My Favorite Character

The Knock

I sat curled up on the couch with some hot chocolate and my favorite book. Right as I started the next chapter, there was a knock on the door.

I clutched my book and walked to the door, opening it.

"Hello?" He looked vaguely familiar.

"Hey, uh, I just want you to know that you're my favorite book character and I know how it ends. And-and I want to change it..."

"Excuse me?" I stared at him "Is this supposed to be some kind of joke?"

"No... I guess that sounds weird...Um... Can I come in?" He looks nervous, yet excited.

She could've sworn she's seen him before. "Who exactly are you?"

"I'm Leo. Leo Valdez." He looks around quickly.

I laugh and drop my book, but quickly recover, forgetting the book. "That's not your real name. Who are you?"

He stares at you. "Why would I lie? I'm meeting my favorite person!"

You just gape at him. "Y-you're parents couldn't have named you that. You're too old."

He looks confused. "I'm not a Grandpa yet, thank you very much." He paused. "But what do you mean by that?"

"Your parents named you after my favorite book character, but that's not possible because the book wasn't out yet..."

He grined. " What book is that?!"

I remembered my book and picked it up showing it to him. "Percy Jackson And The Olympians, or Leo's in Heroes of Olym-what?"

The teen was staring at her with a startled look on his face. "P-Percy Jackson?"

"Yeah..." She stared at him, suddenly realizing who he looked like. "You- you're..."

They stared at each other for what seemed like forever until I finally let him in. He sat on the couch and watched me.

I sat across from him, and finally spoke. "Prove it."

"How?"

"Fire." I said simply.

He thought, then quickly his hands lit up in flames, going out as fast as they came.

I gasped, thinking quickly. "That means.. wow."

He slowly nodded. "I guess there's some God or something that writes stories."

I shrugged and we sat awkwardly, both having a hundred questions.

He suddenly grinned. "So I'm you're favorite character, huh?"

I smile. "And I'm yours?"

He nods and we both blush lightly, staring at each other again.

"This is awkward." I jump, having been lost in thought.

"Yeah.. So um, I'm in a book?"

Leo smiled, "Yeah, it's my favorite one too. It's not really popular though."

"Oh." I nod. "What did you want to change?"

He looks nervous. "I don't know what'll happen if I tell you. Maybe I shouldn't..."

"Please?" I said, dragging out the word.

"You're just like in the book. But no. I don't want to ruin anything."

I frown. "Then how can we change it?"

He responds after some thought. "I don't know. But I'll figure it out. I had to help somehow."

I nod. "Thanks, I guess. But I still don't understand. How can there be a book about me? I'm too boring. I have no talents. Nothing that interesting happens to me. I'm nothing special."

He stares at me, a slight frown on his face. "Maybe that's why. But you are special. You may not have visible talents, but you have others."

I smile, surprised at his words. Though I could tell he knew I didn't believe them.

I look at the time and frown. "Listen. It's getting late and we probably both need sleep. You want to sleep here for the night?"

He nods. "That'd be great."

I lead him to my guest room, and walk away. "Goodnight. And I hope you don't get to disappointed to realize your 'favorite characters' not what you think."