Two days later, after her shift was over, Castiel agreed to meet Celeste in the front office and she would take him to the mall. She told him she would be done at 5 and she was surprised to see him walk in at exactly 5:00.

She looked up at him from her computer and smiled. "You sure do like to be on time, huh?"

"You said you would be finished with your work at 5:00 and that I should meet you here when you were done. So that's what i did," Castiel replied matter-of-factly.

Celeste chuckled to herself and nodded. Her dad was in the back room of the office, looking through files. He always worked late. She heard him groan and say, "Oh brother."

Ignoring him, she grabbed her purse from underneath the desk and said, "I'm just gonna change out of my work clothes really quick. I'll be right back and then we can go."

"I'll just wait here," Castiel said as he sat down in one of the waiting room chairs.

Celeste walked into the back room towards the employee locker room and bathrooms. Her dad's voice stopped her.

"What's with that guy anyway?" He asked. "And what - now you're friends or something? Celeste...that guy is not normal." His voice was barely above a whisper but Celeste worried that Castiel could hear her father's words.

"Dad, he's a nice guy. He's just different, that's all. He just needs some new clothes and he doesn't have a car so I agreed to drive him to the mall. That's it."

Her dad rolled his eyes. "Uh huh." He chuckled sarcastically. Celeste turned back towards the bathroom, thinking that was the end of it.

"Just be careful, Celeste. That guy smells like trouble to me," he continued. "Bring your pepper spray with you and make sure my number is on speed dial before you leave."

Celeste rolled her eyes before turning back to her dad. She knew he was just looking out for his daughter's safety. But at 24, she was a grown woman. She could make her own decisions about who she hung out with and what she did with her time. Still, he had a point.

"All right, dad," she answered with a groan. This time she turned back on her path and didn't stop. She grabbed her casual clothes out of her employee locker and headed to the women's bathroom. After changing, she looked in the full-length mirror. Luckily, she had brought a decent outfit with her to change into today.

Her slightly curly blonde locks fell lightly about her shoulders. She had removed her work clothes - the usual white button down shirt and plain black slacks - and put on her favorite light green thermal shirt and comfy blue jeans. She also slipped on a pair of worn-in Converse.

Celeste headed out the bathroom door and said goodbye to her dad on the way out, not stopping for another one of his complaints. He only said goodbye to her too, probably not wanting to bother her anymore, and she stepped out of the back room and around the front desk to where Castiel was still seated with his hands in his lap.

He looked blissfully unaware of what Celeste's father had said about him and when he turned to look at Celeste, his mouth dropped open slightly in surprise. Celeste knew she had picked this outfit for a reason. It was cute, just right for an outing that wasn't quite a date. Nothing too revealing but the green shirt and jeans did hug her curves in a way that her work outfit didn't. And till now, Castiel hadn't seen her in anything else.

She smirked with pride at his reaction. "Ready to go?" She asked innocently enough.

Castiel blinked a few times, seeming to bring himself back to the present. "Uh...Y-Yes. I'm ready."

She was still smirking as she led the way out of the front office towards her parked car. Celeste had never thought of herself as the most beautiful girl in the world, but she knew she was attractive. She was thin by no means but she had beautiful curves and an attractive face. She was also quite short and petite, which many guys seemed to like. She was just happy Castiel seemed to like the way she looked too. Celeste put the keys in the car and unlocked it as Castiel walked around to the passenger side.

"I'm hungry. Are you hungry?" She asked. "I don't think I can shop on an empty stomach."

"I suppose you're right," he agreed. "Food sounds good to me."

"There's a little cafe on the way to the mall I like to stop at sometimes. We can go there first."

"Sounds wonderful," Castiel beamed.

Celeste turned on her favorite radio station as she drove. She hoped Castiel didn't mind an alternative rock station. He seemed like the "smooth jazz" type, but one could never be too sure. Luckily it was a softer, indie rock song and Castiel seemed content with her choice. She hummed along to the lyrics as she drove and tapped her fingers with the beat on the steering wheel.

"Your father doesn't trust me," Castiel said suddenly.
"Pff-what?" Celeste asked, surprised.

"I heard what he said, earlier in the back room. He doesn't trust me. Don't worry, I don't blame him."

This was an odd thing to say indeed. Should Celeste be worried? She cursed herself for not making sure her dad's cell (and 911) were on her speed dial. Luckily she always had her pepper spray in her purse though.

Castiel must've noticed she looked tense because he quickly added, "You don't have to worry, Celeste. I mean you no harm. I know I may be different from other people, but really, I'm just like you."

"It's okay, Castiel. My dad just worries a lot," she assured him, trying to shrug it off.

"As he should. You are a beautiful young woman and he wants to protect you from those who would hurt you," he said sincerely.

Celeste blushed again. Now she knew Castiel thought she was beautiful. "Thanks." She smiled at him. He grinned back.

Soon they were at the cafe. They ordered sandwiches and soup and when it was time to pay the bill, Castiel said he would take care of it.

"I insist," he said. "You've done so much for me already."

Celeste smiled. "Thanks, that's sweet of you."

He pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket and Celeste realized something she hadn't really noticed before. He always paid in cash. Even at the hotel, when he registered, it was always in cash. "What kind of a grown man doesn't carry around a credit card?!" Her dad had said. Another mystery.

Again, she told herself not to pry. They got back in the car and headed back on the road to the mall. The town it was in was bigger than Shady Pines. It was called Angel Falls. Castiel seemed miffed by the name. "Seems a bit callous," he mumbled to himself. Celeste decided not to ask what he meant by this. She pulled up to the mall and found a parking space.

"There's a few stores here that you would probably find something you like in. I'll show you the directory when we get in." She led him up to the glass doors.

Castiel decided to take a look at the first store on the 'Mens Clothing' list. Celeste nodded and told him she'd be looking around at a few other stores. They exchanged cell phone numbers and headed off in different directions. Celeste noticed that Castiel seemed a bit disappointed when she told him she was going to do some shopping on her own, but he didn't ask her to stay.


Don't worry everyone, the romance is coming! Stay tuned. :]