Author's Note: Hello, and welcome. This fic was inspired by a little fiasco between Sherlockians who are trying to move in together. So far we haven't even saved up to do so... Oh well. Anyway, please enjoy~!
Disclaimer: I don't own BBC Sherlock, or any of the characters.
Chapter 0: Prologue
John Watson was just your average poor college student. He had decent grades, kept up on his homework, studied, and held a stable part-time job. Everything in his life was going relatively well, except one thing. His roommate at the dorm, Peter. Peter had to be the most obnoxious person that has ever existed. Everyday he sat in their room playing video games, and drinking. He would not go to class and refused to clean his messes. John could only handle it for so long. He approached his boiling point with increasing speed with everyday that passed. Knowing it wouldn't be pretty when he did, John began looking for alternative living.
John was tired of living in the dorm, so simply switching roommates was out of the question. Finding a cheap apartment on his own with his budget was impossible. He had no choice but to find someone to room with. That thought bothered him. If his current roommate was so bad, how would he know whether or not the new one would be any better? After thinking it over he realized that anyone would be better than Peter. The next thing John needed to do was find a roommate, or even multiple roommates. After all, the more people to split rent with, the cheaper it would be for each of them individually.
Unfortunately, all of John's friends and acquaintances already had a place to live. He would have to go about it some other way if he really wanted to get out of the dorm. Then it hit him. Why not put a personal ad in the newspaper, or on a social networking site? Sure, maybe using a social site was not the safest bet, but it was certainly the most effective. He began typing it up right away.
"John Watson. 20 year-old college student seeking one to three roommates to share a flat near the University. If interested, please contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX or jhwatson ." That should do it, nice and simple. John preferred to keep it that way. He sent a copy to the newspaper, posted it to a few sites, and printed out some copies to post around the university.
Two weeks had passed since John posted the personal ad. The results had been dismal so far. The only replies he received were from a forty-year old drag queen and a young female famous for being part of the party circuit. He knew that neither of them would be good. John thought about giving up, but he desperately needed someone to reply, and soon. Tensions were growing even more strained between Peter and him. If he didn't get out soon, things were going to become disastrous.
John decided to get out and take a walk to release his frustrations. Strolling around the campus, he spotted an ornate bench. He plopped himself down and breathed out a long sigh.
"Sighing like that must mean you've got a lot on your mind, Johnny.", a familiar voice came from behind. John turned his head and raised his left brow. It was his buddy from high school, Mike Stamford. "What's eating you?"
"Hey Mikey. Just my roommate, Peter. He's a real pain in the arse. I've put out ads to find some new mates to share a flat with, but so far nothing's turned up. I suppose no one wants me for a flatmate." John exasperated. Mike chuckled. "What's so funny?"
"Oh nothing, just you aren't the first person to say something like that to me today."
"Eh? Who was the first?"
"An acquaintance of mine. Would you like to meet him? We could go now if you'd like."
"Really? That's great! If you don't mind, I would be grateful if you did."
"Alright let's go."