Against All Odds -Destiel

Chapter 12

"All that is gold does not glitter
Not all those who wander are lost."
-J.R.R. Tolkien

Dean ignored Tina who had been staring and smiling at him in biology with no effort in being discreet. He looked down at the permission slip in the pocket of his folder. May 14 was the date for the college trip. Dean tapped his pencil anxiously on the desk, full of thought about the encounter with Cas.

Dean was unsure how to feel. Should he feel horrible for saying those things and for punching him? Or should he feel proud for sticking up for himself for once? Cas was allowed to see other people now. It wasn't cheating, but it still made Dean feel utterly unimportant. After all, he shouldn't settle for someone like Cas who would just forget about him all too soon after a breakup and move on within a week. Besides, Cas would only hold him back and keep him from being all that he could be. He wanted Dean to follow him to California while he tried to become a musician. It was foolish.

An announcement came on through the intercom. An administrator had said, "At this time, the school will be gathering in the auditorium for this semester's honor roll and awards ceremony. All students must attend. Thank you."

Dean groaned dramatically and rolled his eyes. It used to be that he always enjoyed the honor roll ceremonies. Being the straight A student that he was guaranteed him a certificate or medal or award of some kind at every single one. What really made him happy was to see the huge proud smiles on his parents' faces when he brought them home. It made little sense to frame them or put them on the fridge. He had earned so many. His mother kept them all in a folder. 'Dean's Awards and Achievements'. Now, the thought of getting that certificate in front of the entire school made him feel like he would be sick.

He walked with his biology class, trying to stay in the single file line that was quickly morphing into a mob of excited students scrambling to find their friends so that they could sit next to each other during the two and a half hour ceremony. There was no sign of Cas amidst the crowd when Dean peered over the heads of others to see ahead of him. He sighed, whether in relief or dismay, he couldn't decide.

Out of nowhere, he felt someone touch his arm. He turned, expecting to see Tina, but was relieved when he saw the familiar face of a quirky redhead. "Hey, Charlie."

She had a big smile on her face, as always, to brighten Dean's mood. "Hi, Dean! I haven't seen you since the party. How have you been?"

That was the last thing that Dean wanted to talk about. He avoided the topic. "I've been okay. Hey, did you catch that new episode of The X-Files last night?"

"Yes!" She remarked excitedly. "Did you know that was going to happen?"

Dean laughed. "No, I didn't. You?"

Charlie shook her head. Her expression changed when she noticed the discoloration on Dean's face around his nose and left eye. "Hey, were you in a fight?"

"Hm?" Dean tried not to acknowledge that question too much.

"Your face is pretty swollen. What happened, Dean?" She was concerned.

"Oh, it's nothing. I don't really want to talk about it." Dean looked straight ahead.

"Okay." Charlie said softly. "I'm here when you're ready to talk."

Dean looked at her. "Thanks, Charlie."

The auditorium was already half full of teenagers and teachers, all creating a dull noise of multiple conversations. Charlie and Dean sat somewhere in the middle of the house. Dean tapped his foot and looked over his shoulder at the other kids filling the room. Charlie leaned in closer to Dean, "Are you humming Enter Sandman?"