I just wanted to dedicate this chapter to all the people who voted and commented on this story. I was in a bit of a writing rut, and you guys inspired me to keep going. Thank you! 

Castiel was mentally kicking himself all the way home. Again. He wasn't sure what inner demon had possessed him to give Dean his number, but he hoped it would go die in a hole. As soon as Castiel and Gabriel got home, Castiel rushed up to his room and crawled into bed with his sketchpad.

"Castiel?" Gabriel asked from the doorway. Castiel looked up.

"I... I could make you some food if you want..." he said. Castiel shook his head. "Brother, please." Gabriel took a step into Castiel's room but Castiel just looked up at him. Gabriel sighed.

"Okay, fine," he relented, walking back out the door. Castiel went back to his drawing for what seemed like ages until he finally fell asleep.

Castiel woke up the next morning to the sound of his text tone. He rolled over and picked his phone up, assuming it was Gabriel, but it wasn't.

hey its dean

Castiel stared at it for a second before deciding not to answer. He rolled out of his bed and started looking for something to wear to school.

"Hey Castiel?" Gabriel asked from outside the door. Castiel poked his head out of his closet. "Dad wants me to find a job, so I can drive you to school, but you're on your own for getting back. Sorry," Gabriel said. Castiel shrugged, and Gabriel went back about his business.
After Castiel had decided on his skinny jeans and a sweater, he grabbed his bag and headed down to where Gabriel was waiting in the car.

"You ready?" Gabriel asked. Castiel nodded.

Castiel was dreading seeing Dean that morning. Dean knew too much about him, it was getting harder and harder to stay away, and harder and harder to tell himself that he actually wanted to. When he walked into art, he was shaking so bad he wasn't sure he could draw. Dean was already there, so Castiel just slid onto the bench next to him.

"Hey, Cas. How's Gabriel?" Dean asked. Castiel shrugged. Dean opened his mouth to say something, but then the teacher started talking. 

After art, Castiel stood up to leave, but Dean grabbed his arm and stopped him.

"Hey, Cas?" Castiel turned back to look at Dean, but couldn't meet his eyes. "Do you... wanna hang out this afternoon? After school?" Dean asked tentatively. Castiel's heart stopped and he stared at the ground, unsure how to respond. He wanted to, but... but he just couldn't. He shook his head, still not looking at Dean. He tried to fight back the tears building in his eyes, but one dropped onto his glasses' lens anyway.

"Cas?" Dean asked, sounding concerned. Castiel just pulled his arm from Dean's grip and turned to hurry away.

For the second time that week, Castiel found himself crying in the bathroom. He wished he'd never sat next to Dean, he wished they'd never come here, he wished they'd never had a reason to. He stiffened as he heard the door swing open and shut. Knowing his luck, it was probably Dean. 

"Castiel?" Of course it was. Castiel didn't move. "Cas, please. Just come out. Please?" Dean begged. Castiel let out a quiet sigh and stood up. He might as well get this over with. He stood up, wiped his face, unlocked the stall door, and stepped out. Dean walked over to him.

"Hey, what's wrong? Did I do something?" he asked. Castiel shook his head and walked over to wash his hands. He pulled up his sleeves slightly so they didn't get wet, but then immediately realized his mistake.

"What are those? Are those- Cas!" Dean rushed forward and grabbed Castiel's hands, sliding his sleeve up the rest of the way to reveal his scars. Castiel stared at Dean, frozen in panic, as Dean looked back up at Castiel's face, the look of horror in his beautiful green eyes made Castiel's heart break. He pulled his hand out of Dean's grasp and rolled his sleeve down.

"H-How long?" Dean asked, blinking and staring at Castiel's sweater sleeve. Castiel rubbed his arm nervously, not answering. Dean ran a hand through his hair.

"Okay... Okay. Come with me," Dean said. Castiel pulled his phone out of his pocket and sent Dean a text.

Why?

"I'm taking you on a date."