Page 31 of The Breaking Pointe
sometimes panic like a child.
Mostly, for me, it’s the buildings that were most intrigu- ing.I like to read the educational message boards.It’s alittle nerdy, but sometimes they talk about really interesting things.Forinstance,thesegoasfarastoexplorethe different cultures and societies, how they created their lives, and even worked with us to build this place.
Something I value in visiting the museum is the silence. It’s a nice, calm, yet healthy silence. One you enjoy. Makes you feel good.
In little moments, Noelle would point to an object and say something like, “Look at that, how cute.I love that,” followed by a hushed laugh.Or maybe even a grasp onto my arm, which would make a whirlwind of flutters fly throughout my body.She’s gentle, and her hands are so delicate. I don’t want to touch her in fear it might harm her. Except, I love it when she’s touching me.It feels healing, yet cautious of my existence.
I let her mostly lead the way, as I had been here many times before.From the looks of it, though, I don’t think she’d ever been. Which made it almost feel like my first time, as well. I love that about bringing someone new around. You could’ve done something time and time again, but doing it with someone new, just once, changes the experience as a whole.
The tour was coming to an end, wrapping up at an exhibit called Astrology Central.The many times I have beenhere, not much has changed, but this time something had. They’ve added a space room with a large sign on it, in the corner of the exhibit.It isn’t very big, to my demise.Instead, it’s a pretty tight squeeze.Mostpeople go in alone or with
their kids.Others are couples, unafraid to invade each other’s personal space, only wanting to enjoy the moment.I find that to be sweet, the way reality drifts away from every person, but I subconsciously can’t shake the idea of squeezing myself in there—let alone with Noelle in there with me. It piques my interest, though, noticing the room is empty.
It is new.And it doesn’t hurt to try everything at least once, right?
I gaze around the room briefly before taking a step closer to her, hesitantly placing my hand on the small of her back. “Hey, you wanna try the space room?” I ask, keeping my
voice down.
Her head whips around, looking up at me.She takes a look at the room and then me, nodding quickly.“Let’s hurry before someone else steals our idea,” she insists, skipping ahead of me.
Guiding her with my hand, I walk us over to the room, hastily opening the door for her to enter first.I then walk inside after her, closing the door behind us.It’s almost pitch black—the only thing giving light is the star simulation above us. It’s scarily similar to real life.
The minute the door closes, it seems as though the room rushes to become even smaller now. To add insult to injury, I’m hovering over her because I can’t stand up straight. Just perfect.
“Y’know, these rooms really are not tall people friendly.” I look around, pushing hair out from my face and furrowing my brows.
Noelle laughs, looking around and then at me. It’s becom- ing incredibly tight, and the childlike panic is slowly setting
in.
Quickly,thistimearound.
I huff out a small laugh, looking at her. “That’s funny to you?” I ask, smiling as I try to remain calm.
Shenods,giggling.Iletoutadeeperchortle.
Suddenly, a bright flash fills the room for a split second. “Oh my God!”she squeals, covering her face, while gripping my sweater, bringing us together.
My hand shoots up, blocking my face as I squint my eyes. “Woah, what the hell!” I blurt.
AtleastI’mdistractedfromthesmallspacenow.
A robotic voice fills the space, announcing that we’re on camera. She then starts a countdown, beginning from ten.
“Oh—look, it’s taking pictures of us!”Noelle exclaims, shaking my arm with excitement as she points to the small camera ahead of us.
I look at it, seeing myself look back at me like a major dumbass.“This is so cool!”She continues tittering, now looking at me again.
I rest a hand above her, against the wall, finding a good balance with stature, then bringing my attention back to her.
“As long as you’re enjoying yourself.”I smile, looking around once more.“Wish they would’ve posted a warning…”I look at her again.
She places a hand on my chest. “I’m glad I said yes,” she discloses, softening her tone.
My body pauses at her touch, examining her fingers as one meets the hair on my chin, making me look at her.
“Are you claustrophobic?” she questions me. I nod inslow motion.
