Fame Crazy (Sequel to Strings Attached)

Chapter 118

Castiel brings Claire to school the next day, but Anna refuses to go with him on account of the whole thing with Ash. Dean drives, probably because he wants to go talk to the budding athletes at the school. They chat throughout the ride, and he learns about his reputation at the school, courtesy of Claire.

He's apparently well respected, especially by the less popular people for rising from his status as the most hated kid in school to who he is today. Most people love his music, though that could be because they feel they have a special attachment because they go to his alma matter. Not everyone follows his every move, but there are more diehard fans here than most places. He's pretty popular here, which makes this a lot easier.

He spots Ash in the same place he found the boy last time, talking to the same kid — Ramiel, Azazel's brother, Castiel recalls. Ash hands him a couple pieces of paper, and whatever dialogue is said is lost in the distance, but it doesn't take long for Ramiel to walk away.

Castiel quickly walks over to Ash, and they share a brief friendly greeting.

"What was up with that kid today?" Castiel asks.

"Ramiel?" Ash guesses. "I did his algebra homework and he's leaving me alone."

For now, at least, Castiel finishes mentally. It was a rare occasion a he'd get that free pass like that from the jocks when he was in high school, but it did happen occasionally, and it would rarely last past second block.

"Hope it didn't take too long," Castiel replies.

"No, it was pretty easy," Ash assures him. "I do it pretty much every day. Keeps my math skills sharp."

"I'd say that's nice, but it's really not," Castiel replies.

Ash just shrugs. "You get used to it."

"Don't I know it," Castiel mutters, half under his breath. He hands Ash a bag with his new laptop in it. "Just pretend this is completely normal and you and I are good friends. I've heard it works wonders for your reputation, and don't look but Ramiel is watching right now, so let's hope for the best."

Ash grins. "Thanks, man. And I'll try not to let anyone break this one."

"Hopefully, you won't have to worry about that," Castiel replies. "Text me how things go. I'm hoping things'll get a little better for you."

"Here's hoping," Ash agrees. "I gotta get to class, but I'll talk to you later?"

"Yeah, definitely. See ya."

They share a fist bump before Castiel returns to the impala, where Dean is unsurprisingly talking to members of some sports team, but Castiel doesn't see which one on the jersey.

Castiel leans against the impala to wait for Dean to drive them home. He's not surprised when three girls come up to him, cellphones out, presumably for a selfie.

"Are you Castiel Novak?" one of them asks, brushing her dark hair out of her face.

He gives them a kind smile, because he knows that otherwise he'll seem unapproachable and that won't look good for him. "I am."

"Can we get a picture?" she asks.

"Of course," he replies politely. They take a selfie, and it's hard to tell that he's the celebrity, because she looks like she could be  a supermodel. "Thanks, Cas," she says like they're best friends.

He inwardly cringes at the nickname. Only Dean gets to call him that. He's said that multiple times in interviews, and anyone in the Castiel Novak fandom, whether they've seen the interviews or not, knows that he's not Cas; he's Castiel. If she's trying to come off as a huge fan, she's failing miserably.