A Shenny Romance (Big Bang Theory Fanfic)

Chapter 2-Challenge Accepted

"Sheldon said yes?" Raj's eyes widened incredulously.

"Yeah, isn't that shocking?" Leonard continued to say. 

"Hello gentlemen, I'm still here." Sheldon said, feeling miffed that they were talking over him. He set down his Chinese takeway and chopsticks. "Like I said, it's going to be a new experiment which I am going to design, about the possibility of humans adapting to a new environment or practice which is quite the opposite of what the individual normally does, in this case, it's me babbling Shakespeare and Penny pondering over equations." 

"That does sound very intriguing." Howard nodded thoughtfully. "Who knows Sheldon, maybe this will change your opinion of the Arts!"

Before Sheldon could answer, a knock sounded on the door. Being the closest to the door, Leonard shuffled over and opened it, finding Penny on the doorstep much to his delight.

"Hey Penny! What brings you here?" Leonard smiled kindly.

"I'm just here to borrow some salt if you have any? I'm preparing dinner and I ran out." Penny replied.

"Why don't you come in and have dinner with us instead?" Leonard offered. "I could introduce you to my friends at the same time!"

"If it's not too much of a bother," Penny stepped in and smiled polietely at the guys. "Hey!"

"You're Penny? The lady from across the hall?" Howard asked, mystified. He quickly collected himself and shot her a grin. "You and me, we totally have a shot, eh?"

Penny frowned. 

"I'm sorry, that's Howard being his obnoxious self." Leonard shot him a glare. "There's Raj, He can't talk to girls." Leonard gestured towards an Indian guy who waved shyly.

"It's a bit of a squeeze, hope you don't mind. Can you please move over for a wee bit, Sheldon?" Leonard asked, a pleading look in his eyes.

"This is my spot. It's not meant for sharing." Sheldon said stubbornly. 

"Whatever." Penny rolled her eyes. She can't believe she'd actually thought he was a gentleman. 

"Please don't act so indifferent towards me, I'm already doing you a favour by agreeing to your bet." Sheldon said, poking at his tangerine chicken. "Plus you have a lot to gain by studying Science."

Penny was unfazed. "I already have in mind what we're going to do tomorrow. So after I knock off at around 5, you'll be coming with me to my acting lessons until 730, then I will go for my classes."

"Won't you be burned out?" Leonard asked, worried.

"Thanks, but I'll be fine. Back in Nebraska, I had to wake up every morning at 5am to do chores." Penny said. 

"Doesn't sound so bad." Sheldon shrugged. 

"Yeah, it doesn't." Howard piped up. "Can I come along?"

"No, you may not, because you'll be busy baby-sitting your mom. " Leonard fired back, causing Howard's face to burn with embarrassment. Smiling, he turned to Sheldon. "Tell us how it turns out then, buddy!"

"I'll send you the full report at the end of it." Sheldon said seriously. 

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"May I ask what's this strange thing you're doing with your mouths right now?" Sheldon said, feeling extremely uncomfortable. All around him, people (mainly girls) looked like ducks as they did some movement which made their lips vibrate with intensity.

"It's called warm-up exercises. Before every lesson starts, we're required to sing a song which reflects the role we're portraying." Penny said. "It helps us get into our roles."

Before Sheldon could reply, a curvy black woman strutted in. 'Ladies, gentlemen! Our lesson is going to start in- why, I believe I haven't seen you before." she arched a perfectly trimmed brow towards Sheldon.

"This is Sheldon Cooper, my friend. He just signed up today." Penny introduced. "Sheldon, this is Mrs Jensen, our drama teacher."

"Ah, Sheldon. Any acting experience?"

Sheldon let out a chuckle which sounded like a dog panting/. "God, no. I would never-"

"He doesn't." Penny interrupted. "But he's very keen to learn, aren't you Sheldon?"

"I don't really have a choice." Sheldon murmured. 

"Ok Sheldon... what kind of person would you say you are? Extrovert, introvert? Cheerful, quiet?" Ms Jensen tilted her head.

"I try to avoid human interaction at all possible costs,  and despite my social awkwardness, I believe what is more crucial is human intelligence, which I have in excess." Sheldon replied smoothly. " I also have an edeitic memory, so I can memorise lines very quickly." 

Ms Jensen blinked rapidly. "Well,' she paused. "You seem perfect for the role of the eccentric genius."

"Ohmygod, that's exactly what he is!" Penny exclaimed.

"Perfect. Shall we get started?" Ms Jensen grinned at her new student. 

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"Wasn't that fun?" Penny said excitedly as they exited.

"Maybe your definition, but not mine." Sheldon answered stiffly.

"I caught you mouthing your lines during our two-minute break when everyone was chilling," Penny accused.

"The words felt wrong! No genius would say the lines in that manner. And Ms Jensen lied, she said I was going to be an eccentric genius."

"Yeah, you are! I mean, were."

"So how come you and all the girls were all over me? Eccentric geniuses don't get girls, you know." Sheldon said seriously, his blue eyes bright with challenge.

Penny felt her heart quicken. "They're drawn to him by his intelligence, but he's shutting them out."

Sheldon let out his trademark chuckle. "Yeah, right."

"Most girls are superficial. They go for a guy's looks. But in the long run, in the future, intelligent guys are the ones who get the girls in the end." Penny said. She wasn't even sure what she said is true but it sounded pretty legit and it was half-true anyway. Although she realised she was contradicting herself, since well, she tended to go for good-looking, muscle-rippling Abercrombie-esque guys. 

"I don't quite get the logic, but alright." Sheldon shrugged, glancing at his watch. "We better hurry, your lesson is commencing. '

Penny held back a smile as they picked up their pace.

Who says commencing anymore?

A/n: Do vote and comment if you liked it, or what you don't so I can improve. (':