It took me a little over a week to fully recover and I returned to school with a rather sore body and tired, mushy brain. Now that I was at school, I WANTED to be in bed.

Nothing spectacular happened as the new year began, just classes and the occasional clinging to someone so that I could be lazy. One thing that got me, however, is how Castiel never stopped teasing me. Now that I was well, it was apparently okay to tease me about desperately wanting a boyfriend (from Capucine telling Castiel that I liked him) and for having a slightly small chest. I would just stick my nose up and walk away to find someone else to talk to.

After a few months passed, I had finally applied for a job at a (ironically enough) Japanese influenced Maid Cafe. I would start during the summer, with a few days off to be with my friends. However, with everything in my head about work and a few house things, I completely forgot about one thing.

"Exams?" I asked Nathaniel as we walked to the classroom.

"Yeah, you're ready, right? You've been studying and everything?" He sounded as though I couldn't have been doing anything else with my life. Uh...

"No, I completely forgot... When are they?" I watched as his face grew slightly frightened, as though hearing that I hadn't studied was like the end of the world (though I never study).

"Today, Elle. Remember? There was announcement yesterday about how it would be during the second half of the day today..." He trailed off, circling his finger as though it was going to ring a bell.

"That's what it was?" I gave him a sheepish look. "I wasn't paying much attention..." I chewed on my lip, feeling embarrassed that I didn't pay attention.

He sighed. "Well, we're going to class for roll, then if we want to go somewhere else to study, we can," he walked in with me, sitting a few seats behind me.

I leaned my head on Violette's shoulder who pushed me off, giving me a grin. Is it just me, or is she more outgoing when it's just her friends? I thought, hugging her before straightening up for roll call.

"Where should I study...?" I thought aloud, finding my notebook to look through. I didn't mind studying with someone else, but I preferred a nice place that was quiet to be. However, with all of the students in the halls and classrooms, that didn't leave many options. I walked out to the courtyard, seeing a secluded red head. I grew red myself, shaking my head and walking to the gym. Nu-uh. No way was I studying near him.

Opening the door, I saw Iris. Without disturbing her, I shut the door and went across the courtyard to the Gardening Club. No one! Woot! I sat down and opened the notebook only to have a few loose papers fly away. "REALLY?!" I yelled, going after them. It took me only about 10 minutes to get them, then I had to go back and figure out how to keep them in my notebook. Perhaps this wasn't a good place.

God, I hate this... I thought, starting back to the building before I stopped, turning around to look at Castiel. He was just listening to music, not studying. Not that it surprised me, but still. Perhaps later he wouldn't mind helping me later. Just, not now.

I walked in the hallways, even looking in the bathrooms to see how full they were. Probably wouldn't be a good idea to be in there where I was in the way.

Ugh...! Nathaniel is in the Student Council Room, Lysander is in the stairwell, Castiel's in the courtyard, and everywhere else is just full and the Gardening Club area is willing to eat my stuff!

I finally went back outside, seeing Castiel just sitting down. Now, I hurried over to him before he could put the earphones back on his head. "Hey, Castiel?"

He looked up at me with a raised eyebrow. "What's up, flatty?"

I growled, then took a breath. "Do you mind helping my study?" I watched as he seemed to ponder the help I was requesting, waiting.

"Why should I?" He asked, crossing his arms and leaning back on to the tree.

"Because I asked you nicely and I know that you're only listening to music and you don't have anything better to do," I smiled a little, seeing if that would get him to think about helping.

"Hm..." He grinned, making me fearful that he would try to be funny and not help me. "Fine," he shrugged, standing up. "Sit and wait here. I'll be right back," he told me, walking off and leaving me alone.

Did he just leave me here? He's not going to come back, is he? I sighed, pulling the notebook out again. Not so windy over here... I smiled and started to study, starting to understand why Castiel liked this spot so much. It was quiet, shady, and peaceful.

I think I memorized the whole notebook... I thought, setting it down and stretching.

"Was I really gone that long?" Castiel's voice came from above me. I looked up at him and saw him smiling down at me, holding up a fast food bag. "You shouldn't be studying on an empty stomach. I saw your empty pantry before," He grinned, sitting next to me.

"Oh, thanks," I started to reach for a french fry he was handing me when he held it above my head, out of reach. "Hey!"

"Get it," he told me playfully, acting as though I was a dog wanting a toy.

I jabbed my fingers in his side, making him bend slightly in surprise, then grabbed the fry with my mouth, eating it. "Ha," I laughed, smirking as I handed him my notebook. "Now, quiz me please!"

He rubbed his side as he took it, flipping through the pages. "Wow, not very neat..."

"Like you're one to talk!" I retorted, acting like I was going to smack him. "Hurry up!"

"Okay, okay," he gave in, finding a page. "Alright, simple English..." He started, testing me in the places that he seemed to know that I struggled in most, hitting me with the notebook every time I got something wrong. It probably lasted that way for about 30 minutes before the announcement came on that all students needed to report to their designated classrooms. I took my stuff and walked with Castiel, thanking him before finding my seat.

The test itself was actually pretty easy, even what I thought would be way to difficult to comprehend. Castiel did a good job helping me, I guess. I'd have to do something in return to say thank you. Maybe get him a CD that was coming out for his favorite band once I got my allowance from Auntie. What was it called again? Winged Skull? Yeah, that was it. Oops, I accidentally wrote that down, I erased it, wrote the correct answer down, checked over everything, then raised my hand to be finished.

"And how were your exams?" Auntie asked as we ate dinner, walking over from the living room to the kitchen where the table was to sit down.

"Actually, pretty good," I smiled. "In fact, I have a question," I glanced up at her, seeing that her face was still bright. "May I get an advance on my allowance this month? I want to get something for a friend."

"Hm... I'll have to see what my wallet looks like after I pay the bills," she replied thoughtfully. "What do you want to get for who?"

"Have you met Castiel? We were friends when we were little," I pointed the fork at her as I swallowed some food. "You said that three boys were here while I was sick, though I don't remember," I shrugged, "but the red head. He helped me do some last minute studying and I want to get him a CD for his favorite band that's going to come out during the summer," I put my plate in the sink, starting to wash it.

"Oh? Perhaps you have a crush on him? That's cute, dear. I'll see what I can do," she had a slight laugh in her voice.

I just stayed quiet, face bright red as I put the dishes on the drying rack. Well, so much for her not getting involved in that. Oh, well. Summer was here, and I'd have that whole time to figure everything out.