Page 28 of First Kiss with a Mothman

“Ew,” I reply. We both giggle, as if she hasn’t made that joke before.

“Thank you, Mort. For taking care of, uh, us.” I want to be amicable, but I don’t want to outright flirt with my cousin sitting right here.

“Of course. Anything for a friend.”

“Do you have any leftovers for Reginald?”

“I’ve been feeding him my crust for like, five minutes.”

We share a laugh, but I can tell my cousin isn’t entertained by this. “I should…go get my walking stick.”

“You don’t have it?” Selena asks.

“I escorted him down here,” Mort lies. “I’ll go get it.”

Now he’s covering for me? He lied to make sure my cousin doesn’t suspect I can see sometimes. I’m touched by his consideration.

“Did he do anything weird to you last night?” Selena asks.

“No!” I bristle and continue, “He wouldn’t do that. Mort is my…friend. And I think you should be more polite to him.”

“He’s a monster. Monsters have powers.” She lowers her voice and continues, “They can hurt humans like us.”

“That’s an offensive generalization. And again, we’re cool. Why did you even come to this university if you don’t like monsters?”

Selena takes a long breath and says, “Just…be careful, Arie. We don’t want to get entangled with bestial boys.”

“I…I am careful.”

I don’t need Selena to be overprotective, although it is sweet that she stayed in the house overnight. But I trust Mort. On some instinct, I know that our relationship is growing to be something important. He keeps doing all the things I’ve ever wanted in a partner. And now he’s onto my secret. I just need to know if he’ll still want to hang out with me since I’ve been keeping this huge secret from everyone I know.

Chapter

Nine

ARIE

After orchestra class the following Monday, I sense someone approach me. “Arie.”

I smile after locking up my violin. “Morty.”

I can hear his grin when he remarks, “You’re really good at recognizing voices.”

“The sound of your wings is a huge tell.”

I can hear his smile when he replies, “Even in this loud-ass room?” He’s not wrong; the clanging sounds of everyone putting away their instruments aren’t quiet. But only one man carries a delightful buzzing tune with him everywhere.

I think I’d recognize the sound of Mort in a thunderstorm.

“You’re the only one who wants to talk to me in this class.”

“Hey, Professor Fan is cool.”

I stand up. “I told you, my relationship with professors is, well, professional.”

We both chuckle, and he gets closer. “Can I walk you to your next class?”

“Such a gentleman.” I take his arm and give his bicep an unnecessary squeeze. He smells and feels so good.