Chapter Text
(Ending Two)
Dean has one more goodbye to make before he leaves Palo Alto and he doesn’t forget to stop by the garage on his way out of town to make it. Paul was the first friend that he’d made after he moved here and Dean knows that he owes the older man a lot. If it hadn’t been for Paul’s silent encouragement, he probably would have left a lot sooner.
When he steps in, Paul is busy working on an old Bentley but he pulls his head out from under the hood when he hears the bell above the door.
“Dean? Haven’t seen you in a few days, kid. How did exams go?”
“Well, it’ll still be a few days until I have the official results back, but I’m pretty sure I passed them all, maybe even English.”
“Course you did” Paul nods confidently. “What are you here for then? Don’t tell me that you’ve already started studying for next semester.”
“Actually, there isn’t going to be another semester” Dean says, shrugging. “I’m here to say goodbye.”
“And why’s that?” Paul asks, looking confused.
“What’s the point in staying? All people see when they look at me is dumb hick” he says bitterly. “No one’s ever going to take me seriously in a town like this and you know what? Screw them. I have more important things to do anyway.”
Paul looks sad for a moment and opens his mouth, probably to try and say something comforting but before he can, the owner of the Bentley interrupts them from where she’s been sitting reading a magazine.
“If you really want to screw them, you should stay here and show them exactly what a dumb hick can do” she says in a strong rural Southern accent. Dean turns around to see his English professor and almost does a double take. She sounds completely different without the posh, high-class voice she uses in class.
“Whatever you think you’ve got to do; nothing is more important than expanding the limits of human knowledge. And by the way” Professor Stromwell adds as she collects her keys, “you did pass English.”
***
Dean spends the next few days emailing professors, begging them to allow him to register for their classes late. Almost all of them agree and soon he’s got enough courses to fill his Spring semester. It’s too late to apply for a Summer internship, but there will be other opportunities. Besides, he’s heard a few rumours that Professor Callahan is a bit of a creep anyway.
Maybe, he can take some time off school over the summer and get in a few hunts. Afterall, Clark Kent has a day job. Maybe he really can have it all.