I watched the stars

I think I'm just done living, I said. Not in a bad way though. 

Well what's a good way? asked Nathan. He kinda chuckled lightly in a way that was soothing. I felt warmth emanating from his person. 

Well how are you so chipper all the time? I asked. You don't seem down or gloomy. 

We walked down the red carpeted hallway to an intersection at the... Hadn't we been in a hotel?

I was in a planetarium. And Nathan was sitting next to me looking up as if nothing had happened. 

What the fuck? I said, frozen. 

Stay with it, he commanded. Don't acknowledge it. Talk to me. Keep talking. You were talking about being done living. 

Right right, I said, brushing sweaty palms on my pants. I-I'm actually good. 

Oh yeah? Why the sudden change of heart? Nathan's tone sounded accusing. That put me back in the present and I stared up at the ceiling as the Planetarium guide zoomed in on a star cluster. 

So those are not stars, the guide was saying. Those are actually entire galaxies. 

I marveled at the striation of colors sitting between the stars like couches. 

I like this, I said to Nathan.

You're in it now, said Nathan with a grin. 

I wasn't convinced of his mood now that I'd seen another side of him. But I kept going with it. 

You see? said Nathan. Now you're living again. 

But what is causing all of this? Where are we?

I felt a thunderous motion shake my seat. 

Relax, said Nathan, squirming and tensing up. Fucking relax. 

I took a deep breath. Okay okay, I said. And watched the stars.