The pancake tower wobbled dangerously. Present Nova's eyes widened in alarm, and without thinking, she reached out with her power to steady it.
The pancakes froze mid-fall, suspended in the air for a split second before gently floating back into their perfect tower formation.
The kitchen went dead silent.
Linda's coffee cup paused halfway to her lips. Carter's eyes widened slightly. The four mates looked like they'd been collectively struck by lightning.
Present Nova's mouth formed a perfect 'O' of horror as she realized what she'd just done.
Future Nova buried her face in her hands.
Linda stared at the pancakes for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she blinked slowly, shook her head, and set down her coffee cup with deliberate precision.
"Well," she said, her voice carefully measured, "why am I not surprised at all."
