Page 41 of First Kiss with a Mothman
“Very well. Later, boys.” Before Seth can completely leave us alone, he leans toward my ear. “Arie wants to try new things,” he whispers in my ear. “Maybe you should do the same.”
The seriousness of Seth’s voice gives me pause. He disappears to the back, and Arie stands up. I take a deep breath, then allow him to take my arm. We walk out of Mummy Mocha together, and my heart feels light.
It’s clear that Seth has no interest in Arie, and Arie is trying out other guys, just like I instructed. But as he holds my bicep, my soul feels fuller. I can’t help but acknowledge my jealousy, but Arie’s doing what I told him to do.
Still, do I genuinely want him to date or hook up with other dudes?
Several minutes later, we’re at his dorm. Reginald joined us right before we entered the building, and the bird flies off again to his indoor nest or whatever. Arie pats me on my shoulder and smiles at me.
“Thanks for walking me here.”
“Anytime.”
He toys with his shirt, then says, “You know I don’t like…have a crush on Seth, right?”
The relief that gives me is significant. “Okay.”
He shrugs and says, “Just wanted to try kissing other guys.”
“And how was it?” The words escape my lips before I can catch them.
“Meh.” He shrugs. “He’s cool, but it didn’t feel like…good. I don’t know how to describe it.”
Unlike when we kissed. I want to say that to him, to tell him to forget Seth and everyone else and only kiss me. But do I deserve that?
As I gaze at his smooth skin and pretty lips, my heart beats louder in my chest. Maybe I don’t deserve it, but perhaps Arie does. And for the first time ever, I’d like to be boyfriend material.
“Um, your list had…a movie.”
“Oh yeah.” He chuckles and shifts his glasses up. “Mom never took me. She bought me podcasts and audiobooks, but it’s not the same. I’ve always wanted to try the popcorn. I heard fake butter is amazing.”
“How about we go next weekend? I can find one that has audio descriptors.”
“Really? The two of us?” Arie cools his excitement and wipes his shirt. “I mean…strictly for the list. As friends.”
I laugh softly. “Exactly.” Can’t have him thinking it’s a date, a boundary I set myself. Without thinking, I lean forward and kiss him on the cheek. “See you in class, Arie.”
The blush on his cheeks is worth all the money in the world. Dating has always been a no for me, but lately my boundary has been more of a cage. Maybe I deserve some good things in life, one of them being Arie Baker.
The following Friday finds us at a movie theater not far from campus. Arie’s been excited all week when we chat after orchestra class. I managed to find one obscure theater with our accommodations. Since we’re here in the afternoon on a weekday, we have the place to ourselves. Very few people choose to watch the hard-of-hearing-friendly movies with the scene subtitles dictated. It may have taken some effort to locate this showing, but the smile on Arie’s face is worth it.
I take him in as the flick plays across the big screen. He eats popcorn and intermittently smiles as we watch and listen to act one of this fantasy film. The way the movie shines on his face somehow makes him more beautiful than usual. Everything about Arie is attractive, inside and out. What is he doing bothering with a grumpy moth like me?
Then I recall him kissing Seth, and my own smile falls. Looking around, I confirm that we’re alone. Good, I want Arie’s first time at a theater all to myself. Among other first times…
“How does it look?” he whispers.
“Hm?”
“The movie.”
“Are the audio descriptions not good enough?”
“No, they’re fine. I just wanted to know that you’re having a good time.”
“It’s certainly not my first time staring at a screen.” The vibe between us sours when I recall my time on TV. Arie knows it’s a touchy subject, and he’s been so gentlemanly not bringing up my past. Still, I’m twenty-four; I ought to be able to talk about my childhood by now.
Gazing at the actors on the screen, I recall being in front of the camera. It wasn’t all bad.
