Paper Stars

- s i x -

I chuckled.

"Well," she started, "which wishes should we read first?"

I furrowed my eyebrows in mock concentration and quickly nodded my head.

"West wing. Obviously."

Jackie grinned, straightening herself and dusting herself off as if she was getting ready for battle.

"Alright, let's. Do this."

With a determined stride, she spread the map open and lightly traced a long trail to the west wing. "So if we, um, walk north past the Egypt exhibit, and then, uh, turn left, then right, we can go around the last exhibit, and-"

"Or we can just go through the right side and walk straight through the last exhibit."

I smiled at her casual shrug.

"Yeah sure. I guess that works too whatever," she carelessly mumbled.

I hid my smirk, and headed in the right direction. Jackie was so stubborn it was almost amusing. I slyly looked over my shoulder, and watched as she tried to act nonchalant about not getting her way. After a couple minutes of silent walking, we reached the exhibit. 

"So...now what?" Jackie whispered. She raised her eyebrow, probably wondering how in the world we were ever going to read the wishes that were attached to the wall. 

I cleared my throat. 

"Baby steps. So, you see the star papers near the bottom of the wall? Just inch closer to it, and if you squat, you can uncover the wish. Do it really fast, they actually have cameras in this wing."

I grimaced, trying to restrain my laughter. Of course there were no cameras in this place, why would anybody try to rob paper? The most criminal of activities that happen would be when young teens try their best to vandalize something for april fools. Except their plans always go to shambles when a lone security guard foils their plans. 

Jackie frowned. 

"Uh...are you sure that this is okay? Like you've done this before?" 

I shook my head.

"Why would I ever give you such great tips if I've never done this before?"

She tilted her head and smiled.

"You're getting more comfortable around me huh? I bet my sass is slowly getting to you too," she mumbled near the end.

"I've always had sass. You just make me nervous," I blurted out carelessly. 

Jackie blinked.

"I make you nervous?"

Oh shit. My eyes widened after realizing what I said. I foolishly overthought my statement while she raised her eyebrows. It wasn't a big deal was it? If I said she made me nervous? I'm just an awkward guy in general anyway.

I shrugged.

"Everything and everyone makes me nervous."

She rolled her eyes.

"Whatever," she imitated. Ignoring my chuckle, she hunched on the ground, looking left and right like she was about to cross the street. She licked her lips, narrowing her eyes at one crisp light pink paper mache star. Like a lightening bolt, she struck her arm out and flipped the star open, then as soon it was open she let go of the paper.

I suppressed a proud smile, and looked her in the eye as she stood up.

"So, what did it say?"

She laughed and covered her mouth with her hands.

"It said, I wish I could make my ears disappear so I don't have to listen to Carla rant every minute".

I shook my head.

"Why does Carla have to be so annoying to the point that someone wished for deafness."

Jackie bounced in excitement, her eyes already drifting onto the next paper mache star next to her.

"Alright I wanna read another one!"

I widened my eyes, pretending to be scared.

"You have to be quiet or they'll know what you're up to," I whispered, looking around the empty exhibit. I enjoyed the slight power I had in making this visit a more exciting one for her. For some reason, I felt like Jackie was never able to explore anything outside her comfort zone. And I know it's kinda stupid, feeling like a hero for helping her become nosy in a paper mache tribute museum of all things, but I couldn't help it. 

I felt like I was doing something great for her. Just to her smile was something in itself.

"What? Would they actually be able to hear me? We're so far inside the building though!" she whispered loudly. 

I chuckled at her restrained panic.

"I'm kidding."

She gave me a deadpanned stare and continued to look at the wishes. She shook her head slowly, and stood back up to look at me.

"You're really growing on me Tony, you really are."

And in that moment, I looked away. After all my years of visiting the Paper Stars, I never had the urge to write one down.

But now I do.