The excitement of the first snow and the invitation to the science workshop still buzzed in Rowan's mind as he sat at his desk, deep in thought. The workshop was set to begin in just a few weeks, and his project proposal needed to be something innovative - something that would push him further than he'd ever gone before.
But before that, there was something else on his mind - fixing the kitchen sink.
Rowan had always been good with mechanics, and the leaky faucet in the kitchen had been driving him crazy for weeks. Aria had mentioned calling a plumber, but Rowan saw it as the perfect opportunity to make an upgrade instead.
"Alright, let's see what we're working with," he muttered, rolling up his sleeves as he crouched in front of the sink.
Jake leaned against the counter, watching with an amused expression. "You sure you don't want some help?"
Rowan smirked. "I've got this. Besides, you'd just tell me I'm doing it wrong."
Jake laughed. "Probably. But I'm still here for moral support."
Rowan pulled out the old, inefficient aerator and replaced it with a high-efficiency model, adjusting the water pressure to make it more eco-friendly. As he tightened the last bolt, he muttered, "This should do it."
Aria walked in just in time to see the results. "Oh! That's actually… really nice. I don't hear that annoying drip anymore."
Rowan wiped his hands on a towel, grinning. "One small step for home improvement, one giant leap for my sanity."
Jake patted him on the back. "Not bad, kid. Maybe you should start charging for your services."
Aria smirked. "Or at least finish fixing everything else around the house before you start a business."
Rowan groaned playfully. "Can I just enjoy my victory for five minutes?"
Jake chuckled. "Fair enough."
With the sink taken care of, Rowan could finally turn his focus back to his upcoming workshop project. He had brainstormed for hours, jotting down half-formed ideas in his notebook. Automated water purification? Too expected. AI-integrated farming systems? Maybe, but he didn't have enough resources to build something truly functional. He needed something fresh, something groundbreaking.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Jake peeked in, a cup of coffee in hand. "Still at it?"
Rowan sighed. "Yeah. I need a project that stands out, but I feel like I'm just going in circles."
Jake walked in and set the coffee down. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, every great inventor had that same problem. Edison, Tesla, your mother when she tried to make her first perfect plant garden."
Rowan chuckled. "I don't think gardening and engineering are quite the same."
Jake shrugged. "Hey, trial and error applies to everything." He glanced at Rowan's notes. "Why not take a break? Sometimes the best ideas come when you step away for a bit."
Rowan exhaled, nodding. "You're probably right."
That evening, Rowan decided to clear his mind with a walk through the snow-covered streets of Appaloosa Plains. The air was crisp, his boots crunching against the frozen ground as he made his way toward Oliver's house.
When he arrived, Oliver was already at the door, holding two steaming mugs of hot chocolate. "I had a feeling you'd show up, Mr. Genius. You look like someone who's been thinking way too hard."
Rowan accepted the mug with a grateful nod. "That obvious?"
"Painfully," Oliver teased, leading him inside. "So, what's the roadblock?"
Rowan sat on the couch, staring into his drink. "I need something different for my project. Something that's not just smart but actually useful. I want to make an impact, not just impress some professors."
Oliver leaned back, thinking. "Well, what's something you've always wanted to fix? Not just for science, but for people?"
Rowan frowned in thought. "Something practical… something that actually improves lives."
Then, suddenly, it hit him. His eyes lit up, and he nearly spilled his hot chocolate as he sat forward. "Oliver, what if I create a modular energy system? Something that can provide power to rural homes without a traditional power grid?"
Oliver blinked, then grinned. "Now that sounds like a project worth doing. And lucky for you, I happen to know a guy who's great at fixing things."
Rowan smirked. "You mean yourself?"
"Obviously. I'm basically your unpaid assistant at this point."
Rowan laughed. "Fine, you're in. But no slacking."
Oliver raised his mug. "To changing the world, one ridiculous invention at a time."
Rowan clinked his mug against Oliver's, a surge of excitement running through him. "To making a real difference."
As their mugs clinked together, Rowan knew he had found the perfect challenge. The real work was just beginning.