NO TIME TO DIE ◦ 𝒔𝒂𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓

chapter thirty four.

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR:
MEANT TO BE YOURS.

⋅ ∙ ∘ ☽ ༓ ☾ ∘ ⋅ ⋅

1996

JOHN WINCHESTER COULD easily sense that Birdie wasn't thrilled to be in a car with him behind the wheel. For as long as he'd known the young girl, he always got the sense that she didn't particularly like him. He had no clue what he did for her to dislike him so much considering they'd seen each other only a handful of times over the years, but he didn't really care. It wasn't his job to be liked, especially by a child that wasn't even his. However, as Birdie got older and she became more mouthier——usually whenever Serena wasn't around——John couldn't help but give it right back to her. Dean did his best to try and diffuse their fights or stop them before they even turned into one because he knew how his dad might react, but it didn't always work out the way he'd hoped. Sam did the same, but truthfully, John was always more likely to listen to Dean than Sam due to the fact Dean always did as John asked; not that he actually listened to Dean that much, though.

Birdie reminded John of Serena in many ways, but also Reese in the way she spoke with Sam and Dean——after they all became friends, of course. He could tell that she wasn't a malicious person like many would have described the girl's mother, but kind and friendly like her father; albeit a little awkward and strange, too. And yet, John and Birdie hardly got along if they had to be around each other for more than a few hours. So, when Serena suggested she and Reese would get a head start west while John dropped the kids off at school, John and Birdie had been quick to protest. But alas, he somehow wound up with Dean in the passenger seat and Sam and Birdie in the back of his Impala with Serena and Reese headed for their next case.

Birdie's frown deepened as John pulled up closer to the schools, easing up next to the sidewalk so the three would be able to climb out when they were close enough. The school was to the left of them, high schoolers, middle schoolers, and staff piled inside the large building as it neared the start of the first period, most of the older students entering through one side while the younger ones entered through another.

"Stop your poutin' back there. You'll be outta here and back with your parents before you know it."

"You don't know that," Birdie grumbled.

John lifted his head, stealing a look at the girl through the rear view mirror. "What was that?"

"It's nothing. She's fine, Dad," Dean said.

"I said you don't know that," Birdie repeated, making sure John could clearly hear her this time.

"Birdie——"

"Dean, don't," John firmly said. "Now Birdie, don't you start this. You're not gonna win." Birdie sharply narrowed her eyes, but she didn't respond. Sam briefly glanced over at the girl, watching her roll her eyes and turn her head towards the window. Dean stole a look in the passenger side mirror, noticing the prominent scowl on Birdie's lips. John pulled up further, his eyes skimming over the students milling around the main entrance as they waited as long as possible to go inside. "That's what I thought."