By now you all probably think I have given up on both my fics! Goods news, I haven't, but thinks are difficult for me. I hope you all are doing well.

CHAPTER VIII

The Fowler house was usually quiet in the mornings. Some days, Mrs. Fowler would want to remark on the latest affairs of the small town's high society, as well as its most promising events that were to come. Usually, such events were directly linked to the Institute, which received many people who came only to take part in the newest discoveries. In recent years, with the degradation of the Institute, such events became more and more rare and unpleasant and they no longer attracted the attention of the girls of the house.

That morning, however, both the noise and the silence felt awkward at the table as Amy sat down to break her fast.

There didn't seem to be a comfortable topic for discussion, although Dr. and Mrs. Fowler tried it, and everyone warmly responded to their convictions and questions about every topic presented to the morning debate in the house. The conversation seemed to be artificially sustained, and each pause between subjects seemed charged with palpable, withdrawn consumption.

Everyone hoped, anxiously, that Sheldon's presence in the house would change the mood that had been getting weirder since Amy had agreed to be courted by Kripke. She had withdrawn even more than in recent months. And that worried her parents. But, opposite to what they expected, the girl seemed even more cornered in the presence of her childhood friend.

And Sheldon also acted atypically. Despite responding with virtuous politeness to questions about the welfare of his family in Texas, and irreproachably questioning about the health of everyone there, in the house where he was being so well received, there was some dark clouds of concern in his eyes.

And every time his eyes fixed themselves on Amy, those clouds threatened to storm over the sea.

"I hope the accommodations are to your liking, Sheldon," said Mrs. Fowler, trying to defuse the tense atmosphere at the table. "We arranged everything so quickly, as we didn't know you were coming."

"It's all perfect, aunt", he smiled with real sympathy, "Actually, I need to apologize. I sent a letter to my uncle, but it returned. I don't understand what happened. However, I believed there was no impairment in coming. I would have stayed in an inn until I got a permanent place to stay, I don't want to impose myself, but once a talked face to face with my uncle, he insisted that I should stay here".

"And I wouldn't have forgiven Larry if he'd allowed such absurdity." She said. "You're welcome to stay until you graduate and still later if you wish. Make yourself at home".

"I won't be staying longer than I really need to, but I appreciate your kindness. I plan to go to the Institute today to make my registration, maybe I can stay in one of the accommodations in the building as soon as classes start". He responded with a sincere smile and glanced quickly at Amy, who was looking down at her plate and keeping a stern expression on her face. "Which reminds me... Is Miss Fowler excited to start classes at the Institute early next month?"

Amy looked at him and the question seemed to shock her for two seconds. She choked a little on her words before she could properly reply. "I... I've decided that I won't attend the Institute."

"I do not understand". Everything momentarily seemed confused to him, at first. But, the pieces began to fall into place in his mind and in the blink of an eye it all made sense. It was obvious that Kripke was behind this.

"The rectory decided that the Institute is not a place for women, well, not if they want to be students, or possibly teach, or integrate the research teams". Said Dr. Fowler.

"But you're one of the deans, aren't you?" he asked.

"A vote was taken. The majority decided to ban women from the faculty and they cannot be students either". He explained shortly.

"What is the reason for such a ban? The Institute has always been a free and advanced place in its concepts". The whole situation was becoming more and more confusing. If the rectory had made that decision, why was Amy saying she had chosen not to go?

"Well, since…" Dr. Fowler took a deep breath, "since Mr. Kripke decided to become a more active part of the Institute's investments and administration, well, things started to change drastically. However, we have not advanced as much as before". The regret on his face was unmistakable. "But he is still one of the main investors, and the board tends to favor him in his ideas and decisions that he deems appropriate for us to continue functioning."

"A hypocrisy, I think, if I'm allowed to express an opinion," Pam said bluntly, speaking for the first time at the table. "The idea itself is absurd, regardless of the arguments he uses, and believe me, they were the most ridiculous, but he will allow his daughter to study there. Isn't it controversial in the least that he does this?", for her age, the girl could be quite witty and encouraged in her opinions. Direct. Just like Amy used to be.

The information caused even more confusion in Sheldon.

"I don't…" he started but was interrupted by Amy.

"Miss Ramona Kripke got permission from the council to study at the Institute as her father now owns half of the city. And I would never ask my father to tarnish his integrity so I could study." She fixed her gaze steadily into his eyes and her indignation at the situation was unmistakable, but it was also clear that she was uncomfortable with so many questions. She was silently asking him not to say any more about it.

The tension at the table took on another proportion.

It took a few seconds for him to understand the real meaning of Amy's words. But once he understood them, Sheldon was revolted by the whole situation. With the setbacks of the Institute his own father had worked so hard to found, and the situation Amy found herself in now. Although she had already made her decision regarding her dilemma, her unhappiness in the face of events was obvious. What was holding her back?

The answer to that question was announced when the butler appeared announcing the arrival of a visitor. None other than Barry Kripke, Mr. Kripke's son, who walked in without even waiting to be announced. And then, the morning couldn't seem to get any weirder.

Or could it?

He walked into the room with a smug smile on his face, which disappeared immediately as he spotted Sheldon sitting at the Fowlers' table. Amy and Sheldon were still facing each other. Eyes so fixed on the other as if their souls could talk. But the moment was broken.

"What are you doing here, Cooper?" Barry Kripke asked sharply.

"Kripke, dear buddy, I believe the words you've been looking for and failed to find are 'good morning,'" Dr. Fowler said in a chiding tone.

"Oh! Please, forgive my rudeness! Good morning, everybody!," he said, feigning shame over his actions. "I didn't expect to find Cooper here. So… early," something suggested he wasn't referring to the day time; he was visibly irritated, though he tried to hide it.

Cooper: 1, Kripke: 0. Sheldon counted in thought.

Amy was visibly uneasy, though it looked like she was ignoring Kripke's presence there.

"Oh, Sheldon is my guest here. He will stay for as long as necessary". Dr. Fowler said purposefully noting the newcomer's discomfort. "But what about you Kripke? What are you doing here so early?".

"I came to see Miss Fowler," Amy, who until then pretended he wasn't there, shifted uncomfortably in her chair and expressed a look of disgust while still looking down. "Maybe inviting her for a walk around the park. Why, it's such a beautiful morning. Allow me, sir?". He asked Dr. Fowler.

"Although the idea seems refreshing to me, I'm afraid I must refuse it, I have so much to do today. Maybe tomorrow?". Amy said before her father could respond, this time looking at Kripke.

Everyone, especially Sheldon, watched the exchange with attention and curiosity.

But maybe only he noticed Kripke's right eyebrow rise suddenly as if there was a secret only the two of them knew when he said the next words daring her to refuse him.

"Well, there's no way of knowing what the weather will be like tomorrow. Maybe we should go today. I haven't had some time with you in so long". His voice tried to express sweetness, but his posture delivered something different. Besides, as a man who intended to enter the academy, Kripke should have known that it was possible, to know what the weather would be like the next day. And Amy knew that, why didn't she correct him?

"I guarantee I wasn't missing you," she said quietly, so nobody besides him would listen.

"What did you say, dear?" Kripke asked and Sheldon grimaced at the term of endearment.

Amy sighed almost imperceptibly, as if she were angry and scared at the same time.

"Dad, do I have your permission?" She asked impatient and resolute at the same time, like someone who knew she had lost.

"If it is your wish, my dear." He said, visibly controversial.

"Very well", she wiped her mouth with the napkin that was in her lap and placed it on the table before standing up. "Just give me fifteen minutes and we can leave. I'm just going to get my hat and gloves. Wait in the living room if you wish".

"I will". When Amy left, he turned to those still seated at the table and excused himself. His posture was now that of someone who had triumphed.

Sheldon felt helpless.

"Pray tell me at once, Kripke. What do you want?" Amy was sharp. They walked to the park in silence and she was already losing patience. Kripke was not the kind of man to keep quiet. And his silence was worrisome, he was up to something.

"Why so harsh, my love?" his tone was one of delight.

Yes, he had certainly planned something.

"I'm not your love. Please stop with those annoying names.". She was furious and upset. With so much suspense, she was afraid of what he intended.

"I may not be your love. Yet. But you are definitely mine". She rolled her eyes and didn't even bother to answer. He continued. "That reminds me…I'm going to ask your father for your hand soon. You'd better try to convince him right away that you're in love with me. Though I know you are. You maidens certainly like to pretend to be difficult. But no problem, I like it that way".

"I'm certainly falling in love with you," she replied sarcastically. "But why the rush to ask for my hand?" She was dreading this day.

"We have a deal, have you forgotten?"

"I wouldn't call it a deal, there are more fitting words for what you're doing to me." She retorted.

"A man in love would do anything, my love. You should be flattered to have someone so determined to win your heart. Many girls in your place would be. I'm the best catch in town, you know."

Amy started to laugh hysterically at hearing such absurdity. Passersby stared at her astound. It took a few minutes before she could pull herself together. Kripke just looked cross at her. "Excuse me. Were you serious?" She asked when she calmed down.

"Of course, I was. I will inherit almost half of this city. That alone would make me the best suitor you could have. And of course, I'm the hottest guy you could find. You will be the richest girl in town, my dear. Imagine how many dresses and jewelry you could buy. You will have everything you want at your feet".

"If you knew me, Kripke, you would know that money doesn't seduce me, I prefer a thinking mind to jewelry adorning my neck." She fired. "And I can think of hundreds of guys much more presentable than you."

They continued walking a distance without exchanging a word. Amy realizing what was happening. Her fate was getting closer and closer to being sealed.

"I plan to set the wedding date as soon as we get engaged. So, get on with talking to your dad soon. Until the end of the week I'll talk to him, and then we'll have a big party so I can ask for your hand". His tone was not for arguments, nor for negotiations.

"What if I don't?" she challenged him anyway.

"Well, in that case Cooper can forget about his dreams of studying at the Institute his dear dad founded." He threatened.

Amy stopped abruptly at the answer. Kripke took another step forward before stopping too and looking at her puzzled expression.

"You wouldn't…" She couldn't finish the sentence, her voice cracking at the thought of the nonsense he'd just said.

"Are you thinking of daring me, Amy? I guarantee you don't want to pay to see it." He arched an eyebrow, as if challenging her.

She just swallowed and went back to walking. How could she marry someone so despicable?

Sheldon walked the halls of the Institute. Furious. He had decided to spend the rest of the morning and afternoon in the library to distract himself and register in the late afternoon, when the place was quieter, but it was to no avail. All he could think about was Kripke's purpose for a walk with Amy in the park.

Something told him he was up to something. Just pondering how Amy was acting so strangely... She had lost the wit he so admired. She seemed to be trapped inside herself and he wanted to release her so she could fly. After all, Amy was never the down-to-earth type of girl. She dreamed high. Why would she subject herself to an unhappy life with someone she visibly despised just so the Institute would be saved? Didn't she see that with such intelligence she could save the place their fathers had worked so hard to found?

Certainly, allowing her father to buy the deans, as Owen Kripke had done, seemed too repulsive an idea. But if she showed only half the intelligence she possessed, surely the rectory would make an exception. Even if they won Kripke's enmity.

Each time everything made even less sense. Surely Amy was smart enough to think about all this, wasn't she? And if she thought, why didn't she try?

Something was terribly strange.

He hadn't even realized how blind with rage he was until, as he left the library, he'd run into a young man who immediately fell to the ground, holding his head very awkwardly, as if he didn't want his hat to fall off. He was shorter and frailer than any boy he could remember seeing. But before Sheldon could offer any help he quickly got to his feet.

"I'm sorry I didn't look where I was going." Sheldon said.

The boy didn't make a point of raising his head, on the contrary, he seemed afraid to do so. He just dispersed Sheldon's apology and walked away quickly, as if he was afraid that Sheldon might hurt him.

That's weird. Sheldon thought. But he soon concluded that maybe the boy had been bullied and was just trying not to be beaten again, and felt sorry for him.

He was still looking in the same direction the boy had disappeared when someone caught his eye.

"Excuse me, would you please direct me to the room where I can register?" said a male voice with a heavy Indian accent. Sheldon turned to the owner of the voice. A young boy, around eighteen or nineteen. Caramel skin and hair with dark curls.

"Sure. In fact, I'm on my way there, you may come with me if you like, Mr...?" Sheldon offered.

"Rajesh Kootraphali", the Indian held out his hand and Sheldon held it tight.

"Sheldon Cooper," he said politely. The other boy widened his eyes a little before asking.

"Are you Dr. George Cooper's son? One of the founders of the Institute?", he looked excited, but soon realized his possible faux pas, "I mean, I'm sorry…". Sheldon cut him off before he could continue.

"There's nothing to apologize for. Yes, I'm Dr. Cooper's son," Sheldon had somehow improved his way of relating to people. "Come on, I can show you the way."

"Of course, it will be a privilege." Rajesh replied.

"This way". Sheldon responded by pointing the path.

"Forgive me for asking, or if I'm guessing wrong, but did you come from India?", Sheldon asked really intrigued. He was always proud that the Institute received students from so many parts of the world.

"Yes, my parents and I lived there until I was fifteen years old and then we moved to England, my father has business there with one of the deans of the Institute. I always followed the work of your father and Dr. Fowler, I always dreamed of studying here. My father thought it was a good thing that I came and got me a job here at the Institute. His partner helped". Rajesh said almost nonstop.

It was more information than Sheldon expected to receive.

"Well...that's very good...I think." He really didn't know how to answer or engage any more subject without the Indian giving him more information than he wanted to receive.

"What about you? Will it be your first year studying here at the Institute?". Rajesh asked.

"Not exactly. I grew up here, followed my father for a long time before... before he died, and I have followed the Institute's work from afar. I have more knowledge than many who will start this year." He said without expressing emotion. Why did he have to ask where the boy was from?

Rajesh seemed to have sensed the discomfort the question had caused Sheldon and decided to keep silent. The two continued walking in silence, until they reached a door that he indicated to be the place where registrations were made. The door actually led to a kind of waiting room and at the end of a corridor there was another door, where students were called to deliver their documents, receive materials and guidance on the Institute's rules.

To Sheldon's contempt, Kripke was out the door before he and Rajesh could even enter.

"Oh Cooper, good to see you here!" sarcasm dripped from his voice.

"Too bad I can't say the same, Kripke." Sheldon replied, but internally wondered why his mood seemed so different from what he had shown that morning. Before going for a walk with Amy.

"Always so nice, Cooper." Kripke laughed. And then looking deep into Sheldon's eyes, so as not to miss his reaction, he said, "But, you know, it's good to keep a good relationship now that we're going to be practically like brothers."

"Whatever you're trying to tell me, I have no idea what it might be." He responded one step away from losing his patience.

Kripke looked like he had pretended to commit a terrible faux pas and was embarrassed.

"Oh, I shouldn't go off talking like that. Even more so in front of strangers…" he glanced at Rajesh briefly but continued, "But I asked for Amy's hand, and guess what? She accepted! We should officiate the engagement before school starts".

Sheldon froze inside but tried to keep his composure.

"I fail to see how this could make us brothers. Amy is not my sister." He replied.

"Oh Cooper, come on, you guys practically grew up together, always defending each other. The whole town believed you were going to be a couple", he turned to Rajesh who didn't understand anything about the situation and said, "As if that were possible". Then, turning back to Sheldon, "But we both know Amy sees you as a very dear brother."

Sheldon couldn't help but be amused by his archenemy's words. But before he could answer anything, Kripke continued.

"And Dr. Fowler?" Sheldon didn't quite get what he was getting at by bringing Amy's father into the matter. "He clearly treats you like a son. Ever since that pig you called father died and left your family deep in debt."

If Sheldon had frozen before, this time the boy saw fire.

"What did you just say?" Sheldon questioned clenching his fists.

Before Kripke could retort, the same young man who had run into Sheldon in the hallway walked out the waiting room door and hurried past them, bumping into Kripke this time.

"Hey you! Look where you're walking!" Kripke snapped.

The boy turned, still with his head down, and said softly. "Oh sorr…" the voice sounded a little thinner than the voice of a boy of seventeen or eighteen. But it looked familiar to Sheldon for some reason. The boy coughed and his voice was thicker this time, but it seemed forced. "Sorry, buddy". His hands, small, outstretched in front of him.

He left quickly before Kripke could answer anything, disappearing down the halls. Sheldon didn't have time to think too hard about the boy's very strange attitude as Kripke started talking again, still looking down the hall and laughing.

"Where did this one come from? He's such a loser, he smells like one", before completing the sentence, he turned to Sheldon, "just like your father".

Before Kripke understood what had happened, Sheldon's fist found his chin with a force he didn't know was humanly possible, he lost his balance and found the ground.

Just a short chapter. Let me know what you think. I hope you don't give up on me.