Leonard and Penny had been exchanging facts about themselves and each found the other intriguing. Neither has met any other person in their lives that they could establish such a deep connection with simply after a five minute conversation.

"I still don't really understand the whole you disliking your friends thing. I mean, how does that even work?"

"Really? That's your question? You're like a freaking genius, surely you can figure it out."

"Well, I mean, yeah I get why the normal people don't really like them, not that I'm saying you're abnormal or anything…how can I put this?" he paused for a moment. "Okay, in school there is this social hierarchy. Well there is actually a social hierarchy everywhere, but in school it's probably divided into three different groups. The popular ones are of course on top, at the bottom it's the nerds, like me, and then there are those in between."

She gave him a sympathetic look when he classified himself as being at the bottom of the hierarchy, but he just smiled and said, "Don't worry about it, I get called a nerd all the time, I'm used to it. In fact, I feel proud to be one." His smile broadening as he spoke.

"Anyway, back on topic, obviously the nerds view the popular ones differently from how they view themselves. They probably don't even realise they are being such jerks. And that is what I find interesting about you, it seems to me that you do realise they are being jerks. And I just realised I've answered my own question." He turned to her, feeling rather silly.

She just grinned at his silliness. "Yeah, and I hate being one of them. I mean, people just look at me and they think I'm a bitch. Like you did. It's so annoying trying to put up with all their crap."

"Then why do you do it?"

Why did she do it? Why were she friends with these people? Penny had no idea. She racked her brain trying to come up with an answer, and the best she could get out was, "Because I kinda have to."

"Yeah I guess, since you're so beautiful and all." He said with a sincere smile.

Penny immediately felt the butterflies in her belly. Never had she been called beautiful by a guy, the term guys usually used on her was 'hot', and by simply altering the word a little completely changed the effect that it has on her.

"Thanks."

Penny was the first to break the silence. "So, my turn for a question?"

"Yep." He replied with a nod.

"Do you always sit here?" Leonard had expected her to ask a more personal question, as the next question he had in mind for her was rather personal, and he wanted to make sure he wasn't crossing any lines.

"Yeah I do. It's so quiet here and nobody ever comes so I can actually read in peace. Plus I'd rather read than interact with other people. I guess it sort of became my spot."

"But you wouldn't mind sharing?"

"Of course not."

"Okay, your turn."

"What happened yesterday?" Penny was taken aback by how personal the question was. She had opened up to him more than she thought she could, but she wasn't sure if she was ready for something so personal. He noticed her hesitation, and instantly regretted it, "Sorry. You don't have to answer that if you don't want to."

"No. No it's fine. I need to get it out." She breathed out a sigh. "I caught my boyfriend cheating on me with some bitch in the bathroom stall." She hesitated again before continuing, "But I don't think that's actually what I was upset about. I was going to break up with him anyway, he was forcing me to do things that I refuse to do."

"I'm sorry...Wait, was he forcing you to-"

"Yep." She cut him off mid-sentence.

"So you've never-"

"No."

"Wow, never would have imagined that you haven't had…wait so what did you tell your friends?" Leonard was surprised by the revelation.

"I lied to them. Anyway, I'm just sick of getting cheated on by these jerks. Every single time, I tell myself it doesn't matter and put it aside, but I guess I just couldn't contain it in anymore. I just wish there was someone who is sweet and nice, and would wait for me as long as I need to get ready. Isn't there anyone out there who is like that and not just in it for the sex?"

"I'm sure he is out there somewhere. You just gotta wait for it, I'm sure he will come eventually." Leonard reassured her with a smile.

"I'm sorry to bother you with my problems." Penny looked at him apologetically.

"No, no it's fine. You feel better after you get it out. Just keep going for as long as you need."

"I think I'm done for now. I haven't opened up like this to anyone since… I've never opened up like this to anyone before." She said, a little embarrassed. "There wasn't anyone that I could really talk to."

"So you trust me?" He said with a goofy grin on his face.

"I hope I'm making the right decision in doing so. Don't tell anyone about this." She reminded him again.

"All our conversations will only be restricted to the two of us. I can swear on my life if you want."

"No, don't do that!"

He chuckled slightly at her exclamation, "It's not like I've got anyone to tell."

The school bell interrupted her before she could say anything, signalling for her to go to her next class. "Wow, that must have been the shortest lunch I've ever had in my life."

"Same here."

She grabbed her bag and stood up, "Thanks a lot, I guess I'll see you soon. And you should get out there a little, some chicks dig nerds! Bye!" She winked at him before making her way to her next class.

"Bye." Leonard replied after she was gone, with a smile plastered on his face.