AU

Penny is not happy in college, a chance meeting starts changing the way she sees things.


Penny is not really sure she wants to stay in college. She's currently a freshman at UNO, looking to major in fine/studio arts because she thought it would involve acting…which it didn't do that exactly, they could eventually teach her to teach other people about acting but Penny was finding this whole college thing to be a bit of a bust.

She wanted to act, wanted to be the next Julia Roberts. But she was starting to think that if she stayed here in Omaha it would never happen. It was still her freshman year so Penny was perfectly aware that she was being impatient, but her 18th birthday was coming up in 6 months and it was just too tempting, she might just drop out and go to California in her shitty car.

The only thing that Penny liked about college so far was that she felt like she'd be able to find her true love here.

Tamika had told her that Kurt from the Athletic training program was asking about Penny and that her boyfriend Jack had confirmed he was going to ask Penny out. She couldn't wait, she had a good feeling about this Kurt…yum yum, those muscles.

"Hey Pen." Penny liked Tamika, the girl was in the Physics department but looked like a damn supermodel. She was being wasted in the sciences building. Penny got lucky to get Tamika as a roommate.

"Hey girl, ready to go out clubbing tonight?"

"Ugh, can't." Tamika really looked disappointed. "The Physics department is preparing to host a welcome party for the boy genius himself and we all have to be present. Can't wiggle away."

"Boy genius?"

"Oh yeah, you probably don't know. There's this guy in the Physics world that is basically the second coming of Einstein. He got his first PhD at 14, the second at 16 and his name is attached to pretty much every award available, almost always followed by 'The youngest ever'-something."

"Oh damn, sounds like a fun guy at parties."

"You have no idea. He's also pretty famous, or rather infamous for being a pain in the ass. It doesn't help that he's almost always right, I heard he caused several researchers to quit after meeting with him for a couple of minutes."

"And he's coming to UNO, why?" Penny had no illusions that their little University held any sort of importance.

"He's actually on loan from Caltech. He's staying for 3 months to give some lectures and do research using our equipment."

"Huh, how old is he?."

"Just turned 18, it's actually a little creepy at seeing all the older ladies go gaga over him."

"Haha, poor guy then. Anyway, since you can't come tonight, how about we meet on-" And Penny kept going with her life, this conversation soon forgotten.


As Penny worked her shift at The Cheesecake Factory she kept thinking about her future. College so far had made her feel like a failure, she felt stupid for choosing a Major without really understanding what she was signing up for and just because she thought it had something to do with acting. Sure, college life was fantastic, she loved living on campus and not having to worry about the farm anymore. Having clubs, coffee shops, and shoe stores within walking distance was a game changer.

And yet…Penny wondered if she should keep going. Was college really going to get her closer to her dream? For that matter, what was her dream? She enjoyed acting but if she was honest with herself she wanted the fame as well, she didn't want to be a background character in a sitcom, she wanted to be in movie posters so that the bitches from high school would froth at the mouth when seeing her.

Maybe it was a better idea to drop out and go try her luck in California.

That idea was only reinforced by the book in front of her. It was a slow afternoon and her manager didn't mind Penny doing homework at an empty table, Penny knew she wasn't the only waitress that did that. Glaring at the book Penny had to wonder why learning to design clothes required her to know math, and it's because someone replies to her that she realizes she actually said that outloud. 'I need to stop that habit.'

"It's to ensure the piece of clothing you're designing actually fits correctly. You would also need it to calculate how much to charge for that piece of clothing." A boy her age is standing next to the table she's using. He's tall, way too tall and wiry, like one of those swimmers she loved to go and watch practice. And for some reason he's dressed like one of her professors, a red plaid shirt over a light blue tee, khaki pants, and a tweed jacket. At least he was wearing cool sneakers. For some reason he looked really happy to be answering her question.

"As you're probably aware, the clothing designing process always starts with a sketch. This sketch will contain shapes, patterns and sizes as well as how they relate to one another in space, in simpler terms, Geometry. Which is one of the fundamental branches of math." Without being invited to, the boy takes a seat in front of her.

"Of course, that is a vital part of the design process," points to his shirt "Squares, triangles, circles and other designs are always present in our clothing and can be easily defined as mathematical in nature, however, even those designs that can be defined as abstract still use geometry to ensure they're aesthetically pleasing." Penny is not sure that he has taken a breath since he started talking and the way he's talking to her reinforces the idea of a professor, he's probably a freshman as well and trying way too hard.

"Math is also used by stores in order to determine stocking rates. And it goes without saying that return on investment is something present at every step of the way to determine that everyone will stand to gain from it. And it's all thanks to…" He trails off and looks at Penny expectantly.

"…Math?..."

"That's right! Excellent. And that's why you need Math in clothing design." He looks so proud of himself that Penny can't help but laugh.

"Okay, okay, thank you for the explanation. Can you then help explain how this formula becomes a graph? I'm not getting it, how is this a circle according to the book?" Penny shows him her book and the formula (x−h)2+(y−k)2=r2.

"Do you have your graphing calculator?"

"My what now?"

"Oh boy. How did you pass your SATs?"

"Hey! Don't be mean."

"I'm sorry. Let me show you how to do it without a calculator."

And the boy did just that, Penny realized that all of this was stuff she had seen in High School but this boy took the time to show her how to solve formulas but also how to graph them on paper. It wasn't exactly fun but she could tell he had experience tutoring people.

"Oh! That's awesome, that makes so much more sense now."

"Yes, math is a wonderful thing."

"Thank you so much. Oh, your food must have arrived at your table by now. I'm sorry for taking so much of your time."

"No worries. I haven't ordered yet. I was approaching you for that reason when I heard you pose your question about math."

"Oh gosh, I'm sorry. Thank you again. Let me get you a menu, don't move from there."

Quickly going through the familiar motions she cleaned his side of the table and got him a menu.

"Don't order dessert, as thanks for helping me understand this. I'll get you a slice of cheesecake after your meal. My treat."

And for the first time he looks uncomfortable "Oh, is this like a gift?"

"No, it's just a way to repay the help you already gave me."

His face clears "Ahh, like Quid Pro Quo?"

"Sure, let's go with that."

"Then, I accept. Thank you." His attention now on the bible of a menu in front of him.

Penny had to smile, this boy was weird but not in a bad way. It was probably his first time away from home and college had been scarier than he expected, and he wasn't being a creep, he hadn't even ogled Penny or tried to make a pass at her. In High School she wouldn't have been friends with him but here it was perfectly normal, maybe they could help each other out with homework. 'I mean, he can't be good at every subject.'

After almost ten minutes of him going through the menu Penny is getting a little impatient. "All of it is good."

"Highly unlike. But this is my first time at this establishment so I suppose that asking for recommendations would be the next logical step. Is there anything that you recommend?"

"Hmmm, how about a burger? I just had the Smokehouse B.B.Q. Burger a few days ago and it's really good."

"I'll have that please, and a glass of lemonade."

"Coming right up."


Penny got him his burger and went right back to work on her assignment, thanks to this boy's help she was getting it and didn't want to stop. If he needed something then he could just ask her.

As Penny worked she took notice of this strange boy, he ate carefully, methodically. Her first thought was that maybe he was feeling awkward eating in front of her but he was ignoring her, completely absorbed in enjoying his burger.

She made good on her promise and got a slice of cheesecake. She got a gut feeling that he had a sweet tooth so she made it a slice of the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cheesecake. She was not disappointed, he basically devoured it.

"Thank you. You were correct on the hamburger and your selection of Cheesecake was equally pleasing. I might make this a weekly visit after today."

"Oh you're welcome Sweetie. I always work this shift so you can find me here." Penny winced, it sounded too much like a come on. But the boy simply nodded and moved to stand up. And okay, Penny had at least been expecting for the boy to ask for her number but he didn't seem interested in her. 'Maybe he's gay.'

"My name is Penny by the way, just realized we never introduced ourselves." She extended a hand to him.

He looked at her hand for a long moment and when she was about to put it down he reached out and shook it.

"My name is Sheldon. Pleased to meet you." He gives her a small shy smile and Penny smiles back.

"I like that, Sheldon. It fits you well. I'll see you around Sheldon."

"Likewise." And he's gone.

Penny likes Sheldon, he's a little high strung and talks like an old timey professor, but he's a good boy, maybe he and Tamika can hit it off, talk science at each other.


After her shift Penny wanted to take advantage of the knowledge still fresh in her brain so she decided to finish all of her math work that same night. She might like this geometry stuff after all.

Tamika entered their dorm and went to slam face first onto her bed.

"Not a great party I take it?" Penny asked seeing the exhausted woman.

"Oh no, fantastic. Simply fantastic." Tamika's voice was slightly muffled but the sarcasm still shone strongly. "Boy genius is everything they claim and more. And he's an ass, not five minutes into the party and he's already offended everyone. I don't know how he plans to lecture with that attitude." Tamika laughs suddenly "And you know the best part? He left his own welcome party halfway through to go eat lunch." Tamika finally sat up to face Penny "Can you believe that?. And his first lecture is in a week."

"Wow, sounds like a fun guy."

"I think it'll be an interesting lecture…want to come and see?"

"Me? Why?."

"C'mon, you owe me one."

"Nuh uh."

"I'm going to get Jack to organize a double date with Kurt. So you owe me."

"...Okay."

Penny really wanted that date, she'll go and get bored for an hour and maybe even work on her homework. She's also hoping that Sheldon will help her again.


Penny was kind of getting the hang of this geometry thing. They were teaching them how to sketch correctly and Penny loved it, she could see how it all would come together into a design. And she was thrilled.

It was as if for the first time something clicked about college. She was having fun.

It had been a few days since Sheldon had helped her and she had tried to pay attention around campus to see if she could find him but she hadn't had any luck so far. Maybe he was too shy and only went to classes and then back. He could use a friend and Penny could be that friend.

She didn't see Sheldon until her Thursday shift, she was working the dinner shift and this time the restaurant was a little more active. She still had her notebooks on an empty table at the back but she had less chances to work on it. Penny was really liking the design classes and she had been taking them more seriously.

One moment the table with her stuff is empty and the next moment she looks, Sheldon is sitting there reviewing one of her notebooks. A smile comes to her face because he's once again dressed like a mini-version of a professor…well, not so mini, the boy was tall as heck.

Making her way to him she prepared her notepad, technically this table wasn't at her section but whatever. "Hey Sheldon!"

"Good evening Penny." He gave her a small shy smile and Penny had to resist the urge to say 'Awww' out loud. "I see that you have made strides in your school work. Excellent job."

"Aw thanks Sweetie." Penny blushed a little, it felt nice to hear someone complimenting her progress. "Let me get you a menu."

"No need, I have already memorized it. Thank you."

Penny laughed but Sheldon only looked at her confused. "Wait, you're serious? It's like a bible sized menu."

"I possess an eidetic memory. The menu is forever in my mind now."

"Oh! Wow, that's really cool. So that's how you remember all that math stuff!" Penny pointed a finger at him.

"Yes, it's also fun." Of course he would find it fun.

"Well then Mr. Photographic memory, what can I get you then?"

"Eidetic, not photographic. I can remember sounds, feelings, smells, etc. not just images." He corrected her "And can I please get a California Omelette and a glass of Lemonade please."

"Coming right up."

Just like last time she took peeks at Sheldon while he ate, he once again ate in a very deliberate and methodical manner, like a machine. The smile he had after tasting the omelette though, was very human.

As her section cleared she went to Sheldon. "Can I get you anything else Sweetie?"

"A slice of…" He trailed off frowning in thought, it was the first time Penny had seen him with this intense look and it was because of Cheesecake. 'Wackadoodle' The smile on her face was genuine, Sheldon was really cute. Hopefully no one was bullying him. "A slice of the Fresh Banana Cream Cheesecake please."

"Be right back."

After getting Sheldon his slice of Cheesecake, Penny sat in front of him and watched as he once again devoured his dessert. Sheldon could eat like a beast, maybe he was a swimmer after all.

"Is there something on my face Penny?"

"Oh, no. Sorry, I was lost in thought. Hey Sheldon if it's not much of a bother, can you help me understand this please." Penny pointed to her notebook.

Penny liked how Sheldon explained things. She did not like how he assumed things tho. He talked to her like she should know everything, but to be fair, once she explained that she needed a simple explanation he would make sure to adjust his tutoring.

Sheldon could come off as arrogant but Penny thought it was a defense mechanism. He was probably sheltered his whole life and school was the one place he always did well at so he most likely has a pride thing going on.

"Awesome, thank you Sheldon. I get it now."

"You're welcome Penny. I shall retire now."

"Before you go! I wanted to ask you, what building are you in? Arts, Sciences or Sports?"

Sheldon tilted his head, like a puppy trying to understand something. "Sciences of course."

"Of course, how silly of me." No reaction at her tone. "Well, you know if you are free, on Friday mornings I go and watch the swimming team practice. So if you wanna hang out or something you can find me there." Penny was no longer worried about Sheldon getting the wrong idea.

"Hang out?" He said it as if tasting something for the first time. Unsure if he liked it.

"Yeah, we can talk about stuff, school or life, or do homework together."

He looks confused but then his face clears "Do homework togeth-Oh! Missy told me about this, is this an activity to determine if we can become friends?"

"Yeah, that's right." Missy huh.

"Very well." Sheldon looked really proud of himself, like he just figured out something super important. "I shall see you tomorrow."

"Bye Sweetie." Penny gave him a small waive.


The next day she didn't have to look for Sheldon, he was in the bleachers, near the bottom and had 2 notebooks on his lap. Apparently he was working on both of them at the same time. 'Definitely trying too hard.'

Penny doubts that she'll be able to provide any assistance with his homework.

"Hey Sweetie, morning."

"Good morning Penny." He finally looks up from his notebooks and gives her the now familiar smile. 'He needs to smile more.'

"I am unsure on what we should do to determine if we can become friends. Missy was unhelpful in this regard as she was not in her dorm room when I called her." Sheldon did look confused but eager. Penny took a seat next to him.

"Okay, that's a start. Who's Missy?"

"Missy is my twin sister."

Penny was relieved. Sheldon was a sweet boy and she knew girls that would take advantage of that.

"Oh! You're a twin, that's cool. Where does she go to school?"

"She is currently attending the Nursing program at Galveston College."

"Cool. Oh wait, why Texas?"

"What do you mean?" Honest confusion on his face. Sheldon didn't do great with indirect questions Penny noticed.

"As in, why is she in Texas and you're here in Nebraska?"

"Ah, I see. I'm from Galveston, Texas. Missy's grades limited her scope of options so Galveston College was the best option for her. As for me, well I am-" A shrill whistle and a shout interrupt Sheldon.

"Penny!" Kurt is jogging towards them and he's smiling. He was not part of the swimming team so seeing him here was a nice surprise for Penny. She could already feel herself blushing, Kurt was wearing a white undershirt that exposed a lot of his muscles, red shorts, and a whistle around his neck that completed the lifeguard look.

Penny was already smiling like a fool, but her smile was ripped out of her face by Kurt's words. "Beat it creep. If I see you harassing Penny or any of the girls from the swim team I'll beat your ass."

'Oh God no.' Why did Kurt have to be an idiot and harass Sheldon. Penny had liked Kurt a lot and now she was going to have to beat his ass. Penny was already turning to apologize to Sheldon, expecting to see him frightened but against her expectations he looked as cool as a cucumber.

"Fascinating. You and Jason Davies must share a common ancestor. Though I suppose it stands to reason it was from the Neanderthal branch seeing your protruding forehead."

Penny gaped at Sheldon, he had just insulted Kurt without any kind of fear. Now she most definitely was going to have to kick Kurt's ass if he tried to hurt Sheldon. But Kurt only looks confused, she's not sure if at the words or at the lack of fear from his would-be victim.

"What did you just say to me?" No anger in Kurt's voice, just honest confusion.

"Language is both a blessing and a curse. I suppose in your case it's more of the latter than the former. Allow me to try and simplify this so even you can understand-" Sheldon's words are cut off by Kurt hauling up by the front of his jacket and Penny has seen enough.

"Let. Him. Go. Kurt." Penny comes between them and she tries to remove Kurt's hand from Sheldon's jacket but Kurt is built like a brick house and she's not having much luck.

"Wait, Penny? You're on this freak's side?" Kurt can't understand why she's getting in the way, he's supposed to be the hero.

"He's my friend Kurt, now let him go before I kick your ass."

Kurt doesn't get the chance to respond. A heavy hand on his shoulder and a very unamused voice interrupts him. "Young man, let go or I will make you let go." Two campus security officers are flanking Kurt and one even has a baton out. Kurt finally lets go of Sheldon.

Sheldon is not even looking anxious, he is more concerned about his jacket being crumpled than being moments away from being punched.

"Are you okay Sheldon?" It was way too early for this.

"I am. Thank you for your concern Penny. And for defending me." Shy smile directed her way.

Penny looks back at Kurt and the officers but he's already being escorted away. 'Goddammit Kurt' It seemed that Kurt hadn't quite figured out that this was no longer High School. Penny made a mental note to let Tamika know that Kurt was no longer an option.

"No worries Sweetie, I got you. Now, how about we go somewhere else? Oh! I know, I've been meaning to go to the Aquarium, wanna go?" Penny shakes her car keys at him.

They spend the first half of the day at the aquarium and Penny has to admit that she had a great time. Sheldon was like her own walking encyclopedia, he had knowledge about seemingly every subject.

She also learned that Sheldon loved fish, but he was particularly fascinated by the glowing jellyfish. He talked her ear off about how very soon in the future people could have fish that acted as night lights and Penny could only shake her head at him. He was really cute in an innocent way.

They had a quick lunch at a McDonald's and since the Zoo was right there, they might as well spend the rest of the day there. Penny refused to acknowledge the flutter in her at seeing Sheldon smile at the baby koalas. Nope, no flutter there.

"Hey Sheldon, want to go grab dinner before breaking off?"

"Oh my, it's already this late. Yes please."

And that's how they end up at the only Chinese restaurant near the University. Penny thinks this is a great time to continue with some of the conversation from earlier.

"So, Sheldon, since your family is back in Texas, where are you living at right now?" She was curious about this, he seemed like a sheltered boy.

"I have an apartment at the Swivel building."

"Wait, the one next to the Target? And you live alone?"

"That is correct, on both accounts."

Sheldon liked to surprise Penny a lot. The Swivel building was a high end apartment building. Penny had gone there once for a party and it was an amazing building…and expensive as heck.

"Wait, who is paying for it?"

"The University." And he went back to this Orange chicken like it was the most normal thing to do.

"Sheldon…are you smart-smart? Like super smart?"

For the first time since meeting him Penny can see Sheldon blush and look away shily. "...yeah."

Damn, if she had been a better student she could have gotten a scholarship and an apartment like Sheldon here but no, she had to be dumb.

"That's awesome Sheldon." And it really was, he was so sweet but he looked lonely. Well, he now had Penny as a friend and wouldn't have to be alone anymore. "Hey Sheldon, I was going to invite you to my dorm room tomorrow to ask for your help on some math stuff, but since you live alone can we meet in your apartment? I'll buy us lunch as thanks."

"I suppose that is acceptable." And just like that she had a date with Sheldon. 'No. Not a date-date. A study-date, as in friends studying together.'

Penny dropped Sheldon off at his building and made plans to meet him the next day at 2 PM. She kept smiling on her way to the dorm. It was fun to simply go out with a boy without him trying to grope her inappropriately or try and convince her that her car is the perfect place to hook up.

She was looking forward to Saturday already.


Coming back to her dorm Tamika jumped on her as soon as she crossed the door.

"Have you heard?!" Tamika had her 'I've got good gossip' face.

"About what?"

"Kurt!"

Penny grimaced "Ugh, no thanks. No longer interested in that double date." Penny waved her hand and moved out of Tamika's grasp.

"What? No. Kurt is gone."

At that Penny stopped and turned to look at the other girl "Gone?"

"He got himself expelled!"

"Holy crap! How?" Kurt must have attacked the officers or something, damn, she dodged a bullet.

"Apparently he attacked a faculty member!" Tamika looked happy to be able to be the one to break the news.

"No way!" Penny was shocked. Kurt really was that dumb, after his confrontation with Sheldon he must have gone berserk and attacked a professor or something.

"Yes way! And Jack says that Kurt was weeping and apologizing."

"Nuts. I actually saw him this morning. I was with a friend sitting on the bleachers you know?"

"Of course, Friday morning."

"Exactly, so we were there and Kurt comes and pulls my friend from the front of his jacket and next moment I see Campus security dragging Kurt away, he must have been brought in front of the dean or something afterwards for him to get expelled."

"Holy shit, he caught you 'macking with someone?"

"Errr, no. We were just talking and I don't like how that word sounds, don't use it."

"Why not? My dad uses it."

Penny shudders "Ew, no, it sounds gross. And not the point. We were just talking and Kurt was trying to, I don't know, be an Alpha male or something. And my poor sweet friend almost got punched."

"Oh damn, that's who you were out with? Your 'friend'?" Tamika did air quotes and had a shit eating grin on her face.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's not like that. This is a sweet boy from the science courses, if you weren't dating Jack I would have played matchmaker with you two so you could talk science to each other. Poor guy is all alone."

"Oh wow, I was joking but it sounds like you're crushing on this guy."

"Nah. I could never, he's too sweet for me."

"Does this mystery friend have a name?"

"His name is-" A pounding at the door interrupts her.

"Baaaabe, c'mon, let's go!"

"Coming!" Tamika had a set of pipes. "I had a date with Jack, but do you want to come with us?"

Penny really loved her roommate but she couldn't miss the look of 'please don't actually say yes' on her face. Someone was getting busy tonight and it wasn't Penny.

"Go, have fun. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yay! You're the best. Don't wait up."

A quick kiss on the cheek and Tamika is gone. That girl was falling in love and didn't even realize it. Jack was from the Athletic training program as well but unlike Kurt was taking school seriously. He wanted to be a rehab specialist…and Tamika was falling head over heels for him.

Why couldn't Penny find that as well? Was it really so hard?.

Before going to bed Penny made sure to put everything she needed to do work in her bag. Sheldon was already willing to help her so it was better to be prepared. Right before falling asleep Penny realized she never agreed on a time to meet with Sheldon. Good thing she had at least asked for his apartment number.

'You got lucky Penelope. You dodged a bullet with Kurt and made a friend.' That was Penny's last thought before falling asleep.


Ever since coming to college, Penny would try to sleep in as much as possible. No longer being in the farm meant she no longer had to wake up at ungodly hours to help around with chores. Not having the breakfast shift at the Factory meant Penny slept in until noon. And today was no different, she woke up at 11 with some change and by 11:45 she was ready to start her day.

And yeah, Sheldon was not interested in her in that way but she still has her pride so she's wearing cute jeans and a blouse with some cleavage…because, okay, she was just curious and wanted to see if Sheldon would take a peek. Just healthy curiosity, that's all.

Penny is debating whether to buy something to eat or not but the grumbling in her tummy makes the decision for her. A short stop for a donut and crappy coffee and she's ready to finally go to Sheldon's apartment. She's glad that they never agreed on a time because by the time she arrived at his apartment door, it was closer to 1 than to 12.

*Knock, Knock* And the door opens a moment later.

"Good afternoon Penny." Sheldon was still dressed the same way as the other times she saw him. Penny was hoping that during weekends he would be a jeans and tee kind of guy.

"Hey Sheldon!"

The apartment is immaculate, as in scary clean. Poor guy must be afraid of dirtying the place up. She puts her bag on a chair and looks around for any pictures or posters but there's nothing like that.

"The walls look a little bare there, Sheldon. Not one for decorating?"

"Ah, this is only a temporary residence. I will not be using it after 3 months so I find it unnecessary to decorate."

Ouch, so he was not here permanently, it made sense, it was the start of the year so the dorms were full to the brim, Penny had gotten lucky and scored hers pretty early on. And if Sheldon was as smart as she suspected then that meant the school was probably waiting for one of the single dorm rooms to become available for Sheldon to move in. Lucky bastard, those dorms had their own showers. 'Maybe I can convince him to let me use his shower?'

"I see, too bad, this is a fantastic apartment."

"It is satisfactory I must admit. Would you like a beverage?"

And that's how Penny finds herself doing homework and advancing on her sketching class on a Saturday afternoon instead of going to a party or getting drunk. This is the shocking part, Penny is having fun.

Sheldon truly made for a great tutor. Penny was getting the hang of how to ask him questions. He did horribly with indirect questions or requests, but if you told him straight up what you needed, he immediately adjusted. It was a nice change of pace.

She only made him mad once while he helped her and it was for a very unexpected reason.

"I don't get it. Maybe I am really stupid."

"Penny." It's his serious tone that makes her look up from her notebook "You are not stupid." Sheldon's blue eyes are bright and full of something she can't identify. It makes her laugh nervously, she hadn't really noticed how blue his eyes were.

"Sorry, bad joke." Penny mumbles.

Sheldon makes sure she gets it. He is very intense when helping her but Penny likes it, if only her teachers were like this she wouldn't feel like a failure so often. So what if needs a little more help than others, it didn't make her less.

And it's because it's on her mind that she blurts out the question to Sheldon.

"Sheldon…Do you think there's a place for me here, in college?"

Sheldon's face focuses on her fully, he is frowning in confusion. "What do you mean? Everyone has a place in College."

"No, no. I meant…well, it's just that, I feel like I struggle more than others at this stuff. Even now I'm asking for your help when I see all my classmates just do this without any concerns. And, and, and I chose this Major because I thought it would help me become an actress but no, and…I just wonder if I should keep going."

Penny can't look at Sheldon directly, she's doodling nonsense on her notebook. She's not even sure why she asked him.

"Why wouldn't it help you become an actress?" She finally looks up and Sheldon is not looking at her funny or giving her pitying looks. Sheldon is giving her his full attention and taking her seriously.

"I mean, it can?"

"Of course it can, a BFA or a MFA can go a long way in helping you, or you can join the drama club and get theater experience which can be invaluable for obtaining future roles. As for options outside of college you can go to acting classes, there's also summer programs that foster upcoming actors." Sheldon's intense look makes it impossible for Penny to look away. "Experience is important, and University can give you that room to obtain it, while also giving you the opportunity to network with people in the acting business. Many actors have been discovered thanks to theater. You are already on the correct road."

Penny felt like crying, this is all she wanted to hear. Not her mom calling her stupid for wanting to act, not her dad looking at her in disappointment. Not her high school friends laughing at her dream and not the condescending looks of boys that just wanted to get in her pants.

"Thank you Sheldon." Penny's voice was watery but the smile she gave him was all happiness.

Needing to take a break she offered to go pick up lunch and Sheldon agreed. Since she was buying she told him it would be a surprise but seeing him start to get uncomfortable Penny cracked and told him she was going to get Italian subs which seemed to calm him down.

As she went to pick up lunch Penny had to admit that Sheldon was more mature than what she had given him credit for. He didn't laugh at her dream and reassured her that she was doing the right thing, maybe she could stick with college for a little longer.


Sheldon liked the sandwich enough to ask her where she got it from, so that's a win in her book. After lunch Penny is not quite ready to go back to studying.

"Hey Sheldon, don't you miss your family?"

"I miss my Meemaw and my mother."

Penny frowns slightly, "What about your twin sister?"

"Missy and I have drifted apart. Same with my older brother and his wife, and their daughter." There's a tone of something in his voice.

"But you miss them."

"...I find myself thinking about them." Now Sheldon is the one having difficulty looking at her.

"My mom isn't a great person. She keeps drinking until she passes out, my dad resents her for it but does nothing. Coming to college was like a breath of fresh air, I was finally free from them. And even with all that, I find myself missing them at times." Penny usually needs to be drunk to tell someone this. "They were shitty parents, but they still are my parents."

The silence in the room is heavy.

"Missy and Georgie both resented me from a young age. It was easier to breach that gap when we were younger, however, as we grew older we were unable to do the same. My brother had his own family to worry about of course, but Missy…I miss what we had when we were younger." Sheldon looks resigned and sad.

"Can you tell me about your Meemaw?"

Sheldon's face immediately brightens and he tells her about his Meemaw, the woman with the underground casino, about her love for cigarettes and R-rated movies, teaching Sheldon how to shoot, teaching him how to bake cookies and how she tried and failed to teach him how to lie.

Penny can see it, a young Sheldon sticking to his Meemaw's side in a house full of people that couldn't understand him.

Penny told him about growing up trying to be the perfect son until her breasts started growing and her dad basically stopped talking to her. About Junior Rodeo and how even to this day she sort of misses it. And how she didn't miss the farm work but did miss the animals.

And Sheldon told her about his father. Sheldon had loved his father, but then he lost his job and that changed him. It made him drink a lot more and it made him cruel, his mother the recipient of most of it. When his dad died it had come as more of a relief for the entire family, but that only further fractured it.

Penny had been right about Sheldon, he was lonely.

But not anymore, he had Penny.

They would kill it at UNO and college life.


Studying and homework goes out the window after that talk.

They simply get to know each other. Penny tries to teach Sheldon the greatness of Rom-coms while Sheldon tries to get her to give Star Trek a chance. They end up watching The Lord of the Rings on Sheldon's couch and Penny hates to admit that she's into it.

Sheldon got her good, she loves the friendship between Frodo and Sam, it's unfair how hot Arwen is and once Aragorn and Legolas come into play that's all Penny needs to love the movie. She's heartbroken to find out it's only the first film of a trilogy that is not even fully out yet.

"Sheldon! We need to go watch that movie when it comes out!"

"Funny that you mention it, it's slated to premiere next month in cinemas."

"Yay, then we gotta go."

"Very well Penny." Sheldon gave her another shy smile. This boy needed to smile more.

"Thank you very much for today Sheldon, I'll get out of your hair now."

"Out of my hair? But you haven't touched my hair."

"No, I mean, I'll go back to my dorm now."

"Ah, I see. I'll walk you to the door." Penny made sure to not forget anything and was soon standing outside of Sheldon's door. "So, thank you again Sheldon. Goodnight."

"You're welcome Penny. Goodnight." And he closed the door on her face.

Penny pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at the closed door. She wasn't expecting Sheldon to invite her to spend the night, but he hadn't even peeked at her cleavage. It didn't sit right with her, made her feel like she was losing. 'Okay Penny, kinda messed up thinking there.'

Maybe Sheldon just wasn't interested. Maybe he was gay.


Penny didn't see Sheldon again until Tuesday morning. It was another practice day for the Swimming club and when penny arrived at the bleachers Sheldon was already there writing something on a notebook.

"Hey Sheldon, mornin' "

"Hello Penny. Good morning."

Penny smiled at him, she was glad he was looking for her. Maybe Sheldon could be her gay best friend.

They sat side by side, Sheldon working on his notebook while Penny watched the male members of the club practice. As soon as they were done Penny tapped Sheldon's knee. "Hey Sheldon, let's go get breakfast, my treat. I want a breakfast burrito."

Sheldon jumped a little at her touch but did not say anything about the tap. At least he finally looked up from his notebook. "A breakfast burrito does sound…" and he just trailed off looking at where the pool was.

Penny turned and the first thing she saw was the women from the club walking towards the other end of the pool. Sheldon was looking at them. Well, to be more exact, he was looking at their asses.

'Huh, so much for a gay best friend.'

Feeling a bit annoyed, Penny snapped her fingers in front of Sheldon's face until he looked at her. The blush on his face meant he knew he was caught.

"Enjoying the view?" Penny raised her eyebrows.

Sheldon grimaced, blush still on his face. "I apologize Penny. I got distracted. We were discussing going for breakfast burritos."

"I mean, I was. You were trying to-" Sheldon yelped.

"A breakfast burrito sounds like an excellent idea. Let's go." And he grabbed her by the hand to pull her towards the parking lot, his face red all the way to her car. 'Wackadoodle.'


Once they had their respective breakfast burritos and they were sitting on a bench outside the McDonald's Penny decided to mess with Sheldon.

"So…you're an ass man." Not a question.

Sheldon glared at her but Penny just glared back. "Penny. Liking women with good birthing hips is a biological response and-"

"That's a yes then."

Sheldon glared at her and she could see a small twitch on his cheek. He did not reply to her and took another bite of his burrito.

"I mean, that's perfectly fine. I was just wondering why you weren't-"

"Penny. I will be more than happy to assist you with your next assignment if you let this matter rest."

Penny put a finger to her chin, pretending to think it over. Sheldon did look embarrassed and she had gotten her answer about why he didn't peek at her cleavage, Sheldon was an ass man.

"Okay Sheldon. Deal." Penny stood up and dusted off her jean-clad butt more forcefully than it was necessary, but she never took her eyes off from Sheldon and sure enough, his eyes were on her butt as she dusted imaginary dirt from it. 'Oh yeah, an ass man.'

"Hey buster! My eyes are up here." Penny couldn't keep the laughter out of her voice. Sheldon simply glared at her.


Penny had dropped off Sheldon at the sciences building, he said that he had a class to prepare for and that was fine, Penny was meeting Tamika at the cafeteria. Even with Kurt gone the other girl had forced Penny to go with her to the 'Boy Genius' class.

It was fine, Penny could lose one hour of her life on this. Not to mention that it would make Tamika owe her one.

'Dammit, I should have brought Sheldon over. The class he was talking about must have been the Boy Genius one.'

Finding Tamika was easy, the girl was a damn supermodel, you only had to follow the drool marks. "Let's go girl. Boring class time."

"Ugh, don't remind me. This most likely will be a disaster. At least it's only one class, the rest of his lectures will be for undergrads." They walked together to the sciences building and Penny was not so discreetly looking for Sheldon. "What are you doing Penny?"

"Looking for my friend, he most likely will be attending this class as well and I wanted to see if he would sit with us."

"Okay, cool. At least with someone else we can gossip."

No signs of Sheldon on the way to the classroom and neither in the classroom itself. Sheldon was tall and not easy to miss. 'Huh, maybe Math majors don't have interest in this class.'

Giving up on finding Sheldon, she and Tamika found a place near the back of the classroom. If this guy was as much of an asshole as Tamika had described him then it was best to stay away.

Little by little the classroom filled until there was no place to sit, but even that didn't stop people, they were standing up and pressing close to each other like sardines.

"It's a shame you couldn't meet Sheldon, he's crazy for this type of stuff."

"Yea-wait, you said Sheldon?"

An authoritative voice interrupted further talking. It was rare for the Dean to address them, this only reinforced that this was not a normal situation. "Listen up everyone. I want you all to pay close attention. UNO was very lucky to be able to get Dr. Cooper for these 3 months. Take advantage of it and don't waste Dr. Cooper's time."

'Huh, Cooper like Sheldon, small world.'

"Dr. Cooper. The floor is yours."

And there, emerging from the back of the dean Penny saw her new friend, the boy that had helped her with homework, that introduced her to Lord of the Rings and the boy that was checking her ass this morning.

"Thank you Dean. My name is Dr. Sheldon Cooper and I'm here to try and teach you the wonderful world of physics. I am certain that my lectures will be wasted on you, but alas, I will still provide them."

Holy crap on a cracker. Sheldon was an asshole…


Penny was having a rough time trying to fit the Sheldon in front of her with the Sheldon from her memories. He was always arrogant, yes, but to her it was never more than a front.

But the guy lecturing a room full of people was an asshole. No other way around it.

Penny knew that this lecture wasn't aimed at her, but seeing Tamika's confused and awed expression meant that she wasn't getting it either. And Penny was getting pissed. She knew that Sheldon hadn't lied to her, he had never told her that he was a Freshman or something like that, it was her bad habit of assuming things.

If Penny was honest, she was trying to find a reason to be pissed at Sheldon. But she was coming up empty…present lecture not counting of course. Who knew that Sheldon could speak with so much derision and smugness.

"Hey. Are you getting any of this?" Penny whispered to Tamika.

"Like 10% Maybe, at best." Her friend sounded frustrated and Penny didn't like that.

Penny pursed her lips and tried to think how was this the same Sheldon that had been so patient with her, could it be possible for someone to change so muc-

A hitch on Sheldon's breath and a small widening of his eyes as he noticed Penny sitting in the back. But what got Penny's attention was that his tone of voice lost the smugness. He now just sounded like the Sheldon she knew.

Huh.

Scribbling quickly on the back of her notebook she made sure her chicken scratch was legible before pointing at Sheldon, she was sure he would be able to make out the words without problem 'I'm not getting it Sheldon.'

She wasn't sure if it worked or not but seeing Tamika start taking notes like her life depended on it made Penny think that it might have worked.

"How much are you getting now?"

"Like 70%, he made it easier to understand."

Penny smiled and blew a kiss at Sheldon. He didn't react, but she knew he normally didn't have such rosy cheeks.


The lecture was supposed to be 1 hour long, Sheldon went on for 2. Penny's ass was starting to hurt and she was hoping that Sheldon would wrap it up. But it took the Dean to finally step in and interrupt Sheldon for the dang lecture to be wrapped up.

Penny wanted to go and talk to Sheldon but everyone and their mother had the same idea and a line was starting to form to meet Sheldon. Like he was a long lost member of NSYNC. Penny simply waved at him and went about her day, still thinking about this discovery of hers.

She wasn't worried about not seeing Sheldon, he had mentioned going later to the Factory for his dinner, during Penny's shift. They would get the chance to talk later. But for now, she had a best friend to deal with while they walked back to their dorm.

"Dr. Sheldon Cooper is your Sheldon?"

"Not mine as in mine. But yeah, he's my friend."

"Wow, how can you deal with such an asshole?"

"Hey! He's not an asshole. I mean, yeah, I wasn't a fan of his tone at the start of the lecture but he adjusted pretty quickly right?" Penny was fiercely defensive of her friends and yeah, Sheldon was her friend. He might have been an arrogant ass, but he was her arrogant ass friend.

Sheldon just got too much into his own head.

"Uh huh, right. Whatever you say."

"He is pretty nice once you get to know him. He likes Lord of the Rings and Star Trek, he knows how to shoot, he really loves his grandma and he is a little particular about food but nothing out of this world."

"..."

"Don't look at me like that."

"I'm not looking at you in any way." Tamika lied.

"Well, don't. Sheldon is nice but it's not like that."

"..."

"I mean, of course he is cute and tall. And he's really passionate about stuff and he gets this intense look in his eyes that makes them look even more blue. But it's not like that."

"..."

"I mean, we barely know each other. So it would be crazy right?"

"..."

"And you know what? He's an ass man."

"..."

"Oh shut up."


Penny kept thinking about Sheldon for the rest of the day. Even as her shift at the Factory started, she just couldn't focus on anything else, and yet for all of that thinking the same question kept popping up over and over.

Did this change things?

And she didn't have an answer. Sheldon hadn't lied to her, it was literally bad luck that she didn't find out until now. The Kurt thing now made more sense, and Sheldon hadn't been the one to push for his expulsion, he'd spent the entire day with her and he never brought it up again.

No wonder he was so good at Math…shaking her head to clear it, Penny decided that she needed answers to a couple of questions and they could take it from there.

As if reading her mind, Sheldon walked through the doors of the restaurant and made a beeline towards her.

"Evening' Sheldon."

"Good Evening Penny."

Penny sat Sheldon at the table containing her school stuff. It was in the back and they could talk without anyone getting in their way, Tuesdays were slow so she could take her time. Sheldon once again ordered his burger and lemonade.

Sheldon ate and Penny worked her tables. She had a good idea on what to ask him and weirdly enough she thought that she had the answers, but assuming had burned her before, so this time she would not assume anything and just be direct with Sheldon. He thrived with direct questions anyway.

"Hey Sheldon, mind I ask you a question?"

"I assume that you are referring to me answering the question you ask and not the fact that you are asking me a question?"

"Err, yes."

"Amazing, I'm on fire this month. Yes you may ask me a question that I will answer."

Penny had to laugh at how proud of himself he looked, this was the Sheldon she knew.

"Why didn't you tell me that you were a visiting…lecturer?" Penny wasn't sure if to call him a professor or not.

"Oh. You never asked. Was it an oversight on my part?" His puppy head tilt was back.

"No, I just assumed that you were another freshman like me."

Sheldon ponders her question seriously "Ah, I see. Thinking back on our interactions I can see how this misunderstanding occurred." He ran his hand nervously on his pants and his face was suddenly cautious. "Is this an impediment for us to continue being friends?" His voice was calm but Penny didn't miss how his hand was trying to wear out a line on his pants.

"Oh no, nononononono Sweetie." Penny reached a hand across the table to stop Sheldon's hand from hurting his leg. "We're still friends."

Sheldon sighs in relief and even he looks surprised by it. Her friend didn't want to lose her and it warmed Penny's heart.

"Good. The idea of no longer interacting with you is strangely distressing."

"Aw, you would miss me?"

"I believe I just said that." Okay, Sheldon was still a little bit of an ass but she could live with that.

"Sometimes you use too many words, Sheldon."

"Penny, I have not mentioned this before but proper grammar-" And off he went, Penny didn't really pay attention to his lecture, but at the way his throat moved and how his eyes shined.

Penny kept holding Sheldon's hand until he asked for his slice of Pie.

"Can we still meet on the pool bleachers, Penny?" Sheldon was polishing the last of his pie but he refused to look Penny in the eye. 'So cute.'

"Of course Sweetie." Sheldon smiled at her "Even if I know you only go there to ogle the girls' butts." Sheldon's smile turns to a glare. "I'm joking! I'm joking!"

Penny was fully aware that Sheldon was only going to be here for 3 months so she'd make the most of it.


Penny found that being friends with Sheldon was both cool and exasperating. She loved the boy but he could be really particular about stuff that didn't matter.

Penny had wanted to study for a test and decided to switch her dinner shift for the breakfast one, she forgot to tell Sheldon and that night she had an angry texan boy knocking on her dorm door. Apparently he would only eat at the Factory if Penny was the one serving him. Which was cute but also a little too much.

And this same Wackadoodle also managed to be super sweet without meaning to. She confided about her fears of not being good enough to become an actress and Sheldon simply said "Penny. Your presence is magnetic and alluring. I'm starting to question your cognitive abilities if you are unable to see that and how invaluable it is for someone trying to become an actress."

Not exactly the rousing speech at the end of a Romantic movie but she knew Sheldon meant well. And the one thing she learned during the last 2 months was that Sheldon couldn't lie, like at all. If he tried to lie his face would become a twitching mess and he would end up blurting out the truth a moment later.

"Sheldon, pop quiz! Do I have a nice ass?"

"..." Sheldon's face twitched like a machine about to pop. "Yes." He said it through gritted teeth and his face cleared of twitching.

"Aw thanks."

"Penny. I fail to see the amusement in my reactions to that question. Today marks the eleventh time you have asked me this."

"Sheldon, sometimes a girl needs to feel appreciated without being harassed. I know you can't lie and it's sweet."

"Oh…so you're obtaining reassurance from my answer?."

"I am."

"Fascinating."

And two days later it comes to bite her in the ass.

"Sheldon, pop quiz! Do I have a nice ass?"

"Yes Penny. One of the best I have personally seen."

Penny could feel her face erupt in flames at his sure and confident tone. Sheldon's face was clear of any twitching. She was confident in her body but to hear him say it like that made her feel like a 14 year old holding hands with her crush.

She had to bring her hands up to her face, she glared through her fingers at Sheldon. "Okay, you win Sheldon."

Sheldon just looked confused.

Damn Wackadoodle.


"Hey Pen, not to be the bff that gets in your business but are you sure about this?" Tamika looked at Penny with some apprehension.

"What do you mean?" Penny didn't have to fake the confusion on her face, she didn't have a clue about what Tamika was talking about.

"...I don't know if you're this dense or if I'm the one overthinking this. But…are you sure you want to go on that date with Dean tonight?"

Penny stopped putting on makeup to turn and look at her roommate and best friend "Why?..." she dragged the word.

"Well, I'm all for girl power but…"

"But?"

"But you're dating Dr. Cooper right? And now you're going on a date with another boy. I just feel like I should say something before you go through with this."

Penny shook her head "Wait, what? Nonononononono, I'm not dating Sheldon! We're just friends."

"Penny." Tamika's face was unamused "I've been witness to you asking him about your ass and him completing it. That's not something 'just friends' do."

Penny tried to talk but she could only open and close her mouth without any sounds coming out. Eventually, breathless, she said "No. No. No. Sheldon and I are just friends."

"Does Dr. Cooper know about your date tonight?"

"Yes. I told him because I had to switch shifts again and I don't want a repeat of last time. Especially if I get lucky and Dean comes back here at the end of the date." Penny wiggled her eyebrows at Tamika in the reflection of the mirror.

"And he's fine with it?"

"Yes!" Penny was getting tired of this 3rd degree "He's fine with it because we're just friends."

"Okay." Tamika said in a tone that expressed that no, it wasn't okay.

"Look, Sheldon doesn't have an interest in dating. Anyone. He said so himself when I asked."

"Okay." That same tone "I'll get out of your hair, I have a date with Jack."

Tamika grabbed her purse and left their room. Only to return a moment later "I just think you're making a mistake. That's it. I'm not saying anything else. Take care, have fun, bye bye." And the door closed gently behind her.

As she finished getting ready, Penny considered her friend's words, but still thought she was mistaken. Of course she'd thought about Sheldon in that way, but to start, he really wasn't her usual type. Sure he was tall, but he was wiry. Penny preferred men like Dean, he was a friend of Jack from the same course and from everything Jack had told her, he was a good guy.

'Pfffft me and Sheldon. Right.'

Sheldon himself had pretty much told her that he wasn't interested in dating. He was going to win a Nobel and he lacked the necessary emotions. Called himself a robot. Of course Penny had to smack him in the back of the head and tell him "Would a robot love his Meemaw?"

So, no. Nothing between Sheldon and her.

Even if he no longer flinched when she touched him. Or that on those cold mornings when they met by the pool and then walked to get donuts, Sheldon would allow her to grab his arm as she nuzzled into his side.

'Goddamn it.'

If only Sheldon would love her like that. But Penny couldn't think about this right now.

She had a date to get ready for.


Dean was a nice enough guy. He wasn't as smart or funny as Sheldon but who was?

That third month was a mess for Penny, she needed to keep her friendship with Sheldon while at the same time dating Dean. Thankfully Jack had pulled Dean aside and explained the tall geeky boy was actually a faculty member (temporary) and NOT dating Penny.

It was rough, but Penny didn't want to just ditch Sheldon. She had made a promise to herself that he would no longer be alone and she kept her promises. Also, one time she had to cancel an outing with Sheldon because Dean wanted to go watch a movie and while for everyone else Sheldon didn't show any emotions to those news, Penny could see it, the way he slouched a little, how his tone became a little more emotionless. Sheldon had been hurt. 'Never again.'

Penny had also asked Sheldon for help to set up an email so they could stay in contact even when he went back to California and he had happily agreed. She hadn't told him but she was starting to save money so she could go and visit him in California eventually. Sheldon didn't do well with surprises but she was confident he wouldn't mind…she hoped.

Almost like that first time she met him, the day he was supposed to leave he had dinner at the Factory while she worked. Well, not exactly worked, she was on the floor but as soon as Sheldon arrived she stayed at this table talking to him.

"I'm going to miss you a lot Sheldon."

"I find myself oddly reluctant to return to Pasadena. The idea once brought me comfort but now it's a source of distress."

"So you're going to miss me as well, huh?"

"I believe I just said that."

Penny laughed, it was easy to do that instead of crying. She didn't want to cry, she could do that later in her bed.

"You have to promise me, you will email me at least once a week."

"I promise." Maybe it was her imagination but Sheldon looked quite sad as well. He was writing something in one of her notebooks. "Penny. I think you're my best friend."

Goddamn tears. Penny had to hug Sheldon after he said that, she squeezed him and buried her head in the crook of his shoulder. "You're my best friend Sheldon." She sobbed.

Sheldon left for California that night, and he emailed her as soon as he was back in his apartment.

Penny would forget about what Sheldon had written in her notebook until it was pointed out to her by a classmate: (x^2 + y^2 – 1)^3 = x^2 y^3

'Wackadoodle, always with the math.'


Notes: Don't be like Penny. Graph that formula that Sheldon left her into a free online graphing calculator.