Complicated Calculations

"Here's a NASA label. Ask your mom to sew it onto your backpack."

Dr. Ronald just wanted to get back to the topic; he didn't take young Sheldon's words seriously.

"Now, who here would like to know how astronauts go to the bathroom?"

Alex, who watched silently, felt that today was a very rewarding day.

Only he noticed the sparkle in Sheldon's eyes — he wanted to prove he was right. So, the lecture went on without further incident. After class, Alex headed straight to his lab.

He had many ideas on his mind. Thanks to his super deduction, he figured out simple technologies: QLED screens, superconducting chips, wireless power transmitters, and many others. But even though Alex wanted to build these things, he'd need money.

Alex turned on his computer and pulled out a floppy disk with a note that read: Prometheus++. Prometheus++ is a cross-platform programming language.

Alex wanted a language that could run on any platform, with low memory consumption and high performance. The idea is for computers to perform at 100% efficiency, minimizing processing waste.

Prometheus++ is also capable of integrating different types of programming languages or adding new functions to its own syntax. Alex spent the day busy putting the finishing touches on his masterpiece. After that, he could create his own operating system.

...

Soon it was Saturday morning. After Alex had breakfast, he went straight to his lab. While working, Alex was called by his mother.

"Son, your school friend came to see you."

Alex was confused for a moment and thought of something. He set things aside and went to see who it was.

When he got to the living room, he saw Mia. Smiling, Alex approached her.

"Hi, what brings you here?" When Mia saw Alex, her little heart beat faster.

"I came to see you. Is that not okay?" Mia said shyly. That day, after returning home, Mia had looked at the gift Alex gave her.

When she saw the perfume, she remembered Alex had told her he made it himself. Putting a little on her wrist, the unfamiliar scent was soft and fresh. She felt her tired mind from school become more energized.

Mia felt it was magical and loved the gift, so she decided to treasure it. In her heart, she already planned to repay Alex, which brings us to the present moment.

Mia asked her mother to take her to Alex's house. She wanted to apologize so they could continue their friendship.

"Of course, I'm glad. Did you come alone?" Alex asked as he looked outside.

"My mom is in the kitchen with yours," Mia replied.

"Really?" Alex peeked and saw the two women talking in low voices.

"Would you like something to drink?" Alex asked.

"No, I came to apologize for that day. I should've been happy for you, but I ended up showing an embarrassing side," Mia said.

Alex just listened in silence, sitting beside her.

"Can we still be friends?" Mia asked in a low voice.

Alex held Mia's hand and said, "I'd love that."

He didn't even notice that, when he did that, Mia's ears turned red.

"Thank you," Mia whispered.

If not for Alex's super hearing, he wouldn't have heard her, but inside, he was very happy.

"How about I show you my lab?" Alex offered. Mia, still shy, raised her head with interest.

"I want to," she replied, pulling Alex off the couch.

So the two headed to the garage. Alex walked ahead, and Mia followed behind like a little duckling. As soon as Mia entered, Alex saw her eyes sparkle. It looked like she really liked what she saw.

Whiteboards filled with complicated formulas. Workbenches with containers of colorful liquids. An area full of disassembled parts — TVs, phones, and many more.

Alex looked at everything with pride. He had been working hard to turn it into a super lab.