Fame Crazy (Sequel to Strings Attached)

Chapter 133

The next day is the community graduation party - a combined party for Anna, Claire, and Michael. The only person Michael's inviting is Jay, but they haven't heard whom the other two are bringing. Some of the extended family is supposed to come, too, but there were no real details on whom that includes. It's their first time back at the Novak house since they went off to LA, so seeing everyone again should be nice.

"You brought my doge!" Lucifer squeals as soon as they come in, kneeling down and hugging Misha lightly with one hand, his other hand holding his camera, angled down carelessly at the floor.

Castiel drops the leash. "He's all yours."

"Yes!" Lucifer unclips the leash and tosses it on the stairs. "Oh, and welcome back."

"Who is it?" Anna calls from... somewhere.

"Castiel and Dean," Lucifer replies loudly.

Anna doesn't seem to care, but Claire comes to see them when she hears who it is.

"Hey, long time, no see," she greets them with a grin.

"Way too long," Castiel adds. "And how are you?"

"Our of high school and feeling great," she replies. "Until college starts, at least, because that's gonna suck."

"Wouldn't know," he tells her. He never even had to finish high school - though he did technically graduate online - never mind college.

"How're things with you?" she asks. "Album all wrapped up?"

He nods. "Yep, mostly. It's all pretty rushed, but it's manageable."

"Is your song coming out soon?"

He nods. "Yeah, soon," he replies vaguely.

"Is that all I'm getting from you?" she guesses.

"Yep."

"Great," she deadpans. "Just treat me like any ol' fan. Really feeling the love here."

Castiel shrugs. "Sorry. I'm announcing it tonight at midnight, if it makes you feel any better. You'll find out soon."

"Sounds good," she replies.

Everyone makes their way over to the living room, where the rest of the family is lounging around. Make that families - Adam and Sam are both there, too, not that anyone's surprised.

"Guys, Castiel and Dean are here," Lucifer announces.

Anna ignores that in favor of her phone, but the rest of the families give them some sort of brief greeting, like a wave or muttered, "Hey."

"Been a while," Gabriel says. "And Dean?"

"Hmm?"

"You're still dead to me," Gabriel deadpans.

"What? Why?" Dean asks, confused.

"'Castiel is dead'?" Gabriel reminds him.

Dean bursts out laughing at that. "Oh, god, I forgot about that. That was awesome. I can't even lie and pretend I regret it."

"And I can't even lie and pretend I forgive you for being an ass," Gabriel replies.

"It's your fault for trusting the media," Dean tells him. "You really should've known. Don't you think that if Cas had actually died, someone would have told you, instead of waiting for you to text him?"

"Well..." Gabriel trails off, not quite sure how to counter that.

"You can't expect Gabe to think things through like that," Sam tells his brother. "He doesn't have that level of intelligence."