** Author's Note:: I'm just as surprised as you are at this update - I know you thought I had completely forgot about this story, and you're right. Stumbled across some old word documents recently, and thought, why not? Sorry, sorry, sorry to anyone who was upset by the discontinuation . If anyone is still reading anyway (which seems doubtful at this point :P) I hope you enjoy!
** Disclaimer: I do not own the characters Sam, Dean, John or the Impala.
Weeks had passed since Dean's expulsion, but it was still the hot topic on everyone's lips. Rumors concerning the nature of his abrupt disappearance had spread like wildfire, and fact quickly became indeterminable from fiction. Noel herself could've half sworn he really had punched Mr. Harvey in the face, stolen a gun and run off to Mexico with a beautiful crime boss' daughter. Hey, it wasn't the strangest of the plethora of elaborate theories the student body had dreamed up.
Perhaps the rumors wouldn't have bothered Noel so much, if she really did know the truth of Dean's circumstances. Despite being privy to the cause of his departure, she could not quite shake the feeling that there was a puzzle piece missing from the picture. Adding to her worries was the knowledge that there wasn't another high school in town, and Dean was in his critical senior year. If he wasn't attending Chaplin High, then where was he getting his education? Naturally, she had grilled Sam like barbeque chicken, but only managed to extract that Dean was being "homeschooled" by their dad for the time being. Considering how often she had tried and failed to make contact with the Winchesters' father, with the excuse being that he was away on business, she questioned quite seriously his ability to provide quality and consistent education. As it stood however, Noel had to come to terms with the fact that there was literally nothing she could do about the situation – a fact that irritated her to no end.
Across campus from where Noel sat brooding, Eric Gaston was strolling across the football field to meet his friend Sam. Since the fateful cafeteria incident, the pair had been spending increasingly more time together. Eric imagined they were bonded by disaster, in the same way survivors of a plane crash might be. Sam on the other hand, never seemed particularly perturbed by the fight itself. He was, however, extremely and surprisingly angry at Dean.
"I just can't believe that idiot, getting himself kicked out," Sam ranted, for what was probably the fourth time this week. It was a Tuesday.
"I don't think he got kicked out on purpose" Eric quipped feebly. As much as he liked Sam – indeed he had a lot more in common with him than the older Winchester, he felt oddly protective of Dean.
Sam turned to appraise the field. November had robbed of the trees that dotted the perimeter of campus all their fiery pigments; instead, only brown shells remained, being tossed mercilessly in the wind. One such leaf raced by a few inches from Sam's head. He caught it effortlessly, and crumbled it up gently in his fist. Dropping his leaf-victim back to earth, Sam turned back to face Eric.
"He meant to." Sam stated confidently.
"Why would he do that?" Eric asked.
"Because he didn't want to risk me getting kicked out too," Sam replied sadly.
"But he could've said it was self-defense! Sam, we can still go to the principle and explain what happened." Eric practically wailed. The guilt had been burning a pit in his stomach so deep not even his mother's chocolate cake had been able to fill it. Sam laughed softly.
"No Eric we can't. Believe it or not, that's what makes Dean so smart. He made sure we couldn't, that idiot."
Eric chose to ignore the contradiction in Sam's statements, and instead addressed the more pressing emotion of puzzlement that he felt.
"What do you mean we can't?" Eric asked.
"Well Eric," Sam began evenly, "let's say we were to go to the principle and explain. Do you really think that he would believe that I wasn't just covering for my reckless older brother? After all, I have done just that in the past when Dean's got himself into trouble, and that's all going to be in my student files."
"But I haven't!" Eric replied excitedly. "There's nothing in my files except good grades and pity".
Sam offered him a small, sad smile that somehow managed to convey sympathy without mockery.
"That might've worked Eric. But, as I said, Dean is smarter than people give him credit for. Not only did he confess to acting alone and without provocation, but he also ensured that the principle wouldn't be inclined to believe any alternative."
"How so?" Eric questioned.
"In typical Dean fashion, he used an age-old simple, yet effective tactic," Sam replied mischievously. "He insulted him."
"Ah, so now he's predisposed to think the worst of Dean even if we did make a good case," Eric groaned, catching on quickly.
"That's the gist of it." Sam replied.
Eric pondered the situation for a few more minutes, searching for holes in Sam's logic – it seemed annoyingly sound.
"I guess we can't do anything then," Eric sighed, throwing himself down on the grassy carpet for dramatic effect. Despite himself, Sam grinned at the performance.
"No, I guess not" Sam agreed bemusedly, folding his legs slowly and sitting down next to his friend.
"Your dad is homeschooling him then?" Eric wondered.
Sam turned away again, reaching across the green earth for more leaves to torment. When he turned back to respond, his hands were clutching three new victims.
"Officially speaking – yes."
"Officially but not actually? He really did flee to Mexico with some crazy crime family didn't he? I mean I know he weather here is shit, but it's not that shit." Eric joked, in an attempt to lighten the mood. It worked and Sam laughed easily.
"You know that's actually the most plausible of the theories I've heard. Of course I can't confirm or deny any of them." Sam jokingly confided with a wink. Sam was true to his word on this one – he hadn't revealed any real information concerning Dean's departure or whereabouts to the student population. Instead, he had alternatively agreed with the most bizarre allegations, or invented his own depending on his mood and the day. Subsequently, he would refute all rumors he'd bolstered, and start the cycle all over again. It was clearly a game to him.
"So what's Dean really up to?" Eric asked quietly, keeping his tone measured and light. "I'd believe just about anything at this point."
"Honestly?" Sam replied, raising one eyebrow.
"Honestly," Eric confirmed.
"I think Eric, that the one and only story you wouldn't believe is the truth."
And with that knowing statement the bell rang, signalling the end of the lunch period.
"Come on!" Sam laughed, tossing leaves away and pulling Eric to his feet in one fluid motion.
"It won't be for long anyway" Sam confided, seeing the still confused expression on his friend's face.
"What won't be for long?" Eric asked.
"Dean's trip to Mexico with the cartel," Sam joked. "We'll probably only be in this town for another two weeks or so, and when we move to Oregon Dean can re-enroll in school."
The nonchalance in Sam's words stung almost as much as the message they conveyed.