Maybe she could read a book? Or fiddle around on her harp? Or watch the grass grow? Or the paint dry? Anything to distract her from waiting for Sheldon. She stood on her knees over the back of the couch as headlights swelled in brightness against the mirror, all passing her house. As neighborhood clatter of people knocking on doors, greetings, and farewells became taunts; none of them coming from her porch. It was 35 agonizing minutes past the time Sheldon said he would pick her up.
Sheldon wasn't late. He was early, earlier, or unreasonably early but he wasn't late. The tickle in her mind began to think he wasn't coming. Perhaps he only asked her out because he felt bad for her? She was his friend and he cared about her but was he interested in her romantically? Or was he being nice to the girl who never knew love?
Her chest sunk and she started to collapse into the cushion when the sound of a sputtering engine roared through the streets. She turned to see a raggedy red pickup truck speeding into their driveway. The bed was almost detached from the tires and a big cloud of black smoke followed. From the passenger window, Sheldon, dressed in a black suit leaned out, his face red with terror.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He sang frantically. Like a deer getting used to his legs he wobbled and stumbled to the door with a limp bouquet of flowers in his hand.
"It's okay." He heard none of her reassurance and continued to mutter "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" until his words became unintelligible.
"Sheldon!" Amy yelled, throwing him out of his apologetic stupor. "It is okay. You're here now."
"I must say one thing." He slowly gained control of his gagged breath. "Seeing that we must enter a car driven by my lunatic brother, these might be my last. But, Newton was correct a body in motion stays in motion while a body at rest becomes an overweight elephant."
"Interesting last words...but okay."
"That maniac" he said pointing to his brother who was spitting out the window. "Spent all day in the same spot on the couch, knowing I had plans this evening. When it was time for us to leave to arrive early, he didn't move. When I threatened to show Mom his box of dirty videos, he didn't move. When I tried to lift him up, he certainly didn't move and I'm pretty sure I pulled a muscle in my back."
"You're here. It's perfect. Let's go." Amy reached for his shaky hands, taking hold of the bouquet.
The anxious couple climbed in the back of the truck. Their seatbelts where as tight as they could go, they held onto the structure for added support. Amy almost offered bringing pillows and helmets but she decided against it and as of now regretted that decision immensely.
George Cooper didn't pay much attention to anything besides his reflection and any woman he passed. He disregarded the speed bumps, pedestrians, and certainly stop signs.
"Shit. Cops!" He hollered as the truck came to a violent halt. Amy and Sheldon were suspended in the air as inertia took them forward until they smashed into the seat as gravity took them back. Instinctively, Sheldon reached for Amy hoping to steady her movements. When the car settled as did Amy into his arms. Neither moved away. Neither said a word. Neither took a breath.
"Alright losers, we're here." They still refused to move. Partly collecting themselves from the near death car ride but mostly because the touch of being in each other's embrace was addicting. "C'mon! Get! I've got a date in an hour and I gotta clean the car with some of those car fresheners."
"Fornicating with a woman in the back of her truck isn't a date, Georgie. It's probably illegal in most states."
"What was that?"
"Be safe!" Without another word Sheldon grabbed Amy and rushed her into the building.
"Wow this is so ni- AH!" Amy started before a strip of fabric was wrapped around her eyes.
"Don't panic, don't panic." Sheldon held on to her gently caressing her arm. "I'm here, I have a surprise and I need you to be blindfolded." She nodded in agreement and allowed herself to be guided.
They twisted through stairs and elevators and hallways until the suspense became too much for Amy.
"Sheldon, I must know! Where are we going?"
"Be patient, we're almost there."
"I'm serious, I can barely see with my glasses, how do you expect me to navigate blindfolded. Will you at least tell me where we are going? You could be leading me to my death."
"Amy?"
"Yes?"
"Stop talking."
"Happily."
She continued until she heard the rusty hinge of a door open. Sheldon slowly untied the fabric from her eyes and let it sink to the floor.
"Surprise" he said nervous for her reaction.
They were in the observatory desk of the School of Architecture. The dome top was abstract in its construction. Large steel beams held the structure together while glass walled them in. But the craftsmanship of the building wasn't what sent her heart into dance. Hanging from the beam where silver and blue streamers. Balloons blanketed the floor, the reflections of the disco ball skated on the windows. There were tables of food and drink, a small card table with two crowns resting and music hummed in the background.
"It's-" Amy choked.
"Your prom. The prom you deserved rather."
She made no movement. Not even a slight twist in her eye. He felt as if he'd made a horrible mistake.
"There's lemonade and cookies, if you're hungry." She didn't move. "I have crowns so we can elect ourselves King and Queen." Nothing. "If not, we could dance. I have a cassette of the greatest hits of 1989 so we could dance all night if you want. Or dance until I have to flip the tape." She blinked! He wasn't sure it was her body forcing her or free will but it was movement and better than nothing. "Amy? You hate it! Don't worry. I can remove this is a few minutes and we can just talk, or we can go to the lab and do some experiments. Amy?"
"Ahhhh!" She jumped and threw herself through the air in jubilation. " I love-and...you….and I—you did. Thank you!"
Tears threatened to fall from her eyes. She wanted to cry for whatever reason happy people cry but she didn't want to waste another second. She approached him, grabbed his hand and placed it on her shoulder. He followed suit they stood in each other's arm.
"Music?" Sheldon started to let go but Amy pulled his arm back to her. She placed her head on his chest, she'd only know him for about 6 weeks and she was already drunk from the lullaby of his heart and the fabric of his skin, the wonder of his mind. He never got the escape to turn on any music. No music played but the score of their friendship, and their love.
