Chapter 4

It had been several weeks by the time that Courtney finally got settled into her routine and got to where she could actually look around and recognize people and places without having to really try to remember.

I had been having a lot of fun, but I knew that this next couple of days would be really weird to me because I was so used to being home for this time of year.

My birthday.

I was turning sixteen. I had gotten my license early because of health trouble in the family, so I was able to take myself to church and early morning bible study and activities that I was involved in.

'I can't believe tomorrow is actually my birthday, and I'm not even home to celebrate it, and I haven't heard anything about it, so no doubt everyone has forgotten about it.'

Even though everyone had forgotten my birthday, it had still been a really good time here. I had really gotten to know Logan, and sadly, no matter what I did I just kept liking him, which made me really nervous around him no matter what.

It had also been very difficult lately because I had gotten so many new powers in such a short amount of time and I hardly had time to learn how to use them all so I didn't hurt someone, and nearly everyone was confused by me because they knew that if they needed the powers of someone but that person wasn't there then they could come to me, and I could sometimes help them, but they also didn't like having someone else that had their power. Especially since I got it from them.

Thankfully unless I actually needed the powers, then they didn't come out, since they weren't my original power.

On the day before my birthday, I walked around in kind of a haze, and people kept asking what was going on, but I just kept telling them nothing. Stupid, I know. If I wanted someone to know it was my birthday, when none of them would have without my telling them. But I didn't want to.

I went to sleep that night, and just cried myself to sleep.

When I woke up in the morning, I had a few minutes without remembering that I wasn't home, or even that it was my birthday. Once I started waking up though, I remembered, and wished I could just go back to sleep. But I had things to do, and that night I had church activities, and knowing people around here, while I was out, they would want me to run some sort of errand for them. I was fine with that. If I kept busy, maybe the day would go by much faster.

My first lesson was math, and being my worst subject, it was always the most hated part of the day.

When I had cleaned up, I hurried to grab my books, run downstairs, and get to the right room so I wouldn't get in trouble.

I was right on time to class. I took my usual seat, bringing out the right books and went to where I thought we would be studying. I had been sick, so I didn't know the exact place, but I did what I thought they had had time to study, and I had tried to do all my lessons so I wouldn't fall behind. When they told us what lesson to turn to, I went pale, and I knew it. It was at least five difficult lessons ahead of where I had studied. I was going to be so lost I wouldn't even know anything of what they were saying. I knew it would be like they were speaking in a foreign language.

Thankfully, there was a person next to me that understood, so he tried to help me out during the lesson. With his help, it wasn't as difficult as I would have thought at first. Once the lesson was through, I thanked him and went to talk to the professor so I would be able to catch up. I knew that if I did talk to him, I would be late for breakfast, and would only get there for anything if I was lucky.

When I walked out of the room, I found the Professor waiting and when he saw me came over and talked to me.

"I will need your help today. If at all possible. I have to run some errands and no one else is able to take me, they're all busy. So if you could take me to the store later so I can get some supplies for tomorrow's lesson, then it would be very helpful." Xavier said, walking with me to the next room for my breakfast.

"I would be happy to. You know that anytime I can help you in any way I will." I said, stopping at the doorway.

"Well, if it would be possible to leave around three, so that we can get back before you have to leave for your church night." Professor said, turning his wheel chair so that he could go to his class.

"That would be fine. I'll see you at three Professor." I said, walking into the room and rushing to get a plate and something to eat. I had ten minutes to get to my next class.

Halfway through my meal, I noticed that someone was standing above me, though I could only see the shadow.

When I looked up, I saw Logan standing there.

"Hi." Courtney said, pausing before taking another bite when he didn't respond.

After a minute, he sat down across from me.

"Hi. Are you still going to your church tonight?" Logan asked, taking a kind of long time asking.

"Unless there's some really good reason for me not to." I replied, trying to return to my meal.

"Would you mind if I went with you? I've got some stuff to do in town, and I'd like to see what it's like there." Logan said, looking down at the table.

"Fine by me. I'm taking the professor to town, then when we get back then I'm going to hurry and get ready and leave. Is a quarter after six okay?" Courtney asked, looking up at him, leaning across the table a little bit to see if I could get him to look at her.

"That's fine." Logan said, pausing slightly. "I better be going. I've still got a lot to do."

I watched him leave and wondered what was up. He never acted like this around me. Especially not so nervous and kind of clipped even.

I finished eating and went to my final class of the day. It seemed that this was the class I always dreaded. Using my powers. I didn't like all the looks that people gave me. They looked at me like I was a freak, even though they had some of the same powers.

'I thought this was a place I could go and get away from that, and learn what was happening to me. I guess I was wrong.' Lately it hadn't been quite as bad, but they still looked at me strangely and I didn't like it.

When I got to the class, everyone turned their heads towards me, wrinkling their noses. I wished I could just melt into a wall, or cease to exist at these types of moments. Though I was scared out of my mind-I didn't like people staring at me-I walked calmly to my seat and sat looking strait ahead waiting for their teacher.

When he walked in, I was very surprised. I looked at Logan, trying to comprehend what he was doing there, until I realized he was to be their teacher today.

"I don't know why I'm here, as I don't have powers, but the Professor wanted me to come in and see what I could help with." Logan started out, looking at everyone but keeping his gaze on Courtney the longest. Everyone noticed that, and looked to me like they would at home if I were the teachers pet.

"I suppose we'll start out by introducing ourselves since I don't know everyone." Logan said, pointing to someone, who took his time standing up and joked a little before he actually said who he was and what his power was.

When my turn came, I stood up and stated my name and sat down, not sure what to say my power was.

"Courtney. Your power." Logan said, sounding like he had earlier when he had been in a hurry to get away from me.

"Lo-Sir, I don't know what my power is. I guess you could say… anything that anyone does, so far as I've met them…" I knew that everyone would hate me for that, but I had to be truthful.

"Alright. Continue." Logan said, pointing to the next person in line.

It seemed that all through the class when Logan needed a volunteer he would always ask me, and I started to hate knowing him personally. I could tell that everyone's hate towards me had grown in that hour and a half.

When class finished I quickly headed to the door, but was too slow.

"Courtney. Can I talk to you for a minute?" Logan asked, barely even looking up from a list that he had somehow acquired.

I stayed behind, wishing again that I could melt into a wall, but if I transported, it wouldn't be all that hard to find me. Everyone knew that after classes I went to my room, and if he really wanted to talk to me, then he could just ask the Professor.

When everyone was gone, Logan finally looked up from the desk.

"Courtney-" He started, sounding like he was sorry to be there, having to talk to me.

I backed up towards the door, keeping my eyes to the floor. "I need to go to my room. Get ready to leave…"

"Courtney, hold on a minute." Logan said, grabbing a hold on her arm, and I quickly looked up. I hadn't seen him come up so quickly. "I… I'm sorry about earlier. I wasn't sure that I could be that close to you with all those people around."

I was scared. I hadn't ever heard someone talk to me in that tone of voice, but I had heard others use it, and not too long afterwards they were married, or some such thing.

"I really need to get my stuff-" I started, but my mouth was covered with Logan's before I was able to finish the sentence. I couldn't think. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and stood there for a minute.

'What am I doing?!' I thought frantically, pulling back from him as fast as I could.

"Courtney, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that, but-" Logan started, but I held up my hand, backing towards the door again.

"I'll see you later." I said, and quickly turned around and ran out of the room.

I couldn't handle this. I had more important things to worry about.

I just stood leaning against my door for a minute, and then hurried to get dressed and gather my stuff for activities, since I would have time to take the Professor to the store, get back, and have about five minutes before I would have to leave for activities.

When I got downstairs the Professor and Logan were waiting for me.

"Are you ready?" the Professor asked, turning to head to the garage.

"Yeah." I said, hurrying after him, avoiding Logan's eyes.

We loaded into my car, and I put the wheelchair in the trunk, glad that it was big, and got into the drivers seat.

I headed to the nearest store that would have everything the Professor had said we would need. I got out and headed to the back of the car, finding Logan there unloading the wheelchair, so I hurried around to the Professors side of the car.

During the whole time we were in the store, I stuck to the Professor. I wasn't taking the chance that I would find myself alone with Logan again. If he tried something again, it could be disastrous.

We quickly filled up the first basket and the Professor sent Logan to get another one.

"What's going on?" He asked me, absently grabbing a few more items. "It seems you've been avoiding Logan all day."

"Not all day. Just since he taught the last class. Actually since everyone else left the room and he asked me to stay behind. Professor, I'm not sure what to do. He wants something that I can't give him." I said, then saw Logan nearly to us, and immediately shut up.

'I can't seem to figure out what he wants from me. There's always something new going on, and I don't know how to act around him anymore.' I told the Professor, through our minds so Logan wouldn't hear.

"Pity." The Professor said. I could only guess that he didn't know that Logan was right behind him.

"What?" Logan asked, finally coming into the Professor's view.

Though he kept himself composed, I could tell he was surprised to find him there. "One of these are broken. Oh good. You got another basket."

I did my best not to laugh, but I couldn't help it.

"Sorry about that Professor. Is there another one there?" I asked, motioning to the item he was holding.

"Oh. Yes, there is." He said, pulling another one off, and putting them in the new basket.

Much of the rest of the trip went this way, joking about something or other, and although I knew that I shouldn't, I kept teasing the Professor about items being broken.

When we walked out of the store, I heard the Professor mumbling to himself, and heard a little of one of the sentences.

"… and low on funds…"

Logan and I got the Professor settled and his wheelchair in the trunk, and put as many groceries in the trunk with it, and put the rest in the back, offered to sit in the back with them so Logan wouldn't be so crowded, but still ended up driving.

We hurried back to the school and Jean was there with the Professors usual wheelchair.

"How did the trip go?" She asked, bringing it over and getting the Professor settled.

"We got nearly everything that we needed." He said, heading to the ramp to go into the house.

Jean helped Logan and I with all the groceries, and whatever none of us could carry I used mind power to bring it in after us.

We were told to carry all of it into the Professor's study and put in the cabinets there. Jean and the Professor managed most of it, then Logan and I left, heading to activities.

"Does it really start this early?" Logan asked me, climbing into the front seat.

"No. But I have some errands that I need to run before we get there. I need to run by the bank, and the store, since my friends birthday is today, as is-" I stopped suddenly, realizing what I had been about to say. I didn't like to tell people since it made it seem to me like it was just asking for a gift from them, so I never reminded or told anyone.

"As is what?" Logan asked, buckling his seat belt.

"Nothing. I just realized that my dads birthday was a couple days ago, and another friends birthday as well." I said, quickly coming up with the best excuse I could.

The rest of the ride to the bank was pretty silent, but I hurried in and left Logan with the car running and took out some money.

"On to the store… again…" I said, realizing it would have been much easier to just shop for these things earlier when we were already there. Thankfully Logan said nothing about this, and I quickly bought all the presents I would need for friends for the next couple of months.

'Thank you, Lynn. I never would have thought that I would be thankful that you knew about me, but this makes it so much easier.' I could just transport there tonight and give her everything so she could hand it out for me. Not to mention I could visit with her, though it would have to be in silence, since no one else in her family knew about it.

When I loaded my things into the backseat, Logan got the car started and we headed out to my activities.

When we pulled into the parking lot, Logan hurried and got out. "I guess I'll see you later. I have to get something, and then I'll come back and see what all this is about." He said over his shoulder, barely even glancing at me.

"I guess he realizes that he shouldn't have done that earlier." I said softly, and realized that I didn't like that thought.

Activities went fast. It seemed like only a couple of minutes that I was there, or more, like I walked in, and then headed back out to my car.

I found Logan waiting for me outside, leaning on his door.

"You ready?" I asked him, unlocking the car.

"Wouldn't be here if I wasn't." He replied, and when the car started, it fell silent again.

We tried to be quiet getting into the house, but since I was thirsty and hungry, I headed into the kitchen, and got a root beer.

"Can I talk to you?" Logan asked, having followed me. "Nothing like earlier, I promise." He said, holding up his hands in a peace offering.

I thought about it for a minute and nodded. He led the way into the living room, and I followed, realizing that no one had said anything about my birthday, and it was nearly over.

Since Logan hadn't turned on the light, I flipped it on, and in the few seconds that I was blind, heard what sounded like an explosion.

"SURPRISE!"

I looked around at everyone and nearly cried. I did my best though and fought it, barely winning.

The Professor rolled out with Jean on his heels, and she grabbed my hand.

"You don't think we'd let you go without a birthday do you? After this year, you'll only get this kind of thing if one of the kids decide to do it for you, but everyone's first year we make sure that we do something nice for them. Come on. We're about to have dinner." Jean led me to the dining room, and I found so much food, almost all of it favorites of mine (which wasn't that hard to do, since I liked so much).

I was bombarded all through dinner. I had thought that everyone hated me, but so many of them were talking to me like I was their best friend.

Dinner was followed by desert, and there were some dishes that I recognized from home, and I realized it made me homesick.

Soon after we finished desert, the phone started ringing, and when Jean came back, she motioned to me to follow her.

"From back home."

"Hello?" I said, and heard so many friends from back home, and family as well. We talked for nearly a half hour before everyone had to leave, and I headed back to the party.

This time it was Bobby that led me to the proper room for the continuation. When I stood in the doorway, I stopped hard. The amount of presents!

"Those can't all be for me…" I said breathlessly, and Bobby had to drag me into the room.

"Think again. They're all yours."

It seemed that everyone had gotten me something, and it took forever to open all of them, leading late into the night.

When it was winding down, I was exhausted and thought I would go to bed, finally. I left an envelope in the Professors study with the money I had gotten for him, and headed for the stairs.

"Courtney, can I talk to you?" Logan asked, then without waiting for an answer took my hand and led me into the kitchen.

"I didn't want to give you this is there, so I was waiting." He said, handing me a small package.

I opened it and found some sapphire jewelry. "Logan… they're beautiful!" There was a necklace, and earrings, and a little ring to go with them. "I can't except this!"

"Please. I want you to have it." Logan said, closing my hands over them.

"Thank you." I said, then on impulse kissed him. I hadn't meant for it to be more than a peck, but it lingered for a minute.

I looked at him for a minute, then back down at his gift, and turned to go to bed. When I got to the doorway, I looked back and he was still watching me.

"Goodnight… Logan." I said.