Chapter 6
It was lunch time at the University and Leonard carried his food tray to where Sheldon, Howard and Raj was seated. Howard looked suspiciously at Leonard. Leonard noticed Howard looking at him.
"What?" Leonard told Howard.
"I don't know...but something is different about you." Howard eyeing him.
"I don't know what you're talking about Howard." he said defensively.
Raj jumped in. "You know what dude...he's right...you seemed different today." looking at Leonard.
"If you ask me, nothing seems to be out of the ordinary with him." Sheldon butted in.
"That's because you are the king of subtlety Sheldon…" Howard told him sarcastically.
"Why thank you very much Howard! That's very nice of you" Sheldon smiled at him then took a bite of his food.
"Well whatever it is Leonard, I think it's good for you." Howard said.
"Guys it's nothing really. I'm just having a good day. That's all." Leonard replied.
Sheldon then changed the topic of conversation to the latest physics news. Raj and Howard joined in while eating their food. Leonard sat there quietly thinking about the text conversation he had last night. Why can't he shake the image of Penny from his mind? He tried to think of something else but the more he tried the more he thought of her.
"Leonard why are you smiling?" Sheldon asked.
"What? Uh... nothing…" he quickly said as he turned his attention to his food.
"Dude...you're blushing!" Raj said while smiling at Leonard.
Howard studied his face. "You've met someone haven't you!?" Howard teasing him.
"Wha...it's not like that...It's just...gee I don't know." Leonard was lost for words. He stood up. "I have to go and pick up my daughter from preschool. See you guys later." He walked away.
"Later dude!" Raj said.
While walking along the corridor to the parking lot, Leonard took out his phone and texted Penny.
L: [Hi! How's your day? Did you get your car already?]
A few minutes and his phone beeped.
P: [Hi, just woke up. I'm on the evening shift today. I'm actually going to the shop now to pick it up.]
P: [How's work today? Still loads of data to scan?]
L: [Yeah. Pretty much for the whole week I'm afraid.]
L: [I'm about to pick up Sarah from preschool. If you want, we could swing by your building to take you to the shop. Might save you a few dollars! {winking emoji}]
P: [Gee I don't want to impose. I'll just take the bus. The shop is not that far anyways.]
L: [Come on, it's no big deal really. It's on our route anyways. {smiley face}]
Penny hesitated to reply. She didn't know what to say or feel. She sighed and texted him back.
P: [Ok, if you insist, I'll wait by the corner where you dropped me off.]
P: [You're so great Leonard. Thanks again {heart emoji} {smiley face}]
L: [Great. We'll see you then.]
Leonard smiled and put his phone in his pocket as he opened his car door. He got in and drove off. Ten minutes later, he picked up Sarah from her preschool. He put her in the back seat and put on her seat belt.
"Honey we're gonna pick up Penny so she could get her car out from the shop ok?" he told her.
"Ok daddy." she said back.
Leonard got in the driver's seat and drove away. Without warning, Sarah spoke to him.. "I Like her daddy. She's very nice." she paused. "Do you like her too daddy?"
Leonard almost veered off course when he heard the question. He choked slightly then got the words out. "Ah...yeah sure honey. I like Penny too... She's very nice and kind…" Leonard decided to stop talking.
After five minutes he saw Penny standing by the corner. He flashed his car's light to her and she waved back. Penny got in the car and put on her seat belt.
"Hi Leonard! Hi Sarah! I guess I owe you guys again huh!?" she said smiling back at Sarah.
"Hi miss Penny. I missed you!" Sarah said.
"Awe...I miss you too sweetie!" she said. "And call me Penny ok honey? Since we are basically friends now ok?" she winked at the child.
"Ok. Penny." She smiled back at Penny.
Penny turned to Leonard. "Leonard thank you so much!" she smiled at Leonard.
"Don't worry about it. It's fine really. We're on route anyways so...it's traveling efficiently." he smiled back at Penny. "And, I guess you don't get as much good tips in the restaurant often so...like they say..a penny saved is a penny earned!"
"Oh you're so right….some of them don't even leave a tip! They just pay for the meal and that's it!" Penny exclaimed.
"Well that sucks." he said.
"Yeah but if I get more acting jobs, at least my finances will be in better shape." she said.
"Still no word from the studio huh?" he asked.
"No...but my agent said to not worry." she replied.
"Well don't lose hope so easily Ok? You just have to stay positive." He patted her on the shoulder.
"Thanks Leonard. You're so great!" she pressed her hands on his arm.
They arrived at the car repair shop. Fortunately Penny didn't have to pay a single dollar for the repair since her car was parked when the accident happened. She went inside the shop office and signed some papers. They handed her the key and she went out to get her car. She drove out of the shop and stopped beside Leonard's car and opened her window.
"Leonard thank you so much. I owe you again!" she yelled.
"You're welcome Penny. I'll go back to work now and you take care ok!" he replied.
"Ok. Thanks again! Give Sarah a kiss for me ok!" she said.
"Sure! Bye!" Leonard smiled at her. She rolled up her window and drove away. Leonard started his car and drove back to the University.