A/N:Usually my AN goes at the end...but since this is my first TBBT fic ever I'm going to put it at the top. First off. I'm a Shenny...I'll get right out there and say it. So...please no Shenny bashing, or other pairing bashing for that matter. While I'm not a Shamy fan please don't bash them here. I do adore their friendship just not their relationship. I did want to sob over last weeks episode however. ANYWAY I'm a sucker for young Shenny and I haven't seen much so...here ya go! If you enjoy it I'll keep her going. I need a light hearted break from the usual stuff I indulge in writing. I'm thinking Penny is 8 and am making Sheldon a year older. I know that its more but this is obviously AU so lets run with it shall we. I'll stop blabbing now and let you read...ENJOY!.

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First Encounters

It was hot here; hotter than it was in Nebraska and Penny didn't like it. She missed her horses and being able to go outside whenever she wanted. Her mom tried explaining that Galveston had horses as well, but you had to drive somewhere to get to them instead of just going in your back yard. They lived next to a lot of people now, on a long street filled with big houses and pickup trucks. She missed her friends, she missed her gammy, she still missed her horses.

There was a boy that lived next door. A boy with his sister and older brother, his parents and a gammy of his own; MeeMaw she heard them call her on occasion and it only made her miss hers more. His parents fought a lot, just like hers. Penny's mostly fought because her brother was always getting in some sort of trouble. She didn't know why his did, just that it always ended with his daddy storming out the door and leaving a trail of dust behind in the drive way.

Her own momma and daddy had already slammed their bedroom door that night, usually that meant she wouldn't see them until morning, so she took it upon herself to go out; she was tired of staring out the window. It was cooler at night anyhow.

She didn't go far, only to the end of the street, where she sat down in the grass and tucked her small knees to her chin. The boy from next door ran by, skidding to a stop on the sidewalk when he saw her. A superhero shirt was peeking out under his windbreaker all clashing together with his plaid pants. He was out of breath, unable to speak so he just stood there, large blue eyes blinking.

"Hi," she smiled standing and brushing the dirt from her hands. "I'm Penny." She stuck out a hand to him and he took a staggered step backward. She had only seen him from the window before and now that he was here in front of her she noticed he was much taller than she, by at least a head.

"You can't speak or somethin'? Like one of them dumb kids?"

His eyes narrowed and he emitted a dark smirk. "Hardly."

"See there, that wasn't so hard." Penny beamed, jutting forward and grabbing his hand. "Now the polite thing to do is shake and tell me your name."

The boy drew in a sharp breath and froze in place, impossibly growing another two inches and his skin paled. He jerked his hand away and took off running towards his house, never slowing down until the door was sealed shut behind him.

Penny cocked her head to the side and eyed the house in confusion. "What's his problem?" she asked aloud.

"Momma's been askin' Jesus that for years," a girl's voice answered her. She turned to see his sister, similar in height, same dark brown hair and striking blue eyes. She on the other hand did hold out her hand, albeit timidly. "Melissa, but you can call me Missy if you'd like."

"Penny."

"Shelly don't like people touchin' him, not even family most of the time. Somethin' 'bout germs." Missy drug her sneakers along the pavement. "I'm gonna finish whoopin' on him now, little worm is faster than he looks." She took a few steps and turned back with a smile. "See ya around!"

Not even blueberry pancakes could make this morning better, Penny thought as she idly pushed said breakfast around in the pooled syrup on her plate.

"Ready for your first day of school, honey?" her mother asked with a sleepy smile, while sipping her coffee.

"No," she replied.

"Oh, come on. I bet you'll make lots of friends."

"I had friends, you made me leave them behind in Omaha." Penny remarked bitterly, hopping down from the barstool and snagging her lunch off the table.

"Penelope," her mother sighed, "We had to leave, your father had a wonderful opportunity come up and we had to take it."

"Whatever," Penny drew out with an eye roll. "I'm gonna miss the bus." She slung her bag over her shoulder and slid out the door.

Penny had always thought school was boring; school in Texas was boring in a different state with a well-defined twang. Shelly was there as well as his sister Missy, but they were a year ahead of her so they didn't share a class. Missy did offer her a seat at lunch though, with a few other girls. Penny noticed that her brother sat at a table all alone.

"Why don't you sit with your brother?" she asked.

"Look at him," one of the older girls laughed, "he's a freak, why would she want to."

Missy stared at her lunch and forced out a laugh, "Aww, Shelly likes to eat alone anyhow."

Penny glanced over in his direction; he certainly didn't look like he was enjoying eating alone. He had a slight frown on his face as he took out a wet wipe and wiped his hands clean before carefully unpacking his lunch. He sighed and began to eat, slowly picking at his macaroni only a few noodles at a time. Penny grimaced and tossed her food back in her bag and stood.

"Where ya goin?" Missy asked her.

"To give him some company."

A/N: Reviewers get hugs from MeeMaw! and I usually reply :D