Mothman Legacy (2020)

“Wanna watch The Mothman Legacy with me?”

“The what now?”

“Oh come on. You heard me talking about this movie for ages. Don’t pretend this is new knowledge.” That was true. Cali had always been one for the cryptid documentaries and whatever spooky urban legend he could get his hands on, I was always sucked into his interests. At one point, he was seriously considering flying to Virginia in hopes of meeting the legendary myth in person. Of course, he had other things to hyper-fixate on and quickly forgot about those plans. “I bought the movie on digital so you’re going to sit with me whether you like it or not.”

“Whatever.” Frankly, I didn’t believe in that type of shit, thinking myths are stupid as hell but if it made Cali happy, then I couldn’t care less. I was more than free this weekend and how could one dumb, little movie hurt me.

That was what I thought, up until I arrived at Cali’s place did I recognize a problem.

“Oh god,” Monty muttered quietly to himself, so low that even Cali didn’t hear it. I just learned to watch his dumb face ever so often since he always had something to comment on, whether it was verbally or internally. He always kept composure, but I watched a little bit of it chip away the moment I stepped inside of Cali’s place. “Ah. Hi Nathan. Here for the movie night too?”

“Sadly.” I plopped myself down onto the couch as far away from Bara as I possibly could. He picked up that I did not want to be bothered with him at all and kept to himself. Cali, who just came out of his kitchen, sat in between us and dropped several bags of popcorn into our laps.

“Think of this as a bonding experience! Two of my favorite people in one place! You two can sit in a room together right?” As somewhat pushy as Cali was coming off to be, he had good, pure intentions. On any other occasion, I would’ve walked away without comment. Bara on the other hand seemed to take whatever was thrown at him, even if it meant 2 hours of me. I had the feeling that we were both doing this for Cali, and he was taking full advantage of it.

The movie started on a decent note but was more boring than anything. Documentaries weren’t my thing at all, and as the movie went on, I had decided that this was not a movie worth my full attention. For something I didn’t believe in, they could’ve tried a little harder at making it interesting. Hell, even Tiger King was more interesting than this.

That didn’t go to say that the other two weren’t enjoying it. The both of them seemed invested as all hell into it. Cali beamed proudly when the documentary recited knowledge he already knew, feeling his Mothman research had come to good use. By the latter half of the movie, I was bored as fuck.

Towards the end, I noticed the sound of a small buzz by my right side. I didn’t care at first but once I heard a more defined snore, I knew that Cali was out like a light. Stupid boy couldn’t even stay awake for the movie he was so excited about watching. Having no real reason to stay here now that my only connection to this cringy meetup was fast asleep, I stood up without a word and walked out.

I sincerely thought that was going to be the end of it but of course, Bara followed me outside, stopping me in my tracks as he stood by Cali’s doorway. God, he was probably going to ask me something that was going to lead to some embarrassing conversation.

“Uh, Nathan, is it okay if we could talk?”

“No.” I reply, Monty continuing regardless of my answer.

“I just wanted to ask you if I did anything wrong to you. Did I do something wrong or offensive that makes you, uh, uncomfortable? I know Cali told me you aren’t the friendliest person but I have the feeling you actively don’t like me.”

“No.” I repeated. God, was he always this anxious about what other people thought of him? Or was it something else?

“Is that a leave me alone no or an actual answer… I can’t really tell-”

“You’re just hella annoying. Take the answer or leave it.” Monty’s patience crumbled a bit more and it was entertaining to watch. I didn’t think that the legendary Montgomery Bara was grasping for straws from some rando who wasn’t worth his time at all. He had better people to be asking opinions from, like movie critics or other fellow celebrities. Why the hell does he need mine? Was he that insecure?

“Nathan, look. I mean, I can’t really force you to get along with me and I knew that eventually I was going to have to run into someone who dislikes me in close proximity. It’s just that, uh, Cali worries about you, y’know?”

That was when I perked up, my previous assumptions flying out the window. So he’s doing this for Cali. “He does?”

“Of course. You’re his only friend and I’m his boyfriend. He tells me this stuff often. He has noticed that you changed ever since I started showing up more. That’s why I’m worried if I did something wrong-”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” I blurted, letting an exasperated and annoyed sigh leave my mouth. “It’s fucking complicated Bara! You think I have any clue what the hell I’m feeling right now? You’re damn lucky that I’m even talking to you.”

Monty froze, not only at the mention of his last name rather than his first, but he looked like he was in a moment of deep thought. He raised a finger, crossing his arms to shield himself from whatever he was about to say. “I don’t mean to assume, I really don’t, but do you have something for Cali? Would explain your bitterness towards me-”

“You’re fucking stupid.”

“So you do?”

“Have.” I corrected, trying to ignore my heartbeat suddenly picking up. “Not anymore. I’d be a damn fool.”

“And he doesn’t know?”

“And he doesn’t know headass. Of course he doesn’t know. Why the fuck is he dating you then?” I fall silent, suddenly feeling sick to my stomach. This was the first time I’ve admitted to anyone how I felt, and to Cali’s boyfriend of all people, the one person who was closest to Cali. Any more of this interrogation and I was probably going to jump off the roof.

“I won’t tell him, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’d never do that to you.”

“I know that you won’t. I’m…” Ugh. Everything feels disgusting. I probably would need to go take a hit after this. “....sorry. God.”

“Sorry that I dragged you into this conversation. I’m sure you’d like to be far away from me now-”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Whatever. Just forget about it. I don’t care. Just keep being good to Cali, you hear me? Break his dumbass heart I’ll stake you right where it hurts.”

Even if I just threatened Monty with my whole heart (which isn’t very big to begin with), he gave me a hesitant smile, understanding that I cared. The thought of him seeing that side of me made me want to vomit. “Of course. I promise.”

“Good.” And with that, I turned to my apartment and heard the door to Cali’s place shut behind me. Once I was inside my place, I dropped onto my couch and groaned. Probably for 20 minutes straight. In the end, I still hated Monty, almost with every fiber of my being, but I knew that my hate for him had lowered quite a bit.

God, and all because of some stupid mothman movie.