Strings Attached

Chapter 19

The next day at school starts out unsurprisingly similar to the previous. Gabriel complains Castiel takes too long, and they walk to the bus together. Gabriel sits in the back with Kali, and Castiel sits in the front, his head down and pretending he isn't here.

"Cassie!" Alastair says with a grin, sliding in next to the other boy. "We missed you yesterday!"

Castiel doesn't reply, but Alastair doesn't care. He throws his arm around Castiel, squeezing the boy tightly and nearly choking him.

"And how are you today?" he asks, though he clearly doesn't care.

Throughout the bus ride, Castiel is forced to put up with minor annoyances as he was the previous day. Once again, Alastair drags him away to the D wing. This time, Crowley is already there.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in," Crowley says with a grin as he walks up to them. "Heya, angel!"

Castiel doesn't answer.

"How about a kiss, huh?" Crowley says mockingly. "Can I have a kiss?"

He walks up to Castiel, who takes a few steps back until his back is against the locker. Crowley traps him by slamming the lockers next to him with his arms, his face only inches from Castiel's.

"Hey, angel," Crowley says with a smirk. He presses his lips against Castiel's, but Castiel doesn't kiss him. Crowley doesn't care. He pulls away, laughing at Castiel's discomfort. "There was a time you were begging for that, Castiel. What's wrong? Don't you love me anymore?" He laughs against, removing his arms and turning around to face Alastair, who laughs as well. They share a high five before Alastair walks up to Castiel.

"Talking isn't as fun when you don't talk back," Alastair says. "Come on, Cassie. Talk to us."

Castiel bites his lower lip, hard enough that he can taste the blood.

"Hey, what's going on over here?" the familiar voice of Mrs. Harvelle asks loudly as she walks down the hall.

Crowley and Alastair quickly back away from him, turning around to face her with innocent smiles on their faces.

"We're just asking for help with algebra," Crowley lies.

"Really?" Mrs. Harvelle says skeptically.

"Of course," Alastair says. "Can't fail the class or we'll get kicked off the team."

Mrs. Harvelle looks at Castiel, waiting for some type of comment from him to confirm her suspicions, but he's silent. Finally, she just says, "Well, class is about to start. Ask your teacher for help if you need it. He's not the help."

As she walks away, Alastair says, "It's your lucky day, kid."

"Oh, and Castiel, baby?" Crowley says mockingly. "We missed you last week, and we're so, so glad you're back."

With a wink, he turns and walks away, Alastair right behind him. Castiel watches them go, then slides down the locker until he's sitting. He misses when he could walk to school and get here before everyone else. He never used to have to deal with this as a wake up call. Those were the days.