I struted into The Roadhouse at 9:45. Ellen saw me and smiled, I hadn't been in here in a while.

"Gabriel Novak, is that you?" Ellen's charming thick southern accent always made me smile.

"Heya Ellen. Nothing for me just yet." I told her before she could go prepare my usual. She raised an eyebrow. "I've got a date." I beamed proudly. She laughed and smiled too.

"Why, thats great, Gabe! What's their name?" She asked

"It's Sam. He's going to Stanford." I loved talking to Ellen, she was everyone's mother, but for me she was my only mom. It was great having her to talk to about dates and family and work, just like a real mom. Ellen was the reason I decided to stay in San Jose in the first place. I ran around for a long time after I left home, but I stopped at The Roadhouse for a drink one night, wasn't even 20 yet, and just stuck here.

"Oh, got yourself a smart one? Good job, Novak." She teased.

I chuckled, "Thanks Ell. Say, where's Jo?" Jo, Ellen's actual daughter, had just started college. She was all doe-eyes and big talk right now, but I didn't doubt she would be a force to be reckoned with in a few years, just like her mother.

"Johanna is still hungover from last night." Ellen sighed, clearly amused by her child's new expereince with alcohol. "That'll teach her to party with fratt boys." I laughed, I never went to the college but I definetly partyed there. I still got drunk every finals week.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see Sam's chest. This close I could smell his cologne, and it was decadent. Grinning, I pulled out a chair.

"Hey Sam!" He was wearing a plaid button up shirt and absolutely rocking it.

"Hi, Gabe." He checked his watch, "I'm not late am I?" I didn't know the time but it didn't matter, really.

"No, not at all. Uh, " I turned back to Ellen. "Sam, this is Ellen Harvelle. Ell, this Sam." I said gesturing with my hands.

Ellen looked Sam over with a critical scowl but she seemed satisfied with my taste, thank God. I have no idea what I woudv'e done if she dissaproved. Sam stuck his hand out across the bar.

"Sam Winchester, nice to meet you." I'm pretty sure he made his dimples stand out a little extra just then so he would look cute. (It worked)

Ellen shook his hand and smiled, "Pleasures all mine, sweetheart."

I breathed a silent sigh of relief before saying, "Hey, Ellen, can I get my usual coffee?"

She nodded and said, "Sure thing, sugar. What about you Sam?"

Sam shrugged, "I'll just have what he's having." Ellen nodded again and winked before leaving.

I looked over at Sam. His long dark hair just reached his collar his bangs were swept to the side almost hiding his sideburns. But what I really liked was his nose, it was straight but upturned just the slightest and it was really cute. It was then I noticed he was looking at me.

I blushed, "Oh. Um, so..." I really didn't want this to be an awkward date, those sucked.

"So?" He turned his whole self towards me and put an elbow on the counter.

"Heh, I guess I don't know much about you, yet. How's your first year?" I asked because that's all I knew for certain. At least I knew his last name now.

"Oh, fine. My brother, Dean, is helping me pay the student loans. Class is hard."

Ellen came back and handed us our coffee then. "Have fun you two." She chided.

I nodded towards the door and we got up. Outside, we started walking, just drinking our coffee in silence. I had to walk faster because Sam was a goddamned giant with trees for legs. Okay, not okay. Say something.

"My favorite animal is the platypus." Well, that was dumb.

He laughed, "What?"

"The platypus. Its my favorite animal." I explained.

He chuckled again. "That's cool, I like dogs." I smiled, of course he did, the dork.