Anonymous

Chapter 14

Castiel's never had this many text messages. He almost thinks he's hallucinating the number. But sure enough, Gabriel has texted him 15 times since Castiel told him he got another ride home. He's never had more than three texts at a time, so this is crazy.

Gabriel: Who's driving you?

Gabriel: Hello?

Gabriel: Dad's going to kill me if I don't give him a name.

Gabriel: I told W Aaron drove you home.

Gabriel: What's taking so long?

Gabriel: Dad's starting to worry.

Gabriel: Castiel?

Gabriel: I told Dad that you texted me.

Gabriel: If he asks, you're still at Aaron's.

Gabriel: Are you coming home at all tonight?

Gabriel: I told Dad that you're spending the night at Aaron's unless plans change, but he'd still prefer to have you at home either way.

Gabriel: Dad wants to know that you have a ride to school tomorrow.

Gabriel: Tell me you have a ride to school tomorrow, because if I tell him you said you do and then you don't show up, I'm going to be in so much trouble for lying.

Gabriel: I told him you do.

Gabriel: Don't you dare skip tomorrow. It will end poorly for both of us.

And that's it. So there's his alibi. He'll keep it in mind when he gets home tomorrow — or whenever he chooses to go home, but he's not sure he'll be emotionally prepared for it then, either. He can't crash on the couch at Charlie's forever, though. He'll have to deal with his family eventually.

"Is everything okay?" Charlie asks, concern clear on her face.

"Yeah, it's fine," Castiel says, clicking his phone off without answering.

"Was it your dad?" Charlie asks.

"Brother," Castiel replies.

"Was he upset?" Charlie asks.

Castiel shakes his head. "It almost looks like he's covering for me. I'm not sure exactly what he's told my dad, though. He might have outed me."

"I'm sorry," Charlie says. "I hope he didn't."

"If he hasn't, he'll probably make me tell him," Castiel says. "Maybe it would be good if he did it instead, especially when I'm not around. Give him time to process it, you know?"

"Maybe," Charlie agrees. "Either way, I hope it all works out. If not, you're welcome to stay here as long as you'd like."

"Wouldn't your parents mind?" Castiel asks.

"I don't really have parents," she says, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. "My mom got in a car crash a few months ago, so it's just me — at least until she wakes up."

"I'm so sorry," Castiel says. "I can't imagine..."

Charlie just shrugs.

"Thanks for letting me stay the night," Castiel says.

"No problem," she replies. "I'm sorry we don't have any actual pajamas, but I'll text Dean in the morning and hopefully he can at least bring you new clothes."

"Thanks," Castiel says with a small smile.

"I'm gonna go to bed, but if you need anything, go upstairs and look for the door with the Doctor Who poster and you'll find me."