The next week wasn't easy for anyone.

The whole town found out about Kelly and Dean. It was all anyone could talk about. The whispers in the school hallways to looks from strangers at the grocery store. It was enough to drive anyone insane.

And that's where Dean was heading.

He hadn't talked to Kelly since that day. Maybe a smile here and there as they passed each other on the way to class. And Kelly understood. It felt like a dream to both of them. Dean was sure it was over between them. How could they come back from that?

Sam, on the other hand, was still on the rocks with Brooke. He felt uneasy about her. What was she so scared of that she keeps hiding away for days at a time?

Didn't help that he had his own drama to deal with since everyone heard he punched Shane.

That's what made him even more uneasy. Shane. Probably planning his revenge to get his buddies to jump him at any given second.

John had left a long time ago. The morning after that night, everyone woke up to find out he was gone. No one heard him leave and no one knew where he went.

Bobby was torn. He so badly wanted to jump in and help the boys. God knows that when he agreed to take them that this was not what anyone expected. And God also knows that John is freaking helpless so Bobby was really the only safe place for them.

Sam, Dean and Bobby sat around the table eating breakfast. No one spoke or even looked at each other.

Then they left for school. Like clockwork. Like robots.

Bobby knew that they boys weren't really talking to each other either. Dean might have congratulated Sam on another good grade and Sam might have asked if he could help Dean wash Baby, but that was pretty much it.

Dean had heard about Shane and started dropping Sam off at the junior high. Unfortunately for Sam, Dean was still in class when school was out. But just as Dean does, he'd dip last period so he could pick Sam up.

That's what no one could believe.

Dean, for about half a second with Kelly, actually started to turn his life around. Even Mr. Matthews, the good ol high school counselor, was surprised. Of course, he wanted to believe that he was the influence and not some teenage girl.

But oh well. The damage was done. Dean went back to not giving a fuck about school or anything. He just wanted to blow this town already.

Sam wasn't too far behind him.

He never thought he would say this, but he was actually kind of grateful for hunting. Or at least the lifestyle. Only staying in town long enough before anyone learns your name or bothers to memorize your face, only for you to leave in the dead of night and never be seen again. No bullies with vendettas. No complicated teenage girls. Just him and his brother.

That's all the other one ever really needed.


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