Page 2 of First Kiss with a Mothman

“Haven’t seen much of you this weekend,” Caleb remarks. He proceeds to unpack the groceries, his baking supplies, and preparations for the first big party of the weekend. As part of the fraternity executive board, we have to organize events together a lot, but he’s also a chill dude. He’s known for years not to bring up my showbiz past, and brings the hammer down on any monsters who try to talk about it.

“Meh,” I say, my go-to response to everything.

Caleb pauses and studies me as I finish the last dish. His pointy ears twitch, and his tail stops swaying; having a huldrekall as a friend means learning to interpret his appendages. Right now, I can tell he’s raring to be all touchy-feely with me. “You okay, Mort?” I open my mouth, but he points at me before I can say a word. “Don’t tell me it’s nothing. I can tell when your mothy ass is extra grumpy.”

I snort, then cross my arms. “I stopped by campus to get some werebear claws from Mummy Mocha.”

Caleb glances at the table where the box of pastries lies open for all the boys to eat. With a grin, he murmurs, “I am so going to Mummy Mocha later.” He briskly walks over and grabs a treat, then bites into it. Pointing at me, he continues, “Don’t try to distract me with delicious pastries.” His full mouth launches crumbs all over the table I just finished cleaning.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I say in a deadpan tone. I take a rag and proceed to clean up after him. I know he won’t drop it, so I take a deep breath. “You know how yesterday I had a bug relocation gig?”

“Yeah. You’re a working mothman.”

I slowly move the crumbs into the cloth. “Someone at the hotel…recognized me.”

“Recognized you as…?”

After emptying the towel into the trash, I turn back to Caleb, and the understanding dawns on his face.

“As mothboy?” he asks.

I nod and frown.

“Oh my monster god. Still?” he asks, seeming as offended as I am. I nod again, and he taps the table. “That sucks, man; I’m sorry.”

“Worst of all, he was human.”

“Wow. I didn’t think humans watched that show. Reruns, I guess? It was a million years ago.”

It’s been fourteen years since I went viral, and twelve-and-a-half years since I starred in a two-season children’s variety show, but who’s counting? “Exactly.”

Caleb frowns. “I’m sorry, bro.”

I shrug, and my antennae sink down. “It is what it is. I kind of stick out as a moth, and I can’t shift into any other form, so…”

“But you shouldn’t stick out here at the famous Creepin U.”

I laugh softly at the nickname the humans gave our college years ago. It was probably supposed to be offensive at one point, but now it’s a title of pride. “Yes, well there are human students now, remember?”

“How could I forget? I’ve seen them, and―”

“And they’ve all seen you,” I say in a deadpan tone. He titters, and I shake my head. Apparently he went streaking yesterday, but I simply hope the administration didn’t catch him.

“Speaking of the student body…” Caleb winces, and I know he’s gearing up to ask for a favor.

“What is it?” I say with an exasperated frown.

“Tonight is the start of the school year bonfire.”

“Yeah?” I ask. Caleb stares me down, and I wipe my face. “Oh my monster god, do I have to?”

“It would be great for Alpha Claw Omega!” he says. “You’re the treasurer.”

“Yeah, because I pay most of the rent.” I walk away, but Caleb follows. “And in exchange, I just want to be left alone in my attic.”

“And you can be! Just…come to this party.”

When I reach the stairs up to my room, I turn and give Caleb a serious stare. “You didn’t care last year.”