Chapter 5
The song playing is I Put A Spell On You.
…~)*(~…
He fixed his eyes on the trees as the car moved on the road, the different colours of the leaves blurring as if they attempted to catch up with the speed of the vehicle. The silence was comfortable to Castiel yet unnerving to Anna and Gabriel, he was usually silent though this time it was rather different, neither one of his siblings spoke a word to him of it as they headed home. As soon as Anna parked the vehicle in the garage, Castiel stepped out without a word to either or anyone in the house as he walked upstairs to his room and proceeding to lock his door, Michael, Raphael and Lucifer simply glanced at each other in confusion.
"I think I should tell you this, although I suspect you all already know." Gabriel said taking a quick glance upstairs with his hands in his pockets, everyone sat in the living room, including Anna.
"Is this about Castiel?" asked Anna sitting next to Raphael.
"Yes." Gabriel rolled his eyes at her.
"Okay." everyone in the room waited in silence until Gabriel took a deep breath and started speaking.
"How many of you have noticed Castiel changed in the last few days?" everyone nodded. "Anyone have any idea why?"
"It may have to do with that Winchester boy." said Raphael. "The way they look at each other, you'd think they have something going on."
"Bingo!" Gabriel smirked sitting on the arm of the sofa, "Our little Castiel has a crush on Dean-o."
"It's like they are using telepathy." Lucifer chuckled.
"Did he tell Dean?" asked Anna knitting her brows.
"No. Castiel was sitting with us today in the lunch room, Dean started talking about the Summer Ball and how he is going with Lisa… he left the table without saying anything and he's been like this since then." Michael nodded understanding.
"Dean is not aware of Castiel's feelings, is he?"
"No, Michael, he isn't. However, he may have a crush on our dear Cassie but he's too damn 'macho'" he air quoted with his fingers, "to admit it."
"Very well, does anyone else think we should intervene in this?"
"I think we should wait and see what happens, if not one of them wants to make a move, we go in." said Lucifer with his arms crossed.
"Let's hope they do." Gabriel sighed.
…~)D*C(~…
The student body at James Monroe was hysteric during the last week before the Ball. Anna had prepared her dress and had a date, Jake Talley, an attractive football player and friend of Dean's. Gabriel's date was Kali , one of the school's most beautiful slag with more character than dignity but she was extremely attractive which was good enough for him. Sam finally had the courage to ask Jessica, his best friend, she had happily accepted.
"Come on, Cassie, open up, please?" Gabriel kept knocking on the door, he, along with Anna had been trying to persuade him to attend the Ball but he kept telling them to leave him alone and never once opened the door.
"Just please, Castiel?" said Anna.
"Please go, Anna and Gabriel." they sighed and walked downstairs to leave. Anna wore a green mermaid dress with lace under the first layer of satin of the skirt, her hair in an updo with a small crown on her head and white gloves. Gabriel wore a regular tuxedo and white gloves which he hated.
Raphael held a camera to take their photos, it was a tradition they had; Michael, Lucifer and Raphael had their photos of all their high school year events which had been years ago. Michael had graduated eight years ago but decided to wait for college to focus on raising his siblings instead but was now a senior in college. Lucifer had graduated seven a year after his older brother and helped Michael. Raphael graduated the previous year being a first year college student currently.
"Wait! Stay there, I'll take the picture there." Raphael pointed at his younger siblings as they descended the stairs.
"Just hurry up, Raphael, we'll be late." Anna complained standing next to her brother.
"Okay, okay, just another one. Stay still, Gabriel!" he took the photograph and the flash went off. "Okay, all done." Gabriel and Anna descended the last steps of the staircase heading towards the door. Anna's car was parked at the front of the house awaiting for them.
"Be safe, and Gabriel, look after your sister, do you understand?" said Michael with a warning look.
"Yes, sir." he nodded politely.
"I can look after myself, Michael." Anna rolled her eyes at Michael.
"I know but that is not what I meant."
"I'm not gonna do anything." she gave him a bitch-face, he in return gave her a warning look.
"Careful, young lady." she sighed and walked out the door with Gabriel.
~)D)*(C(~
Castiel watched from his window as Anna and Gabriel drove away from the house, he quickly unlocked his door and walked downstairs. Lucifer sat in the living room reading The Divine Comedy laughing every now and then at the content. His attention drifted from the book noticing his younger sibling standing in front of him.
"So are you going to just stay here and do nothing?" Lucifer raised an eyebrow at him.
"No, actually, I wanted to ask you for a favour, please." Castiel stood still with his hands shoved in his pockets.
"Alright, what is it?" he rested his elbows on his knees staring up at Castiel.
"Would you take me to Amelia's house. She is my date for tonight." a small smile formed on his lips. Lucifer opened his mouth to speak yet could find nothing to reply with not comprehending the situation since he was aware of Castiel's crush on Dean.
"Of course. Why didn't you tell us? And are you going in that?" his eyes moved up and down Castiel's attire.
"I did not want to go with them, I want to be alone with Amelia. No, I have my tuxedo ready upstairs."
"How come we didn't see you get one?" Lucifer tilted his head slightly.
"I have had it for a long time but never thought it would be of use." he shrugged slightly.
"I see. Well, go and get ready. I'll go start the car." he stood up grabbing his keys from the key box.
"Um… Could we take dad's car?" Lucifer smiled and nodded. "Thank you."
Castiel ran upstairs to change; his tuxedo was unlike any other the males at the Ball would seem to wear, it was an eighteenth century style tuxedo with a ruffled brown vest with gloves, and his outfit was designed to match Amelia's dress. His hair stood in thousands of different ways but he decided to leave it as it was instead of styling it.
He walked downstairs to see a surprised Michael standing in the living room with his mouth agape and speechless.
"I was not going to tell them, it is a surprise." Castiel spoke before Michael.
"You look… where did you get that?" Michael spoke with awe in his voice.
"Is it awful? Father sent it to me along with the glasses, he said I might make use of it one day."
"Not at all, it is good. It is great. You will most definitely be conspicuous in that."
"I suppose that is a bad thing…" Castiel looked down at his clothes.
"Some attention never hurt anyone, Castiel." Michael gave him a small smile.
"I already get sufficient attention at school." he frowned slightly.
"That is what happens when you are a Novak. You are quite welcome, little brother." Michael smiled. The Novak's father had been his class valedictorian all four years, Michael had been the football team's captain the four years, Lucifer had been the basketball team's captain, wrestling team and weight-lifting. Raphael had been the baseball team's captain. Anna was the cheerleader captain and was involved in many clubs. Gabriel was in the fastest swimmer had led his team to the all city championship, he also had his own title for being the school's trickster; everyone loved him. Castiel was his class valedictorian and had been since he was a kid, but what Novaks were known mostly for their impeccable beauty.
"It is an unfortunate blessing." he chuckled. Lucifer seemed to be thinking, he glanced at Michael locking eyes, they smiled and ran upstairs leaving a confused Castiel behind.
"Hey, stay here, we'll be right back!" said Lucifer halfway up the staircase. Castiel sighed walking towards the sofa. He could feel the anxiety building in his stomach, he hoped to be able to go through the night without feeling suffocated or not seeing Dean with Lisa. His intents fixed on staying with Amelia and her friends throughout the night avoiding Dean or his siblings as much as he could, after all, he was doing this for Amelia.
A few minutes later Lucifer appeared in the living room along with Michael both dressed in their formal wear. Castiel stood up seeming confused for a moment but figured they might just want to be at the Ball, after all, it was a school tradition that former students attend if they pleased.
"Come on, Castiel. We'll be late." Lucifer pushed the boy towards the door locking the door behind them. They got into their father's abandoned car, a black 1934 V8 ford shining luxuriously in the light from the street lamps; Lucifer drove as Michael sat in the passenger seat, Castiel in the back and Amelia would be next to him.
Castiel was silent through the ride, they arrived at the girl's house five minutes later; the parents allowed him inside the house as he waited for Amelia to come downstairs which wasn't for long; she wore a sleeveless, dark-blue princess dress with lace adornments and a thick, golden band around the waist, her beautiful blonde hair was in a messy bun with dangling curls around her cheeks, an indigo plume with black veil placed above. Castiel stared in awe at her beauty, a tint of pink appeared on her cheeks at his gaze.
"You are very beautiful, Amelia." he kissed the back of her hand. Amelia's parents were charmed with Castiel's proper gentleman manners and his rather handsome figure.
"Thank you. You look quite handsome." she smiled gently.
"Thank you." a smile formed on his lips, "Shall we go?" Amelia nodded. He took her hand in his as they made their way to the car, he opened the car door for her helping her inside.
"Hello, Amelia. You look lovely." said Michael with a kind smile.
"Thank you, Michael." she smiled back.
"Everyone ready?" Lucifer looked through the rear view mirror.
"Yes." they said at once. Lucifer and Michael exchanged small conversations as Castiel and Amelia whispered in the back seat, they arrived minutes later at the school where the Ball was being held; The school was absurdly immense having its own ballroom which was used for Etiquette Class where students spent most of their times in proper, quiet conversations drinking tea in fancy china tea cups and eating muffins, petit fours or biscuits; Gabriel's favourite class.
~)D)*(C(~
There were valets outside of the school and two men, who Dean guessed were hired guards, dressed in royal guard outfits announcing the names of the guests arriving. He entered the ballroom with Lisa on his left side with arms hooked. Gabriel was behind him with Kali and Sam following with Jessica. Lisa wore a long, red dress with a black band around the waist and a bow, Dean wore a regular tuxedo and his hair neatly styled. Kali wore a black velvet dress with long, thick and glossy curls and Jessica wore a an elegant, violet evening gown with a strapless sweetheart neckline on the beaded bodice, asymmetrical pleating on the empire waist and long, blonde curls with great volume.
"Dean Winchester and Lisa Braden. Gabriel Novak and Kali Sharma. Samuel Winchester and Jessica Lee Moore."
Everyone cheered making a path for them to enter, Dean smiled greeting everyone humbly while Lisa walked proudly with her head high and an obnoxious smile on her face. Gabriel had a strong urge to punch her on the face but he could not do that, not in front of so many people.
They danced, drank, ate and conversed with other guests until the guards announced all the guests were present. The doors closed, everyone continued with their former activities, suddenly the doors opened; Castiel stood before the closed doors with Amelia's arm around his, Lucifer and Michael looked at each other with a smirk, they opened the doors stepping in proceeding to give their names to the guards.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Michael Novak and Lucian Novak." everyone gasped and clapped as they made their entrance. Gabriel, Dean and Sam turned around when they heard the names and saw Michael with Lucifer coming their way. Dean's eyes went impossibly wide at the sight before him.
"Castiel Novak and Amelia Everett." Castiel entered with confidence without any expressions on his semblance, Amelia still hooked arms with him with a sweet smile on her face. The room went silent with gasps and whispers not expecting the younger Novak to be present, Gabriel and Dean were surprised as everyone to see him, Michael and Lucifer started to clap and everyone else in the room followed. Everyone gathered around them wanting to see and greet the breathtakingly beautiful couple; all the males in the room envied Castiel for having the privilege of escorting Amelia, he held his head high feeling quite proud to do so. Females sneered and glared at Amelia for being with Castiel but she ignored all that humbly smiling and greeting everyone.
After a long time of curious people around the couple, they dispersed, Castiel and Amelia stood by a group of people whom they both seemed to know very well, Dean was across the room with Lisa and others around but he seemed uninterested in their conversation, his thoughts kept on the blue eyed boy and stealing glances at him.
A middle aged lady in a maroon gown stood on the stairs to make an announcement; it took a few minutes for the room to be quieted down and she proceeded to speak.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I must thank each of you for making the Summer Ball a success. We thought this year our tradition would not continue but it was impossible, it is a part of James Monroe High school, a part of each one of you. It is a legacy previous generations have given to all of you, to all of us." everyone clapped. "It has now come the time to crown the king and queen, princes and princesses of this year's Summer Ball's most flamboyant and sophisticated couples. You all voted and we have the results." the room was quiet as she opened a red envelope; there was tension in the air, expectancy, hope and anxiety. Dean cared not whether he won or not but Lisa seemed to really think it of significant import. Castiel hoped and crossed his fingers they would not be chosen, for dear life, not them; Amelia seemed to be thinking the same and they both started to leave the room when finally they announced.
"We have our first prince and princess of this year's Summer Ball…" pause, "Samuel Winchester and Jessica lee Moore." Dean patted his brother on the back with a wide grin, Gabriel could not help to smile seeing the boy be so happy. Sam and Jessica walked towards the stairs as a couple; they were crowned as told to stand on one side as the others were mentioned. "Our second prince and princess are…" she paused, "Gabriel Novak and Kali Sharma." everyone clapped cheering for Gabriel, he bowed dramatically thanking the public before Kali pulled him to the be crowned.
"And we have our last couple, our prince and princess are…" everyone in the room became suddenly quiet, all eyes at the dame with the red envelope. "Dean Winchester and Lisa Braden." everyone gasped in shock, Lisa's expression changed to a furious one, Dean was confused since he'd been distracted in his mind only to hear his name being called.
"Dean, they're calling you." whispered Chuck nudging him.
"Oh, they are? Okay." he smiled and walked with Lisa who seemed wrathful wanting to murder everyone in the room. They were crowned and joined the others; Gabriel and Kali smiled as they stood besides Sam and Jessica, Dean smiled wide, Lisa was still furious gripping Dean's arm really tighter.
"Everyone quiet down, we will now announce our king and queen." the room was silent again and the tension grew stronger than before, people looked around to see who most likely would win. "This year's king is…" she lifted her eyes from the envelope to the crowd and smiled, "Castiel Novak." They were near the exit when they heard and Castiel wanted to shrink from all the eyes on him. "And this year's queen of the Summer Ball is…" pause, "Amelia Everett." everyone clapped and cheered for the couple, making a path for them to the stairs where they would be crowned. "Congratulation both of you, you look absolutely wonderful!" she clapped.
Castiel wanted to be far, far away from there and take Amelia with him; the room temperature seemed suddenly too high for his liking and too loud yet he managed to keep his proper posture to walk with Amelia. Dean and Castiel glanced at each other for a few seconds but to them it felt like hours. Castiel sighed as he stood next to Amelia with a crown on his head, that meant it was time for the first dance of the king and the queen. The crowd cleared the dance floor making a circle, Castiel took Amelia's hand and walked to the centre in a such confident manner. The music started playing, he wrapped his arm gently but firm around her waist and their hands entwined in the air, their feet moved gracefully to the rhythm of the music, their bodies flowed like water. Everyone seemed enchanted keeping their eyes on them. Castiel was captivated by her beauty and a small smile formed on his lips, she smiled back at him. The princes and princesses moved to the dance floor joining the king and queen; their movements were synchronised and graceful. Castiel and Dean were a few feet apart from each other, they kept moving but their eyes never moved from each other.
The music stopped, the couples moved aside and another song started playing; couples moved to the dance floor hand in hand. Guys came up to Castiel and Amelia asking her for a dance, Castiel nodded and he was left alone for a few seconds before girls started crowding around him asking to dance; he politely accepted and danced with each one at a time. Dean was busy himself with girls all around him asking to dance, Lisa had disappeared somewhere and he didn't care at all.
The night was jovial and festive for everyone, except someone; Dean stood with Gabriel and a few of his friends, they joked, laughed and exchanged conversations while a few of them, including Dean, held glasses with Chardonnay or Blanc, champagne was only given to adults. Dean kept his eyes on Castiel who was currently dancing with Amelia again; he seemed happy, the gentle way in which he looked at her as if he were enchanted. He watched as Castiel danced with her, how he gave away a smile to the blonde girl. It hurt Dean to see it, it angered him so much he didn't realise with how much strength he gripped the glass around his fingers, it shattered into pieces and he felt the liquid on his palm. People around him gasped and ran to aid him but he refused to be helped walking away from everyone. He found the men's room and washed his hand, there was a small cut on his palm but it was not bleeding anymore. He ran a hand through his hair as he stared at his reflection, a sigh escaped his lips not comprehending why he felt anger towards Castiel, deep down he knew the answer yet he did not want to acknowledge it; he left the men's room deciding to stay away from the there was a balcony at the end of the hall and someone stood there leaning against it, his eyes fixed upon the silhouette in the distance, he narrowed his eyes recognising instantly who it was; his heart skipped a beat, he took a deep breath as his feet guided him towards the balcony; the beating of his heart sped up as the distance between them became smaller and smaller until he stood in front of the boy. His mind raced rapidly through images of those blue eyes staring into his, the warmth it sent through his body, the pace at which his heart beat each time their eyes locked; it was then that he admitted perhaps he did like Castiel, it was not his decision who his heart chose to love, it was blind to gender.
Castiel felt exhausted, physically and emotionally; it was difficult to pretend he was happy for all these people but he wanted to be away, he wanted to be in his room reading his books by the window. Amelia was still dancing with others, he had managed to slip away from the ballroom upstairs to the balcony; the skies were dark and the night was warm, the wind blew softly over Yorktown. Castiel leaned against the cool metal from the balcony and sighed deeply wishing for this event to be over.
He closed his eyes listening to the music and all the noise downstairs when he heard a door open. A dark figure stood in the middle of the hall, Castiel fixed his eyes on the stranger guessing the man was looking at him. It was peculiar, Castiel thought, his heart started to beat faster as the person approached him.
"Dean…" Castiel spoke as the moonlight lit the other boy's face.
"Cas…" they stood close to each other. "Hey…Cas."
"Hello, Dean." Castiel looked down at the floor.
"I thought you weren't coming." Dean spoke feeling awkward standing in front of the boy with the blue eyes that took his breath away.
"I wasn't." Castiel raised his head fixing his attention at the moon. "I do not wish to be here."
"Why are you?"
"Reasons." an exhausted sigh escaped Castiel's lips.
"You seemed happy there though." he leaned against the balcony.
"'Tis all pretence."
"I see." Dean nodded, "Even with her?"
"Amelia? It is different with her." he smiled a little. "If I were to choose, it would be her but I believe my heart has already chosen." there was melancholy in his eyes as he smiled gently.
"Who might that be?" Dean almost didn't want to know.
"It does not matter." Castiel chuckled. "My feelings are my feelings, this person does not return them."
"This person knows?"
"No. But there is no need."
"What if they do?"
"That would be…" he sighed. "I do not believe in fairy tales, Dean. But I suppose it would be nice."
"You are a wonderful guy, Castiel, no fairytale crap is needed for anyone to see that." Castiel laughed in his mind.
"All these people simply like me for what they see materialistically, not one of them have interest in truly being my friend for who I am."
"I don't."
"Thank you, Dean. You will be the first one." Dean felt the encourage build inside him wanting to tell Castiel but the opportunity fled by when they heard someone running down the hall.
"Dean?! Castiel?!" Gabriel stopped in front of the boys jumping up and down like a child with a grin on his face, "You two should come see this." he giggled.
"Oh no." sighed Castiel.
"Oh yes, little bro. Come on!" Castiel and Dean followed Gabriel downstairs. The room was still the same as before, nothing interesting happening when suddenly the lights in the room disappeared; everyone whispered in confusion, the school headmaster demanded to know what was going on, Gabriel giggled as lights were focused on the staircase, Erotica by Madonna started playing loudly, a group of dancers descended; the men and women wore tuxedos, their bodies moved sensually to the music as they started stripping off their garments, parents and adults were horrified, they gasped in shock and muttered how repulsive this was, the students laughed and cheered as the dancers moved in such a sexual way towards the centre of the ballroom.
Castiel stood wide eyed at the show before him, Dean laughed hysterically along with Gabriel and the other teens at the faces on the grown ups. The song played until the end and the dancers were nearly nude. The students clapped and the dancers disappeared through the exit, then there was a moment of whispers and giggles.
"Mr. Gabriel Novak!" yelled the headmaster, Gabriel stopped giggling and ran out the door.