August 18th, 2006

// Dean //

Something was up with Cas. It just wasn't right. Normally, he would be at school and get through the day with no issues. Dean always noticed that Cas would have a smile on his face. Always. Even if a class or two would go wrong, even if someone tried to poke fun at him. Maybe it's just a rough patch at home or something, Dean thought. No, it was far from it, Dean knew that. Chuck was never one to argue with his boys, and Gabriel hadn't executed a prank in weeks. Castiel had all his assignments under control, meaning his stress levels were low, too.

Then what is it? Cas wouldn't keep anything from him, although he was a bit afraid to ask. Taking five minutes to figure it out, Dean decided he should ask.

((Next day at school, lunch.))

This was it. He had to ask Cas now. Clearing his throat, Dean said "Cas? Is there something wrong? You just," he took a deep breath, "look like you're not okay."

"Well, it's my back. I think it's just growing pains. Honestly, Dean."

"Alright, Cas. I'll take your word," Dean huffed, "is it better today, at least?"

"No. It's worse than it had been for awhile. I'm okay, though."

"Good."

The two sat silently through the remaining ten minutes of lunch. As the bell rang, Dean noticed that Cas was trailing behind a bit. He didn't think anything of it, remembering the words Castiel just said to him.

Periods five through seven seemed to pass far too quickly. As the two walked into their last class of the day, Castiel stumbled. The stumble soon turned into a full fall.

"Cas!" Dean yelled as he grabbed his friend's arm to lift him up, "Can you stand?"

"N-no. I don't think I can."

Dean helped Cas up, balancing his weight on his left shoulder. "Mrs. Milligan? I think Castiel needs to go to the nurse. He can barely walk because of the back pain and the fall combined. Can I take him?"

"Yes, Dean. Just make sure to explain to the nurse if Castiel can't."

"Okay, Mrs. Milligan," Dean stated, "Cas, let's get you to the nurse. Good thing she's only two hallways away."

Castiel, trying to stay upright with Dean's help, slowly mumbled a "thank you, Dean".

The walk to the nurse's office took four minutes, while it should've only taken one. As soon as Dean and Castiel were within view of the nurse's door window, she threw the door open. "Who've we got here? Castiel? You're never down here, can you tell me what happened?"

"Dean could probably explain it better, right?All I know is that I fell and now I can barely stand."

"Yeah, Cas. So, he's complained about having back pain for around two and a half weeks now. He thought it was growing pains, since it came and went. Then, as we walked into class, he stumbled and fell. It wasn't an easy fall, I think his back landed against the edge of our teacher's desk."

"Oh, dear. Castiel, have you had any shoulder pains? Maybe one shoulder seems higher than the other? Do you lean to the side quite a lot?"

"Yes to all of them, actually. Why?" Castiel was even more confused now.

"Castiel, you might have scoliosis. It may not be severe yet, but you show signs of it. The fall, along with scoliosis, can cause leg pains. Can I call your parent or guardian to see if they want a screening done?"

"Yes. It would be my dad, Chuck Novak. He's probably working, but he'll pick up." Castiel tried to sit upright, but he winced and Dean helped him lay back down.

"Cas, do you still need me in here?" Dean asked, it had already been ten minutes.

"Please. I can't get up, and if I have to go home my dad will need an extra hand helping me. Oh, and my stuff. My dad doesn't know what I'd need to take home, but you do."

"Right, right. Cas, this is serious. You could have to use a brace, you might have to have surg-"

"Dean! I will be fine, I promise," Cas sighed, "trust me?"

"Of course."

The nurse hung up the phone and walked back to the two. "Castiel, I spoke with your father. He agreed to do a screening, so he's going to make an appointment for you. Meanwhile, someone will have to get all of your things from your locker and classes."

"Dean, you know what I need from my locker, run and get our things from last period. As I said, you're probably going to have to help. My dad needs to work for a few more hours after we get home."

"Alright. I'll go get our stuff."

As he made his way through the halls, thoughts kept flooding his mind. He tried to hum under his breath to calm him, but to no avail. He had made the quick stop at his locker, only grabbing the necessities. He then walked across the hall to Castiel's locker. He was the only one other than Cas that knew the combination. He filled his friend's bag with his textbooks, notebooks, sketchbook, and the few art supplies he needed. Dean had a feeling neither of them would be back to school for a few days.

"Cas! Hey kiddo, I heard about the fall and pains, are you ready to go home? Is someone bringing your stuff?" Chuck seemed more worried than Castiel had ever seen him before.

"Dean's bringing our stuff. Dad, since you have constant things to work on, I figured that Dean would have to help me with assignments and if I needed something. If this is what we think it is, I'll be out of school for awhile."

"Sure. And you're right, I have so many things to work on. I can't be away from my desk for more than five minutes at a time. Well, this is an exception, but the rest of the week will be full."

Soon, Dean came back with the bags and the three headed out to the car. Castiel still had to use Dean's shoulder as support, however.

A/N-

These isn't much to say for this one, but I have some big plans for it in farther chapters (that I haven't fully planned out yet).

Also, there isn't a specific order to the pov's, I just use what seems to make the most sense.

My weekend may be a little busy (at least more than normal), but I'll find time to write. I always do.

<3