[Celyn]

You mention that before your best friend came out as bi-curious, you considered yourself to be straight. I'm wondering if your best friend talking you into experimenting with her was as consensual as it might appear? Regardless of sexuality, no-one should pressure anyone into doing sexual things with another person. The fact that you say your best friend talked you into experimenting suggests that it might have been more about what your best friend wants and less about what you wanted (given that you had considered yourself to be straight up until then).

It makes sense that you would enjoy the friends-with-benefits and the sexual aspect of your friendship. And while it's true you don't have to worry about pregnancy, it's still good to make sure you are of the age of consent in your area and practice safe sex e.g. dental dams for oral sex.

Your friend aside, how do you feel about those of the same or a different gender to you? You can enjoy the physical feelings of your friends with benefits and yet realise that just because you enjoy those feelings, you may still find yourself attracted primarily to those of the opposite sex. Or you may find yourself attracted to the same sex, whether primarily or possibly identifying as bisexual. Take your time to think about this and remember that you don't necessarily need to put yourself into a box- some people find that their sexuality is fluid .

As for your parents, it's best that you and your friend discuss the situation. There is always the risk of either of your parents finding out and it could be worse when you have lied about it. Yet at the same time, you are right to consider how long you are going to keep the situation up before they find out or it ends etc. You'll also want to consider where this friends with benefits arrangement is heading. Most friends with benefits situations are casual and usually fill in the sexual gap when you aren't in a relationship. There is a risk, more so since you consider this person to be a best friend, that one of you could develop feelings for the other which may or may not be returned. You'll then have to navigate a potential relationship (in which case, the parents may get more suspicious if you haven't told them) or either remaining or ending the friends with benefits situation (and deciding whether or not to remain friends in doing so).

Being a teenager can definitely lead to a lot of new feelings and questions regarding sexuality and this is entirely normal and natural. Experimenting is fine so long as it's done safely and consensually.

Take care