Chapter 5 – Meeting My Friends
"Time to wake up." Leo murmured as he opened his eyes in his new room.
The room was simple: a firm bed, a desk with books, and a lamp that gave off a soft glow. It wasn't luxurious, but it was his. He got up with energy, aware that this day would mark the beginning of his life with Sheldon.
"Good morning," he said as he stepped into the hallway.
Sheldon was already in the kitchen, measuring with precision the amount of cereal in a bowl. "Good morning, Leo. According to the agreement, breakfast is served at 7:30 sharp."
"Perfect." Leo sat at the table. "What do we have today?"
"Cereal with skim milk. It's Tuesday, so this combination applies," Sheldon replied solemnly.
Leo smiled. "Orderly, as always."
"Now it's my turn for the bathroom," Sheldon announced, standing with his empty bowl.
Leo nodded. "Of course, you have your schedule. I'll go after."
Sheldon looked at him with approval. "I'm glad you respect the rules. The bathroom is a limited resource and must be managed with discipline."
"I understand." Leo replied, placing his cup in the sink.
When Sheldon left, Leo entered calmly. He washed his face, combed his hair, and prepared for the day. The routine was strict, but Leo knew he could adapt.
"This is just the beginning," he thought as he looked in the mirror.
"Ready?" Leo asked as he left the apartment with his suitcase.
"Ready." Sheldon replied, adjusting his backpack.
They both walked to the parking lot. Leo had decided to drive him in his car, a simple but comfortable sedan.
"Thank you for the ride," Sheldon said as he settled into the seat. "The bus is inefficient and full of germs."
"You're welcome." Leo smiled. "Besides, this way we arrive on time."
The trip was calm. Sheldon spoke about his theories, while Leo listened patiently, adding intelligent comments.
"Your experimental approach could validate my calculations," Sheldon remarked.
"And your theory can give me direction," Leo replied. "We can complement each other."
Sheldon looked at him with curiosity. "That… could work."
"See you this afternoon," Leo said as he parked at Caltech.
"See you." Sheldon replied, entering the building with firm steps.
Leo headed to his laboratory. The space was full of equipment, whiteboards, and books. He spent the morning adjusting instruments, reviewing data, and organizing experiments.
"This place… will be my base," he thought as he wrote down results.
The hours passed quickly. At the end of the day, Leo left the lab with satisfaction. He had made progress on his projects and felt he was in the right place.
"Ready to head back?" Leo asked when he found Sheldon at the exit.
"Ready." Sheldon replied, carrying a folder full of equations.
The return trip was similar to the morning: Sheldon talking about physics, Leo listening and contributing ideas. The dynamic was beginning to feel natural.
"This apartment… will be our operations center," Sheldon murmured.
"And also our home," Leo added.
"It's time to watch television," Sheldon announced as they entered the apartment.
"What's on today?" Leo asked, settling into the garden chair.
"News and a quiz show," Sheldon replied, turning on the television.
Leo watched the screen. It was a simple moment, but meaningful. Sharing the routine, being together, building coexistence.
"Afterwards we can play chess," Leo suggested.
"Interesting." Sheldon nodded. "I accept."
The board appeared on the table. Sheldon placed the pieces with precision, while Leo watched calmly.
"Your turn," Sheldon said, starting the game.
Leo moved his pawn. "This will be fun."
The game stretched on for hours. Sheldon analyzed every move obsessively, while Leo played with strategy and patience.
"Hmm… you're not an easy opponent," Sheldon murmured.
"Because I think differently," Leo replied.
The silence of the night enveloped the apartment. The television off, the board full of pieces, and two brilliant minds sharing space.
"This is the beginning of our life together," Leo thought, while Sheldon adjusted his glasses and prepared his next move.
"I need to clear my head," Leo murmured as he left his lab at Caltech.
The hallway was full of students carrying books, professors discussing theories, and posters announcing conferences. The air had that particular smell of cafeteria mixed with printer ink and freshly erased whiteboards. Leo walked slowly, observing everything with curiosity.
"This place… is alive," he thought, as he stopped in front of a mural with quantum physics formulas.
Suddenly, he heard a voice behind him. "Hey, are you new here?"
Leo turned and saw a short young man with dark hair and a flashy style: fitted jacket, belt with a metal buckle, and a confident smile.
"Yes, I'm Leo Hofstadter," he replied calmly.
"Howard Wolowitz," said the young man, extending his hand. "Engineer. I work in aerospace design, especially on systems NASA uses. And before you ask, yes, everyone here is a physicist, but someone has to build the things you imagine."
Leo shook his hand and smiled. "Pleasure, Howard. I find what you do fascinating."
Howard raised an eyebrow. "Fascinating? Normally physicists look at me like I'm a maintenance technician."
"Well, I don't." Leo replied. "Without engineering, physics stays on paper."
Howard looked at him with curiosity, as if he hadn't expected that answer. "Hmm… interesting."
At that moment, another young man approached. He was taller, with dark hair and a shy expression. He carried a folder full of astronomical charts.
"Howard, who's this?" he asked quietly.
"Let me introduce you to Leo," Howard replied. "This is Rajesh Koothrappali, astrophysicist. He studies exoplanets and things that are way too far for me to build engines for."
"Hello." Raj murmured, avoiding direct eye contact with Leo.
"Hello, Raj." Leo replied kindly. "A pleasure to meet you."
Raj nodded nervously, clutching the folder against his chest.
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"Where are you from?" Howard asked as they walked together toward the cafeteria.
"I just moved to Pasadena from New Jersey," Leo explained. "I'm in the experimental physics department."
Howard smiled. "That sounds serious. What kind of things do you do?"
"I work in quantum optics and superconductivity," Leo replied. "Experiments that can open new lines of research."
Raj looked up, curious. "Superconductivity? That could be applied in high-precision telescopes."
"Exactly." Leo nodded. "Experimental physics can provide tools for astrophysics."
Howard looked at him with interest. "You speak with a lot of confidence. You don't seem like the typical nervous physicist who gets lost in equations."
"Because I like to be prepared," Leo answered calmly.
-----
The cafeteria was full of students and professors, the murmur of scientific conversations mixed with the sound of trays and glasses.
"It's always like this," Howard commented as they took a table. "More projects are decided here than in the offices."
"I believe that." Leo smiled. "Coffee is usually the fuel of science."
Raj looked up timidly. "I prefer tea… but yes, you're right."
Howard leaned toward Leo. "So, what do you do when you're not in the lab?"
"I like playing chess, video games, and writing," Leo replied calmly.
"Writing?" Howard raised an eyebrow. "What kind of things?"
"Novels," Leo explained. "Stories that mix science and emotions. It's a way to explore ideas."
Raj looked at him, surprised. "That… is different. Most people here only talk about papers."
"Because papers are necessary," Leo said. "But novels reach another audience. And besides, they give me extra income."
Howard smiled. "Extra income… now that interests me. I design things for NASA, but I also do personal projects. Robots, mechanisms, even a space toilet."
Leo looked at him with curiosity. "A space toilet?"
"Yes," Howard replied proudly. "Astronauts need comfort too."
Leo laughed softly. "That proves your work is as important as any theory."
Raj spoke in a low voice. "I… observe stars. I look for planets that could harbor life."
"That's fascinating," Leo answered sincerely. "Imagining that out there could be other habitable worlds… it's inspiring."
Howard looked at him closely. "You know, you speak differently. You don't sound arrogant, but you're not insecure either. It's rare to find that balance here."
"Because I know what I want," Leo said firmly. "And I also know that no one gets far alone."
Raj watched him in silence, as if those words had touched him. Finally, he murmured: "That… sounds very true."
---
"I think you'll fit in well with us," Howard said, taking a sip of coffee.
"Thanks." Leo replied. "I hope so."
Raj nodded timidly. "You're… different. You speak with confidence, but you don't brag."
"Because science doesn't need arrogance," Leo explained. "It needs collaboration."
Howard smiled. "I like how you think. We should hang out more often. Video games, dinners, talks… whatever."
"I'd love to." Leo replied firmly.
Raj looked up and smiled for the first time. "Yes… that would be nice."
The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable. It was the beginning of a bond, a connection that would soon become friendship.
---
"This place is always packed," Howard commented as he made his way with his tray.
"That means science eats well," Leo replied with a smile, taking a seat at the table.
Raj settled quietly, tea in hand, watching the others.
"So, Leo…" Howard began, resting his elbows on the table. "We've talked about labs and experiments. But tell me something more important: who's your favorite hero?"
Leo raised an eyebrow. "Favorite hero? Comics or real life?"
"Comics, of course," Howard replied enthusiastically. "Real life is boring. I say Batman. Rich, smart, with incredible gadgets. Basically, an engineer with style."
Leo laughed softly. "Makes sense you'd say Batman. He's the hero who depends on technology."
Raj looked up timidly. "I prefer Aquaman."
Howard looked at him, surprised. "Aquaman? Really? The guy talks to fish."
Raj blushed. "Yes, but he also protects entire oceans."
Leo smiled. "Not bad. Aquaman represents connection with nature. And Batman represents dependence on mind and technology."
Howard leaned toward Leo. "And you? You can't escape the question."
Leo thought for a few seconds. "I'd say Hal Jordan, Green Lantern. Not for the ring itself, but because he represents pure will. Imagine having a power that depends on your ability to focus and create. That's science and creativity at the same time."
Howard clicked his tongue. "Hal Jordan… interesting. But he depends on an external object. If he loses the ring, it's over."
Raj spoke softly. "But the ring responds to the mind. Not just anyone can use it. It's like a telescope: without discipline, it's useless."
Leo nodded. "Exactly. Hal Jordan isn't invincible, but his strength is in imagination and responsibility. That makes him human, even with cosmic power."
Howard smiled. "I like how you put it. Though I still say Batman is better. If I had his budget, I'd save the world too."
Leo looked at him amused. "And what would you do first?"
"Build a space suit with a cape," Howard replied without hesitation. "Then I'd launch into orbit to impress everyone."
Raj laughed softly. "That sounds more like Iron Man than Batman."
Howard raised his hands. "Exactly! Iron Man is also an engineer. Another hero that proves science saves the day."
Leo leaned back in his chair. "So we have Batman, Aquaman, Hal Jordan… and now Iron Man. I think this debate will never end."
Howard smiled. "That's the fun part. Each hero reflects what we want to be."
Raj murmured: "I just want to talk to dolphins."
Leo laughed. "And I want science to inspire like Hal Jordan: will and creativity. In the end, we all want the same thing: a little hope."
---
Howard's POV
"This guy… Leo. He's not like the physicists I usually see here. Normally they look at me like I'm an accessory, the engineer who fixes what they break. But he spoke to me as if my work were essential. That hit me more than I want to admit. I wouldn't say it out loud, of course, because I like to keep the confident façade, but… it felt good."
"When he mentioned he wrote novels, I thought: who has time for that at Caltech? But then I understood it wasn't a distraction, but another way of seeing the world. I design mechanisms, he designs stories. We both build things that didn't exist before. That idea intrigued me. I wouldn't say it in casual conversation, but it made me think maybe creativity isn't limited to blueprints and circuits."
"What surprised me most was his confidence. He wasn't arrogant, nor timid. It was as if he knew exactly where he stood. And that… unsettles me a little. Because I'm usually the one who fills the space with jokes and confidence. With him, I felt it wasn't necessary. I don't know if I like it or if it scares me."
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Raj's POV
"Leo looked directly at me, without looking away, and that disarmed me. Normally I avoid eye contact, I hide behind my charts and my data. But he gave me the feeling he was truly listening. I wouldn't say it out loud, because it's hard for me to admit, but he made me feel visible."
"When he spoke about superconductivity, my mind flew to my telescopes. I imagined how that technology could improve my observations, how I could get closer to the exoplanets I search for. It's not something I usually share, because most people stay on the surface. But he made me think maybe someone could understand the obsession of spending entire nights looking at stars we'll never know."
"What impacted me most was when he said no one gets far alone. That phrase stuck with me. Here, among so many geniuses, I always feel I'm competing, that I have to prove I belong. But with him… I felt I didn't have to prove anything. I wouldn't say it in conversation, because it sounds too personal, but he gave me hope. And that, for me, is worth more than any discovery."
----
The phone vibrated on the table in the Pasadena apartment. Leo picked it up slowly, thinking it would be a routine call.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Leo, it's Marta, from the publishing house." Her voice was full of excitement. "I wanted to give you the news personally: your three novels are already in circulation… and the initial sales are extraordinary."
Leo straightened on the sofa. "They're already published? How are the numbers?"
Marta reviewed the data with precision:
"The Hunger Games has sold 4,200 copies in its first week. Youth bookstores are asking for more stock."
"The Fault in Our Stars reached 3,600 copies. The reception has been very emotional, readers are recommending it by word of mouth."
"Gone Girl has already surpassed 3,000 sales. The thriller is attracting an adult audience looking for psychological twists."
Leo opened his eyes, incredulous. "More than ten thousand combined… in a week?"
"Exactly," Marta confirmed. "We're talking about 10,800 copies in total. For a debut, it's extraordinary. Competing publishers are already asking about you, and we're preparing a second print run."
Leo took a deep breath, a mix of relief and excitement. "I didn't think it would happen so fast. Thank you for letting me know."
"I know," Marta replied warmly. "Enjoy this moment. You earned it."
He hung up the phone and stared at the dark screen. The apartment was silent, except for the murmur of the television in the background.
"More than ten thousand copies…" he murmured to himself. "If each costs around twenty dollars…"
Leo did the mental math, without needing to say it aloud. The number that appeared in his mind left him breathless.
Leo set the phone down on the table and remained still, as if he needed silence to confirm what he had just heard. The apartment was calm, dimly lit by the light coming through the window, and the hum of the television seemed distant, irrelevant. He breathed deeply, trying to absorb Marta's words: his three novels were already published and had sold more than ten thousand copies in just one week.
He rose slowly, walking to his desk, where he still kept the original drafts. He touched them carefully, as if they were relics of a past now transformed into the present. The Hunger Games, The Fault in Our Stars, Gone Girl. Three different worlds, three solid bets he had written with discipline and vision, anticipating what he knew would become literary phenomena in another timeline. Now they weren't just manuscripts: they were real books, with covers, printed pages, and readers devouring them.
He imagined a teenager in her room, reading Katniss's story and feeling that her fight against an oppressive system was also her own. He thought of a young couple sharing the pages of The Fault in Our Stars, crying together, embracing after each chapter. He visualized an adult in a café, turning the pages of Gone Girl with anxiety, trying to discover who was lying and who was telling the truth. Each image filled him with pride and made him aware that these weren't just sales: they were lives touched by his words.
He dropped onto the sofa and began mental calculations. No paper or calculator was needed; his mind trained in numbers did it easily. If each copy cost around twenty dollars, then The Hunger Games, with its 4,200 copies sold, represented about $84,000 in sales. The Fault in Our Stars, with 3,600 copies, equaled $72,000. And Gone Girl, with 3,000 copies, added about $60,000. In total, more than $216,000 generated in just one week. He said nothing more, but the number floated in his mind, enormous, almost unreal. It wasn't just money: it was validation, proof that his narrative talent had tangible value in the market.
He walked to the window. Outside, Pasadena continued its usual rhythm: students walking the streets, cars rushing by, lights flickering on in buildings. Everything seemed normal, but for him nothing was. "I'm an experimental physicist," he thought. "I work at Caltech, I run experiments, I publish papers. That's my official life. But now… I'm also a writer. And not just any writer, but one who has sold more than ten thousand copies in a week." The duality fascinated him. On one side, scientific precision, calculations, experiments. On the other, imagination, emotions, stories. Two worlds that rarely crossed, but in him coexisted.
He wondered how his friends would react. Howard would surely joke about the money, exaggerating with comments about how he too could be rich if NASA paid royalties for every screw he designed. Raj would be moved by the idea that someone was reading and understanding him, perhaps even inspired to share more of himself. Sheldon, on the other hand, would probably dismiss it all, saying literature was irrelevant compared to theoretical physics. Leo smiled at the thought. "And I'll tell them literature is also a kind of science: it explores the human mind."
He remembered Marta's mention of a second print run. That meant demand was exceeding supply, that bookstores wanted more copies, that success wasn't an accident but a trend. If in the first week he had sold more than ten thousand copies, how many would it be in a month? In three months? In a year? The idea made him dizzy, but also filled him with energy. He could imagine huge numbers, but beyond the money, what thrilled him was the possibility of building a parallel career, a double identity: scientist and writer.
He leaned back in his chair and remembered the nights he had written those novels. Hours at the computer, accumulated fatigue, constant doubt about whether it was worth it. He remembered how he had doubted himself, how he had thought maybe no one would read them. And now, thousands of people were reading them. It was as if all those lonely nights had suddenly made sense.
Emotion overflowed, but so did responsibility. He knew he would now have to maintain that level, that readers would expect more. He thought of what was next: a fourth novel, perhaps a saga, maybe a scientific essay. He could write more, explore other genres, build a catalog. And best of all: he had the advantage of knowing what would work, because he knew the literary future. But he had to do it carefully. It wasn't just about copying, but recreating with authenticity, giving them his voice.
He lay back on the sofa again, with a smile he couldn't hide. "I'm a published writer," he thought. "And not just published: successful." Pride filled him, but so did the awareness that this was only the beginning. Outside, the city carried on, indifferent to his triumph. But inside that apartment, Leo knew his life had changed forever.
Leo was still on the sofa when he heard the door. Howard came in first, full of his usual energy, followed by Raj, carrying a folder under his arm. Both looked like they had come from a long day at Caltech, routine etched in their gestures.
"What's up, Leo?" Howard asked, dropping his backpack onto a chair. "You look like you've discovered the theory of everything… or lost your email password."
Leo smiled, still holding back his excitement. "I just got a call from the publishing house."
Raj looked up, curious. "The publishing house?"
"Yes." Leo settled on the sofa, as if he needed a stage for the revelation. "My three novels are already published. And in the first week… they sold more than ten thousand copies."
Silence was immediate. Howard blinked, incredulous, then burst out laughing. "Ten thousand? Seriously? What did you write, the new Harry Potter?"
Leo shook his head calmly. "No. Different stories. A young adult dystopia, a love-and-tragedy novel, and a psychological thriller. Each with its own audience."
Raj sat down slowly, processing the information. "That… is impressive. Not everyone manages to publish, and even fewer sell that much in so little time."
Howard dropped into the chair, still smiling in disbelief. "Well, now you're officially more interesting than us. Engineer, astrophysicist… and writer. Not bad."
Leo laughed softly. "It's not about being more interesting. It's about sharing what you carry inside."
Raj looked at him with a mix of admiration and shyness. "How did you do it? When did you write all that?"
Leo remembered the long nights, hours at the computer, accumulated fatigue. "In my free time. While you slept, I wrote. While the campus was silent, I built stories."
Howard studied him closely. "That's discipline. I can barely finish a project without getting distracted by video games."
Leo smiled. "Everyone has their way of creating. You build machines, Raj searches for worlds in the sky. I write."
Raj lowered his gaze, thoughtful. "It's… inspiring. To know someone can do so many things at once."
Howard raised the glass of water he had grabbed from the kitchen. "Well, then we'll have to celebrate. Not every day someone becomes a published writer with ten thousand sales.
Leo nodded. "Yes. But beyond the numbers, what matters to me is that those stories are out there. That someone is reading them, feeling them, living them."
Raj looked at him with a shy smile. "That's what makes it worthwhile."
Howard leaned forward, his usual humor in his tone. "Although if you ever sell a million, I hope you don't forget your friends. I accept royalties in the form of free dinners."
Leo laughed. "Don't worry. This is just the beginning. And I want you to be part of it."
The conversation stretched on with jokes, reflections, and plans. Howard talked about how he could also write a book, though it would probably be a manual of impossible gadgets. Raj imagined what it would be like to see his own work turned into stories that inspired others. And Leo, quietly, enjoyed their company, aware that sharing the news with them was as important as the call itself.
The night moved forward, and the apartment filled with laughter. Outside, Pasadena carried on with its usual rhythm, but within those walls, something had changed. Friendship was growing stronger, not only through trips to the movies or the bar, but through the ability to share triumphs and dreams.
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