Dean looked down at the letters scrambled upon the pages in his book. The letters twisted and turned into knots and tangles. He couldn't understand any of it.

It was like a piece of art to him, a bunch of words splattered all together like paint. But this was not art, and it wasn't a story either. This was a headache. This was his failing grade. This was written by some drunk who was only writing this because he was a hopeless romantic and had nothing better to do than write about other hopeless romantics killing themselves. No this, this was complete bullshit!

"What the fuck does this even mean?" Dean grumbled, forcefully pushing the book off the park bench. Falling to the ground, page down in the mud, Dean glared at the book. He'd now have to get a new one. So much for reading in the 'nice' weather outside.

The truth was (even though he wouldn't admit it) he wanted to wait outside early for Sammy just in case he came here sooner then he was supposed to.

Dean glared back down at the book as if he stared at it long enough it would disappear. He never really cared much about subjects, he used to be great at them actually, but he didn't want to look like the kid who can't do shit.

Dean just transferred and word was already getting around of a hot dude who's stupid as fuck. Dean didn't mind the hot part, but stupid? He wasn't that smart, but he wasn't stupid either.

Dean made a fool of himself during last period. The teacher kept pounding him with questions and Dean couldn't answer any of them. So what if he got a little angry? Everyone was laughing and yelling so he chucked the book. Yes, the book has endured a lot of abuse from Dean.

The guys in the class would take this as a chance to make Dean look stupid. All of them were mad that all the girls seemed to like him, especially Cole. Cole would make fun of him from time to time. Dean tried to never let it show but it bothered him.

Sam soon came out of the school building and they began to walk home. "So how was school Sammy?" Dean asked, smiling a little. Just being with his little brother could bring a smile to Dean.

"It was okay. There's this girl I like. Her name is Jessica but I just call her Jess." Sam said smiling. "That's good," Dean said.

"Yeah. But a lot of people like her too," Dean chuckled. "Well if she likes you back you don't have any competition." Sam smiled and nodded at Dean's comment. Dean smiled back, seeing his brother happy. He could still see the tiny bits of innocence left in his eyes that he never wanted to see go away.

Dean smiled getting into the Impala and driving home. Dean remembers the time he bought the car. Dean was only working a job some nights, but it wasn't enough so he bought a car with some of the savings for himself and John's money that he earns from police work.

John was pissed but Dean explained he would make more money in the long run. Because of that John is expecting more money for himself now which pisses Dean off. It pissed him off even more because John has a job as a police already, He just wanted more money for Sammy. At least they are getting some more for themselves.

Still, it's like the car isn't Dean's yet. Like John is in control. Dean can only use the car sometimes for school though because John hates it when Dean uses the extra money for gas. That's why Dean only uses it on days that are really important to Sammy or sometimes when they are running late, like today when John demanded breakfast before they leave.

Dean got out of the car and told Sammy to go to his room and do his homework. Sam groaned but he knew that if he didn't the school was going to call about a missing assignment which would make Dad pissed.

Sam really didn't want to make him pissed since he knew his anger would be taken out on Dean. Sam was a good kid so he ran up the stairs to do his homework. It was the only thing he could do to protect Dean.

The place they lived in was small, like a motel. They moved around from time to time so they never bought an actual house, at least not since their mother died. Dean and Sam shared a bedroom and John had his own. Besides that, there were two bathrooms and then just the front room which was a dining area, living room area, and kitchen area combined.

'One hour until John came home.' Dean thought before rushing to wash the dishes. After, he had swept the floor. Dean even turned the television to John's favorite station before he got there. When John opened the door, Dean was there with an opened bottle of beer. John just grabbed it from Dean's hand and sat down on his Lazyboy chair. 

There was nothing Dean wanted more than his father to be a father. Dean wanted Sam to have a real father more than anything instead of Dean pretending to be one.

Sooner or later, Sam was going to break just like Dean had years ago. Dean was going to prevent that from happening, he had to.

Dean went to his room where Sam was doing his homework. "The king has resided in his castle and is sleeping," Dean joked. Sam nodded and erased his answer for the fifth time already. He knew it, but, like Dean, he was stressed but for completely different reasons.

"Kids make fun of me at school," Sam sighed. Dean, now sitting next to him, reacted quickly, turning his head with a clear sign of anger. "I'm gonna beat the crap out of them!" Sam turned to him and pouted. "Don't do that Dean! I'll just be made fun of more!"

Dean sighed and hung his head low. "Sammy, I'm sorry." Dean sighed. Sam frowned and pretended to look over his homework. "But if I can help I'll do everything, k Sammy?" he said, ruffling his hair. Sam nodded.

Before John had the chance to wake up from his nap, Dean began making salad just to make the dish look nice. John never ate them. Still, if there wasn't food on a plate for him he always got pissed. Sam liked the rabbit food though.

After Dean finished cooking he cracked open another cold beer for his father and set his food down at the table in front of the television. Dean and Sam ate at the dining table in silence. He didn't have as much on his plate as Sam so he could save the food for his little brother.

He wished his father would step up, ask Sam about his day, praise him for his grades, complement his height, give him girl advice. But he didn't. He was always too drunk for that. For work, he decides to remain sober yet never misses a drink before heading home to his children. Dean wondered if it was just the alcohol. He really didn't know if his sober father loved him. If his sober father would beat the crap out of him or not. Dean's pretty sure he'd never find out. His father won't be sober. He never would.

So instead Dean tried to act fatherly instead but it wasn't the same. This was important to him especially since they already lost their mother. Now Dean has to be the father, the mother, and the brother and that wasn't fair. He couldn't do it.

After they finished Dean put the dishes away then asked Sam if he was ready to go. Sam gave a small nod and they headed out. As they got in the car and drove off Sam spoke quietly seeming worried about Dean's response, "Hey... Dean?"

"Mm?" Dean looked at the road unfocused. "Well... I was wondering that instead of staying at the bar where you work I could go to this hangout place where all the kids go." Dean seemed more interested now, turning his head to his brother. "Where?"

"Oh... um... it's at the arcade." Dean grinned and asked, "Is Jess gonna be there?" Sam looked startled by Dean's question before blushing. This made Dean laugh, "sure you can go Sammy. I'll stop by when I'm done with work. I don't start at Bobby's Repair yet so it'll just be one job, okay?"

Sam smiled at this. He knew that his brother needed rest. Dean always got more rest when they move so even though Sam has to say goodbye to his new friends every time, he knows it's good for Dean.

After Dean parked he opened the door to the bar and headed back to change into a button-up shirt and tie that he loosened and unbuttoned a bit so he didn't look like a nerd. After that, he went out to the bar to serve drinks.

Yes, he was underage and he was pretty sure the owner Ellen knew, but she didn't mind. He needed the money and he knew a lot about alcohol from his dad, not that she knew the dad part.

The only part he has to worry about is that her daughter is in the same grade as Dean and they go to the same school. Jo hasn't said anything yet though. Neither has Ash, Jo's adoptive brother that Dean has yet to meet.

It was surprising sense Dean worked at their family bar, not to mention they went to school together.

Dean tended the bar till it was late. Once he was done he changed back and headed out. "Hey Dean before you go, we're changing your shift to be later right?" Dean nodded, then said bye to Ellen and Jo who just gave him a glance. After Dean walked out.

Dean then headed over to the arcade that Sammy was at. There was still a few kids and teens in there. Dean went through the doors. A few heads turned and some girls started to whisper something about Dean's ass. 

Dean ignored it, heading over to Sam. "Who's this?" Dean asked turning to the lady already knowing who it probably was. "This is Jess."

 Dean smiled at the two who seemed cute and awkward standing together. "I'm Dean. His brother." Jessica smiled. "Nice to meet you Dean. Sam told me about you."

"Ooh, has he?" Dean smirked, embarrassing Sam even more with the following long pause. Then speaking again, Dean said, "It was really nice to meet you Jessica but if it's okay with you I was hoping to take my brother home."


Jessica nodded, "See you tomorrow Sam!" Sam said bye and they got into the car leaving. Dean and Sam shared stories about their day on the way home.

Sam and Dean headed straight to the bedroom. Dean laid in his bed while Sam laid in his own, across the room. Today was a good day compared to the others.

Dean was content, but all he could think about now was school. He'd made a complete fool of himself, and they weren't going to let him live it down. Dean Winchester? No. He was going to have to live with the names they were going to give him until he graduated. And he'd be in the yearbook as "most likely to fail in life". Amazing.

He stared up at the ceiling until his eyes fell heavy. He pulled the covered over his head and began to fall asleep.