Neon Lights

Chapter 30 - Neon Lights

•Castiel's POV•
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June 13, 1968
0 Days Till Graduation
4:55 p.m.
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Okay, we didn't officially graduate today, but today was the last day of actual school. We did a practice run for the ceremonies. That was fun.

A knock at the door dragged me out from my room. A familiar voice sounded, "Hi Mr. Novak. Is Castiel here?"

"Hello, Dean," I skipped down the stairs, "Beach?"

He nodded. Michael let us go without a word. I think he's just happy I'm out of my room. Also, he's been cutting me more slack considering I'm graduating tomorrow.

We ran down the streets toward the beach. Sprinting five blocks took energy I didn't know I had.

We fell into the sand, panting, when we got there. Other people were enjoying the late sunlight, many were packing up to leave. We're not alone here this time.

Yet.

Dean got up, "Woo! Isn't today just a wonderful Thursday?!"

I shrugged from my seated position, "Yes, I suppose it is."

"No really," Dean crouched next to me, "It's sunny, late afternoon, beautiful California weather...!"

"Dean, this is Oklahoma, not California," I rolled my eyes.

Dean huffed and stood up, "You say so, but this weather begs to differ. Lighten up, would ya? You're acting like someone fucking died!"

"Why are you in such a good mood?" I laughed incredulously. Dean scoffed and sat next to me again.

"Why aren't you?!" He punched my arm lightly, "We're graduating tomorrow! This is cause for celebration! Be happy!"

"Grad isn't that exciting," I murmured, "All I get is a sash, a pin, and a rolled-up piece of paper."

"I never expected to graduate at all," Dean admitted, "So I'm super excited! Come on, cheer up!"

"Make me."

Dean got a mischievous and somewhat sweet look on his features. "I love you." His voice was drowned out by the crash of the coming tide.

"What was that?" I looked at him. I lip-read, I know what he said, but I'm playing. I like teasing.

"I love you," Dean tried again, in a little singsong voice. I heard him clearly that time. Another crash followed.

"I can't hear you," I cupped a hand behind my ear.

"I love you," he whispered, and I caught every detail of his voice. "Touché," I smiled.

"There's that smile," he got up and skipped around, "Come on!"

***

Eventually Dean got tired of aimlessly dancing around in the hot sand and I got him to come to the dock with me. We sat on the edge, out feet hanging over the sea. We took our shoes off so the ocean spray could tickle our toes.

Being 7:17 p.m., almost everyone's gone, save for one couple on the opposite side of the beach. We could barely see them from this distance.

"Y'know there's a war in Vietnam going on right now," Dean muttered darkly. I nodded.

"I know. I'm glad we didn't get drafted." My feet swung back and forth idly. The waves slammed against the wooden beams of the large fishing dock, the same one Dean blew me under all those months ago.