AN: A bit of a perspective shift in this chapter. And apologies I didn't update so soon, blame my surprise social-life! No worries though, my friends are all gone for now, so I can write like crazy! Don't forget to review, I love them so much! :)

Castiel groaned and rolled over, reaching for the alarm clock on his bedside table, turning it off before propping himself up. It was early, the sun had barely breached the horizon, so the room was still dark. Flicking on his lamp, Castiel hopped out of bed, grabbing his bathrobe from the back of his desk chair and pulled it tightly around him, slumping down in front of his computer. He stared at the blank screen for a few moments before turning it on and making his way downstairs.

"Morning, Cassie!"

Castiel yawned a greeting at his older brother and shuffled over to the coffee maker; "why are you here, Balthazar?"

"I love you too, brother. Back until Sunday, just, thought I'd come visit."

"Ok. When did you get in?"

"An hour ago?"

"You've been driving all night? Would you like some coffee?"

Balthazar grinned and flicked past a few pages in his magazine; "please."

Castiel pulled two mugs from the cupboard and leant on the worktop, looking over at the magazine Balthazar was reading. Balthazar was known for randomly popping in for a few days hen he should have been at college, but no one said anything.

"So, Castiel. How are things? We haven't spoken in a while."

Castiel shrugged and went round to sit next to his brother; "they're, like normal. There's a new boy at school."

"Oh yes?"

"Hmm, Dean Winchester, he's quite nice. Gabriel really likes him."

Balthazar grinned; "Gabriel likes everyone, but you, Cassie. You've spoken to him?"

Castiel slid off his chair, going over to pick up the now-full jug of coffee; "well, we have a History project together, him, Gabriel, Anna, and I, so we went to the library last night to do some research. It was quite fun, he's, fun to be around. We've emailed a couple of times..."

"Aww, is my little brother making friends?"

"I don't know... I can't, help myself around him. I keep telling him things. Like about, how last year I collapsed."

Balthazar frowned and walked over to the fridge, pulling out a carton of milk; "really? No one knows about that, apart from us!"

"And him... I really don't know why I told him. He's found out more about me in 24 hours than people have in three years! I even told him about..."

"...Yes?"

"About my, lack of, sexuality."

Balthazar grinned; "did you really?"

"Gabriel brought it up! But, I just, told him! Word vomit or something. He asks me a question and I have to answer!"

"Aww! I want to meet this Dean Winchester! The genius who has cracked the enigma, that is you!"

"Well ask Gabriel, he's his friend now."

Castiel picked up his coffee and wandered up to his room. The only thing that had been on his mind recently was Dean Winchester. Balthazar was right, he did appear to have "cracked" Castiel, and so quickly. There was something about him that Castiel trust, maybe something he could relate to, but in the meantime, Dean was a nice guy who didn't judge, or appear to care about Castiel's status.

Eventually, it was time for school. The Novak house was bustling with people running around, picking up books scattered about and pulling on jackets. Castiel and Gabriel went to leave, to go catch a lift from Crowley as usual, when Balthazar called them back.

"Come on little brother, let me drive you to school!"

Castiel sighed; "you should be in bed, it's not safe for you to be driving."

"Oh nonsense. Come on, and along the way, you can tell me more about that boy!"

Gabriel smirked; "Dean?"

"That's his name!"

"I'll tell you all about him, come, we in the Jag?"

"Of course!"

"Shotgun!"

Rolling his eyes, Castiel followed Balthazar and Gabriel outside, climbing into the back of his brother's stupidly expensive, silver Jaguar. He kept to himself, reading through his Geography text book whilst Gabriel rambled about Dean to Balthazar, chattering about how much they had in common, how he had a good sense of humour, and how he had a nice car.

"So, is he breaking the unwritten rule then? No talking to the family?"

Gabriel nodded; "got a bit of hassle on his first day, but, we think it should be fine now, unless people find out about last night... We were a little rowdy in Burger King, someone's bound to have seen us."

"Well, we can't have Dean getting in to trouble, especially when he's doing so well. I should intervene."

Castiel looked up from his book; "wouldn't that make it worse?"

Balthazar scoffed; "if he's been given my approval, everyone will want to be his friend, Cas! You can hang out with him as much as you like then!"

Gabriel smirked; "awesome, you coming in then? Cause a riot!"

Balthazar laughed, keeping his eyes on the road; Castiel hid behind his book again, ignoring the words on the page, instead thinking about the many ways in which Balthazar's plan could go wrong.

Sam followed his brother up the corridors to his locker, trying to get the truth out of him.

"Come on Dean, what happened? How do you suddenly get a date?"

Dean laughed and pulled his locker open, snickering at the picture of a Nazi pin-up girl pinned to the back of the door; "I don't know myself, Sammy. One moment I was just, waiting for a burger, the next I'm going on a date."

Sam noticed the picture and pulled it from the back of the door; "what is this!"

"It's from Gabriel, he drew it in History."

"So why do you have it?"

Dean shrugged; "no idea, it's Gabriel, he doesn't make sense."

"Hey! Winchester!"

Sam and Dean both spun around, three well-built boys were marching over to them, accompanied by a couple of girls. Dean sighed and closed his locker, nudging Sam to step away.

"Can I help you?"

The boys glared and moved in to his personal space; "did you not understand your warning? Or do you just like getting your ass kicked?"

Dean shrugged; "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure, so you weren't out with the Novaks last night? Having a burger and a good old time?"

"I don't know, maybe you're imagining things. I'm sure I was home all night watching the delights of Casa Erotica!"

One of the boys snorted; "looks like we've got ourselves a funny guy! You won't be smirking once we're through with you!"

"Why? Are you planning on taking me out and not calling me back? That'd just break my heart, don't toy with me like that!"

Out of the corner of his eye, Dean could see Sam hiding his face in his hands; he knew he was digging himself a hole, but if he was going to be hit, he wanted a better reason than for talking to Castiel. The crowd which had surrounded them suddenly began to disperse, Dean could hear a lively British accent asking people to move out of the way.

"Boys, boys, what's going on here? No more cat fights, please!"

The large boys looked away from Dean at the tall grinning blonde stood behind them. They backed away from Dean and began looking at their feet awkwardly; Dean could see Gabriel grinning at him from behind the blonde.

"Dean Winchester, is it? I've heard a lot about you! I'm Balthazar!"

He held out his hand, Dean glanced over at Gabriel who nodded frantically before reaching out to shake his hand.

"Hi."

"Hi? That's it? Come on, boy, we're going to be great friends, you and I. You've got a brother, haven't you? Where's Sammy?"

The crowd parted, leaving Sam standing alone, terrified. Balthazar grinned and slung his arm around his shoulders.

"There we are, Gabriel's told me all about you, not that he knows much, mind. Only from what he's heard from Dean. Come on, let's walk."

Balthazar began guiding Dean and Sam through the corridors, Gabriel and Castiel walking behind. The crowds parted like they some kind of royalty, which from what Dean understood, Balthazar was. He led them outside, over to a picnic table before sitting down. Gabriel sat next to him, still grinning.

"What is this?" Dean asked, playing with the strap on his bag. Castiel perched himself on the table next to Balthazar, who threw his arm over his shoulders.

"I'm staging a bit of an intervention. I'm helping you bypass the whole, procedure you have to go through in order to be allowed to speak to us. I show up, tell the kids you're a top bloke, and you suddenly become king of the school. Gabriel's done nothing but sing your praise kid, and Cassie's taken a bit of a shine to you too, spilling all his darkest secrets, I understand."

Dean nodded slowly; "right? And, what if I don't want to be king of the school?"

Balthazar laughed; "well, it's too late now, you've been seen with me!"

"Ok."

"Ok then. So, Friday night, I might throw a bit of a party at the old house, you boys will be my guests of honour, right?"

"Oh, Dean can't, he's a got date!" Gabriel laughed.

"Really? With who?"

"Lisa Braeden."

"Ah, good old Lisa. Bring her along, Dean, I don't think she'd want to miss out! My parties are legendary!"

Gabriel nodded; "they are! And Sammy, if things get a little too, adult for you, you can always hide out in the twins' room, Michael will most likely be playing World of Warcraft!"

A smirk spread across Sam's face; "um, awesome."

"It is! So, party, ours, Friday!"

Dean nodded; "all right then... Do you do parties, Castiel?"

Gabriel and Balthazar laughed.

"Are you kidding? He's a party animal! We have a hard time wrestling him form the tables!"

A small smile spread across Castiel's face; "no, Dean. I don't do parties. I usually go over to the other house when there's a party."

"You'll be coming to this one, Cas! I mean it!" Balthazar glared. Castiel shrugged.

"Maybe for a little while, but, I have a lot of work that needs doing."

"Of course you do, nerd. Now, let's go to class, before you're all late! Blame it on me, what can they do?"

"My home-room's on the other side of the school," Sam frowned. Gabriel jumped off the table, pulling his bag back on to his shoulders.

"Mine too, come on!"

He grabbed Sam by the shoulder and steered him back up to the school. Balthazar slid off the table, pulling Castiel under one arm and draping his other over Dean's shoulders.

"Come on then ladies, I think I might join you."

The classroom fell silent when Dean walked in with Balthazar and Castiel, most people glared, but some people were too shocked to have anything but a blank expression on their faces. Not letting go of Dean's shoulder, Balthazar steered him over to Castiel's seat and greeted a couple of people. Castiel slid in to his seat and smiled meekly at Dean, clearly as uncomfortable as he was. Dean suddenly heard his name mentioned and looked up, Balthazar was explaining to them how "cool" Dean was and how Castiel and Gabriel liked him. The teacher finally walked in to the room, greeting everyone - Balthazar in particular - before waving everyone to their seats, allowing Balthazar to sit at the side.

"What's going on? Why are you with the Novaks all of a sudden?" Chuck hissed as Dean sat himself down in his seat. He shrugged.

"Well, I went out with Castiel, Gabriel and Anna last night for a History project. Then suddenly Balthazar comes out of nowhere this morning to welcome me to the fold!"

Chuck nodded and looked down at his notebook; "all right... I suppose you'll be hanging around all the popular people now, then."

"Nah, I think it just means I can talk to the Novaks without running the risk of a fight."

Dean folded his arms over his bag and rest his chin on them, staring up at the front of the class. Balthazar was chatting very animatedly with some of the people sat around Castiel, whilst Castiel sat ignoring everyone, staring at the front. Dean frowned and pulled out his phone, glancing over at Chuck to ensure he was busy writing before texting Castiel.

"Hey Castiel, you ok? What was earlier about?"

Castiel felt his phone vibrate in his jacket pocket. Smiling, he glanced behind him at Dean, who smiled in return.

"I'm fine, and it was his way of making sure you can talk to us with no hassle."

"Oh, that was good of him, I think? Why?"

Castiel looked around, making sure no one was looking over his shoulder.

"Because it'd be nice to have you around more, not just out of school. He was doing us a favour."

Out of nowhere, Balthazar sat on the desk in front of him, grinning (and being the ex-king of the school, the teacher seemed to allow it); "who are you texting, Cassie?"

Castiel quickly hid his phone in his pocket and shook his head; "no one... Dean."

"He's over there, go speak to him."

"No, I'll get in trouble."

Balthazar laughed and ruffled his hair; "aww, Cas, you're so cute."

Castiel glared and straightened his tie out of nervous habit. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, waiting for Balthazar to leave before replying. Eventually, whilst the teacher took attendance, Balthazar sat back at the side of the room; Castiel took his phone out under the desk and read Dean's reply.

"Who wants me around? Gabriel? Or all of you? And I'm glad, you guys are fun."

"A combination really, I quite like you being around, and I'm glad you feel the same."

Castiel softly hit himself on the forehead with his phone, realising how soppy he sounded. Luckily, the bell for first period rang. Grabbing his things, he hurried out of the class to his first lesson of the day. He settled in to his seat, pulling out the relevant books. In his pocket, his phone vibrated again. With slightly shaking hands, he pulled it out and read the message.

"Sure dude, you're more fun than you give yourself credit for! You just need to relax a little."

A long sigh left Castiel's mouth, he felt truly grateful for Dean not pulling him up on the corny content of his last text. Suddenly, someone dropped their bag on to the desk next to him.

"Hey Cas, how's things?"

Castiel looked up, Meg, one of his many cousins, pulled her seat out and plonked herself down. She grinned and began pulling her things from her bag.

"Good morning, Meg. 'Things' are fine."

"Good, word is you've made a friend!"

Castiel sighed, gossip travelled much to quickly at this school; it also didn't help Balthazar had turned up.

"Um, not exactly."

Meg frowned, pushing some of her blonde hair from her face; "not exactly? He either is or he isn't!"

"He's more of Gabriel's friend," Castiel admitted, clearing his throat.

"But... You like him too, right?"

"Well, yes, he is a nice person."

Meg grinned; "aww, so, when can I meet him?"

Castiel shrugged; "I don't know, whenever you want."

At lunch, Dean attempted to make his was over to the table Sam, Chuck, and Becky were sat at, but could barely move from people crowding him. Some were demanding he tell them his "secret", some demanded he sit with them, and one or two cursed him for being "in" with the Novaks after only two days. Like earlier that morning, the crowd parted, Gabriel was walking up to him.

"Guys, leave Dean-O alone! Let him breath!"

Dean smiled as Gabriel slung his arm over his shoulders, guiding him out of the crowds towards his table.

"Actually, Gabe, I was going to sit with my brother."

"Fine, tell him to come over."

Dean frowned; "and Chuck, and Becky."

"Really? Those two?"

"Um, yes, why?"

"No reason..."

"So, you don't mind then, that..."

Gabriel shook his head and let go of Dean; "sure, go ahead! I'll see you in shop!"

Dean smirked; "good."

He quickly made his way over to Sam and Chuck, sighing loudly. Sam smiled and picked up his drink.

"Look who's suddenly Mr Popular!"

Dean rolled his eyes and began digging in to his lunch instantly. Chuck and Becky kept quiet, eating their lunch in silence. Sam rolled his eyes and copied his peers, listening in on what people were saying about Dean around them. It was a somewhat awkward experience for a few moments, until Becky squeaked. Looking around, Dean saw Balthazar approaching them.

"Dean, mate, why aren't you sat with us?"

"Are you still here? And because, I want to sit with my brother and my friends."

"I'm leaving after lunch, places to go, people to see. And that's grand, really, but you have to come meet everyone!"

Dean rolled his eyes; "this minute? I'm trying to eat!"

Balthazar sighed; "come on Dean, this won't take but a moment."

"You sure? There's a lot of you!"

"Maybe two moments. Come on, you can sit back here after."

Dean glanced over at the people sat at his table. Becky and Sam nodded, Chuck kept his head down, staring at his plate. Sighing, Dean got up and followed Balthazar to the Novak table. Gabriel grinned when he saw them, and shuffled up so Dean could sit down.

"So, Dean, introductions," Balthazar said, still standing. He stood behind each person, one-by-one, introducing them. Dean smiled at them all meekly and said hello. After Balthazar had finally sat himself down, everyone turned back to their original conversations, except for Gabriel, who proceeded to try and make Dean laugh, making words and pictures in his mashed potatoes with peas.

"You know, actually, I should get back, I didn't finish my food!" Dean said after Gabriel gave up trying to fish the peas back out from the potato. Gabriel frowned.

"All right then."

"Why don't you join us?"

Glancing over to Sam's table, he shrugged; "fair enough. Coming Cas?"

Castiel, who up until that moment had been silent, looked up; "what?"

"I'm going to go sit with Dean and Sam, joining us?"

"Oh, um," he glanced over to Sam's table too, and shook his head; "you guys go ahead, I'll meet you in next lesson."

Gabriel frowned; "all right... Go on then Dean, lead the way."

Dean and Gabriel got up and went, leaving more space for people to sit in. Castiel looked back down at his food, shifting bits around the plate, not feeling very hungry. Balthazar elbowed him.

"You all right, Cas?"

He nodded; "I'm fine, just not hungry, it doesn't help that the cafeteria food isn't particularly tempting."

Balthazar nodded; "I know, but you just seem a little quiet... -Er than usual."

Castiel shrugged; "I'm fine."

"Sure?"

"Mmm-hmm."

Balthazar watched him suspiciously for a few moments before joining in a conversation with Joshua and Anna. Giving up on eating any more, Castiel finished his drink and left the cafeteria, alone, heading to the library. As usual, his armchair in the far corner was empty - the only time it was ever occupied was the first day, when freshmans weren't aware it was "his" chair. However, usually after a stern warning from Castiel's peers, they never made that mistake again. However, he hated that people threatened other people on his behalf, there was no need. Sure, it was his favourite chair, but it wasn't HIS, if someone was sat there he could always find somewhere else to sit. No one else seemed to agree with him, though. He curled up in the brown leather chair, pulling his book from his bag, pushing his iPod ear-buds in to his ears, and pressing play. His time in the library was the only time he got to be completely alone at school, and he really enjoyed it.

After several minutes, Castiel found himself to be distracted, unable to take in the words on the page in front of him. He'd been on the same sentence ever since he'd opened his book, only able to think about the upcoming party on Friday. Balthazar had mentioned it to Josh and ever since it was the only thing on Castiel's mind. More specifically, if he was going to actually go. He'd promised he would for a little while, but only for appearances sake, not wanting to seem completely platitudinous in front of Dean. But he knew about Balthazar's parties, and ten minutes quickly turned in to two hours, one drink quickly turned in to waking up in a pool of your own vomit in the back garden the next morning, which was why he'd always hide out in his room during parties. But, if he wanted to befriend Dean, he knew hiding out all night like the nerd he was wouldn't help him very much, especially when surrounded by fun people like Gabriel and Balthazar; he'd soon realise Castiel really was nothing special and avoid him.

However, there was the possibility he was thinking too much in to it; Dean had already displayed himself to be very genuine and caring, telling Castiel he'd found him fun to be around when Castiel had given off no such impression.

Another thought quickly took over his mind; Dean wouldn't even notice if Castiel was there or not. Because Lisa Braeden would be there, and they had a date.