THE WOMAN OF LETTERS [SUPERNATURAL]

IX

Just my luck.

"Steven!" I shout, using my most fake enthusiastic voice ever, pulling him into a hug. When we let go, he gives my the most confused expression ever. He's almost as confused as Dean, who stares at me with furrowed brows. He's probably waiting to see what I do next.

"Isabella, what the hell are you doing here? I thought you couldn't make it. And who's this guy?," Steven questions, but his tone isn't angry like I feared.

"Well, Steven, uh," I begin, trying to come up with an excuse on the spot.

"We're dating!" Dean exclaims, and I whip my face to him faster than Steven does. Really? I couldn't complain, however. He did just save my sorry ass. Although it would have been super awkward if Steven wasn't gay and had happened to be my actual boyfriend. But I shouldn't push my luck.

"Dating?" Steven asks, shocked. He eyes me suspiciously. 

"Yes, yes. Dean and I have been dating for two weeks now, and I wasn't ready to tell you yet. I met him at that doctor's appointment I had a few weeks back, remember? And, and, I wasn't sure if I wanted you to know, but anyways...surprise! I was hoping to surprise you by showing up...unannounced. We watched the whole performance, and your sister was phenomenal," I blabber quickly, hoping he doesn't notice how nervous I am. I hate lying to him.

"A surprise indeed. I'm a little ticked off you didn't tell me sooner, but I'm happy you came," he says, pulling me into another hug. I sigh in relief into his shoulder. He had bought my lies, and I'm literally the worst friend ever for feeding them to him.

After we let go of each other, I let out a shaky breath. It doesn't feel right to do this to him. It's all for the greater good, right? 

"I'm gonna go get Lacey. I'm sure she'd love to see you," Steven says. 

"I'd love to see her, too!" I exclaim, my voice a little too high-pitched. He looks at my funnily, but turns around to get his sister anyway. I let out a deep sigh. 

"Are you okay?" Dean asks from beside me. 

"I don't know. I hate lying to him," I confess. 

"It's better than getting him mixed up in this mess," Dean reassures me. 

"You're right. I wouldn't want him getting hurt. Thank you, by the way. I owe you," I reply. 

"No problem. I'll give you guys some space, and we'll regroup with Sam outside," Dean says, patting me on the shoulder before disappearing into the crowd of people. Steven and Lacey emerge soon after. 

"Where's Dean?" He asks innocently. 

"He went to the restroom." 

"I'm going to need you tell me more about him at work," Steven points with a warm smile. I return it, but in the back of mind something itched at me. I choose to ignore it. 

"Who's this?" I ask, trying to get this conversation over with so I wouldn't have to lie anymore. 

"Lacey, I want you to meet Isabella. Isabella, this is Lacey," he introduces. 

"So you do exist," Lacey grins, and I chuckle. 

"Yeah, here I am. In the flesh. You did beautifully Lacey," I respond. I really wish I had actually watched the performance. 

"Thank you, it's nice finally meet you," she says politely. 

"Now you believe me?" Steve laughs. 

"You win this time, but I gotta go talk to my instructor before we leave," Lacey announces. I wave her goodbye and she runs off. 

"Thank you so much for coming, but you seem a little jumpy. Are you alright?" Steven ponders.