(Non) Fictional Characters || Leo Valdez

Chapter 5

I felt my face heating up so I tried my best to hide it. Usually in situations like this I would already be downstairs running to the bathroom. I’d lock myself in there and text someone to pick me up as soon as possible, but not this time. Something built up inside of me, like a new sense of power. I stood up and looked Kelli directly in the eyes. “They are missing absolutely nothing,” I hissed. I angrily shoved my laptop and binder in my back without breaking my glare. I put on my backpack, grabbed my phone and hot chocolate, and turned to James. “Thanks for the drink James, see you tomorrow,” I said with little to no emotion. I turned and walked out out of the café with a stride in my step. I have no idea what just happened, but I scared that crap out of myself.

Looking down at my phone I noticed it was only 3:02. I smiled knowing that after-school activities were still going on. I walked back to the school to meet my friend Kriss, who was staying after for one of her classes. Kriss is a year older but she’s so short that you wouldn’t be able to tell. She only lives about ten houses away from me and we’ve been friends since I was in kindergarten. We do a lot of clubs together and like a lot of the same things, so we’re basically best friends. I texted her to ask if she could drive me home, which she usually did, all the time. I arrived at the school with some time to spare, so I did what any anti-social/socially awkward bookworm and fangirl would do. I pulled out my headphones, blasted Panic! At The Disco, and scrolled through PJO and HOO posts on Pinterest and Instagram ‘til my heart’s content.

Only ten minutes later were my headphones rudely ripped off my head. I looked up to see Kriss staring down at me with an annoyed look on her face. “Oh, hey Kriss what’s up?” She continued to stare at me. “What?” I asked. “I knew I shouldn’t have gotten you sound-proof headphones for Christmas,” she muttered, “You were listening to Panic! weren’t you?” “Yeah…” I trailed off. “I’ve been saying your name for the past two-and-a-half minutes! My mom’s gonna be here soon so we should get going,” she exclaimed. “Oh, right, sorry,” I stammered. Kriss’s mom usually parked a block away from the school when picking us up to avoid all the chaos in the parking lot. It’s actually quite smart. After we got in the car, Kriss turned to me. “So why did you need us to pick you up?” Thank the gods I was in drama club, it’s always nice to know a little bit about improv. “I went to Spot with a friend to work on a project and no one else could pick me up.” I stated emotionlessly. “Your sister still doesn’t have her license?” I shook my head. “Isn’t she gonna turn 18 in June?” “Yep. That’s what happens when you have epilepsy and get migraines.” That wasn’t a lie. My older sister, Elisa, was diagnosed with epilepsy almost two years ago. On the day right before her birthday, too. It’s not deadly or anything, it’s just changed her a lot. She’s not the same crazy, weird, upbeat person that she used to be. I miss it. There were a few moments of silence until Kriss started freaking out. “OH MY GODS OH MY GODS OH MY GODS!!!” “What what what?!” I screamed in response. “I have to show you this post I saw on Pinterest! It’s so cool!” she squealed. I smiled. Kriss was also obsessed with PJO and HOO, even though she’s only halfway through The Lost Hero. I know I know, such a late bloomer. She actually started the reading the PJO series about a year or two ago, but never read the fifth book until the other day. She pulled out her phone and tapped on the screen a few times before shoving it in my face. I flinched at the action. I looked at the fanart of Nico di Angelo and Will Solace having an argument. “Ooh I have one!” I took out my phone and did the same thing as her. She laughed at the post and then tapped her phone viciously. “I have a really good one! I mean, it’s not really PJO related, but it’s still cool!” She shoved the phone into my face once again and I took it out of her hand and skimmed it over lightly. Wait, what? I read it over more carefully this time.

Comment one: story idea, you’re sitting in class and a new student arrives. You look up and it’s you favorite book character…

Comment two: and the only open seat is next to you

Comment three: IT JUST GOT BETTER

It’s not a story idea, it’s a reality. And it’s happening to me. I still had to keep up the act so I washed a smile over my face and looked up. “That’s so cool!” I lied. We continued to show each other random fandom posts, but my mind kept trailing back to that post. “Hey, can you send my that story idea post? I think I might wanna write a story about it on Wattpad (A/N: Suffer fourth wall *evil laugh*) and I don’t wanna forget it,” I said casually as well pulled up to my house. “Oh sure!” Kriss smiled. I thanked them for the ride and got out of the car. As I opened the garage door, my phone buzzed. Perfect. I need to talk to this person….