Page 30 of First Kiss with a Mothman

“You kind of are.”

“Fair point.” I can hear the smile on his lips. We continue walking, and he asks, “So, what were you saying?”

“Right. It’s something I don’t understand.”

“Try me.”

“I haven’t told anyone but…I can see through Reginald’s eyes. On occasion.”

“You can… Wow.”

I hold my breath, waiting for him to let go. I feel so exposed, like a liar. Does Mort want to drop me as a friend now?

“If that’s true, then why not do it all the time?”

“Because I can tell it hurts Reginald.” I stop and squeeze Mort’s arm for emphasis. “But more than that…I’m blind. I am. That’s not changing. Just because I found a cheat code to be visual a few years ago for a few brief moments doesn’t take away my identity.”

“And it may go away at any time,” Mort says, reading my mind. “You don’t want to get used to a crutch that you might not have forever.”

“Exactly.” We keep walking, and the relief in my chest is significant. Mort gets me in a way no one else does. “I already deal with my disability, and no bird superpower is going to remove that.”

“So, you’re a witch?”

“No!”

“I’m not judging you.”

“I’m human, I swear.”

“But you’re doing something humans don’t do.”

“Obviously.”

He must hear the irritation in my voice, because his wings stop buzzing. “You know, some monsters don’t access their shifting until later in life.”

“Look, Mort. I respect all monsters, but that just isn’t me.” I huff as we continue walking. “This is part of why I didn’t want to tell anyone.”

“I won’t like you less if you become a monster.” My heart wants to burst at Mort admitting he likes me, even as just a friend.

“Thank you, again, but that’s not me. I just want to…get to class.”

“And play your violin on a sunrise hike.”

“Huh?”

“It was on your list. First time having sex, and first time playing violin on a sunrise hike near the gorges.”

My face burns hot, but thankfully, I don’t hear anyone near us out here in the quad. I stop moving, and Mort freezes as well. “Listen…that list, is…”

“It’s not a big deal, Arie. Plenty of folks come to college as virgins. And plenty leave as virgins, too.”

“Mort.”

“Your first time shouldn’t be while you’re drunk as hell. It should be special.”

“Mort!” I hiss. “It isn’t about my first time having sex.”

He pauses then asks, “Wha…what?”