They've been gone a full week when the Winchester boys show up at school again. There are even more rumors rushing about, these ones even crazier than any of the others, and Dean can't help but think they should mind their own business. He can tell Sam's flustered with his reputation as the good Winchester spiraling down the crapper, but Adam seems to care less than Dean does. Their ragtag family jokes before classes start and Dean finds it amusing that people are avoiding him. And it's all fun and games until about halfway through first period when the new kid walks in panting and flushed from running and apologizing profusely about being late. Mr. Shurley doesn't care, and the other students snicker because Mr. Shurley never cares. Then he starts walking over to Dean's table and DAMN Mr. Shurley because there's assigned seating and of course he'd sit next to Dean. Thankfully the bell rings and Dean's out of that room so fast he can't even hear Mr. Shurley telling him to slow down. Dean thinks he'll get all of the work he missed at lunch.
He ran out of that class so fast, his heart is racing even when he reaches his Econ class. Luckily, there's no new kid, and Ms. Talbot makes a big deal about Dean's suspension. He knows it's all in good fun, because really they have a love/hate relationship. Dean is an A+ student in this class, but he's a havoc to actually have in class. They tease and joke and poke fun at each other, but they respect each other. That class goes by with laughs and jokes and everyone is telling some of the most ridiculous theories as to why Dean Winchester actually got suspended. None of them are actually close.
Next, Dean gets to Band-five seconds before the bell because Ms. Talbot held him back to tease him in private- where ne nearly has a heart attack, because there he is again, sitting in the corner with his hands in his lap. Dean silently thanks the god he doesn't believe in that today they're doing silent book work because Mrs. Barnes had a 'headache'. They all knew it was a hangover, but no one said anything. Dean sat next to Garth and Ash, silently talking and trying to not have another panic attack. That class passed rather uneventfully, and the three friends raced to the lunchroom-Dean was grateful Ash had the idea. They eat lunch with all of their friends and Dean doesn't see him at all. It's a small reprieve, but Dean takes what small miracles he can get.
After Lunch is Auto Shop and that's an hour and a half long- two periods with Mr. Turner covered in grease-and Dean can't think of a better way to spend his time. He's good with cars. He can tell what's wrong with an engine just by sound most of the time. With his arms elbow deep in a Honda's hood, he can't think of anything he'd rather do for a living. But eventually Gordon-Mr. Turner's assistant- calls clean up. They put everything away and wash most of the grease off of themselves.
Dean picks up his backpack and scuffles off to Theater with Mr. Roché. He sits in the back after their five minute pep talk. Charlie and Jo fill him in on the scene they have to preform and he nearly yells at them for not bringing it up while they were over all week. He's not too mad; he's got a week and a half to memorize it. He almost doesn't notice him. Almost. Charlie and Jo don't notice; or if they do, they don't say anything, and Dean is grateful.
They agree to meet for LARPing club twenty minutes after the bell so everyone can get their things/put their things away. After Theater, Dean heads to his locker, looking forward to hanging out and being stupid with his friends. He puts away his Auto book as well as his Econ workbook, and picks up his English Senior Project folder. When he finishes, he closes his locker to see the new kid standing uncomfortably close. Dean jumps back, clutching at his heart; he doesn't think he's been that surprised/shocked since Halloween when he was nine and he thought a man was a corpse. The new kid nods at Dean and says Hello in an unusually deep voice. His gaze is serious and somber. Dean can't seem to get his heart to stop racing as he introduces himself as Castiel Novak. He starts thanking Dean and apologizing for getting him suspended and that's all he can hear before the blood is pounding in his ears. He hopes he doesn't pass out.
Castiel stops talking, looking at him with worry and Dean thinks he asks if he's okay. Before he answers, Dean hears his name being called from the opposite end of the hallway. He turns and see's Sam and Charlie walking up to them. He stammers out an apology to Cas before grabbing Charlie in one hand-his other holding his backpack, before racing off down the hallway. Dean knows he left Sam behind, but Dean is full out panicking and two turns later, Charlie is forcing him to stop She pulls out a brown paper bag and forces him to breathe into it while whispering comforting words to him. After he's calm enough not to pass out, the two make their way to the meeting room.
That day, no one does any LARPing. When Sam comes back, he forces what happened out of Dean. Dean tells them about everything. He tells them that the new kid is Cas. That he's here, after all of this time. He's here right after Dean had given up on him. And Dean can't help but feel guilty that he did.