The next morning was very different from the previous one in that Castiel was much more calm as he rode the bus. The day before had been a bit of a reality check but he wasn't as nervous either. He knew what to expect now and was able to mentally prepare himself for the upcoming day. Plus there were his new friends. Was it too soon to consider them friends? Perhaps they were just sitting with him out of pity and didn't really consider him to be part of their friend group. Castiel didn't want to be presumptuous and assume this and then have a mockery made of him. But he really did want to be friends with this interesting group of people.

Charlie seemed so kind and energetic, she had a lot of passion for the things she liked and Castiel found it to be endearing. Sam and Kevin seemed to be an inseparable pair, both always huddled together discussing either video games or school work. Despite this they both were very kind to him and went out their way to include him in the discussion even though he was ignorant of most of what they discussed. Benny was large and apparently on the football team but didn't really get on well with his teammates which is why he sat with them, Dean and him were good friends. The reason why Benny didn't get along with the football team he played for was unknown to Castiel but he didn't want to pry and ask why because it seemed to be a sensitive issue.

Then there was Dean. He had been the first person who'd reached out to him on the first day of school as he sat there all alone. Dean was complicated to Castiel, he was extremely warm and inviting. He didn't act too seriously and loved to joke around with everyone. But his eyes were so mysterious, they held secret and maybe even hardship. The color of them was interesting to Castiel, green unlike he'd ever seen before. They captivated him and he didn't really understand why.

As Castiel walked into school that day and entered the craziness that was the lobby. He was surrounded by a sea of people and this wasn't any less overwhelming than it had been the day before. Just as he thought he might drown in the sea of strange faces, a face that was known to him appeared like a life raft. It was Charlie. She walked up to him pushing through people with absolutely no regard for personal space until she made it to him. "Hey Castiel, you look a little lost so I thought I'd come save you."

Castiel smiled, a feeling of relief flooding over him. "Thank you Charlie. It's so overwhelming, all these people. They're so loud."

Charlie nodded agreeing with him. "Yeah what can I say? Public school kids are loud and obnoxious. Anyway who do you have for first period?"

"I have math with Mr. Neal."

"Aw that's lame. But luckily I'm right next door because I have biology with Mr. Allott first thing. C'mon pal let's walk there together!" And with that Charlie hooked her arm through Castiel's and all but dragged him through the maze of hallways. It took Castiel a little bit by surprise but he couldn't help but smile a little because Charlie's optimism was contagious. As they walked she chattered on about this and that not really giving Castiel a chance to respond other than to nod his head with understanding. But this was fine with Castiel because he was more of a listener than a talker.

Once they neared their separate classrooms they slowed down. Charlie's arm let go of Castiel's and she waved at someone. Castiel looked up to see Dean standing outside of his first period classroom waiting. He smiled when he saw Charlie and Castiel approaching and waved back at them. Dean's eyes briefly met Castiel's before they flickered away. The same feeling that he felt yesterday at the lunch table flooded through Castiel. It was a foreign feeling, one that he didn't understand so he didn't dwell on it.

The two stopped in front of Dean. "Hey Char, hey Cas. How are you guys?"

"I'm amazing as always," Charlie responded exuberantly. "How are you my friend?" Charlie asked in return.

"Can't complain. Not yet anyway. What's up with you Cas?"

Cas? No one had ever called him that before. His name was Castiel, not this strange shortened version of his name. His parents had always stressed to him the beauty and importance of his name. He was named after an angel, the angel of Thursday. Castiel knew his parents would hate someone 'butchering' his name. But in reality Castiel found himself liking his new moniker, it was short and sweet and if Dean wanted to call him that he really didn't mind at all. In fact he even liked it.

"I'm great. Excited for my second day of school."

Dean chuckled at the innocent almost child like way Castiel spoke of school. It was kind of strange but he found it refreshing, a reprieve the usual pessimism of teenagers. "That's great Cas, I hope you have a better day. If Crowley gives you any trouble let me know and I'll sick Benny on him. I mean Benny's a gentle giant but he can be really fucking intimidating when he needs to be."

Castiel thanked Dean for the offer but just as he did so the bell rang signaling that all students must report to their first period class for attendance. So at this the three friends separated, Charlie and Dean heading to class together and Castiel walking into his class alone. He walked in and took the same seat as he had yesterday and took out his notebook and pencils to get ready for class. Crowley and his cronies sat over in their usual corner but they paid no mind to Castiel. For this Castiel was especially thankful for. This day was really looking up for him. He figured he'd really jumped to conclusions the previous morning. Public school was going to be great, he just knew it.