Page 29 of First Kiss with a Mothman

We walk out the door to the quiet of the quad. That end-of-summer, early-autumn air is delightful on my face. It’s complemented by the great guy by my side. Mort might not be my boyfriend, but I preen knowing this handsome monster lets me be on his arm.

“So, about last weekend,” he says.

“I’m really sorry. About like…throwing up.”

“It’s not that.” He lowers his voice and continues, “You can see sometimes, right?”

I stop moving, and he stays in place. Before I can come up with some excuse, I hear some mutterings and the flapping of wings. It’s certainly not birds―I would know―so I’m assuming some winged monsters just walked by.

My brow furrows, and Mort pivots me away. “What’s happening?” I ask, knowing we’re no longer walking in a straight line to class.

“Nothing, it’s just…” Mort’s voice is low, and I’ve never heard him this uncomfortable. “These two harpy girls on campus.”

“Is that who just walked by?”

“Yeah. They’re freshmen, I think, but like…I can tell they recognize me from my show. They keep pointing at me and whispering.”

I frown. “Maybe they just think you’re cute?”

He snickers. “Maybe they think you’re the cute one?”

I shrug. “Could be both.” We share a quiet laugh. I make a mental note to ask Mort one day why getting recognized is such a big deal. Being a celebrity sounds cool. But we all have our traumas, and one day, if we grow closer, he can open up and let me know.

Because for reasons I don’t understand, I only want the best for this mothman.

“Alright, they’re gone. We can keep walking the normal route.”

I nod and squeeze Mort’s arm as we resume making our way to the lecture hall. “If anyone harasses you, let me know. I’ll mess them up.”

“Easy there, cowboy,” he says in a deep, playful tone. We both giggle, and when he pats my hand, arousal sparks in my gut. My mouth goes dry, and I subtly take in Mort’s distinct scent. Everything about him is a turn-on.

“What were we talking about? Oh right,” he says in a low tone. “You can…see sometimes?”

That sobers me up. “N…n-no. I swear, I’m blind.”

“But you managed your way around my house.”

“I just…felt the, uh…”

“Arie, be honest,” he murmurs.

I sigh, and my shoulders sag. “It’s…complicated. I haven’t told anyone.”

“Told anyone what?”

My face prickles with embarrassment. “I don’t…understand it.”

“Understand what?”

“I can…kind of see sometimes.”

“How?”

At that moment, Reginald lands on my head. Mort yelps, but I smile. “My good boy here is protecting me.” I reach up and pat my bird on the head. “It’s okay, buddy. Mort is my campus bestie.”

Reginald squawks and flies off, and I take Mort’s arm again. “You gotta get used to my bird showing up at random times.”

“Because apparently I’m your campus bestie.”