The Phone Call Consequence

Chapter 8

We stand there as the door across the hall echoes a slam.

"Ugh," I groan, not even bothering to find the sofa first before I sink to the floor in a heap.

Sheldon looks down at me. "That is highly unsanitary. You should at least put a blanket down first."

"Be quiet, Sheldon." I give him a glare. It doesn't faze him and he continues to prattle on about some science-cy evidence. I lose him on his rampage; lost in my own thoughts.

Why would Leonard even assume I was cheating on him with Sheldon? This was downright crazy. Sheldon wasn't the cheating type, even if he had a girlfriend.

Just last week, Amy told me that there wasn't anything between them even if she wanted there to be. Sheldon's head and heart were absent in her presence. But what did that mean exactly?

Now that Sheldon was finished berating me over sitting on the floor, he looked a bit puzzled. "Why did Leonard mention Amy's name?" he sounded completely befuddled. Usually I would laugh at his cluelessness but right then my emotions were much too haywire so I simply shake my head at him.

"Hmm," Sheldon hums. He sinks down on his side of my sofa. Puzzlement turning into bewilderment. His eyebrows doing weird things.

Tired of being slumped across the floor, I scramble up to sit beside him. I bend down to pick up the throw at our feet, throwing it in a ball between us.

Sheldon jerks away as if a snake is trying to bite him, giving me the biggest stink eye I've ever seen. He's pressed himself as close as he can against the sofa arm, keeping himself away from the contaminated fabric.

I fight an eye roll, forgetting myself for a moment. I fling the offensive fabric across me, hoping this will satisfy the little germaphobe. I guessed wrong at the enraged gasp.

"PENNY!"

I sling that throw so fast it lands over the top of a nearby floor lamp. I'm not even certain of my reason except a strange reflex from being yelled at. I'll be honest, like Sheldon, I don't enjoy being yelled at either. "Whoops." The unintelligent word flies from my mouth before I can stop it. Here I go sounding like a dumb blonde again. Just once I'd like to sound intelligent. Just once is all I've ever asked. I always stick out like a sore thumb. Maybe if I wasn't such a dumb blonde, I wouldn't have been cheated on to begin with.

"Please remove the throw from the lamp before it burns the apartment down!" the big voice from a moment ago is released by a little boy's.

I stare at Sheldon. "Really Sheldon? The lamp isn't even on."

"It will be, Penny." Sheldon states in horror. Puppy eyes hit me. "Please Penny.

I can already feel myself turning into a mound of goo. Stop it with the puppy eyes. I unwillingly comply and remove the throw and even go to toss it in the dirty clothes basket.

"Wash your hands!" I hear Sheldon call out or maybe I only imagined it because it's something he'd say. I come back with my hands squeaky clean.

Sheldon is sitting with an awful scowl on his face. Before I can ask what's wrong, he points at my phone on the sofa arm. I have a sinking suspicion of what I'll find when I pick it up.

A missed call and text from 'yours truly'. Doesn't Leonard know I don't want to talk to him? Please call, we need to talk. I can explain.

How can you explain cheating on your girlfriend? You can't!

I chunk my phone on the sofa and step away, feeling tears prick my eyes again. "Screw it all!" I don't realize I screamed until I feel the air move.

"Penny, screaming doesn't help a thing." He's beside me.

"Yes, it does." A sob catches in my throat and I feel myself unraveling all over again.

No... no... no!

"No Penny." Sheldon's voice is soothing. Different from usual. I feel like I've seen a great many sides.

A strange fluttering begins in my stomach, working its way to my chest.

Sheldon pulls a kleenex from his pocket, claiming it to be clean. The moment he touches my face to wipe my tear tracks, my heart is pounding. I'm not supposed to feel these things.

I'm so confused...

I stare up at Sheldon. My tears freezing with my shock. The same shocked look stares back at me. Something passes between us. A fizzle... a spark. No, it's not what they claim in movies and books. It's something deeper.

All at once I realize I'm closer to Sheldon than a moment ago. What's happening?

Still holding the kleenex, Sheldon doesn't move a muscle. I'm beginning to think we're two cats having a staring contest.

I'll never know who moved first, but I'm aware of the moment Sheldon's lips touch mine. The most innocent and chaste of kisses, but it was the most meaningful.

We stood there for a good five seconds before leaping away as fast as we can. For once Sheldon was lost for words. I was half expecting a hygiene lesson. None came, just an unnerving stare. The kind that has no blink.

Umm...

I turn away and fully intend on hiding myself away, but Sheldon beats me to it. My apartment door shuts with finality and I'm left alone with nothing but my thoughts again. I'll be lucky if Sheldon ever comes back here again.

Oh dear, what have I done this time?

I fall into the sofa, burying my head into the nearest pillow and scream. I have no intention of moving anytime soon.