Chapter 4: 'Blank Space' Confessions

Sheldon woke up in a sweaty daze. He was tucked haphazardly under the covers, his limbs loose and supple, almost like spaghetti noodles. He winced and realized that he was crushing his arm. He rolled off of it and prodded his arm. He couldn't feel it. He silently cursed. He must have cut off the blood flow while he was sleeping. He sat up and wobbled it around a bit, and he felt a rush of heat as the blood flowed back into his oxygen depleted muscles. He stood up. He felt awful. Sheldon glanced at the time. Goodness! It was almost 9:30 am, and he wasn't even showered, dressed, or fed! He rummaged sleepily in his drawers, and pulled a fresh pair of underpants, his 'lucky' khaki pants (they were lucky because Sheldon seemed to make the most scientific breakthroughs with them), a long sleeve shirt, and a t- shirt. Briefly, he considered dressing up for Amy's party, but dismissed the idea. He didn't need to dress up to be amazing. After a shower, a bowl of cold cereal, and an argument with Leonard about Battlestar Galactica, Sheldon was ready to face the day. Penny was going to take him to Party City to purchase decorations, and then to the mall, to get her a gift. He'd taken her last time, when he'd purchased the tiara, so he felt that she would be a good contribution to his operation.

They were sitting at their desks. Sheldon's head was full of ideas, and he needed to pour them out into his computer's word program. Leonard glanced at his watch. "Sheldon, shouldn't you be getting ready to go out with Penny? Remember, the party is tonight." Sheldon glanced up, annoyed.

"What?"

Leonard sighed. "Penny. Party. Tonight."

Sheldon felt a stab of panic. He'd almost forgotten! He sprang up out of his chair and ran to his room. He had to find his wallet, his house key, his list…

By the time he was ready, Penny was already at the door. She smiled at him. "Ready?" He nodded. He wasn't in the mood for talking, and this mood sustained all throughout the car ride to Party City. Penny tried to make small talk. "Want some music?" and "Any ideas for a gift you want to buy for Amy?" Sheldon didn't respond. He was getting nervous, but he didn't understand why. Perhaps it was the sandwich he'd had for lunch. He got really antsy when the tomato was next to the bread. The lettuce, after all, is a moisture barrier against the bread! Penny snapped him out of his reverie by turning up the music really loud and caterwauling "Blank Space" by Taylor Swift. Sheldon looked at her.

"I'll let you listen to Taylor Swift if you don't sing along with it."

Penny ignored him. "….and I've got a blank space baby, and I'll write your name!"

"Please stop."

"BOYS ONLY WANT LOVE IF IT'S TORTURE!"

"Stop. Please. I'm dying here!"

"DON'T SAY I DIDN'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YA! 'CAUSE IT'S GONNA BE FOREVER, OR IT'S GONNA GO DOWN IN FLAMES! YOU CAN TELL ME WHEN…"

Sheldon cut her off by pushing the button on the console. "No more. You just ruined Taylor Swift for me."

Penny sighed. "Somebody's in a bad mood today."

Sheldon shifted. Should he tell her? Before he could fully process this thought, he began. "I'm nervous, Penny." She didn't respond. He wasn't sure if she was even listening, but he continued to speak. "I'm afraid I'm going to mess up Amy's party, and she might leave me. I've never felt this way about anybody." With that said, he looked out the window. Penny didn't respond for a minute.

"You know, Sheldon – you should let Amy know how you feel." Sheldon rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to speak, but Penny cut him off. "I know that you're not used to this, Sheldon, but, after you told Amy that you loved her…"

Sheldon broke in. "We've been happier as a couple."

Penny nodded. "Exactly." They were silent for a moment, and Penny turned Taylor Swift back on. They rode in this manner to Party City, where Penny chose the farthest parking spot as the lot would allow, to annoy Sheldon, and they entered the store.

Sheldon didn't want to admit it, but he had absolutely no idea what he was doing for the rest of their shopping excursions. Penny practically picked out every decoration and balloon for the party, while Sheldon walked along in tow, complaining and moaning. After Party City, Penny took him to the mall and they went to the jewelry store & appliance store to pick out Amy's gifts. Sheldon picked out something on Penny's recommendation. Nothing too expensive, just something that Sheldon hoped would make her smile.

As they drove to the comic book store to set up, Sheldon made some calls to people he wanted to invite. Leonard, Howard, Raj, Bernadette, Emily, and Stuart were invited, naturally, and, as Penny was sitting in the car with him already, it would be counterintuitive to call her. It was decided that Penny would go over to Amy's on a ruse of 'hanging out', and Sheldon would be back at the comic book store, orchestrating the party and the set – up. They'd scrambled to get a last – minute caterer and ended up settling on ordering some Chinese food. Penny let him out at the comic book store, laden with bags of items. His friends were already there, moving racks of books and setting up some tables. Sheldon took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He had under an hour to set this up. He was ready to meet the challenge.