The morning sunlight sneaked past my curtains, but sleep hadn't exactly felt like sleep. Blinking groggily, I sat up and yawned. Wait… why do I feel… weirdly rested?
The last thing I remembered was leaving the lab, insisting on rules, and heading to bed. And yet… somehow, I wasn't in the lab. I was in my room.
I blinked, rubbing my eyes. "What…?"
And then it hit me. My curiosity. That persistent, buzzing need to figure things out was calling me again. I couldn't resist.
Dragging myself out of bed, I padded toward the lab, hair sticking up like a mad scientist, pajamas mismatched and eyes half-shut. I walked carefully so I wouldn't wake Alex—or the army of hovering snack drones he somehow had programmed to patrol his room because why on earth does it have to be his room before mine🤔🤔. My feet padded over the polished floors, my pajamas brushing against the hum of automated cleaning drones.The lab doors slid open with a soft hiss, and the soft glow of holographic screens and drones greeted me.
Jayden was there. Of course he was. Leaning casually against the counter, scrolling through his phone, smirking like he had been expecting me.
"Good morning," he said, voice teasing. "Sleep well?"
I froze. "Wait. How… how did I get back to my room last night?"
He looked up, grinning. "Oh… that? I carried you."
I blinked. "…You what?"
He shrugged casually. "There wasn't a rule for that. Or is there?"
"Is there not?" I asked, crossing my arms, trying to sound stern but failing miserably. My cheeks betrayed me anyway.
He tilted his head. "Honestly? I think there should be a rule about carrying geniuses at one in the morning."
I groaned, trying to shove my embarrassment away. "You are ridiculous."
"And you," he replied, eyes gleaming with mischief, "are awake at an ungodly hour for curiosity and chaos. Perfect combination."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop myself from smiling. "Rules, Jayden. Rules are rules."
He laughed softly, leaning closer, tone conspiratorial. "Ah, yes. The sacred rules of the Coker household. Obeyed… except at midnight."
I ignored him, letting my gaze drift to the holographic screens pulsing in the lab. One of them showed a detailed digital map of the mansion, and on it, a blinking red square marked the Silver Door. My chest tightened.
"That thing again?" Jayden asked, noticing my stare. "You're really protective of it, huh?"
"Of course," I said quickly, pretending to adjust a hovering drone. "Not like it's… anything important."
"Uh-huh. Totally boring. Right." He smirked, moving closer to a holographic panel that projected a detailed 3D model of the Silver Door. "Look, I'm not asking you to touch it, or break rules, or—"
"Rules are rules," I muttered, cutting him off. "Not for fun. Not even curiosity."
He chuckled. "Okay, okay, sacred rules noted. But curiosity… it's tempting, isn't it?"
Before I could respond, a familiar booming voice echoed through the lab. "Kim! Jayden!"
I jumped. The holographic displays flickered as Dad stepped into the room, his hands clasped behind his back. "I hope you two aren't planning… experiments that involve breaking house security."
I scowled. "No, Dad!"
Jayden raised a hand innocently. "No rules broken here. Just… theoretical curiosity."
Dad arched an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Curiosity is fine. Breaking rules is not. And the Silver Door is not a toy."
I nodded vigorously, cheeks burning, while Jayden stifled a laugh behind me.
I'm stepping out, make sure not to do anything crazy, alright?? Dad said looking at me so firmly.
I just couldn't help but nod, Okay dad.
And make sure to freshen up and eat at the given time. Dad has always been like that so caring and always detailed in his dealings. Okay dad. But you should know I'm grown up now. I replied trying to act grown but trust me I still want to be treated this way.
Okay. I'm off now. Dad said and left not saying any other thing. That's werid.
Once Dad left, the lab felt calmer. Jayden leaned back against the counter, smirking at me. "See? Told you. Not a rule-breaker. Impressive."
I groaned. "Lucky me. You're relentless."
He ignored me, fingers flying across his phone screen. Suddenly, a new hologram floated above the desk, a projection of the mansion, the Silver Door highlighted with a soft pulsing glow.
"Better," he said. "We don't need to touch it. Just… observe."
I tilted my head, intrigued despite myself. "And what exactly are we observing?"
Jayden tapped a few buttons. "Everything. Sensors, energy readings, structural design. We might figure out why it's so… special. Without touching it. Strictly safe. Totally rule-abiding."
I raised an eyebrow. "You're dangerously close to fun."
"Dangerous is my middle name," he teased.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide the excitement that buzzed in my chest. Between the glowing hologram and Jayden's relentless teasing, the lab suddenly felt alive. Alive with secrets. Alive with possibilities.
And even though rules were rules… part of me wondered if a little harmless curiosity could be worth bending them just a tiny, tiny bit.