Page 14 of First Kiss with a Mothman

“Yup.” I finish my meal and continue, “Is there anything you wanna tell me about life as a mothdude?”

“There could be…” Mort gulps, and I lean in. “But I’d rather you learn all about me organically the way friends do.”

I can hear the grin on his face, and my heart skips a beat. “Really?”

“If you don’t mind grumpy insectoid guys.”

“Hey, I’ll take whatever friends I can get. But more than that, I think you’re really…” Generous. Fascinating. Sexy. “Chill.”

“You’re a poor judge of character, Arie. I can be a grouchy ass,” he says in a facetious tone. We both laugh softly, and he continues, “Do you want to hang out again in the future?”

“Definitely.”

“After class?”

“Of course!” I chirp.

“I could get your number if you ever want to eat together again. Oh wait, do you own a cellphone?”

I point at him. “Offense! Offensive assumption, Mort!” We both crack up as I take out my phone and show him how voice-to-text logs in my numbers.

With that, I get the mothman’s phone number, and he gets mine. I have someone new to text during my first week at university. And if I happen to have a tiny crush on the monster, so be it. I can keep those feelings tucked tight, because I don’t want to mess this up. Mort is the most interesting person I’ve spent time with in years, and I only hope this is chapter one of our epic story.

Chapter

Five

MORT

Orchestra class the following Monday is distracting. It’s not interesting; I chose to play the easiest cello part because I don’t like to play anything elaborate. I simply want to be part of something musical. The second cello pieces are melodies I could pull off in my sleep.

I’m distracted today because now I know he’s here―Arie. The blind sunshine-y boy who’s somehow wormed his way into being my friend is playing like a champ in the front row. He truly deserves the spot of first chair. With the way he plays the lead melodies, I’m speechless. His aptitude for music is astounding. I’m selfishly glad that he can’t catch me staring at him.

Why can’t I stop staring at him? And why can’t I stay away from him? Caleb wants me to make friends, but him? He’s a human who likes birds and chatting with people. On paper, we have nothing in common―except orchestra class, that is.

After Professor Fan dismisses us, I put away my cello in record time. Then, I’m standing near Arie, gathering up the courage to talk to him. Why should he make me nervous? Oh right, because I accosted him the day we met, and I have no idea if I’ll say something offensive again. When most of the class wanders off, the room quiets down, and I carefully watch Arie put away his violin. He’s not only good at his instrument, but he’s so adept at packing his belongings without using sight; he’s got the whole routine down pat. Between this and his mastery of music, he’s the one who deserves showbiz and attention, not me.

“Mort?” he asks with a smile.

This breaks me out of my daze. “Huh?”

“It is you, isn’t it?”

“Um, yes?”

“How long have you been standing there?” he asks, pushing up his shades.

“Not long,” I lie. “You, uh, recognize me.”

“That buzzing sound.” Stupid wings, vibrating under my hoodie and giving me away. “What’s up?”

“Nothing at all.”

“Cool.” He takes out his walking stick and holds his violin case in the other hand. “Do you have class right now?”

“No. You?”

“Yeah, I’m headed to the lecture hall for Intro to Monsterkind. Wanna guide me?”