Page 9 of First Kiss with a Mothman

Hearing several students laugh in the distance, I let out a sigh. Why is it so easy for others to make friends and be social? Or better yet, why can’t I move on from being a child actor? I shouldn’t care that I’m recognized, yet anxiety still thrums through me.

Another moth floats around me, so I cup my hands together and allow it to land on my palms. It’s gorgeous, with huge wings, bigger than the others. When it lies still in my hands, the wings point upward, and I smile. In this moment, with bugs, I’m at peace.

In an instant, a bird lands on my wrist and devours it. “Ack!” I yelp, waving it away.

The bird flaps about, then lands on the dude on my right. I didn’t even notice there was another person here, facing the trees. “Good boy,” he coos. “You found food, it seems.”

He rubs the feathery beast, and fury boils in my chest. Some bird ate one of my friends, the moth, and it’s apparently this dude’s pet. And the guy is rubbing it, giving it praises!

“What the hell?!” I yelp. I wave my hands around, seeing red, and mourning the loss of one of my fellow bugs.

“What…huh?” the guy asks.

I’m not looking at him, choosing to shut my eyes as I try not to hyperventilate. “You…what…you did…”

“Is something wrong?”

“Obviously!” I say, exploding at the sky.

“What happened?” He continues to pet the bird, acting unaware, like he didn’t witness what just occurred.

“You…you…don’t act like you didn’t see this!” I wave my hands around, flailing about in fury. “One of my moths!”

“You had a moth?” he quietly asks, looking up.

My insides snap. After a whole day of annoyance, I stride up to him and shove him on the shoulder. “What are you, BLIND or something?” I howl.

He seems flustered, looking around, as his bird flies off. He says nothing, choosing to look down. Why isn’t he trying to explain himself? Or gloat or fight me, or anything?

I huff for a few seconds, trying to catch my breath. The curly-haired guy stays silent, like he’s pondering his words. Before I can say more, the bird lands on my head. “Ack!” I holler, moving my head around. Is he gonna pluck off my antennae?

“Wait, Reginald, stop.” At his words, the bird flies back to his hands. It’s then that I notice the bird is wearing a funky scarf. Even in the dark, I can clearly read the words ‘Service Animal.’

Wait, but that’s only for…

The guy takes out a collapsible stick from his pocket. And his eyes…they’re mostly white.

Oh my monster god.

The moment I realize he’s blind, it’s as if he can tell I just found out too. “Oh, uh…”

He snickers. “Yup. I actually am blind.” With a smile, he puts on his sunglasses. “Did something, like…happen?”

“Uh…uh…”

“And what is that delightful sound?” he asks, still grinning at me. “Are you buzzing?”

Meanwhile, my face burns, and I wish the ground would swallow me whole. I just mocked a blind guy for his disability and accosted him!

“Hello?” he asks.

“Um…mm…” I sputter and step back. Without thinking, I spin on my heel and stride away.

“Are you there?” he asks when I’m yards into the forest. When I turn back, I notice a girl approach him.

“Is your bird done pooping or whatever?” she asks.

The guy puts his hand out and takes her elbow, and I’m glad he has someone to help him.