The Holo Earth

Chapter 20

Liam hesitated on Clara's doorstep, his hand poised to knock. He'd enjoyed Clara's attention, craved it even, yet it wasn't right. His heart truly was with Sarah, and the prospect of facing Clara filled him with dread. The peeling paint and overgrown weeds seemed at odds with the tantalizing cooking smells wafting from inside. As soon as his knuckles met the weathered wood, the door swung open, revealing Clara's beaming face. Her hair was neatly styled, a touch of makeup enhancing her features. "Liam! Come in, come in," she said, her voice warm with barely concealed excitement. Liam's heart sank as he realized the effort she'd put in. He'd known this was coming, but faced with the reality of Clara's hopes, he felt a wave of self-loathing.

As he stepped inside, Liam was struck by the transformation. The cluttered living room he remembered had been tidied, the worn furniture arranged with care. A vase of wildflowers adorned the coffee table, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the faded wallpaper.

"I hope you're hungry," Clara said, gesturing towards the kitchen. "I've made something special."

Liam's stomach twisted with guilt. The effort she had clearly put into this evening was palpable, from the spotless counters to the mouthwatering scent of garlic and herbs. He thought of Sarah, of the tentative plans they had made for tomorrow evening, and felt a pang of unease.

"That's... very kind of you, Clara," he managed, his tone carefully neutral. "But I'm just here to help Ethan with his homework, remember?"

A flicker of disappointment crossed Clara's face before she masked it with a smile. "Of course, of course. He's so excited you're here. Ethan! Liam's arrived!"

The sound of running feet preceded Ethan's appearance. The boy burst into the room, his face lit up with joy. "Liam! You've got to see what I did with the Quantum Computing Simulator! I think I've figured out how to..."

As Ethan rambled enthusiastically about qubits and superposition, Liam's gaze was drawn to a framed photograph on the mantle. Deshawn's face smiled back at him, the resemblance between them still undeniable. The weight of expectation – from Clara, from Ethan, from his own sense of responsibility – settled heavily on Liam's shoulders.

He followed Ethan to his room, acutely aware of Clara's eyes on him as they left. The boy's space was a testament to Liam's generosity – educational toys and books scattered about, the Holographic History Projector taking pride of place on the desk.

They settled in to work on Ethan's history project. The undeniable pull of Clara and Ethan's need, and the complex web of emotions that came with it unsettled his stomach despite the inviting warmth emanating from the kitchen.

Liam's phone buzzed in his pocket – a text from Sarah. He left it unanswered, focusing instead on Julius Caesar's form materializing before them. But as Ethan peppered the holographic emperor with questions, Liam's mind wandered to the future he was helping to shape – and the choices that lay ahead.

The miniature Julius Caesar paced back and forth on Ethan's desk, his toga swishing with each step. Ethan leaned in, eyes wide with fascination. "So, Mr. Caesar, what was it like to cross the Rubicon?"
As the holographic emperor launched into his reply, Liam found his attention wandering. He noticed the Quantum Computing Simulator on Ethan's bedside table, its screen flickering with complex equations and swirling visualizations of entangled particles. He felt a surge of pride. Ethan was clearly putting the gifts to good use. Not just thanks to himself, but thanks to Zolok too.

"Liam?" Ethan's voice snapped him back to the present. "Did I ask the right questions?"

Liam nodded, forcing a smile. "You're doing great, buddy. Caesar would be impressed."