parted slightly, not sure what to say.
"Don't worry about it. I've already got the rep of getting in to trouble...there wouldn't be any point of taking you down with me." he confessed.
She had to admit it made sense but she was still puzzled by his kindness. She'd never met a guy like him...a guy who was considered to be top of the hierarchy at the school, that was this generous. "Thank you. I really appreciate it." Cas smiled. "I better go find Gabrielle...I usually meet up with her for lunch. She'll be wondering where I am." she added, offering him a small wave before turning to leave, her long skirt swishing around her knees as she strolled down the corridor.
"Don't mention it." Dean mumbled, barely audible as he watched her leave.
To be continued...
