Page 63 of Jagged

"Still feeling pretty jagged."

She led me into her building, using her palm in the bio lock to enter. "I'm going to start calling you Alanis."

"What's that?" I scoffed, and she laughed at me.

"Alanis Morrissette and her Jagged Little Pill album. You like Guns N' Roses, and walk around in that Rolling Stones shirt, but don't know Alanis? Pfft." She made a sound with her tongue and lips, and I stared at her. It took me a minute to realize she was teasing me.

"Hey, I don't know everything about music. I just like what I like."

"Uh huh." She snickered while opening the door to her apartment. "Guns, Stones…Gaga."

"Don't you dare insult Lady Gaga. She's my queen and I'm her Little Monster."

"Oh, meu Deus." She groaned out the words the same way Tatiana does."

"Now you sound like Tati. Yikes."

Clem laughed as we set down the bags by the door and the cooler in the kitchen. The last time I was here, the shock of the situation and the lack of transition from emotional to calm didn't allow me to take in the ambiance of her apartment. Now, with less anxiety, it took on a different nature than on our movie night. With a keen, sleek design, extremely tidy organization and a color palette that seemed to tumble out of the most up-to-date home fashion magazine, it sort of locked me in a stare. It wasn't cold by any means, the grays and whites mingled with blues and browns, keeping the tone cool and welcoming. The solid wood floors, cozy carpets, and the fireplace standing proudly by the large window brought down the scale of the open floor plan room and created a homey quality. The kitchen, a more modern design with seemingly new appliances, welcomed just the same. The table and the island kept the portions of the apartment sectioned off in a tidy manner. To our right, the hall must've led to the bedroom and bathroom as there were no other entries or exits save for the front door and balcony.

"You've been here before," said Clem as she leaned against the kitchen counter. "Why do you look so startled?"

"I was so anxious I didn't notice much. I really like your place."

"Thanks. I tidied up before we left. Normally it's a bit more lived in." She shrugged with a smile. "Up for some coffee and breakfast?"

"Sure."

"What's your normal breakfast of choice?" She tucked her hair behind her ear before reaching over to press a button on a tiny coffee machine. "Those are the pods there. From espresso to long coffees, different strengths. Pick your poison." She pointed to a carousel of colorful little pods.

"They're so cute." I picked up a blue pod from the long coffee section to inspect. "I don't normally eat breakfast. Usually, I grab an energy drink from home or coffee and a pastry from the food trucks parked in the square downtown."

"Energy drinks?" She cocked a brow at me.

"It's a problem." I held the tiny pod to her. "This one is good. What about you?"

"Hmm. A red one for me."

I grabbed that for her, and she began brewing them both.

"How about hot oatmeal and some eggs?" she asked. "They're pasture raised from a local farm."

"Sure. What can I do to help?"

"How about cutting up that apple there?" She pointed to the fruit bowl beside the microwave. "And grab the pitted dates from the cabinet above. Two should do."

"On it."

I appreciated that she answered my question honestly and allowed me to help. It gave me a sense of purpose rather than sitting there awkwardly while watching her feel obligated to serve a guest in her house.

While she boiled the oats, I cut the fruit, and after we added them into the pot, she started on the eggs. In the meantime, I learned how to use the elaborate Nespresso machine, in awe of the bizarre little gadget. Clem's amused chuckles inspired me, and by the time we sat down at the table to eat, we were both in a fit of giggles.

"It's not that fascinating, silly," she said while handing me utensils.

"It is though. I mean, a Keurig was one thing. That robot maker thing was another, but this one is off the charts."

"I'm entertained by how easily amused you are," she said before taking a bite of oatmeal. "It's endearing."

"Well…expect more of that. In the past three days, I've seen about a dozen things I never thought I would. Fields of lavender, alien coffee machines, buffalo!"

---