The minute the bell rang to signal that school was out, John practically bolted for the door. He went to his locker, quickly shoving his books into the locker, before shutting it. He heard a laugh as his cousin, Cole, came over to him.

"Why are you so in a hurry?" Cole asked.

"No reason. I've just got a thing," John shrugged as the two walked together out to the front door.

"A Jamie Callahan kinda thing?" Cole asked, amused.

"No," John answered, quickly, hoping that Cole wouldn't ask further, but he knew he would.

"You've already moved on from Jamie? Wow, you move quickly. I don't know, dude, you may want to tell her that though. Not quite sure she knows," Cole replied, laughing a little.

"It's not like that. Look, I'm going to grab a burger with Renee later. That's all," John said.

"So you've got a date?" Cole asked, frankly.

"No… it's a 'not-date'," John replied, blushing a little.

"What the hell is a 'not-date'?" Cole asked, giving his cousin a funny look.

"I don't know!" John exclaimed. "I don't know… I asked her out and she told me she didn't want it to be a date so… we're calling it a 'not-date'. We're just catching up, you know? We haven't really talked in a while and I asked her tutor me in math since I suck at that class."

"Yeah, you two used to be attached at the hip!" Cole chuckled. Cole then recognized the look on his friend's face. "Do you want it to be a date?"

"No! No, I don't. Why would you-, I mean-, why would you even ask that?" John stammered, answering almost too quickly. Cole knew John was getting defensive and when he got defensive, it meant that he really did like her.

"Why? Uh, because she's hot! You and I both know that Renee's been a babe since like… middle school," Cole replied. John thought back to those years? Why hadn't he noticed it before? It was like this year, he had some kind of awakening, but now that he thought about it, Renee had always been hot. He even remembered some of the locker room talk during the middle school football practice about what people thought about it. How had he never noticed this?

"I don't know, we're not really even friends," John shrugged.

"Alright, your call. All I'm saying is that if I were going on a 'not-date' with her, I'd take every chance I got," Cole said, using air quotes for the word, not-date. "Hey, I've got to go find Haley, but I'll see you later. You coming to the thing on Saturday? The team's getting together."

"Yeah, I'll be there," John replied.

"Cool. See you later," Cole said, parting from John. Cole thought the conversation he had just had with his cousin over. Cole knew John was kidding himself. There was no way that John could be 'just friends' with someone who looked like Renee. The whole family had known that it was going to be John and Renee from the beginning, but after middle school, they weren't really friends anymore. Cole thought it was interesting that he was just now noticing her absence in his life.

"It's about damn time," he thought to himself. He chuckled and then kept walking. He found his younger sister Haley with the rest of his cousins – the twins. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah, sure," Haley replied, parting from the twins.

"So how's your day?" Cole asked, throwing his arm around his sister, in a protective, brotherly manner.

"Good, how about yours?" Haley asked.

"Fine. You know… the usual," Cole chuckled. The two walked to the parking lot until Cole stopped, as someone caught his eye.

"What is it?" Haley asked, concerned.

"I uh, I'll meet you at the car. I've got to take care of something," Cole said, determined.

"Okay…" Haley trailed off. She knew something was up, but wasn't in the mood to bother Cole right now. Haley headed off towards the car while Cole moved quickly towards the girl, leaning up against her car and talking to some guy.

"Hey," Cole said, approaching her. She looked up out of those blue eyes of hers.

"Give us a minute?" she asked the guy she was talking to.

"Who the hell are you?" the guy asked, defensively.

"Please, Trevor," she begged. The guy scowled before muttering something to himself and walking away.

"I've been looking around for you all week," Cole said.

"That's not creepy at all," the girl replied, sarcastically.

"Well, I'd say you're the creepy one seeing as you know a hell of a lot more about my family than I do," Cole shot back.

She chuckled, coolly, "What? You ask your daddy about it? Is that why you came over here?"

Cole rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I asked him and he told me the truth. You make out to be some bad kind of bad guy."

She shrugged, "Let's just say there are some people out there that aren't the fondest of your family. Sure, they cleaned up the mess they made but they still made it in the first place. We don't like things messy…"

"We?" Cole asked.

"My family and I. We're hunters, Cole, just like you," she replied.

"Well, I'm not really-," Cole started.

"Look, you have nothing to be afraid of. We're not going to try to hurt your family… I just thought you'd enjoy a little history lesson. That's all," the girl replied.

"Well, that's not fair. You know my name but I don't know yours," Cole said back, challengingly.

The girl thought it over for a moment before replying, "Greer. Greer Lawson."

"Cole Winchester," Cole said out of habit but then laughed, feeling stupid. Greer laughed a little too because she could tell that Cole was embarrassed. She smiled a little. He was cute and he was even cuter when he was embarrassed.

"Well, nice to meet you, Cole Winchester," Greer smiled, coolly.

"Look, I've got to go but uh… I guess I'll see you around," Cole said, glancing back at his car. Haley was already sitting in it, waiting for him to finish up.

"I'll see you," Greer said. She watched as Cole walked away. Oh God. What had she gotten herself into? Flirting with a Winchester? He brother was going to kill her…

John read over the menu. Renee was a couple of minutes late which almost worried him. Was she standing him up? No, she wouldn't. Then again, he supposed that she kinda hated him just a little bit by the way she acted when she was around him.

Renee approached the burger joint, seeing John through the glass door. She checked her phone, knowing that she was late. Renee had sat in the car, debating whether or not this was even a good idea. What if she did end up remembering how much she liked him? Renee had been okay with not being friends with John the majority of middle and high school because she knew sooner or later, at least before they drifted apart, that she was going to fall for him and that she'd fall hard. They had always been friends but there was always something there. Renee was terribly afraid that it would still be there but John was… John Winchester. They just wouldn't be a good idea, right?

Renee took a deep breath before mustering up the courage to go into the restaurant. She walked in, smiling as she approached the empty table that John was sitting at.

"Hey, sorry, I'm late. I got held up at that stop light on Blount," Renee said, quickly coming up with an excuse.

"Oh, that stop light sucks. Always gets stuck," John said.

"Yeah," she nodded. There was an awkward silence and John and Renee just chuckled a little. It was that super awkward, first date kind of awkward which Renee found annoying, seeing as it was a 'not-date'. "Okay, so I've never really been on one of these 'not-dates' and I really have no idea what we're supposed to do."

"I have either. Guess there's a first time for everything," John said back.

"Yeah," Renee chuckled. Oh God. What if this was what it was going to be like? Just awkward and silent and-.

"What can I do for you today?" the waitress asked, coming over before yet another awkward silence could commence. The waitress looked like she was in her late 50's or so.

"I'll just get the number one with fries and uh… a coke," John replied. Renee glanced down at the menu at the number one as well.

"I'll get what he's having," Renee said.

"Great," the waitress said, scribbling the orders down on her notepad, before leaving.

"So how have you been? What've you been up to since… like, the past six years," Renee asked, trying not to sound too forced as she asked.

"Good… good… um, I don't know. Just football and stuff," John shrugged. "What about you? You going to Harvard next year or something?"

Renee laughed, "No, I'm not really looking at Harvard."

"You got a top choice?" John asked.

"I'm really interested in Haverford right now, but I don't want to jinx anything!" Renee replied. John laughed.

"Where's that?" John asked.

"Pennsylvania. I'd be kinda near your brother too. Your brother's still at Drexel, right?" Renee asked back.

"Yeah, but I don't know where he's going next year. I should probably ask him that… hah," John replied.

Renee giggled, "Yeah, you probably should, seeing as he's your brother." Wait, did I just giggle, Renee thought to herself, but quickly shook off the thought. She shifted in the booth seat, across from John, to get a little more comfortable.

"What do I look like? My brother's keeper? That's my parents' job," John replied, crossing his arms.

"That was a great movie – My Sister's Keeper," Renee said, randomly, as John's comment reminded her of the movie.

"Chick flick," John coughed.

Renee just laughed and rolled her eyes playfully in response. She smiled to herself. This was starting to feel like it was getting back to normal – back to the days when all they cared about was who made the biggest sand castle or who could spit watermelon seeds the farthest as opposed to grades, colleges, and significant others. She remembered how much she enjoyed being with John. She was just afraid that it wouldn't last. I mean, what was he really expecting out of this? Did he really just want to be tutored because it didn't feel like it?

"Shut up," Renee said.

"Here's your food. You two enjoy," the waitress said, shooting both John and Renee a friendly smile while placing their food down on the plates.

"This looks great, thanks," John said.

"Yeah, thanks," Renee agreed.

"So what about you? You know, about college," Renee asked.

John shrugged, "I don't know. I don't have any top choices. I guess I'm just looking around for a while. I'm not stressing or anything."

"Hm," Renee sounded. She could tell that John didn't really want to talk about it.

"You know, I really can't believe you ordered a burger. I thought you'd get a salad or something. Girls these days… pretty lame, huh?" John asked, changing the subject.

Renee laughed, "After being raised like a Winchester, you really think I'd order a salad?"

"Fair enough. Haha, you're right. You were practically raised like one of us minus the hunting stuff and plus all the clothes. I don't think you ever wore the same thing twice when we were kids. Sometimes I used to think that your mom just made you clothes for a living," John said.

"Oh my God, every time I came downstairs, there was a new skirt or dress or something that my mom wanted to try on me. No wonder she started a children's line," Renee said back.

"Hah, I remember Jude used to think that your mom colored for a living. Honest to God, I thought she did for a while too," John remarked with a chuckle.

"I remember that! No, but he besides that, after spending so much time with you guys, I was definitely raised very Winchester-y," Renee said.

"Yeah, you were," John said. He then paused. "No wait, I take that back. You had your no pickle phase and let's be real, pickles are great on burgers."

"No they're not! They're disgusting!" Renee exclaimed, playfully argumentative.

"They are not!" John declared. Both John and Renee's eyes met before they laughed a little. Renee looked away blushing. Oh God… this was not happening. Whatever chemistry they used to have was definitely still there.

John was feeling this strange emotion that made him uncomfortable. It wasn't anything like what he felt with girls he just hooked up with. It was starting to really freak him out. He shifted uncomfortably, searching for a couple of quarters in his pocket.

"I'm going to go pick a song. Any suggestions?" John asked.

"Nah, go ahead," Renee encouraged as John got up and left the booth to go over to the jukebox. He returned to the booth and "Stairway to Heaven" began playing.

"Nice," Renee complimented.

"What, you finally liking some good music these days?" John teased.

"What?" Renee exclaimed.

"Please, you and your old punk music has nothing on good old Led Zeppelin," John replied, cockily.

"Shut up. The Format is great. Besides, I'm pretty positive if you gave it a chance, you'd like my music: Stiff Little Fingers, The Ramones, The Clash. You, my friend, are the one missing out," Renee shot back, crossing her arms over her chest, challengingly.

"I'm not so sure about that," John challenged.

"How about this? I'll burn you a mix and you can decide from there," Renee offered.

"Fine, but if I win, you have to do this with me again," John said.

"What? Go on another 'not-date' with you?" Renee asked, raising an eyebrow.

" Yeah, but only the next time, you have to go on a date with me," John said.

"How do I know you're wont' lie and just say you didn't like it?" Renee asked.

"Oh, don't flatter yourself," John teased. Renee laughed.

"Alright, fine. Then if I win, and you do like the music, then you have to do something for me," Renee started.

"What?" John asked.

"I'll think of something," Renee replied, slyly.

John smirked. His old friend was quite a pistol. They talked for a little longer and when "Stairway to Heaven" finally ended, another song came on.

"I love the Beatles," Renee smiled.

"Yeah, me too," John said. "I can't disagree with you on that one. They're classic."

Renee nodded. This time, both of them let the silence prevail. John listened to the words of the song and the lyrics just kept hitting home. Uh oh… he thought.

"I've just seen a face/I can't forget the time or place/Where we just meet/She's just the girl for me/And want all the world to see/We've met, mmm-mmm-mmm-da-da-da…/"

"Falling, yes I am falling/And she keeps calling/Me back again/Falling, yes I am falling/And she keeps calling/Me back again/Oh, falling, yes I am falling/And she keeps calling/Me back again…/"

Renee couldn't help but see the appropriateness of the song that had just come on. John Winchester is always going to have me in the palm of his hand, isn't he?She thought to herself. Damn it. She knew he was a player and she knew all about his reputation. She even knew that he was kind of dating Jamie Callahan, but she couldn't help but feel that connection to John like she always had. Damn it.

"So…" she said breaking the silence.

"Uh what?" John asked, Renee's voice breaking him from his thoughts.

"Nothing," Renee blushed.

"Mumbling again, Walsh?" John teased.

"Shut up, Winchester," she said.

"Is there anything else I can get for you two?" the waitress asked, coming by their table.

"Nope, I'm fine," Renee said.

"Yeah, I think we're ready for the check," John added.

"Great. I'll bring it by. Are you two paying together?" the waitress asked.

"Yes," John said.

"No," Renee replied, saying it simultaneously with John's 'yes'. The waitress shot them a funny look. Renee didn't want John to pay. If he paid it would be a date and they already agreed that it wasn't one. Ughh, then why did it feel like it was one? "We're paying separately, thanks."

"No, Renee, I've-," John started, but Renee kicked him under the table. "Ow!"

"We'll take two checks, thanks," Renee said.

"Alrighty then," the waitress said, before walking away, a little weirded out.

"Ow! You kicked me!" John exclaimed.

"Well, I'm a girl who knows how to get what she wants," Renee shrugged.

John smirked, "And what do you want, Renee?"

Renee stared long and hard at John's handsome face. He had the same smirk as his brothers and as their father. It must've run in the family but she still found it irresistible. She wondered if this is what it was like for Aunt Meredith.

Before Renee could say anything else, the waitress came back, "Here you go. Separate checks. Now, if I were you, young lady, I'd let him pay. He's handsome and a gentlemen. They don't make 'em like that anymore. Trust me."

"Yeah, see?" John asked.

"Shut up, Winchester," Renee said, chuckling and rolling her eyes. Renee bit her lip. What the hell had she gotten herself into?

John got home a smile on his face. Usually when he went out with girls he always felt satisfied or like he was awesome, but right now he just felt good. He felt… happy.

"Hey, how was your date with Renee? Oh, excuse me, not-date," Meredith asked as she saw John come into the house.

"Good," John replied.

"Yeah?" Meredith asked back.

"Yeah," John replied.

"Well, is she going to tutor you?" Meredith asked.

"Oh, I don't know. I forgot to ask. We just got kinda carried away, talking and stuff," John replied.

"Just talking?" Meredith asked.

"Ew, Mom, I'm not talking about this with you," John replied, sighing.

Meredith chuckled, "Alright. Just want to make sure that your uncle, Ethan, doesn't kill you."

John rolled his eyes, "Yes, just talking."

"Alright. Hey, we're going over to the center tomorrow morning. You're welcome to come if you want," Meredith offered.

"Sure," John replied. "Hey, Mom, I'm going to run upstairs and take a nap."

"Okay," Meredith replied, before returning to her book.

"Hey, what was that all about?" Dean asked, walking into the room as soon as John was gone.

"Honestly, I don't know. What I do know is I think our son may have a crush on Renee," Meredith replied.

"Hasn't he always?" Dean asked.

"I think so," Meredith answered with a small smile on her face.