She'll Leave You With A Smile – George Strait
At first she's gonna come on strong
Like she'll love you all night long
Like it's going out of style
Then she'll leave you with a smile
You're gonna give her all your heart
Then she'll tear your world apart
You're gonna cry a little while
Still she'll leave you with a smile
Well you can't help but wonder
Why you can't help but love her
But you can't help but love her
And all that hurtin' was more than worth it
It's written all over your face
Castiel Novak closed the door gently behind him after finishing the dishes in the kitchen. Jo and Dean were at odds again and he figured it was probably better to help eliminate some of the stress that seemed to pop up so easily these days between the two of them. Even though he hated to see them fight with each other, this morning he was happy for the distraction. It kept Dean from prying too hard into Castiel's whereabouts the night before. Not that he wouldn't eventually share with his best friend but he wanted a few hours to process. He had made up the excuse of meeting his new Biology lab partner. Instead, he was waiting at Starbucks to meet Meg. Meg who had broken his heart over and over, so many times in high school and college that Castiel had lost count. Meg who appeared and disappeared anytime she wanted. It was like she had a radar that went off every time Castiel was happy. As soon as he was, she'd pick up the phone and drag him into whatever drama she had going on at the time. She'd blow in like a beautiful tornado, ripping his sane existence to shreds and leaving just as quick. She'd caused Castiel so much pain and heartbreak that Dean had practically outlawed her presence anywhere around them. But Castiel couldn't help but being drawn in every time she was near. The memory of the girl Meg used to be, not the train wreck that she was now, was enough to keep him interested.
Lying on his bed, he thought back to their first meeting in the kitchen of Luke and Azazel Austen, seniors who always threw the biggest parties. Castiel shouldn't have even been there. He should have stayed home and probably would have saved himself years of heartbreak. It was the summer before his junior year and he could count the number of parties he'd been to on one hand.
Castiel was never comfortable in party situations or really any social situations where there were large quantities of inane drinking students but as usual, Dean Winchester had dragged him out as Lisa Braden, the prom queen was going to be there. Even though she was a full year older than Dean, he had used his charm and good looks to finally gain headway with the very preppy rich girl. In his mind this party was the perfect way to spend the evening with her and finally seal the deal.
Not that Castiel didn't try to beg off. "Dean, I have to study. I have a major chemistry exam Monday. I cannot afford to fail."
"Geez Cas, you're the only person I know that went to summer school for fun."
"I didn't go for fun, Dean. I went to be able to do advanced placement in the fall," Cas sighed as he explained for what felt like the thousandth time. He and Dean never saw eye to eye on academic topics.
"That test is two days away," Dean pressed "It's time for you to loosen the tie.."
Castiel's eyebrow crashed together in confusion "I'm not wearing a tie…"
"Dammit Cas, stop being so literal. Seriously can you not take everything I say at face value. But really, don't you want to get out of this house? Have some fun."
Cas pretended to think it over. "This is fun. Why don't you take Sam?"
It was Dean's turn to frown "Becky Rosen roped him into a movie."
Castiel smiled. Becky's crush on Sam was known by everyone in the town. "I knew he wouldn't be able to turn her down."
"So are we doing this or what?"
Castiel closed his book. He knew he was going to do what Dean wanted. He always did. "Ok let's do it."
Walking into the party, Castiel wasn't surprised when Dean ditched him immediately to find Lisa. Instinctively he moved to a small corner in the kitchen area clutching red cup Dean handed him before he took off. He figured this was the best place to remain inconspicuous and unnoticed until Dean was ready to leave.
"Hello," a female voice called loudly and he turned to find the source staring at him. She nodded in a friendly fashion, the waves in her hair swaying softly. This first glance would always be his favourite memory of her. She was 16 with dark brown hair and eyes to match, the round face of a Botticelli angel, the look of innocence that could get her out of any situation, at least until she opened her mouth. And there she was lounging casually on the counter before him, her dark eyes sparkling
"What's kept you?" she asked cheerfully "I've been waiting for you."
Castiel swallowed nervously as she hopped off the counter and walked toward him. "You have?"
"Of course," she smiled, swaying a bit from whatever alcohol she was drinking. "I wished for a dark haired mystery man hiding in a corner holding a red solo cup."
Castiel didn't know how to respond to that. Was she making fun or was she flirting with him? "Oh."
There was a brief pause where she lounged against the wall next to him, the picture of relaxation.
"Have you been waiting long?" Castiel asked. In an odd way it felt like the normal thing to ask.
"The better part of the evening," she sighed wistfully "Seems like nine hundred years."
Castiel raised his eyebrow "Nine hundred years? That is a long time."
"That it is," she agreed
"And you've been here all this time?"
"Well for the most part I was sitting over there," she replied seriously as she pointed to the kitchen counter.
"Well I'm glad I came then," he offered
She frowned "Truth be told I've had quite a bit to drink, so I could be imagining you. You may not be real at all."
"I think I am, even though some of the time I'm not sure."
"I suppose you feel invisible sometimes?" she asked.
Castiel's heart leaped. Nobody had ever asked him that before and that was how he felt sometimes in the shadows of his big brothers, his best friend. Had she read his mind? He was mesmerized. A total stranger looked into his soul and seen inside him.
"Yes," he replied softly.
"I know," she said.
"How?"
"Because so do I," she replied, her brown eyes looking directly into his. A hint of sadness passed but was gone immediately, replaced by a smile. "What are you drinking?"
"Um, I'm not sure actually," he answered.
"Well let's find out," She took the cup from his hand and took a sip. She made a face. "Warm beer. Yuck. Let's get you something fresh."
"That's not necessary," Castiel replied allowing himself to be pulled by the hand to the counter.
"No it's not but I hate it when people are sober in my presence."
"I'm not much of a drinker," Castiel offered. "I don't really like beer."
Meg smiled sweetly as she grabbed a fresh solo cup "We have a pitcher of Long Island iced tea."
"Oh," Castiel smiled, a bit relieved "Okay, I'll have some of that."
She laughed as she opened the fridge to retrieve the pitcher "Tell you the truth, I'm not much of a beer drinker myself." She handed Castiel the cup. "So what's your name?"
"Castiel."
"I'm very pleased to meet you, Castiel," she arched her eyebrow as she pronounced his name carefully "And my name is Meg. But my friends call me Megara for short."
Castiel laughed a bit "And I'm very pleased to meet you as well, Meg."
"No please!" she said holding up her hand in protest, "Megara, I insist."
"Well, if it's all the same to you, I'd rather call you Meg. Megara is a bit of a mouthful."
"Am I?" she asked surprised with a devious smile on her face. "A mouthful? You've just met me."
"You..you…" Castiel stuttered "You know what I mean."
She laughed again "I do…and if you insist on formality, Meg it is."
Castiel calmed a bit "Thank you."
"No, thank you Castiel. That sure is a fancy name."
Castiel shrugged. He was used to everyone questioning the origin of his name. He was preparing to explain when he noticed her staring with a slight smirk on her face. Her brown eyes were so piercing they made him uncomfortable
He tried to ignore her stare by taking a sip of his iced tea, which he promptly spit out at her.
"Hey now," she said laughing wiping her face "Say it, don't spray it."
"Oh my God," Castiel said. He could feel his cheeks turning red. "I'm so sorry. I didn't realize…I mean..I didn't expect there to be-"
"Alcohol in it? Meg added as she handed him some napkins "Why do you think it's called a Long Island ice tea?"
"I've never had one before."Castiel began to wipe his shirt "I've never even been to Long Island. I am so very sorry, Meg."
But she didn't look mad. In fact, she looked amused "I've never been to Long Island," she echoed, as if she were trying to memorize the phrase.
"I am really sorry," he repeated.
Meg just grinned and it tugged at his heart strings.
Steady there, Cas, his conscience that sounded a lot like Dean called.
"You are certainly an angel, aren't you Clarence? You want a Coke or something?" her grin growing broader "And I do mean the carbonated kind."
"Sure," Castiel said completely dazzled by the smile. "That would be great."
And it would have been, if Azazel hadn't picked that moment to walk into the kitchen "Meg!"
She closed her eyes slowly before turning to face him. "Coming."
Castiel watched as her shoulders slumped and the grin was gone when she turned back "Sorry bout that Clarence, you'll have to get your own soda. I gotta run."
Before Castiel could reply, she walked toward Azazel who threw his arm around her possessively.
And so it went throughout their relationship. Meg would pop up at random times in his life. She'd flirt and smile. She'd enjoy his relative naivety but then Azazel would appear and round her up and remind Castiel just who she belonged to.
But that still didn't stop Castiel from showing up every time she called, always when she was in trouble.