Chapter 10
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“Y–Yeah, here!” Caden shoved the robot at her, staring like she was about to pull a rabbit from a hat. ‘Could she really fix it?‘
“Need some tools,” Kaia said.
“Got ‘em in my room. One sec,” Caden replied.
“Cool.”
Kaia grabbed the tools and got to work. Her hands moved like lightning, ripping the robot tweaking it, and snapping it back together like it was nothing.
“She’s the real deal!” Russell said, jaw dropping.
apart,
Tobias’s eyes stayed locked on Kaia. His brother was no rookie, but Kaia spotting the issue in a split second? That was straight–up impressive.
“Done,” Kaia said, dusting her hands off.
“That’s it?‘ Caden blinked at the robot in her hands. “That was insanely fast!‘
“Oh, hold up,” Kaia said, glancing at him. “The chip could use a boost. Got a laptop?”
Caden’s jaw hit the floor. ‘She could optimize the chip too? That’s next–level genius.’
“Gimme a sec!” Caden bolted upstairs, then raced back, shoving his laptop at her. He hovered close, itching to see her skills.
Russell sidled up, and a quick glance showed Tobias watching too.
Kaia hooked the robot to the laptop, her fingers flying over the keys like they were on fire.
‘She’s unreal,’ Russell thought, totally floored.
Tobias’s eyes followed her every move, almost hypnotized.
Minutes later, Kaia slammed the laptop shut and tossed the robot to Caden. “Try it out. Should be good.”
“Sweet!” Caden powered it on.
The robot hummed, smooth and silent, moving like an extension of his hands. Plus, it cleaned like a champ now.
“Dude, this is nuts!” Caden grinned, staring at Kaia like she was a rock star. “You’re freaking
incredible!”
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Kaia shrugged, flopping onto the couch and sipping her coffee. “You’re hyping it too much. This thing’s basic. Fixing it’s no biggie.”
‘Basic?‘ Caden, the so–called brainiac, felt a rare sting of doubt.
“Your skills are wild,” he said. “You been tinkering since you were a kid?”
Kaia set her cup down. “Yeah, I was barely walking when I tore apart our TV”
“No way! Then what?”
“Put it back together.”
“Are you kidding?” Caden’s eyes sparkled like he’d met his hero. “You’re so freaking awesome!”
Russell cracked up, clutching his sides. “Oh man, this is too good!”
This was his second time losing it over Kaia.
Little gremlin,” he said to Caden, “your IQ’s 200! You buying her crazy stories? Your brain take a
hike?”
‘My brain’s right here. Yours? Long gone,” Caden shot back, giving Russell a you’re clueless look. “I know she’s legit–way out of your league.”
Done with Russell, Caden turned to Kaia, dead serious. “Please, teach me. I gotta be a robot genius like you!”
“Whoa, hold up!” Russell choked, nearly spitting his drink. “Tobias, dude, did your brother get swapped out or what?”
Tobías glanced from Caden to Kaia, who was kicked back on the couch like she owned it.
Caden was just a kid, but he was a freaking genius–outshining most adults, especially in robotics.
Tobias didn’t get the tech stuff, but Caden’s obsession told him Kaia was the real deal. Good enough to make his little brother act like she was a tech rockstar,
Then it hit him–Kaia’s earlier jab. “You’re not good enough for me.”
‘Okay, so she wasn’t just talking smack. She has the skills to back it up, he thought.
Still, being a robotics wiz didn’t mean she was above him. No way was he “not good enough.”
Kaia looked at Caden, who was practically begging. She sighed, thinking of Samantha pulling the same “be my mentor” stunt that morning.
What’s up with today? Everyone’s lining up to be my sidekick or what?‘ she mused.
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“Just say yes, Kaia! You won’t regret it, I swear!” Caden was hyping himself up like he was on a game
show.
Kaia rubbed her temple. “It’s not that I don’t want to, Caden. I’m just swamped–big projects, no time to play teacher.”
Russell snorted. “Big projects? From the girl who skips class like it’s her job?”
Tobias cut in, voice steady. “She might suck at school, but in robotics? She’s legit.” It was the first time he’d given Kaia props.
Caden wasn’t giving up. Kid was desperate. “Fine, take me on, and I’ll get Tobias to throw himself at you tonight. Like, full–on ‘let’s make babies‘ vibes!”
Kaia’s temple twitched.
Russell lost it, cackling and slapping Tobias’s shoulder. “Yo, your kid bro’s selling you out for a mentorship! That’s cold!”
Kaia rolled her eyes. “Hard pass. Not into your brother.”
Caden shot Tobias a pitying look, like “damn, dude, that’s rough.”
Tobias was already steaming from Kaia’s rejection, and that look from his little brother? Yeah, it was pushing him to the edge. Mr. Chill was about to lose it.
Caden, oblivious, went for broke. “Okay, forget Tobias. What about me? I’m young, but I’d treat you right. I’d make you happy, promise!” He thumped his chest like he was closing a deal.
Kaia’s temple really twitched.
“Oh my God, I’m done!” Russell was wheezing, barely breathing. “Tobias, your fiancée’s about to be your sister–in–law! I can’t!”
Tobias’s face was a storm–red, purple, dark. He marched over to Caden, vibe screaming enough.
“Homework. Done?” he asked.
Caden shook his head. “Uh, not yet-
“Now. Upstairs. Finish it, or you’re not leaving your room.”
“But I still gotta convince Kaia-”
Caden’s whining got cut off as Tobias grabbed his collar, dragged him upstairs, and locked him in
his room.
Russell was still chuckling but caught Tobias’s death glare and zipped it. No need to get smoked.
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He coughed, switching gears. “So, Tobias, heard the new nano–material’s done. Any word on the big
reveal?”
Tobias sank into a chair. “No date yet.”
Kaia piped up, all casual. “It’s the 28th.”
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Chapter 11
Chapter 11
