YOU'RE LOSING ME ✦ WOLVERINE

CHAPTER SEVEN

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH — 2007

IT FELT EXTREMELY weird having Logan in her apartment the next morning.

The only other person who had been in here besides her was Jamie, and that had been back in summer, months ago.

She at least remembered to only lock two locks on her shop's door the night before, so she wouldn't embarrass herself again with the multiple locks.

He was sitting at her table, in her usual spot, the one facing the kitchen that looked out the window. He looked so peaceful, staring out the window while she cooked their eggs and bacon.

He also looked better than the first night they met, a few days ago. Nearly a week ago, now. And he would probably be gone in a week or so's time.

The thought made her a little sad. It was nice having a friend around all the time, she hadn't felt lonely in days. "Alrighty, would you like anymore coffee with your breakfast?" Clara asked. "Because it's just about done."

"Sure, Clare. Need any help?" Logan responded, and Clara was so glad to not be facing him. She wished he would only stop using that nickname because of the feelings it gave her. Man, did she feel young again.

"I won't say no to any," She replied, and heard him stand up from the table and come into the kitchen, his arm brushing against her back as he passed her to get more coffee. She silently held her breath for a moment, then breathed out and reached above her, grabbing two plates from the cupboard.

She set them down on the counter so she could turn off the fires from the stovetop burners, and before she could pick either plate up, Logan was already there, holding both plates up for her.

"Might as well help, since I'm already here," Was all he said when Clara looked up at him. There was a softness to his eyes this morning that hadn't been there before.

"Thanks," Clara softly replied, and scooped the eggs onto the plates. She then swapped out for the tongs, and equally divided the bacon onto their plates.

Logan walked over to the table with their plates, and she grabbed their mugs of coffee, following him. "Thank you for breakfast, Clara," He said when she sat down in front of him.

She smiled at him. "Of course, Logan. You're my friend now, that means you get the privileges of me making breakfast for you."

He smiled back, chuckling softly, before digging in. The two ate in silence, taking drinks from their mugs every now and then.

"What are you thinking about?" Logan suddenly asked Clara, and she smiled, looking up at him from her plate.

"I'm thinking about all the new books I'm going to find today," She replied. "I give myself a limit of three new books a week. I read pretty fast now that my son's away at college."

"I noticed you don't have a bookshelf," Logan replied, and immediately noticed how Clara froze, all the blood leaving her face. "Why is that?"

She looked down at her plate again, as if formulating a response. I can't very well tell him how my teenage years went, Clara thought to herself. "Um..." She trailed off, not sure how to respond. "I just...Never got one. And I use the library so much, I don't really see the point in buying books right now."

She forced herself to breathe the small panic attack that was trying to form. She forced herself to take a drink of her coffee, and take a bite off of her bacon, as if everything was normal and she was fine.

Finally, she looked back up at Logan, and he asked her, "Are you okay?"

Clara tried to give him a reassuring smile. "Uh, well. Having a bookshelf reminds me of my childhood and teenage years. Those were...Not very good years, for me."