Anything For You

3: A Voice in my Head

-Natalie's POV-

I walked through the museum, struggling at first. We hadn't met anyone yet. I still walked with Nicky's help. Each step was painful, but I wasn't about to say so.

"Does this happen every time you run?" Nicky wondered. He had never seen me run before. He didn't even know I got hurt.

"No," I said breathlessly. "I got into a fight just before you came here. These jerks said I stole money from them, which I did not. When I denied it, they attacked me. Then these people came to get me, to take me to you guys. And yeah, that's what happened. So I'm just a little breathless right now. Nothing wrong." Nicky didn't look like he believed me.

"But still..." I waved away the rest of his sentence. He persisted anyway. "Do you need to sit down?"

"Nah. I'll let you know if I need to take a break." As if to prove my point, I let go of him and caught up with the group. Nicky tried to support me, but again I shook him off.

"Really, I'm fine!" I exclaimed, louder than I meant to. I was somewhat annoyed with his constant hovering. Then I realized that everyone was staring.

"Natalie, what are you talking about?" Larry asked. He looked concerned. Dang. Every time I do something he's worried!

I sighed angrily. "Just because I ran into a wall, into people, and got in a fight this morning doesn't mean I'm weak, fragile and unstable! I'm perfectly fine!" Then I realized Larry was gaping.

"You got into a fight?" He asked. I laughed nervously.

"Uhh, maybe?" I hedged. "It's not a big deal! It really isn't! Fights happen all the time on the streets! Again, I'm fine! Nothing to worry about!" I laughed again. It sounded really forced. "Now can we please keep moving? This place is so cool!"

Larry sighed. "This conversation isn't over, Natalie." But he left it at that. I sighed gratefully.

We walked down the hall, and met up with a Native American woman I recognized as Sacagawea. She raised an eyebrow at my presence, and turned to Larry.

"Explain."

"Sacagawea, this is my recently adopted daughter, Natalie." I waved. She smiled. Larry continued talking. "I was trying to get her introduced to everyone in the museum before the presentation we have."

Hold it. Larry-Dad, sorry-hadn't mentioned a presentation. What else is going on here?

Sacagawea nodded like she knew everything about it. Then she walked over to me.

"Hi, I'm Natalie," I said. I tried not to glare. Smile, Natalie. Friendly thoughts.

"I'm Sacagawea," she said.

"I knew that," I replied awkwardly. "But it's nice to actually meet you." She smiled.

"So how are you liking the museum?" She asked. I grinned.

"This is so cool. History alive...I've always wished it that way." I wasn't kidding. "You people here seem really cool. I mean, look at all the things you guys did for the world, the country, stuff like that. Teddy did a bunch of great stuff, and you are partly the reason we live in America." I felt like I was rambling. Don't get me wrong, this was really neat, but I felt like a patronizer or whatever. Whatever you wanna call it.

Sacagawea grinned. I still had a question.

"What's it like being a statue?"

"Very boring. You don't realize you aren't alive because you aren't aware of anything at all. Sometimes there are flickers, but mostly there is just blankness." I nodded like I understood.