Anonymous

Chapter 21

"So, I have an announcement to make," Charlie says at lunch the next Wednesday, as the conversation about prom dies down.

Dean looks at her expectantly. What type of announcement is she going to be making? Is it something prom related? Or something weird and dorky? Either would make sense from her.

But instead, all she says is, "I'm gay."

Dean feels his eyes widen against his will. How is that even possible? The gay-variants outnumber the straights? What the hell? That's not how life is supposed to work, is it?

Dean glances at his friends, waiting for their reactions, but Charlie, Benny, and Castiel are all looking at him. Even Aaron doesn't seem surprised.

"Am I the only one that didn't know this?" Dean asks. "I'm kinda getting that vibe right now."

Charlie shrugs awkwardly. "Sorry?"

"Even Aaron knew?" Dean says in disbelief. "This guy that you've known for a week?"

"That was a slip up on my part, actually," Castiel says.

Dean purposely avoids his gaze, looking at Charlie instead. "And Benny?"

When Charlie doesn't answer, doubtlessly a little shaken up by the fact that this is the only part of the statement that Dean cares about right now, Benny answers instead.

"She told me over the weekend," he says.

Dean looks at him for answers this time. "Why? I've known you both since before you knew each other. Why am I last to know?"

"It just happened that way," Castiel says. "Don't take it out on Charlie."

Again, Dean doesn't look at him.

"That's why," Charlie blurts out.

"What is?" Dean asks.

"That!" she says. "You've said maybe 20 words to Castiel in the last week. You wouldn't even talk about Marvel with him. You love Marvel!"

"And?" Dean prompts, still not getting the point.

"I just..." She sighs. "I don't know. I thought it might be..."

"Because I'm pansexual," Castiel finishes.

"Bisexual," Aaron says, coughing into his fist at the same time. Castiel slaps him on the shoulder playfully.

Dean scoffs. "Wait, you thought I didn't like him because I'm homophobic or something?"

"Well..." Charlie says awkwardly.

"Well, you're wrong," Dean says. "I honestly couldn't care less about your sexuality. I'm glad you finally told me."

Charlie breathes a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank god. I was starting to think you were going to be mad at me."

Dean chuckles. "You could tell me you killed a man and I would applaud you for it. Of course I'm not mad." Just a little upset she didn't tell him earlier.

"Then why don't you like Castiel?" Benny asks.

Dean presses his lips in a firm line, repeatedly telling himself not to say anything stupid.

"Benny, you don't have to —" Castiel says.

"No, I'm curious," Benny says. "I've never known you to not talk about Marvel, so what's going on?"

Now would be the perfect time to tell them. He could admit he's bisexual. There's already a pansexual and a lesbian at the table. The fact that Charlie just came out would make this the perfect chance for him to. He could tell Castiel that he's Smith and Wesson. That's been a long time coming. This could be great.

But instead, all Dean says is, "I do like him. I'm just awkward around new people." He forced himself to make eye contact with Castiel just long enough to say, "It's nothing personal, I swear."

Castiel just gives him a small smile.

Dean bites back a sigh. Why didn't he just say the truth?