Claws and Heartstrings: Logan Howlett | Wolverine ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི

Chapter Sixteen

-Lalia

I made my way back to my room. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting eerie shadows on the walls. I knew sleep was out of the question; my mind was consumed with worry about my brother and the mission the team was undertaking to find him. As I opened the door, my eyes landed on Simon. It was the first time we had been in the same room in days, and our conversations had been painfully brief.

Despite everything, I managed to let out a soft smile, hoping for some semblance of normalcy. But Simon didn't return the favor. He didn't even acknowledge my presence, continuing to read his book as if I wasn't there.

Fury began to rise within me. "Why are you still acting like this, huh?" I demanded, my voice shaking with frustration. "I thought you could at least set your pride aside, knowing what I'm dealing with."

Simon looked at me, his eyes narrowing with anger. "Once again, you think everything's about you, don't you?" he spat out. "I've been going through my own stuff too, but you never seem to notice. It's always about what you're dealing with, what you're feeling."

I scoffed at this, my frustration boiling over. "Don't you dare compare your jealousy to my brother being missing," I snapped. "I've been trying to hold everything together, and all you've done is make it harder."

Simon looked up, his eyes cold and distant. "Maybe if you weren't so worried about Logan or all these other mutants, you would've realized Luca was up to something quicker," he snapped.

His words hit me like a slap in the face, and something in my brain clicked. My anger surged, and I felt the familiar, terrifying loss of control. "Excuse me?" I asked in unbelief, stepping closer.

I felt a chill run down my spine as I watched Simon begin to rise off the ground, his feet lifting slowly, almost imperceptibly at first. His eyes darted around the room, wide with a mix of disbelief and terror. My vision started to blur as I felt the red aura coursing through my veins.

Simon's hands flailed, trying to grasp onto something, anything, to anchor himself back to reality. His voice trembled when he finally spoke, "Lalia," he warned, but I gave him no answer, just the oppressive silence that seemed to amplify his fear.

His face paled, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. The room around us felt like it was closing in, the shadows lengthening and twisting as if they had a life of their own.

His breathing grew rapid, almost panicked, and he looked at me with a desperate plea in his eyes. "Please, Lalia, I didn't mean—" His voice cracked, and he swallowed hard, trying to steady himself. "I didn't know what I was saying," he stammered, panic creeping into his voice. "That was too far, I'm sorry Lia just let me down."

But I ignored him completely, my skepticism still unwavering. An uncontrollable wave of anger surged within me, intensifying with each step I took. The light bulbs above flickered ominously, casting erratic shadows that danced across the walls. The air thickened, growing more turbulent and charged with tension, as I advanced steadily toward him.

It felt like anger was the only force driving my actions, completely overshadowing any sense of rational thought. My better judgment seemed to have been tossed out the window, leaving me vulnerable to impulsive decisions.

I didn't want to be a slave to my powers, allowing them to dictate my actions and make choices I would later regret. The thought of losing control and being governed by something other than my own will was terrifying. I longed for the days when my emotions were balanced and my decisions were my own, not influenced by an overwhelming rage.

I was still furious, but I was desperate to regain control this time. I closed my eyes, breathing in and out, trying to focus on the professor's words. Slowly, I managed to lower him back onto the bed, tears streaming down my face. Simon looked at me, guilt etched into his features. "I'm sorry," he began, but I cut him off.

"This isn't going to work between us," I muttered, my voice wavering as I finally confronted the difficult decision I should have made weeks ago.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I spoke, "You're not the same person I fell for. Over these past few weeks, I poured all my attention and energy into us, trying to make things work. But you were so consumed by jealousy, and it overshadowed everything else." I paused, searching for the right words to convey the depth of my disappointment. "I wanted us to grow stronger together, but this person you're becoming... It's like I'm fighting for someone I don't know."

Simon's face began to drop, his expression a mix of regret and desperation. "Don't. I'm sorry, Lia. I'll be better, I promise. Please, don't say those words," he pleaded, his voice breaking.

A tear welled up in my eye as I looked directly at him, "I need a break, Simon. We aren't right for each other, at least not right now."

His face twisted with anguish, and he hesitated before asking, "Is this about Logan too? Does he have anything to do with this?"

Anger surged through me, and I couldn't help but let out a bitter scoff. "Of course, you still manage to blame someone else but yourself. You're so predictable, Simon," I retorted sharply.

But he stood firm, his voice growing more intense with each word. "Lia, I saw him leaving your room last night. I know this is about us, but I'm not blind. Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't feel something for him. Tell me there's nothing there," he demanded, his gaze unwavering and penetrating, as if trying to peer into the depths of my soul.

Seconds ticked by in agonizing silence as I stood there, unable to form the words that might at least offer him some comfort. Simon's expression shifted from curiosity, to a painful clarity. The silence stretched on, and I could see the realization dawning on his face. I wanted to say something, anything, to ease his pain, but the words just wouldn't come.

Finally, I managed to whisper, "I don't know how I feel."

Simon looked at me, hurt in his eyes, nodding his head slowly. "Exactly," he said, taking a step back. He turned and walked out, the door slamming behind him. I stood there, staring at the wall ahead of me, a single tear running down my face as the reality of the situation sank in.