Sam spun around in the mirror and frowned. Why did he have to dress up if he was just going to wear this red garbage bag over the top of it?

"Sam? You okay in there?" Dean knocked on the door. Sam opened the door and walked out. Dean beamed. "Well look at you. You look…you look good, Sammy."

"Thanks, Dean." Sam was pretty sure that Dean had tears in his eyes. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Dean sniffed and cleared his throat. "I just uh…I wish that Mom and Dad were here, ya know? They would've been so proud of you. Salutatorian. Although, if that asshat creative writing teacher of yours had given you…"

"What about his asshat creative writing teacher?" Gabriel asked from the couch.

"He could be Valedictorian if he hadn't given Sam an A minus." Gabriel rolled his eyes.

"If he…"

"I think we need to leave soon." Castiel spoke out. Gabriel was going to leave about ten minutes earlier so that they wouldn't arrive at the same time. Gabriel had been told that since he had a senior class, he had to attend graduation and sit up on the stage with the rest of the teachers. He was okay with that, but he sort of wished that he could just be with Bobby, Dean, and Castiel, celebrating.

"Yeah, I should head out anyway. I'll see you guys after the ceremony." Gabriel stood up, walked over to Sam, and gave him a kiss (producing a gagging sound from Dean). "I'll see you later, sweetheart." Gabriel threw an exaggerated wink at Sam before walking out the door to Dean grumbling about him being a "smart ass".

Gabriel drove to the high school and parked near the gym. It was already starting to get crowded as students and their families began to arrive. Gabriel was worried that the Winchesters might not get a good seat. Gabriel waved to some of his students as he made his way inside and walked up to Chuck.

"So, Boss man, where do you want me?" Chuck smiled.

"Upstairs in the teacher's lounge. Then we'll meet the students in the band shell at ten 'til."

"Great!" Gabriel began to turn, but Chuck caught his shoulder.

"Are you still sure about California? I've still got the vacancy if you change your mind." It was Gabriel's turn to smile.

"Thanks, but yeah, California is the right call. It's just…"

"Something you have to do. I get it." Chuck looked at something over Gabriel's shoulder and Gabriel snuck a peek. It was the Sam, Dean, Castiel, and Bobby. Gabriel couldn't help but smile and then turned back towards Chuck, who was wearing a stern look. "Do we need to have a conversation?"

"What? No, of course not! That's my baby bro's boyfriend's brother. I got to know him through Cassie. He went through a lot this year." Chuck's look was still mistrusting as Gabriel suddenly couldn't control how fast his mouth was moving. "With that Ruby girl and trying to get into Stanford and working part time at Sage's, he works his ass off. Knew what he wanted and went after it. Wouldn't take no for an answer and…"

"Okay, will you go upstairs now?" Chuck replied desperately to Gabriel's babbling. Gabriel didn't trust himself to speak again so he just nodded. After tonight, Gabriel thought to himself, nobody can say a damn thing. I won't be his teacher anymore and Sam is over eighteen. By three weeks, but still.

Meanwhile, Sam was talking to Kevin, Channing, and Jessica about their plans for after the ceremony.

"I heard that Ty is throwing a huge party at his lake house."

"What do you think, Sam?"

"Oh no," Channing snickered quietly. "He's probably going to spend the night with his super-secret boyfriend that only Kevin knows about."

"I don't have a boyfriend, I've told you guys."

"Maybe it is Kevin." Jessica said with a nudge. The girls broke into fits of giggles, earning glares from the boys.

"Why is your boyfriend being gay funny?" Channing rolled her eyes.

"Oh stop it. Plus, Sam's way out of your league."

"Now that," Sam smiled. "I can agree with." Kevin shot daggers at Sam, then looked at Channing.

"Well, if Sam's out of my league, what does that make you?" Channing shrugged.

"I'm slumming, Princeton boy. Now come on, we need to get to the band shell." Channing took Kevin's hand and led the four of them across a small field of grass to the band shell. It was a large, practically all concrete room where the bands and choirs practiced.

At ten until four, the teachers entered the shell and stepped up onto the choir raisers, all wearing black robes, similar to what the students had on. Sam laughed to himself because Gabriel looked like he was almost swimming in his. He made eye contact with Sam and just gave him a reassuring smile. Sam smiled back. Kevin gave him a quick elbow to the ribs which reminded him of where he was and what was happening. Apparently, Professor Shurley had been speaking for some time.

"…names alphabetically. Where are Kevin Tran and Sam Winchester?" The boys raised their hands. "Can you two come up here, please?" Kevin looked at Sam and then released Channing's hand and the two walked up to the front. Professor Milton came forward with ribbons. One gold, the other white.

"Kevin," Professor Milton handed Kevin the gold, and then with a "Sam" handed Sam the white.

"You two will wear these and be up on stage with the staff. Kevin, you will be on my right, and Sam, you'll be on my left. Any questions?" Both of the boys nodded as they placed the long ribbons around their necks. "Great!" Professor Shurley clapped his hands and then began speaking to the entire group again.

"Alright, let's all get in line, alphabetically shall we?" The room broke into chaos as students began trying to find out where they were supposed to be in the alphabet. It was actually very comical to watch. Sam and Kevin watched with amused smiles on their faces as the teachers dispersed to help their students.

"You would think at eighteen these kids would know by now, right?" A voice behind them said. Sam turned and was face to face with Gabriel. They shared another smile.

"Yes, you would think so Professor Novak."

"I wouldn't start here, you two." Kevin whispered.

"Start what, Kev? We're just talking about how your classmates, although able to pass high school, seem unable to simply get into a line by last name. Oh and look, Andy and Ansen are fighting over who goes first. Good times. I love graduation." Gabriel grinned like a kid in a candy store.

"You're an idiot." Sam breathed out with a chuckle.

"But I'm your…"

"Alright!" Chuck appeared seemingly out of nowhere. "Everybody ready?" The teachers began making their way up to the raisers again and fell in line. It just so happened that Sam was on the opposite side of Chuck than Gabriel, so at least he wouldn't have that distraction sitting next to him the whole time.

The ceremony itself was much more boring than Sam had imagined it in his head. He had pictured Kevin's speech, names read, and that was the end of it. They would throw their hats up and then go home. Apparently, that wasn't how graduation worked here. No, first Professor Shurley stood up and informed everybody of the classes numbers: Average GPA (3.7), Average SAT score (1770), Average ACT score (24), and Percentage of students that were continuing onto some form of college (98%). Then Professor Shurley introduced Kevin (4.2 GPA, 2380 SAT, and soon to be entering Princeton to one day become a doctor), then Kevin stood up and delivered his speech. He had been working on it for weeks, and Sam had run through it so many times with him that he could probably give the speech himself. Kevin took a deep breath and then smiled at his classmates.

"Well, here we are…" Sam's mind stared to drift thinking of how he had actually made it through this school year. He had done some stupid things. He really had. He had almost messed up his entire future. Looking back, it did seem pretty extreme to do what he did, but, like many ideas in hindsight, it seemed like a good choice at the time. He glanced over at Gabriel quickly, then looked back at Kevin. He was excited for the next chapter of his life. He was ready to leave most of high school behind him and start fresh. With a person that he truly loved and truly loved him back. They had had a rough road, but in the end it had made them stronger.

Suddenly, Sam heard clapping and people getting to their feet. They were giving Kevin a standing ovation? Sam followed suit as his classmates and teachers all stood, clapping. Kevin looked like he was glowing. Kevin then came back and sat down in his chair, sending his smile over the Sam. Sam returned it. Even though he wasn't paying attention, he knew that Kevin had done a great job. Professor Shurley stood up and walked to the podium.

"Now ladies and gentlemen, your graduating class of Kripke High." Professor Shurley began reading names. The audience was supposed to stay quiet until everybody's names were read, but that didn't happen. Loved ones shouted when their student's name was read, causing Professor Shurley to either wait or speak louder so that he could be heard over the noise. Then, finally came, "Samuel Winchester" Sam stood up, walked over to his principal (amongst loud cheers and whistles he was sure was from Dean and Bobby) and received his diploma. Professor Shurley took and shook his hand.

"Congratulations, Sam."

"Thank you, sir." Sam smiled.

"Good luck in California with…" Professor Shurley smiled, almost knowingly, "everything."

"Thanks you, sir." Sam released his hand, took his diploma, and then sat back down. Professor Shurley watched him and then leaned into the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the graduates of Kripke High School." The entire gymnasium erupted with cheers and applause. Sam looked up to Dean, Castiel, and Bobby with a smile as he saw all of them clapping and yelling. Dean's smile looked so wide his cheeks would crack.

Professor Shurley spoke again, about what the students had done to get to that point. He also thanked the families for their support of the school and the students. He finally nodded, signaling that he was about to lead the students out. All of them stood, and Professor Shurley led the way out of the gym, the teachers, Kevin, Sam, and then the rest of the new graduates following him back to the band shell. Once inside, they all cheered again, the teachers joining in. Professor Shurley held up his hands for silence.

"Congratulations, everybody! Now, if you could please turn in your caps and gowns from the same teacher that you received them from you may leave and never come back to this place if you so choose!" That got a huge response from his now former students.

"So, are you guys going to do anything later?" Jessica asked after they had all turned in their caps and gowns.

"I've got family stuff." Kevin replied, gloomily.

"And I'm going with him to his family stuff." Channing smiled.

"What about you, Sam?" Jessica looked hopefully. Sam cast a glance at Gabriel before looking back to Jessica.

"Family stuff too."

"Family stuff or stuff with your boyfriend that you won't tell us about?" Sam blushed.

"I told you, there is no boyfriend."

"Yes, there is. Come on, why won't you tell us about your boyfriend?" Channing demanded. Sam sighed, realizing that his friends weren't going to let it drop.

"Maybe someday, Chan. I really have to though." Sam waved to his friends and then set off to find his family.

Two weeks after graduation, Sam had had his graduation party. Gabriel had gone and, originally, they weren't going to reveal their relationship, but with only twenty minutes left of the party, Sam absentmindedly reached for Gabriel's hand and intertwined their fingers as they walked towards the coolers to get more to drink. Gabriel didn't think anything of it, plus there were very few people still there, until he heard a loud gasp behind them.

"Mr. Novak?!" He heard Jessica shout. He turned around to see her running towards them. "This was your super-secret boyfriend?" Jessica hissed, now attempting to lower her voice, even though the only remaining people that didn't know about Gabriel and Sam were Jessica and one of Sam's friends from his math class, but he seemed more interested in discussing Dean's car than what was happening around him. Sam pretended to be confused for a moment before glancing down at their hands and then back up at Jessica, eyes wide.

"Jess, we um…"

"We just started dating. After graduation." Gabriel filled in.

"I thought Kevin said you'd been dating somebody for a few months?" Jessica raised an eyebrow.

"No, just a couple weeks." Sam seemed to regain his composure. "Kevin was teasing me about it because he knew I had a crush on him, but nothing was going to happen until after graduation." Jessica eyed the two of them carefully, clearly not believing the story. "Jess, seriously, do you think we would've been dumb enough to do something while school was happening?" That thought seemed to have appeased Jessica.

"I just…wow. Channing is going to FREAK. When are you going to tell her!? Oh she should know!" Sam held out his free hand, his other still linked with Gabriel's.

"Jess, relax. Yeah, I'll tell Channing soon."

"Great! I have to go, though. You guys are super cute by the way." Jessica gave Sam a hug and beamed at Gabriel. "I'll see you later this summer!" Gabriel and Sam watched her get into her car before glancing at each other.

"Well, that went better than expected." Gabriel smiled.

Nearly three months later, Sam packed up the last of his books into a box. He glanced around his now nearly empty room and leaned against his bookshelf. The only things left in there were his bed, his bookshelf, and some of his clothes. Everything else was in boxes or already in either his or Gabriel's cars. Gabriel had already gotten everything out of his apartment. They were leaving for California early the next morning, but Dean insisted that Gabriel stay with Castiel for the night since he had already given the keys for his apartment back to his landlord.

"Sammy?" Dean knocked on the door and walked in. He glimpsed around and frowned. "Wow. Sure looks different in here."

"I know. Are you going to be okay here all alone?" Sam asked, even though Gabriel had told him last night that Dean had invited Castiel to live with him. And Castiel had accepted. Dean gave Sam a semi-smile and sat on the bed.

"Actually, uh…Cas is moving in. His lease ends at the end of September, so he'll be moving in then." Sam smiled.

"That's really great, Dean."

"Thanks." Dean looked around some more. "You still sure? I mean, California is so far away and…"

"Yeah, I know, but you won't have to worry about me. Gabriel will take care of me." Dean rolled his eyes.

"So he says." Sam opened his mouth to argue, but Dean cut him off. "I know he will, Sam. I really do. I know you'll be in good hands and I know that he'll take care of you. I just don't like the idea of you being so far away."

"You know, if Gabriel heard you say that he might actually think you like him." Dean actually smiled.

"We don't want that now do we?"

"Oh of course not." Dean stood up.

"We should get some sleep. We've got to leave early in the morning. Cas and Gabriel will be here around six."

"Alright, good night, Dean."

"Night, Sammy." Dean gave the room one more look then walked out, shutting the door behind him. Sam shut his bedroom light off and fell in bed, knowing that Dean was right and that six AM would come way too soon.

Gabriel took a coffee cup from Castiel's cupboard and poured himself a cup from the pot. Castiel was in the shower, and Gabriel was cursing whoever had the idea of leaving the Winchesters' at six in the morning. Oh wait. That had been him. Well, nobody had to agree to it. It would have them arrive in Palo Alto near six in the morning there. The office for the apartment building opened at seven, so hopefully they could get signed in, moved in, and then go to sleep before anybody became too irritable.

Gabriel added sugar and some creamer to his coffee before taking a sip. It was better than he thought, but that could just be due to the fact that it was his first sip of caffeine at nearly five forty-five in the morning. He heard the shower turn off as he took another sip. Castiel stepped out of the bathroom dressed and tired looking. It was going to be a long trip.

Twenty minutes later, the Novaks were pulling into the Winchesters' apartment building, Sam and Dean waiting outside. Gabriel parked his car next to Sam's and got out of the car, Castiel following his brother.

"Morning." Dean offered in a gruff tone. Sam yawned and waved. "So, how are we doing this?"

"Sam and I will be taking my car, and then you and Cassie will be in Sam's. Isn't that what we agreed on?"

"Just making sure. Okay, so we're getting the bed, and the couch out there?"

"They're being delivered at noon tomorrow." Gabriel smiled at Sam. They had picked them out online and the store was going to deliver them to their new home. It all still seemed very surreal to Gabriel. The summer had seemed to just fly by, and now he was going to be moving to California.

"Great. We should get going though." Sam gave another yawn.

"I'll drive first, Samalam." Sam nodded, too tired to argue. "We'll call if somebody needs a break, deal?"

"Deal. Let's get going." Castiel climbed into Sam's car and Sam got into Gabriel's passenger seat, already leaning against the window with his eyes closed. Dean and Gabriel nodded at each other before getting into their respective cars.

"Tired, Samshine?" Sam simply hummed in response.

"Well, get some sleep. I'll wake you up if we stop." Sam opened his eyes so that he could watch his old home go by one more time. He was excited to be going to California. Once the house was out of view, Sam closed his eyes once more. He was so excited to be starting his life with Gabriel that he hoped that when he opened his eyes, they'd be in Palo Alto.

Well, here it is. The last chapter. This story took me nearly a year to finish, and I want to thank ALL of you that stuck by it (and me). You are all amazing. I want to give everybody that faved, followed, and reviewed (a VERY special thanks to all of you guys)! You guys helped with this story so much and I can't thank you enough.

Sorry, one more quick thing. I am not going to be writing a full story for a little bit. Just taking a break so that I can write at least a couple chapters of the new idea that I have. In the meantime, I am going to be updating my one-shots (Anything and Everything, but Mostly Nothing) more frequently. Anyway! Thank you guys again! Love you, all!