Don't Worry I'm Fine

Part Four

"So, um, what do you like to do for fun Dean?"

Castiel glanced at Dean pacing down the hall beside him. Dean kept a slow pace, he sauntered down the halls even though Cas was the one leading the way to the lunchroom. He had a way of leading from the back of the pack, it intrigued Cas. How could he be so confident as the new kid? Had he done this before? Did Dean move a lot? Where all had he been? Castiel wondered what Deans other schools were like? Probably bigger than here, and it wasn't hard to be. He held his books to his chest clenching them, it was a compulsion now. He'd had them pushed down, kicked or sprawled out across the hall left to pick up every paper and book, one too many times before. Castiel wasn't stupid, he was just different. Everyone could tell that he was a different but they didn't really know him so how could they know anything. He knew his face must have been contorted into some sad far off look so he tried to smile and be more inviting, friendlier. He only managing a small half hearted smile. God no wonder people avoid me. I can't even smile without forcing myself. This is pathetic. I'm pathetic.

Almost like Dean knew Castiel needed a distraction from his own thought he spoke up.
"Well I work on my baby a lot and I actually have a job now at my uncles garage so I guess I like working but its not really what I like to do in my free time." Dean was focused but Castiels' eyes widened at the mention of a baby.
What the hell did he just say. He's got a baby? He can be that much older than me. There's no way he's got a kid!
Castiels' mouth was agape and he cut Dean off.

"You have a baby?" he was almost in shock.

Dean's laugh barked out and echoed down the emptying hallways startling Castiel making him stop in his tracks still unsure of what was so funny. If I was a dad right now I sure as hell wouldn't be laughing about it. Lucifer would kill me, and so would mom.
He stared at Dean as he held his side with one leg up off the ground attempting to balance himself finally recovering from his cackle like outburst.

"God no Cas! Baby is just was I call my car. Jesus man you're funny. That was a good one." He said it with a grin ear to ear and a small chuckle still finding its way out. One arm still bracing his aching sides.

"I haven't laughed that hard in a really long time," Castiel felt relief blanket him and he was still surprised that he made Dean laugh. A full body laugh at that. He didn't realize it at first but he was the one smiling now and it was Dean who was looking down now, moving them both again towards the lunchroom. A somber smile on his lips, but his eyes. Deans brow furrowed and his eye were unfocused he was remembering something he had forgotten and wanted to continue not remembering.

They walked into the cafeteria and Cas realized that he usually ate alone, which was fine with him really, but now Dean was being noticed by everyone. His classmates turned their heads to get a look at the new kid wondering what he was about. Then he could hear the whispers. Cas wasn't surprised by them, a lot of people whispered around him, about him he assumed. The freak. The outcast. The loner. The truth was he was just lonely. Lonely and awkward and alone. Dean would probably be swept away by some giggling group of girls who would insist that he sat with them. Or the jocks, they'd come and size him up and see if he was varsity material. One way or another Castiel would be eating alone at his table at the back of the cafeteria today. Cas stepped towards his seat.