100 pictures of jared padalecki » 57/100
“Congratulations, Mr. Winchester,” the first line read.
Finally. Stanford. California. 900 miles away.
Finally. A way out. An escape. A reason. 67 different schools. 12 in the last six months. He remembered the fight Dean and John had when Dean tried to convince John to let Sam stay in the same school for the last half of his senior year. Remembered how Dean, for once, shouted himself hoarse at their father. Felt kinda good to not be the only one without a voice because of John for once, but John said yes. It was only three months, but it was a good three months. As normal as Sam had ever felt.
He didn’t know how he’d managed to do it. Somewhere inside of him, maybe it was the strength from his mother, he’d found a will, a reason to keep on going and to get perfect grades and a perfect GPA and a damn near perfect score on his SAT/ACTs. He did it. Without anyone’s help. Of course, Dean had helped when he was younger, but he was a kid back then. Now he was older, and got through four years of high school by himself.
John never cared. Dean was the one that was there for all the open houses, all the back to school nights, all the assemblies where Sam won awards. It had been Dean. He had Dean to thank for this acceptance letter.
He wasn’t sure how he would tell them, wasn’t sure what he would say, but he had an idea of a different life for himself. Couldn’t be a hunter, couldn’t be what his father was, couldn’t be what Dean was turning into. Wanted to be writer. A lawyer. A doctor. Who fucking cared, he just didn’t want to be doing this for the rest of his life.
At 17, this was the happiest he’d ever been, holding this letter in his hands. He’d raced home from school for it. Every day for the last two weeks he’d been running, just running, fast as he could to beat Dean and John home to grab the mail. He had no idea what they’d do if they found this before Sam did. He was grateful the letter at least got to him. So fucking thankful. Couldn’t believe it.
He was getting out. Moving on. Making something of himself. He’d make John and mom proud. Hell, he’d make Dean proud. Make Dean so fuckin’ proud he’d cry tears of joy. He’d watch Sam on that stage collecting his diploma and he’d be crying because he was so happy that Sam had found a way out. Sam would be a shiny doctor or lawyer, and Dean would be proud of him.
He’d find a way to make Dean proud of him. He would.
This is perfect.