Mom was watching us with that secret softness she hated us catching. Even after felony charges, viral videos, and me turning our high school into Fight Club Lite—she still saw us as hers. Still thought pasta could exorcise demons.
Madison leaned close. "ARIA's being suspiciously quiet. Did you mute her?" I had shared my other earbud with her.
"She's either calculating forex or silently judging this dinner. Both are on brand."
"Your AI… judges people... I saw how she did it at La Cherry."
"Constantly. She thinks Tommy's BMI is a crime against data storage."
Madison froze mid-bite. "Wait, she WHAT?"
"Relax," I said. "She also thinks Elon Musk is a glorified Reddit mod, so you're in good company since she hasn't said anything about you, maybe she's maybe trying to get on your good side."
"Wow," Madison smirked. "Definitely takes after her creator."
"Harsh but fair."
