Angeles

Cas decides to go in to the bookshop early on Friday morning. He was the owner now, even if only temporarily. He left his book bag on the front counter and ducked into the office.

The way his eyes widened when he noticed how few employees the store had was unavoidable. Aside from Chuck, there was only Castiel, Kevin, and Hannah, whom he'd only met once before. He and Hannah worked opposite shifts. He'd only met her right after Chuck had hired her and introduced her.

Cas sighed and set down the binder of employee files. He searched for applications that were already printed out, but saw no sign. Hoping there was a saved document on the computer in the office, he turned it on. The desktop was so disorganized that it took him nearly twenty minutes to put any sort of order to it, and an extra ten to put them in files. Despite his efforts, he still didn't find an application. He sighed again, his shoulders slumping.

He shoved the rolling office chair away from the metal desk and went out to the front. He thought he'd known everything he needed to, but now he realized how wrong he was. At the very least, he thought Chuck was more organized than this.

Now standing at the front counter, Cas was digging through his bag, looking for his address book. His phone rang and it started Cas so much that he dropped his bag, the contents falling onto the floor. He checked the caller ID, but didn't recognize the number.

"Hello?"

"Hello, I'm calling for Castiel Novak," a feminine voice replied.

"This is he."

"Hello, Castiel, it's Hannah."

Cas's brows raised in surprise. "Oh. Hello, Hannah. What can I help you with?"

"I know I'm supposed to pick up the shipment and open up this morning, but there was a family emergency and I can't make it," she explained.

"Oh. Um. That's alright. I will take care of it." Castiel suppressed a sigh.

"Thank you so much, Castiel!"

"No problem. Oh, and Hannah?"

"Yes?"

"There's a staff meeting tomorrow morning. Please let me know if you can't make it."

"Yes, I will. Thanks again, Castiel."

Cas laid his phone on the counter and squatted down to collect his things. His phone rang again, causing him to jump again. This time, he hit the top of his head on the bottom corner of the counter. He rubbed the spot that he hit with his hand as he reached for his phone. He didn't check the caller ID this time.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Cas." Cas would know that voice anywhere. It was Dean.

"Hello, Dean." Cas bent back down to finish picking up his things, wedging the phone between his cheek and shoulder.

"How does breakfast sound to you?"

"Time consuming," Cas sighed, not thinking first.

"What?"

"I'm sorry. Now's actually not a good time. I'm extremely busy right now."

"Oh. I get it. Will I see you tonight?"

"Tonight?" Cas put the last of his bag's contents back inside and stood, taking the phone in his hand.

"Harvelle's? My weekly gig. Are you going to be there?"

Oh. In all the craziness, Cas had forgotten. "I will try."

"You'll try?" Dean questioned.

"Yes, I'll try."

"Yeah, okay." Cas was glad that he couldn't see Dean's face, because with the obvious sadness in his voice, he didn't know if he'd be able to stomach the look he knew must be painting it right now. "I'll see you later, Cas."

And with that, he hung up. Cas sighed and put his phone into his pocket, grabbing his keys so he could go pick up the shipment of books in the city.