D e a n

s i x t e e n

L A S T  N I G H T

Dean shut the trunk of his Impala with a heavy exhale as Travis' party continued on inside. The heavy base of the music faintly echoing into the night. He turned when he heard Vince's low voice.

"You peacing out already?"

After Jacks had taken Mia home with the others, Vince decided to stick around for a bit. (Mostly because Dean had slipped away and he was looking for him.) But that didn't stop him from getting a drink—or two—and talking with one of the cute foreign exchange girls.

Dean leaned against the car as he pulled out a cigarette and lit the end. His once white t-shirt now nictotined with the neckline torn, his favorite leather jacket covering his tatted arms. As he snapped his lighter shut, the cigarette crammed in the corner of his lips, he nodded.

"I'm really not in a party mood," his hoarse voice came through. A cloud of smoke and fog mixing together in the cold air. "But you should still stay. I know Xander's here."

He had seen him the moment they found Mia. Trying to sneak away.

"No fucking way?" Vince scoffed and glanced back at the house. "That prick," he muttered under his breath.

Dean ran his hand through his hair as he continued to casually smoke his cigarette. Briefly glancing up at the cloudless night, the stars scattered and twinkling. When Vince exhaled heavily, Dean snapped his gaze down.

"Okay, well, I guess I'll see you Monday then."

Dean nodded and Vince went back inside. He stayed and finished his cigarette for a while. Enjoying the somewhat peaceful night. When the cigarette was finished, he tossed the bud to the grass and got into his car.

The back roads were long and empty. Leaving Dean in sweet silence as he sped down the highway. That is, however, until he hit an admitted large dip in the road. Sending the car to bounce. When a loud bang sounded in the trunk, he briefly glanced at the rearview mirror, before turning up the music. 'Mother' blared through the speakers.

2 0 0 7

Dean walked over to the old record player. He started the vinyl and an old-timey song began playing through the staticky speaker. He walked over to Effy who stood patiently with her arms out. The ghost of a smile twitching on her pink lips. Dean slid into her arms and placed his small hands on her waist. Effy giggled from the touch and he pinched her with a 'shush'.

"Ready?" he asked.

She nodded with a smile. Her big doe eyes shining through the gleam of light coming into the dusty attic. They began swaying and moving from side to side. Effy's feet stumbled along the wooden floorboards. Missing every one of Dean's choppy counts.