<b>Chapter </b><b>152 </b>
He shrugged. “It’s fine. I’m used to being stared at, just for different reasons usually.”
I nced at his outfit again. “The clothes look good on you.”
??))
“Ethan picked them out,” Max said, his voice a mix of gratitude and embarrassment. “He has surprisingly good taste.”
“He does,” I agreed. “So, ready to meet your hero?”
Max’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“You’ll see.”
Edward Sheldon was already waiting at the campus coffee shop when we arrived. His tall frame was hunched over aptop, fingers flying across the keyboard. He nced up as we approached, his serious expression giving way to a
smile.
“Jade,” he said, standing. His eyes flicked to Max with curious interest.
“Edward, this is my brother, Max Morgan,” I said. “Max, Edward Sheldon.”
Max froze, his hands suddenly gripping the strap of his messenger bag so tightly his knuckles turned white. I could practically feel his nervous energy.
“You’re… you’re Edward Sheldon,” Max stammered, staring at Edward with undisguised awe. “The Edward Sheldon.”
I nudged him gently. “You’ve been talking about him for months. I figured you might want to meet him in person.”
Edward extended his hand, smiling warmly. “Hey, I’m Edward. Nice to meet you offline.”
Max shook his hand like it might shatter. “I’ve watched all your physicspetition videos and your TED talk on quantum mechanics three times.”
“Oh God, those videos are embarrassing,” Edwardughed, gesturing for us to sit.
I sat back, watching as the two of them carefully navigated the conversation, asionally ncing my way with a mixture of respect and apprehension. They seemed to be deliberately keeping their discussion surface–level, despite clearly wanting to dive deeper intoplex theories.
“It’s okay,” I said, amused by their awkward dance around the topic. “You don’t have to water down your physics talk
on my ount.”
…
58
They exchanged a knowing look, and Edwardughed nervously. “It just feels a bit like… you know… showing off our toy cars to a Form 1 driver.”
That was all it took to break the ice. For the next hour, I sipped my coffee and watched as Max came alive, debating and theorizing with someone who shared his passion. It was a side of my brother I rarely saw–confident, animated, his hands gesturing enthusiastically as he exined concepts that Edward eagerly challenged.
When it was time to leave, Edward added Max on Discord. “We should continue this conversation,” he said. “Your perspective on the Copenhagen interpretation is really thought–provoking.”
Max nodded eagerly, practically vibrating with excitement.
As we walked toward the campus gates where Max’s Uber would pick him up, my brother was still buzzing with
energy.
“Jade,” Max hesitated, then asked quietly, “Is he… is he like Ethan is with you?”
I raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“You know…” Max looked at his shoes. “Interested.”
I couldn’t help butugh. “I’m a fascinating person, Max. People tend to find me interesting.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know what you meant.” I nudged his shoulder yfully. “My physics knowledge actually surpasses Edward’s, so if you’re going to worship someone, it might as well be me.”
Max smiled. “Thanks for today, Jade. Really.”
As his Uber pulled up, I gave him a quick hug. “Text me when you get home.”
My phone buzzed with a message from Max. He’d sent me a screenshot of a conversation with Ethan Haxton. I frowned slightly, scanning the exchange.
Ethan had messaged him first: <i>How </i>was Princeton?
Max had responded with surprise: It was good. How did you know I was there?
Ethan’s reply made me raise an eyebrow; I’m a Princeton alum. I check the campus Reddit asionally<i>. </i>Someone <i>posted </i><i>a photo </i>of <i>you </i><i>and </i>Edward Sheldon with Jade at the coffee shop.
:
The screenshot showed Max’s embarrassed exnation: Jade took <i>me </i>to meet <i>Edward</i><i>. </i>I’m <i>a </i><i>fan </i>of <i>him</i><i>. </i>
58
And Ethan’s friendly response: <i>I </i><i>was </i><i>pretty </i>good <i>at </i><i>physics </i><i>myself</i><i>. </i><i>If </i><i>you </i><i>ever </i><i>want </i><i>a </i><i>different </i><i>perspective</i>, <i>let </i>me <i>know</i>.
I’d <i>be </i><i>happy </i>to <i>discuss </i><i>it </i><i>with </i><i>you</i>.
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