The Brob Girl Ch 38: A Time For Celebration, Abbie’s Great News

I sat on the wooden table, tapping my foot against the surface as I waited. My nerves were getting to me, even though I wasn't really sure why. I wasn't the one being tested today—Abbie was. But after everything, after all the effort she had put in, after all the hours she spent practicing and stressing over this, it felt like we were in this together.

Today was the day—the day that would decide whether Abbie would officially get her handler's license.

I glanced at the clock. She should've been back by now. Was that a bad sign? Was she taking longer because she failed? No, no, I couldn't think like that.

I took a deep breath, trying to push away my nerves. But just as I was about to start pacing—well, as much as a Lilli could on a table—my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the apartment door swinging open.

I immediately turned toward it, my heart pounding. "Abbie?"

But it wasn't Abbie.

The rhythmic boom, boom, boom of footsteps approached, and as the towering figure stepped into view, I realized with surprise that it was Monica, not Abbie, carrying a few bags in her hands.

"Monica?" I asked, raising a brow. "What are you doing here?"

She walked right up to the table, bending forward so that her face loomed directly above me. "You really think I was gonna miss Abbie's big day?" she asked, smirking.

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. "Yeah, that makes sense."

Monica grinned, then turned toward the kitchen, setting her bags down on the counter with a heavy thud. I watched curiously as she started pulling things out—various containers filled with food, most of them bigger than I was.

"What's all this?" I asked.

Monica glanced over her shoulder, looking almost mischievous. "I figured today's a special occasion, so I thought I'd introduce you to some real Brobdingnagian food."

My eyes widened. "Oh, now that I'm excited for."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "You say that now. Let's see if you can actually handle it, little guy."

I sat on the table, absentmindedly running my fingers along the grain of the wood, my mind elsewhere.

My eye.

Ever since I woke up with it—this strange, unnatural gift—I hadn't been able to stop thinking about it. The things I could see, the things I could build. My little helicopter pack had just been the beginning. If I pushed myself, what else could I create? And more importantly... why me?

I sighed, leaning back on my hands.

That's when Monica's voice broke through my thoughts, her warm yet powerful tone rumbling around me like rolling thunder.

"What's on your mind?"

I glanced up to see her watching me from above, her massive form still as she leaned on the counter.

I forced a grin, waving off her concern. "Nothing much, just excited to see Abbie," I said. "And more excited to eat whatever you're cooking."

Monica didn't respond right away. She just stared down at me, her usual playful expression fading into something more serious. The way she studied me, it was almost like she knew I wasn't being completely honest.

Then, just as quickly, she smirked. "Well, lucky for you, I also bought something new today."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? What'd you get?"

Monica dug into her pocket, her massive fingers fumbling for a moment before she pulled something out—a small device, roughly the size of her index finger, sleek and metallic. She held it between her thumb and forefinger, letting me get a good look.

"It's a scanner," she explained. "State of the art, super high-definition. It'll let me really see you properly for the first time. Every little detail."

I blinked. "Uh... why?"

She rolled her eyes. "Because you're tiny, Michael. I can barely see you half the time, let alone tell if you've got, I don't know, a scar, a birthmark—hell, maybe you've got an extra set of arms and I wouldn't even know it."

I snorted. "Yeah, I think I'd notice that one."

Monica grinned, then tilted her head. "So, what do you say? Wanna let me try it?"

I shrugged. "Eh, sure. Why not?"

With a flick of her thumb, Monica activated the device, and suddenly, a massive hologram of me appeared above the table.

I stared up in shock. There I was—every detail perfectly replicated, blown up to Brob size. My dark hair, my lean frame, even the faint scar on my chin I got when I was a kid. It was me.

Monica's eyes widened slightly, a pinkish hue dusting her cheeks. "Huh," she muttered. "You're actually kinda handsome."

I felt my own face heat up. "I... guess?"

Monica giggled, lowering her face closer, her enormous eyes twinkling with amusement. "Aww, are you getting shy on me, little guy?"

I crossed my arms. "No."

She laughed harder. "You so are."

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. I was never gonna live this down.

The door creaked open, and the familiar sound of Abbie's booming footsteps filled the apartment. I turned toward the entrance just as she stepped inside, looking a little surprised to see Monica.

"Oh, Monica," she said, blinking.

I immediately activated my earpiece. "Abbie! Did you pass?"

At my question, her expression changed. The excitement drained from her face, replaced with something unreadable. Then, her shoulders slumped, and she let out a deep sigh.

Monica and I exchanged a glance.

Monica stood up, already moving toward her. "Oh, Abbie... you didn't pass?" She opened her arms, ready to pull Abbie into a hug.

Abbie's face scrunched up, and she sniffled.

"I passed!" she suddenly yelled, her entire body jumping up and down in excitement.

The floor beneath me shook violently, and I barely managed to stay upright before instinctively dropping into a squat to keep my balance. "Abbie! Earthquake warning next time!" I shouted.

Monica let out a laugh, grabbing Abbie's arm to steady her. "Okay, okay, calm down before you send Michael flying across the room."

Abbie stopped bouncing, but her grin stretched from ear to ear. "I did it!"

Monica and I both shouted, "Congratulations!"

Abbie covered her mouth, overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes glistening as she tried to hold back happy tears. "I was so nervous! The practical exam was intense, but I got every question right!"

Monica beamed, squeezing her shoulders. "Of course you did! I told you you had this!"

Still trying to shake off the dizziness from all the shaking, I took a deep breath and grinned up at her. "Abbie, that's amazing! I knew you'd pass!"

She wiped her eyes and gave me the warmest smile I'd ever seen. "Thanks, Michael."

Monica clapped her hands. "Alright! This calls for a celebration! I brought food, and Michael was very excited to try Brob cuisine."

Abbie sniffled and let out a laugh. "Oh, this I have to see."

I groaned, shaking my head. "Why do I feel like I'm about to be the entertainment for the evening?"

The two Brobs just giggled, and suddenly, I wasn't so sure I was ready for whatever was on the menu.