Cas was sitting on top of a wooden picnic table when the question popped up in his mind again. "Hey, Dean. You still never told me why you were out of school the other day. What were you doing?"

Dean blushed. "Benny asked me to skip with him. We went to the river and uh-" He looked around for Sam. "We smoked and talked for a little bit."

"That..." He blushed too, and looked away. Dean spent time with Benny outside of school too? Awesome. Well, it didn't really count as outside of school, because it was normal school hours, but- He sighed. "Sounds relaxing. I didn't know you.. smoked. We said we'd never smoke, or drink or any of that. Back in middle school. 'Member that?"

Dean smiled. "Yeah, I remember, Cas."

"Cas! It's good to see you out!" He heard his name, and he turned, to see Sam. He saw Sam once a month or so when he stopped by the house to pick Michael up if the car was acting stupid. Cas nodded and waved slightly. "Yeah. It's hot outside. I forgot about that part."

Sam smiled and messed with Cas' hair. "So, Dean: have you told him yet?"

Cas shifted his weight from one side to the other uncomfortable. He sat on his hands. "Told me what?"

"Dean got into a really good college!" He patted Dean on the back. Dean blushed. He wasn't as enthusiastic. "It's really not such a great school. It's pretty far away. I mean, Benny wants me to go, but-"

Cas swallowed hard. He felt his stomach churning within seconds. "It's in California. With him, isn't it?" He asked, a little accusively. He got quiet. It's not like Cas could just tell him not to go to college, or chase his dreams of being a musician. He wouldn't do that. But, of all people he could move in with during college, why Benny? Tension rose in the air. Sam sensed that, and too easily gave up on the situation. Dean was better at making Cas feel better than anyone, or so they all thought. Nobody knew much about him anymore. Cas chewed on his lip.

"I don't want you here by yourself. Plus, I'd miss you. A lot actually." He said quietly after Sam had exited the general area. "I didn't want to bring it up. I knew you'd want me to take the opportunity."

Cas tried to push away the lump in his throat. He had to support Dean. Dean would be happier there, in the sun and on the beach, singing every night. He missed when Dean used to sing in the shower. He didn't sing around Cas anymore. Maybe it was because Cas was such a drag that Dean felt bad for being happy around him. "We could skype or something. We could text, and call."

"Like... long distance dating?" Dean asked, skeptically.

"Are you saying we're in a relationship?" Cas smiled a little bit. "I don't remember agreeing to this, you know."

Dean chuckled, and stood up. "I'll get into another school. It's okay, Cas. What are the odds that California will like my singing anyway?"

Cas scooted off the table and stood a little closer to Dean than he ever had outside of their alone time together. "I like your singing. Come over tonight. Sing to me tonight."

Dean stepped back, looking around. He loved that Cas was so interested in his music. He wished he'd said something about it sooner, and not right then. Nobody could see them together here! His dad would find out somehow. Somebody would rat them out. "I think we need to talk tonight anyway. I've been holding back some thoughts too."

Cas felt his cheeks growing hot at the rejection. He didn't speak. Instead, for the rest of the party, he watched as everyone else talked and had a good time. It felt just like middle school all over again, except now Dean smoked.