"Go Ahead Smart Guy, Fix Me"

A Lecture and A Dilemma

(sheldon's pov)

Sheldon stood outside of the classroom, waiting anxiously for the lecture until a familiar face greeted him.

"Sheldon?" Paige asked, glancing at him, surprised. She was dressed in a pink shirt with a gray blazer over it.

"Paige?" Sheldon looked at her, equally dumbfounded. "Why are you here?"

She glanced to the side, before looking back at him. "The lecture."

"Well, if you're looking to jump the line, I don't do cutsies."

"No, I'm actually part of the lecture. Professor Patterson's my mentor at UT." Paige informed him, smiling brightly.

Sheldon was taken aback at this. "Really? You're part of the quantum gravity team?"

"Yeah, it's actually really interesting. We've been examining all about-"

"I know what it's about." He cut her off rudely and huffed. "That's why I've been waiting in line for three hours."

"Wow. Three hours just to see me speak? I didn't know you were such a fan." She teased Sheldon, walking past him as his jaw dropped.

~ ~ ~

During the lecture, Sheldon listened to Paige give the lecture along with her colleagues and professor. There was something about her that... he hadn't noticed before. He couldn't take his eyes off her and was on the edge of his seat half the time.

They had their differences, of course, but... maybe Sheldon did just need to get to know her better.

No, this is ridiculous. I don't need to meet more people. I'm here to study. He thought, scolding himself silently.

~ ~ ~

After the lecture was over, Sheldon grabbed his things and left the classroom, heading back to his dorm to work on a few assignments. In fact, he was just about to get started when someone knocked on his door.

He stood up, hesitating, before opening it to reveal Paige. "Oh, hello." Sheldon greeted her.

"You... didn't stay for the Q&A." She noted. Her bag was slung over her shoulder, and her layered bangs perfectly covered her- why was he thinking about this?

Snapping out of it, Sheldon answered, "I had no Qs, and therefore needed no As."

Paige looked from side to side, smiling. "Well, I thought that we could just hang out."

"Why would we do that?" This request took him aback, and his response wasn't exactly as smooth as it could have been.

"'Cause we're friends."

"Are we? One time, you punched me in the face." He recalled.

"Well, yeah, that's what friends do." She shrugged as if it was obvious. "Can I come in?"

Sheldon chose to deftly avoid the question. After all, he had just reminded himself to focus on what was important. "Why aren't you spending the afternoon with your colleagues?"

"Well, Professor Patterson took the team out for drinks... Kinda leaves me alone."

"Fine, come in." He gave up, stepping out of the way and holding the door for her.

Paige walked inside his dorm, admiring the interior. "You got a roommate?"

"No, it's a single."

"I have a chaperone. Mona. She's like thirty. It's the worst." She rolled her eyes in annoyance.