Before becoming Leo, there had been other lives. The system revealed this to him in fragmented dreams during his first year as Liam.
Life 1: Elena, 1923-1944
Elena had been an Italian immigrant in New York who found solace in radio comedies after losing her family in the war. Her obsession had been "The Bickersons," a show about a couple who constantly fought. She died during a blackout, falling down her building's stairs while trying to tune in to the weekly episode. Accumulated points: 45,200, but not enough for a special reincarnation.
Life 2: Marcus, 1958-1981
Marcus was a frustrated screenwriter in Hollywood who analyzed every sitcom that aired, searching for the perfect formula. His obsession was "The Honeymooners." He filled notebooks with analyses of the characters Ralph and Alice Kramden, but died of a heart attack during a TV marathon. Points: 210,400. Close, but not enough.
Life 3: Leo, 1985-2023
And then there was him. Leo, the digital fanatic. Where Elena had her radio and Marcus his notebooks, Leo had wikis, forums, online communities, torrents of all episodes in 4K, memes, YouTube analyses, specialized podcasts. His obsession wasn't just watching; it was immersing, participating, creating. That's why his points had surpassed those of all his previous lives combined.
The system explained in one of those dreams: "Each era has its media. Yours allowed a level of immersion impossible before, and that's why you qualify."
But with great points came great expectations. The system wasn't just a reward for fandom; it was a job. And Liam would have to work to weave his life into the plot in an entertaining way.
6 Months Before the Pilot
Liam began to notice small details that matched the series. A friend's father was a real estate agent and mentioned "a guy named Phil Dunphy" who had "an unconventional approach." Liam bit his tongue to keep from bursting into hysterical laughter.
At the mall, he saw a boy with an incredibly mature haircut and dignified posture, accompanied by a dazzling Colombian woman and an older man with a stern expression. Manny, Gloria, and Jay, he thought, and almost tripped.
But he remained firm in his decision: no interaction until the system activated. His 85,743 points were precious, and he would only spend them when he had a clear mission.
He learned the system's rules through trial and error:
Minimal interference before the activating event: He couldn't change anything important before his "official entry" in the pilot.
Points for entertainment value: The funnier, more touching, or memorable his intervention, the more points he would earn.
The danger of meta-knowledge: If he revealed he knew too much about their lives, the system would impose penalties.
Strategic purchase: Skills had different prices depending on their usefulness for "enhancing the plot."
He practiced in minor situations. When two classmates started fighting, Liam intervened with a joke that defused the tension and felt a small vibration, seeing: +50 points. When he helped a teacher with tech issues using knowledge from his previous life as a web designer: +120 points.
They were crumbs compared to his initial points, but it was a start.
The Week Before the Pilot
Liam felt a different energy in the air. In English class, Ms. Anderson announced: "For the final project, you'll work in pairs. I'll assign them randomly."
Liam's heart raced. Will it be now?
But he wasn't paired with Haley; he got a boy named Kevin. The project: analyze the use of symbolism in The Great Gatsby. Boring, but manageable.
While working in the library, he saw Haley sitting with her friend Bethany, whispering and laughing. For a moment, their eyes met. Liam smiled slightly and returned to his work.
"Do you like Haley?" Kevin asked with a knowing smile.
"What? No. Just... I don't know."
"Everyone likes Haley," said Kevin. "But she has a boyfriend, Dylan, and he's a senior."
Liam nodded. He knew. He knew better than anyone.
That night, he dreamed of the system entity.
"Activating event in 48 hours," the voice said. "Preparation recommended."
"What should I do?" asked Liam.
"Review your point inventory; consider preliminary purchases. Your first mission will begin during the 'Biology Project' event."
Upon waking, Liam opened the system menu. He had earned 1,230 points with his small interventions. He now had 86,973.
He browsed the skill store:
Skill: Comic Timing (Level 1) - 15,000 points
Skill: Calming Claire (Level 1) - 25,000 points
Skill: Understanding Phil (Level 1) - 10,000 points
Skill: Surviving Gloria in Spanish (Level 1) - 20,000 points
Skill: Not Seeming Threatening to Jay (Level 1) - 18,000 points
Skill: Tolerating Cameron (Level 1) - 12,000 points
Knowledge: Pilot Events - ALREADY OWNED (free from reincarnation)
He decided to save his points. He didn't know exactly what he would need. Better to wait.
Activation Day
Liam dressed carefully: jeans, t-shirt, hoodie—nothing too attention-grabbing, but not looking like he didn't try. He had breakfast with his mother, who was nervous about an important meeting.
"Everything okay, honey?" Susan asked.
"Yeah, Mom. Just a... big project at school today."
"Do you need anything? Materials to buy?"
"No, it's fine."
At school, the energy was normal: sleepy teenagers, tired teachers. But Liam felt anticipation like electricity on his skin.
Second period: Biology. Ms. Wilkins was a woman in her fifties with glasses and legendary patience.
"Good morning, class. For our next module on Mendelian genetics, you'll work in trios, and I've assigned the groups."
Liam held his breath.
"Group 1: Haley Dunphy, Bethany Cooper, and Liam Parker."
Bingo!
Haley turned and looked at him with a neutral expression. Bethany whispered something, and Haley smiled slightly.
DING!
Mission Available: "A Genetic Project"
Description: Complete the biology project with Haley Dunphy in a way that creates at least 2 memorable moments.
Reward: 5,000-20,000 points depending on entertainment value
Penalty for failure: -10,000 points
Liam mentally accepted the mission. Now the system showed a real-time subtitle:
Current Moment: Project Assigned - Comedy Potential: Low
The teacher continued assigning groups. Liam barely listened; his mind was already calculating possibilities, dialogues, situations.
After class, Haley and Bethany approached.
"Hi," said Haley. "Liam, right?"
"Yes. Hi, Haley. Bethany."
"We need to decide when to work on this," said Bethany. "I suggest my house on Friday."
"I can't on Friday," said Haley. "I have... plans."
Liam knew exactly what plans: Dylan was coming to her house for the first time—the pilot event.
"Saturday?" asked Liam.
Bethany frowned. "I can't on Saturday."
System Option:
A) Suggest your house on Saturday
Cost: 0 points
Risk: low
B) Suggest working today after school
Cost: 500 points (to convince them)
Risk: medium
C) Offer to do most of the work
Cost: 2,000 points (due to their laziness)
Risk: high (Claire might suspect)
Liam chose B. He spent 500 points.
"What if we work a little today? Just to divide tasks and get started, so we make progress."
Haley and Bethany exchanged a look. "I guess," said Haley. "But just an hour. I need to get home."
+150 points - First successful step toward the plot
They met in the library after school. Liam had mentally reviewed the pilot episode. He knew that around this time, Claire was at home preparing to meet Dylan, Phil was trying to be the "cool dad," Luke had probably already gotten his head stuck in the railings...
While Bethany talked about Punnett squares, Liam noticed Haley checking her phone every thirty seconds.
"Expecting a call?" Liam asked casually.
"Something like that," said Haley, blushing slightly.
Option:
A) Ask directly about Dylan
Risk: high (could scare her)
B) Make a joke about dates
Cost: 1,000 points (for good timing)
C) Ignore it and continue working
Liam chose B. He spent another 1,000 points.
"Based on my limited knowledge of genetics," said Liam while drawing a Punnett square, "if a guy with tight jeans and a guitar crosses with a girl who checks her phone every 30 seconds... the probable result is someone who plays 'Wonderwall' while texting."
Haley let out a genuine laugh. Bethany looked confused.
+800 points - First genuine laugh from a main character
"Okay, yes," admitted Haley. "I have a... friend coming to my house today. For the first time."
"A 'friend' with a capital F?" Bethany asked with a smile.
"Something like that."
Liam nodded. "Then we should probably finish quickly. You need time to prepare, and your mom needs time to prepare the interrogation."
Haley looked at him in surprise. "How do you know about my mom?"
DANGER! Risk of revealing meta-knowledge
Liam responded quickly: "It's just... logic. My mom's the same. The first time I had a 'friend' over, she had questions prepared on index cards."
It was a lie, but it worked. Haley laughed again.
"Mine probably does have index cards," she said.
They worked for another twenty minutes, dividing tasks. Liam offered to do the research and first draft. "You two can review and add later."
"Why so helpful?" Bethany asked, suspicious.
Liam smiled. "I have a theory: if I help Haley impress this guy, maybe when I have a date, she'll return the favor."
+1,200 points - Natural dialogue that establishes dynamics
Haley smiled. "Deal."
As they left the library, Haley said goodbye. "See you Monday. And thanks, Liam."
"No problem. Good luck with... everything."
Walking home, Liam reviewed his progress:
Remaining Points: 85,473
Points Earned Today: 2,150
Mission Progress: 40%
Memorable Moments Created: 1/2
Not bad for the first day. But he knew the real test would be when he had to go to the Dunphys' house. According to his calculations, that would happen soon, because part of the project required observing genetic traits in a family.
Just as he entered his house, a new notification appeared:
Special Event Unlocked!
"The Project at the Dunphys' House"
Available in 3-5 days
Recommended Preparation: Purchase at least one Level 1 skill
Potential Reward: 15,000-50,000 points
Liam smiled. The system was in motion. His life as a character in Modern Family had officially begun.