Monday afternoon, Bernadette and Amy were on their way out of Biology club when they ran into Penny hanging out in the parking lot with the popular kids. They hesitantly approached her, confused by Scott's presence in the group.

Bernadette tapped Penny on the shoulder. "Hey Penny, what are you still doing at school?"

"Oh not much, just talking and whatnot." She responded. "Where are you two headed?"

Amy chimed in. "Bernadette is giving me a ride home. You just missed a fantastic meeting of the Biology Club. We just got a new shipment of formaldehyde soaked piglets, and mine had liver disease." She was beaming a bit excessively.

Penny and Bernadette smiled through it while the rest of the group stopped to look at Amy oddly. She spoke up. "How rude, I almost forgot to introduce myself. I'm Amy Farrah Fowler."

Scott's eyes went a bit wide before he deliberately began avoiding eye contact. Trisha was amongst the group and decided to speak for them. "Yes, everyone, this is Amy. Amy, this is Scott, Lisa, Andrew, Mike, and Eric."

They all politely waved, minus Scott. Amy grabbed Bernadette's arm. "We'll be leaving now. See ya later homies."

Penny just laughed to herself. In a way, she felt good seeing Amy's confidence blossoming like that.

Bernadette whispered to Amy. "I hope Penny didn't decide to stick it out with Scott."

Amy was still in her zone. "This is awesome. Look at me, talking to the cool kids in the parking lot…"

Penny noticed her friends seemed critical. "What?"

Andrew looked to the side. "So who's Amy?"

"Oh this girl Bernadette started talking to on the first day. She's new this year, so you know how it is."

Scott was still looking smug. "Oh man, I can't believe she ended up here."

Penny flashed him a dirty look. "Excuse me?"

"That's the girl Jeremy screwed with last year. Remember Megan was telling you…"

"YES I remember, Scott. Thank you." He could tell Penny was starting to get pissed. "I thought you weren't involved with that. How do you know it was her?"

He laughed. "I still saw the pictures. Nice to see she grew a rack over the summer." The guys all laughed with him.

Trisha made a face. "Ugh, you guys are such pigs."

Scott carried on. "Anyway, Megan's throwing a party this weekend, and said I could invite whoever. So you guys should come."

Penny picked her bookbag off the ground. "Yeah, no thanks. I'm going home."

"What's your problem?"

"I just think you're kind of an ass when it comes to Amy. She may be a little weird I guess, but getting her kicked out of her old school is just too much."

Scott got pissed off. "Dammit Penny, I told you I had nothing to do with that!"

"You apparently had no problem laughing at the whole thing while it was happening."

"That's a lot of talk from someone who spent all of last year spreading rumors about Eddie just because you couldn't get him back."

Penny was mortified. "Go to hell, Scott!" She yelled as she marched off with her stuff.

"Penny, wait!" Trisha yelled. But Penny refused to turn around.

When she got to her car, she sped off to the other side of the school, but didn't leave the parking lot. She needed a moment to gather herself before leaving. She hated her old self. She hated how she couldn't stand her old friends now that she got to know nicer people. She hated how Scott and his friends didn't understand that a mindless prank almost ruined a young girl's life. And then just when she thought Scott might have been an exception, he proved that he had no respect for Penny either.

After a few deep breathing sessions, she looked up and noticed a few students carrying various musical instruments out of the school. She noticed they dispersed to their separate cars, while one remained behind holding his cell phone. She squinted her eyes and noticed the loner was Leonard. Penny quickly started her engine and drove over to him.

She rolled down her window. "Hey stranger, whatcha doin'?" She asked.

Leonard smiled. "Oh hey, Penny. I just got done practicing cello with my string quartet. I was about to call my mom to pick me up."

"Oh that's so cool, you play the cello?"

Leonard smirked. "I wouldn't call it cool, but yeah, I've been playing cello for 6 years now."

Penny smiled. "Nice."

"Yeah, luckily I had a growth spurt last year so I'm slightly too big to be stuffed in my own cello case."

Her heart went out to him. Incidents like these made her hate every mean thing she ever did. "How about I give you a ride home instead. Don't bother your mom."

Leonard half smiled. "You sure?"

"Yeah, no big. That's what friends are for."

Leonard raised his eyebrows. Friends. Penny considers me her friend.

He smiled at the thought. I like it.

The next day, Amy came to school refreshed and ready to learn and socialize. She was quite happy that her little slip up didn't ruin any long-term friendships.

The seven of them sat at their lunch table that afternoon, talking like they were the best of friends since the beginning of time. Then Amy noticed that Raj was speaking as well.

"Wait, you're not drinking at school, are you?" Amy asked Raj.

He just smiled. "No, Howard bought me these new pills that take away my social anxieties. And they're minty too!" He pulled out a little white bottle.

Howard hesitantly smiled. "Yeah, who would have known they sell such good 'medication' at Spencer's?"

Penny just gave him a look. "Seriously? What are these things?" She reached over the table and grabbed the bottle. "Anti—Anxiety tablets. Take two for a burst of fresh confidence when you need it."

Leonard leaned over and whispered in Penny's ear. "They're effectively mint flavored placebos, but just go along with it."

Penny smiled. "Oh, wow, that's great Raj. Good for you!"

Amy just snickered and whispered to Penny. "You're just adorable when you're this gullible."

She shook off the comment and went back to her lunch. Raj continued to speak. "So, did you guys hear about the Academic Bowl next week? They need six people to go, four to compete and two alternates. You guys want to take the Academic Team Test with me tomorrow to try out?"

Leonard lit up. "Yeah, sure, sounds like fun."

"I'm in." Howard added.

Bernadette smiled. "If you make the team, I'm going to come with you and be your personal cheerleader, Howie!"

He made a purring noise back at her, making everyone else a bit sickened by the cuteness.

Amy looked at Sheldon. "I'm assuming you'll be trying out as well."

He snickered. "Yes, well, the test is merely a formality. It boils down to whether or not I choose to participate."

"Well, perhaps I can try out too and give you a little competition." She said slyly.

He smiled and nodded. "Very well, but it's Howard who will end up suffering when the four of us take up all the available spaces."

He got insulted. "Hey, I'm just as smart as you guys. Who says I won't beat all of you?"

Sheldon let out a breathy laugh, but Howard still looked stoic. "Oh, that wasn't a joke? Well then, best of luck, Howard."

Howard just shook his head and rolled his eyes.

Penny did the same. "Oh please, you guys are all so smart there will probably be a 5 way tie and you'll have to draw straws or something."

Sheldon thought about her statement. "You know, Penny may be right."

Leonard chuckled. "Remember he said that, Penny. It may be the only time in your life you'll ever hear him admit someone else is right."

Sheldon ignored him and continued. "Perhaps we should inform the coach that the test will need to be quite extensive and difficult to serve its purpose. Although again, it still won't leave Howard with much of a chance.

Howard didn't respond right away. He was all too familiar with Sheldon thinking he was the least intelligent of the group. He finally spoke up. "If I'm so dumb, how come I'm the first one of the group to get a real girlfriend?"

Sheldon gave him a derisive look. "Exactly my point. You insist on wasting time with foolish endeavors when you could be brushing up Quantum Mechanics. Or in your case, due to your interest in Engineering, using our work to invent neat little doo-hickeys."

Penny smirked. "And for the record, I know some guys that are living proof you can be dumb as a doornail and still get a girlfriend."

When Amy got home that afternoon, she went on her computer to do homework. Shortly thereafter, she received a call on Skype. From Sheldon.

"Good afternoon, Amy."

She nodded. "Good afternoon, Sheldon."

"I just wanted to clarify, are you planning on trying out for the Academic Bowl tomorrow?"

"Um, I guess. I hadn't really thought about it since our discussion at lunch. Why?"

"No particular reason. But if you do decide to take the test, there are some subject areas you may want to brush up on to ensure a spot on the team."

Amy nodded. "Very well. Are you sure you're alright with me trying out?"

"Absolutely. I think with your knowledge of biology and the social sciences combined with my knowledge of physics and, well, everything else, we would make a virtually unstoppable team." He said.

Amy smiled. "Is this your way of tell me that you want me to be there with you?"

"I respect your intelligence as well as…" He started.

"…and you want me there with you." She replied.

Sheldon sighed. "This isn't about that. I'm talking strictly from an academic standpoint. I believe you will make a good addition to our team."

"Okay, but if you think I'm so smart, why do you want me to study?" She asked.

"One can never be too prepared." Sheldon said. He looked a bit awkward with his response.

Amy just smiled. "Either way, Sheldon, I'll be there. I promise."