The Phone Call Consequence

Chapter 6

I wake with a jerk. It's still night-time but I'm wide awake. There's no way I can go back to sleep now. I won't mention how much my head hurts.

There's a blanket wrapped around me like a burrito and I wiggle out to escape the confines of my bed. Finding myself unbearably thirsty, I tiptoe out of my room toward the kitchen. This time it isn't for alcohol and that's legitly the truth. (Yes, I know legitly isn't a real world. Do you think I care?)

Pulling a water bottle from the fridge I open it and chug the thing down. The liquid feels wonderful after having such a dry mouth.

Stepping out of the kitchen, I'm just about to head back to my bedroom when I notice Sheldon laid out across my sofa. Blanket falling hazardously from his lean form.

I'm so shocked the bottle almost slides from my grasp. What's he still doing here? I was for sure certain he'd be back in his apartment. There isn't a thing keeping him here.

I will admit, the thought of having someone here even if it's Sheldon is comforting. I don't trust myself not to self destruct if I'm alone. I sit my bottle on the table and go into the living room to fix the blanket that's about to hit the floor.

I reach for it to pull back over Sheldon. I never expected what happened next.

Sheldon's hand reaches for me before I can even grab the blanket.

"Aaee!" a shriek comes out of me before I can stop it; falling into the sofa. The top half of me being held up by Sheldon. My knees sitting on the floor. "What the--?!" his grip on me is not relenting, and he's not waking up by all my shrieking. I'm stuck for as long as he's asleep unless I can wiggle out. Preferably before he wakes up and freaks out all on his own. Then we'll both be mortified beyond repair.

Sheldon will blame the entire thing on me... germs and all. That would be so unfair, but that's how it always works. Regardless of fair.

Twisting my arm I try to pull out of Sheldon's grip and I might well have been yanking on an anchor. My arm isn't going anywhere soon. Huffing, I try one more time and nearly pull us both off the sofa. This is where I stop trying to get away.

There's no choice but to wait for him to wake up. I hope he wakes up soon for the sake of my poor arm. If the boy pulls any harder, the limb will pop right off.

"Ow..."

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"Penny... Penny!" Someone is yelling right in my ears and poking my cheek.

"Leave me alone..." let me enjoy my wonderful pillow. Why won't you let me enjoy it? What in the world is—

"Sh—Sheldon?!" my eyes fly open in shock as my pillow breathes. Oh my gosh, my head is on Sheldon's chest— I topple away from the sofa in a blind panic, landing flat on my bottom. My knees protest in disuse. I can't keep the pained groan from escaping my lips.

The icy glare that stabs me has me flinching away from the culprit and reason of my troubles. "How could you, Penny?" that scandalized voice berates me over my head. I feel like a scolded child. Guilt eats away at me as does confusion. This was not my fault, it's totally Sheldon's!

"Now listen here, you!"

His eyes widen into saucers at my loud voice. I didn't mean to sound so mean. Sheldon has gone from scolding father to cowering little boy in a mere three seconds. (No, don't do the math. Sheldon would definitely correct me on this.)

Sheldon's face screws up. "I have a hypothesis," those cheeks turn an interesting shade of pink.

I wait for this h—hypothy... siz, wondering if he'll guess it right. I somehow doubt it.

"I thought you were... my pillow."

That's not at all what I expected him to say of all things considered. Maybe Sheldon is less intelligent in the morning?

I close the mouth I know is falling slack. "Sure Sheldon. As long as you know I'm not the one at fault here."

"Your fault for getting too close. Especially while I'm sleeping. Honestly, for shame Penny!" he crosses his arms.

"The blanket was slipping to the floor. What was I supposed to do?" this argument could go on for hours and never stop.

Sheldon gasps, picking the edge of the contaminated object and flicking it to the floor with disdain.

Oops, shouldn't have mentioned it. Bad move Penny. Sighing, I scramble off the living room floor.

"Well, I won't be staying over here again if you keep infesting your germs all over me. First it was--" He never gets to finish his tirade.

The phone rings at the same time my door is pounded on.

Sheldon springs up faster than I've ever seen him move, saying only three words but it was enough. "Leonard is here."

No. No. No. The whole phone conversation plays in my head as dizziness claws its way into my overwhelmed body. Not him. Anyone but him...