Page 57 of The Breaking Pointe
“Um…for trauma.”She keeps it short. No need to force her, then.
“Well, either way, I get it.My mom is sick.Honestly, when I sent them, I guess I was looking for something to distract me from the bullshit. I’m kind of freaking out inside,” I say, tensing up.
I can hear her tiny gasp at what I had said as she listens. “Colton, that’s awful. Oh my God, I’m so shitty. I should’ve answered,” she says wistfully.
“It’s fine, truly. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed is all. I just feel like I’m being pulled in every direction,” I confess. “You know, it sounds like what you need is to do you and
focusonyourself.Takeabreak,”sheadds.
Maybe take a break in my dreams.
“Unfortunately, I think I’m incapable of being selfish in that way. I have too many responsibilities,” I respond.
“Y’know, one day you won’t have a choice, Cole.Would you rather it be your own decision or someone forcing you to be that way?” she inquisitively asks.
Well, fuck, I don’t know, Noelle.
I sigh.“Okay, you might have a point.”
She begins to talk to some people in the background.A door closes, and I can hear silence again.
“Hey, you know, if it means anything, I had such a good time that I even had a few dreams about it.” She hesitates. “I hope that doesn’t sound insane, but I’m so overwhelmed with good feelings that it feels like I’m being trolled,” she says.
What the hell did that man do to her?
“That’s a shame because I can do way better than the museum and an unplanned dinner date at my house.”I chuckle.
“Funny.I bet you can, Kennedy,” she says enticingly, with a honeyed laugh.
“I’m serious, y’know,” I press, standing from my seat as I check the time.
“Yeah, I bet.Let me know when that is,” she says sarcastically.
“What are you doing right now?This very moment?”I ask.
“Right now?” she stutters. “I’m getting ready to find my train. I just left the coffee shop I work at,” she says quietly as I listen to people chat in the background.
“Whereareyoustanding?”Ichipatherformoreofa
description,thinkingofaplan.
I listen to her earrings tapping on the phone, assuming she’s figuring it out. “Uh, it’s a karaoke bar?” she laughs softly.
“Oh, that’s perfect,” I say, walking to my bedroom. “Stay there. I’ll meet you.”
“Wait—I’m not dressed for a date, Colton,” she intercepts. “Whocareswhatyou’rewearing?Webothknowyouhave
a sense of style, Noelle.You’re always beautiful.This is about singing abilities only.What’s the place called?”I excuse her, chuckling.
“No way you’re serious,” she says, pausing for dramatic effect before she responds. “It’s called Maru.”
“Give me twenty minutes.I’ve been there a few times.Don’t leave, okay?” I reply as I get a few clothing items out. “Okay…what should I do until then?” she asks apprehen-
sively.
“Get us a video room. Order whatever you want. Just wait for me,” I tell her.
I would never pass up this kind of chance with someone I’ve been more than diehard to see again.She is the only good thing lining up in my life correctly as of now. I will not fuck it up.
