Page 4 of First Kiss with a Mothman

I pick up my phone, and Reginald flies off, the air shifting with the flapping of his wings. “Saved by the bell,” I mutter. “Hey, Mom,” I say on the phone.

“Arie. It’s your mother.”

I snicker and walk to my bed. “Yes, I know.”

“How are you? How’d you sleep?”

“Pretty good. The bed is comfy.” I sit on the blanket and push on it for good measure.

“How are you eating?”

“I had some granola bars. You got me, like, a hundred.”

“But no other meals?”

“I had human orientation, and I was just about to go mentally map out the campus some more with Reginald.”

“Didn’t they give you guided tours for your routes? What is Selena even doing then?”

I frown. I knew transferring to this school with my cousin would mean my mom had a spy on the inside, but I didn’t think she’d admit it on day one. “We were at orientation together. She has her own unpacking to do. I’ll be having dinner with her later.”

“Do you need me to come over there and stock more groceries? I’m only a simple thirty-minute drive away.”

I huff as my patience wears thin. I love my mom since she’s the only parent I can remember. But I was hoping there would be less helicopter-parenting now that I’m dorming. Unfortunately, I was mistaken, so I’m just going to have to make an excuse to finish this conversation. “No, Mom. You’re super busy. And now I gotta go map out my classes and get some food. I gotta run.”

“Okay, sweetie. But text me later, alright? I just want to make sure you’re still in one piece at that creepy university.”

I snicker and approach the window. “It’s Creelin U. I promise I won’t get eaten by a werewolf.”

“Arie Andrew Baker, don’t you joke like that!”

I can’t help but laugh. Mom has been super scared of monsters for some reason, as if the world didn’t have to get used to the Halloween Wave, like, over twenty years ago. I appreciate her loosening the leash to let me go to this school as a human transfer, but she worries too much. And messing with her is kinda fun. “I’ll stay safe as long as you do too, Mom.”

“You better. I love you lots, sweetie.”

“Love you too, Mom.” I hang up then whistle out the window. In moments, my feathery best friend lands on my hand. His talons don’t hurt me or anything, and I know Reginald is being extra gentle. He recognizes that I’m tense or frustrated, and I appreciate having a bird who understands me. I rub his head and say, “I guess we don’t need the leash if you promise to behave, buddy.”

“Squawk!”

I laugh softly and close the window. With my keys in my pocket, I’m ready to head to the library. It’s my first Saturday at university after all, and I want to know what Creepin U has to offer.

I tap on what feels like a counter until a voice chimes, “Hi, can I help you?”

“Yes, is this the line?” I ask, collapsing my walking stick.

“This is the pickup area, but I’m happy to serve you here.”

I shake my head. “Oh no, I’m just glad I found the coffee shop.”

“You sure have. Welcome to Mummy Mocha. Want me to guide you closer to the cash register?”

The dude’s kind voice is confident; he sounds athletic, and I think I get gay vibes from him. I may be a virginal gay dude, but I’m not about to have a crush over the first coffee shop worker I meet at university.

“You can just tell me where it is,” I say, placing Reginald on my shoulder.

“Three steps to your…right.” I do as he says, and he laughs. “Great. Again, welcome to Mummy Mocha. Located in the scenic library.”

I chortle. “Nice to meet you. I’m new here.”