Page 45 of First Kiss with a Mothman

I nod and take in his words. Owen locked down a campus vampire? Fascinating. “So you, uh…met your boyfriend here?”

“At school? Well, yeah.”

“Last year was the first year with humans, wasn’t it?”

“Mhm.”

I tap the table and try to choose my words carefully. “How do you…manage to navigate a monster-human relationship?” I lean back. “Sorry if that’s personal. I haven’t even asked Tanner.”

“It’s cool. You’re new to Creepin U, and any friend of Tanner can be my friend, too.” Owen pauses for a beat. “When you like someone, you try to be complimentary, or gain an interest in what they like. You try to see if your differences don’t break you apart. It’s the same as dating anyone.” He leans in and lowers his voice, “Though I do have a thing for vampires.”

We both chuckle, and I listen as he tends to his bat. “And you don’t have any monster abilities connected to your bat?”

“Nope. He just wants to be with us. I have no monster powers at all.” He pauses, then asks, “Do you?”

“Uh, uh, no!” I rub Reginald’s head. “My bird helps me navigate campus, that’s it.”

“Fascinating. I’ve read about monsters that can summon flocks of birds.” I gulp and try not to panic. Owen can’t know that I’m tethered to Reginald, can he? “But those shifters have monster features, like feathers and stuff. Which you clearly do not.”

We once again share a laugh, but for two different reasons.

“Well, I best be off then. I’m glad I was able to help you with your form.”

“Thanks, Owen.”

“Do you need me to walk you anywhere?”

“No, thanks.” I stand up and hoist my bag over my shoulder, then take out my walking stick. “I’ve memorized my route, and this boy will help me not hit walls or anything.”

“Squawk!” Reginald lands on my shoulder.

“Squeak!” the bat says.

“Oh, behave, you. We’re going to see your other dad,” Owen says. We bid each other farewell and head in our separate directions. Owen is a smart human dude who seems to have it all figured out. He has a human-monster relationship that makes him happy, just like so many other gay dudes on campus.

Now how can I officially have that with Mort? And the bird flapping above me reminds me of another question: how human am I?

That Thursday is the midsemester recital. It’s hard to believe it’s almost Halloween already. Time flies when you’re following your passion at university for the first time. Our whole class did great, as evidenced by the applause in the small auditorium. My solos went off without a hitch, and I’m satisfied with my performance as the guy who sits at the front of the orchestra.

“Great job,” Mort says after I finish packing up. The room is filled with families chatting and congratulating their loved ones. Despite the noise, I recognize Mort’s presence. His wings might not be buzzing right now, but I just know when he’s nearby. And somehow, I can tell he’s looking at me fondly. This has to be a sign that he wants to be romantic, right?

“Great job yourself.” I take his arm, and he leads me down the stage.

“I barely did anything.”

“That’s not true! Every member of the orchestra is important.”

“Not as important as Mr. First-Chair-big-shot-pop-star.”

I lightly punch his arm. “Stop,” I say through a laugh. Mort always knows the right thing to say. I’ve missed him and his warm, fuzzy skin. Please ask me out so we can jerk off together again.

We delicately walk down the stairs, and I listen to the crowds still chatting to other students.

“Ugh,” Mort says through gritted teeth.

“What?” I whisper.

“Those harpy girls are staring at me. I think they came to the concert just to ogle me.”