The Art of Deflection

Leo shifted slightly on the bed, adjusting the laptop on his knees as if it had suddenly become uncomfortable.

“Hey, bud. What are you working on?” Lyra asked lightly, stepping further into the room.

“Nothing,” he said too fast. Then he cleared his throat. “Just… coding practice. Nothing important. Keeps my brain sharp.”

Kaelen’s eyes flicked briefly to the closed laptop screen, then back to