CHAPTER 15

The next day Amy got up early in the morning and got ready to visit Stockholm University and the Institute of Neurosciences; she was eager to start working, the study of Neurobiology's always captivated her. She had many ideas and hypotheses in her restless mind, and if she was busy at work she could be distracted, and stop thinking so much in Sheldon.

At 7:30 am, while Amy was drinking her cup of coffee with toasts, someone knocked on the door. It was Mattias, who warmly said hello. He was dressed in a little more formal style than Amy had seen before. He wore denim jeans with a white dress shirt, a black jacket and a dark brown scarf. His face was smooth as he'd shaved recently.

Amy looked at him from head to toe, wondering why a woman could've possibly ended a relationship with a guy like him. Well, maybe he doesn't have Sheldon's charming personality, she considered.

"We are just in time to get to the University, shall we go?", Mattias said. They walked down the stairs to the first floor where Mattias kept his bike; he took it and got ready to leave the building.

The day was a bit warmer than yesterday, though the weather was still chilly. Amy was wearing her blue coat, with her distinctive tights and a corduroy skirt. She had also a gray woolen hat and gloves that matched.

Bicycles are common means of transport in Stockholm, especially for short distances. Although he had a car, Mattias always rode his bike to the University, usually at a faster pace but today, he accompanied Amy who walked beside him.

"I know a good place where you can buy a bicycle, if you're interested in having one", Mattias told Amy.

"No, I'm fine. To be honest I can't drive a bike. I never learned how to do it", Amy admitted. Her mother never bought her a bike; because she was afraid Amy might harm herself or decide to join a street gang.

"I guess it's a short distance", Mattias said sympathetically.

After ten minutes of walking they got to Stockholm University. The campus was huge, with modern buildings, surrounded by open areas full of trees, they were still covered by a thin layer of snow, but spring was about to come. There was also an artificial lake where a few geese and swans were swimming; it was close to the main auditorium and the library.

The Neurosciences Institute was situated at south of campus, it was an original building, a symbol of the famous Scandinavian architecture. Amy was completely awestruck by the beauty of the place. The laboratory was excellently equipped with the best technology.

Mattias introduced Amy to the rest of researchers and after a meeting to organize their tasks; they set to work on the project. In this first week Amy was responsible for the management of specimens of brain tissue and spinal cord for observation under the microscope. "This is fantastic", thought Amy, as she was enjoying her work.

Three weeks had passed and Amy was increasingly comfortable at Stockholm's Institute of Neurosciences; her colleagues were very friendly and fully dedicated to the project. One week later the human resources department of the University organized a cocktail party as a presentation of the Multinational Research Study in which Amy was involved. Mattias already had sent an invitation to our favorite neurobiologist.

Meanwhile Sheldon wasn't doing so well in his daily work; he was having a hard time to concentrate and was in a foul mood. Things were not easy in his spare time either, he didn't want to partake in Halo Night, or go out to the movies with the guys, nor having dinner at Cheesecake Factory. He hasn't bought a comic book for the last two weeks.

The only time of the day that he really enjoyed was when he could communicate with Amy, but the time difference was already causing chaos. The nine-hour time difference between Pasadena and Stockholm forced him to talk with Amy very late at night.

Leonard, Raj and Howard organized a video game marathon for Friday, at the astrophysicist's house. They wanted Sheldon to think of something else and leave his apartment at least once.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?, We're playing Legend of Zelda and God of War, you like those games", said Raj trying to convince Sheldon. "I also made low calories Chocolate Lava cakes, you're gonna love them. They're delicious".

"No, thanks. I'm feeling sick. Maybe it's something I ate. I'd rather stay home", Sheldon said.

"It's not good for you to spend so much time alone, I don't think Amy would mind if you go out with us, just for today", Leonard was worried for his best friend.

"Leonard is right, even Bernadette gave me permission tonight", Howard said.

"I've told you I don't want to go! I would like to take a nap", Sheldon shouted angrily.

"Okay, but if you change your mind, just call me and I'll come and get you", Leonard insisted. "The three friends left the department a little disappointed, since they weren't able to convince Sheldon.

"I hope things get better for him; I've never seen him so… miserable. Seriously, the other day I was about to call his mother and tell her everything". Leonard confessed as they went down the stairs.

Sheldon tried to eat something, but he was actually feeling sick and nauseated, he suffered from headaches and had no appetite at all. He just could drink a glass of water and eat some cookies. He decided it was better to get some sleep and wake up at 10 pm. He was going to call Amy at 10 pm.

Amy woke up at 7 am on Sunday, once she heard Skype's incoming call ringtone. It was a beautiful day; the sky was completely blue, without a cloud in Stockholm. Amy opened the curtains to see that the snow was gone. It was the first time she could see the green grass and the little flowers in bloom.

"Hi Sheldon!", Amy said, almost shouting with excitement.

"Hi Amy!", Sheldon replied and his face lit at the sight of his girlfriend.

Sheldon couldn't help but noticing that Amy was wearing the red plaid pajama shirt that he gave her the time she spent the night with him. Automatically his eyes fell on that garment, and it brought him the sweetest memories.

"Amy… that shirt looks familiar", Sheldon said with a husky tone of voice that made Amy's heart skip a beat.

"This old shirt?", Amy replied as she rose from her seat and walked around so Sheldon can take a look at her. When Amy missed him very much, she liked to sleep with his shirt, it was so comfortable, and it still had his smell. Amy also knew the effect she had on Sheldon when she was wearing it.

"Aww, Amy ... this is very hard, you don't know how hard this is!", Sheldon said, running a hand across his forehead.

"Yes, I know. Indeed.", Amy said picturing something in her imagination. "Hoo".

"Hoo?. What?", asked Sheldon. He was very innocent to understand the double sense of these words.

"I mean… how was your day?", asked Amy as she tried to change the subject. She suddenly felt the room was extremely hot and her cheeks flushed.

"Well, I'm not feeling very well, I think I'm sick, I have a terrible headache. I have no appetite lately, and I'm feeling nauseated. Do you think I might have a brain tumor?" Sheldon was genuinely concerned.

"No Sheldon, I don't think you have a brain tumor, it's probably food poisoning". Amy affirmed.

Amy knew Sheldon has a tendency to somatization, that is, unconsciously transform emotional problems into physical symptoms and seek medical help for them. That, very likely, was what happens now with her boyfriend. She loved him, as he was, with all his quirks and eccentricities.

"Well, if these symptoms continue, I should go to the hospital. I'm going to wait until Monday", Sheldon wasn't convinced with Amy's explanation. It wasn't just food poisoning.

"I have exciting news to tell you. The Human Resources department of the University is organizing a reception to present our project. It's next Friday and we'll celebrate the first month of our investigation. That's great, right?. I'm going to buy a new dress for the occasion". Amy seemed happy.

"But Amy… what's wrong with the clothes you already have", Sheldon asked befuddled.

"I have nothing to wear for such an event", said Amy. "And Mattias told me, several personalities, scientist and journalists will be attending".

"Great!", Sheldon said, barely able to hide a nervous tic. In his mind he pictured Amy at that party, holding hands, dancing and laughing with Mattias.

After a cold shower, Sheldon tried to rest, but had a hard time sleeping. The image of Amy wearing that provocative red shirt occupied his mind, and it was even worse when it wasn't only her image but also Mattias's shadow meddling in their relationship. "Jealousy, I was better off before I knew this feeling", he thought.

"No! Viking, no!. Amy is not for you, not for you!", Sheldon repeated over and over.