Part 1

John stared miserably through the clouded glass, watching as other students milled around a set of tall, school gates. The firm, grey building looked even less inviting in real life than it had on the website. A boarding school "to open doors to the future, John" his father had stated and at the time, John had been elated, this would definitely help him into a free choice of universities. But now, staring at the huddling uniforms with heavily laden bags, his stomach dropped. He didn't know anyone, he didn't make friends all that easily and really his old school would have gotten him his grades. He'd had to leave everything behind, his friends- he already missed Greg awfully and his football team. They sucked before but now, without their star shooter, they didn't stand a chance.
Rain lashed the old grey stone perilously; girls' squealed and shrieked at the heavens, shuddering flirtatiously into the older boys' sides.
'Typical,' he thought shaking his head to himself.
Jolting back from the window in surprise, John yelped as a hooded figure appeared directly in front of him, face hidden in shadow. He shrank back away from the door and the stranger seemed to take that as an invitation because quickly and with the lightness of a dancer, the tall figure swung up and threw them self into the backseat, slamming the door and sinking low until their head would no longer be visible through the window.
"Shut up and face front," a deep, baritone voice rumbled from beneath the hood and John bristled irritably.
"I didn't say-" he blinked in surprise as he was cut off.
"No, you didn't," the hood turned toward him, the voice heavy with curiosity, just for a second before the soaked stranger snapped, "you were going to though; eventually anyway. Now do as you're told,"
Before John could form a reply another figure streamed past the car, and then another straight behind yelling,
"Get him! Where did he go? That little freaks gonna get it this time-" and a third figure swearing like he had every cuss existing memorised. "He must have headed toward the gates, come on," and they were gone.
John watched as the stranger's shoulders relaxed and he shuffled to sit straight in his seat.
"Okay, now get out," John tried to speak clear and strong but his words faltered as the stranger dropped his hood. Black curls sprang around his face, the high cheek bones sharp and striking but no where near as spectacular as those crystalline blue green eyes; he was utterly gorgeous. The newly revealed boy was clearly a student if his crumpled blazer was anything to go by, but he was tall and insanely slim, he must be in the upper sixth at least; but then why was he in uniform?
"Why haven't you gone inside?" The taller of the two boys spoke up and John blinked at him.
"What?" He stuttered slightly but narrowed his eyes when the newcomer made a tutting sound and rolled his own.
"This obviously isn't your car as you aren't older than seventeen; you're also sat in the back seat. There are several suitcases in the boot so you're planning to stay here unless, of course, you were about to leave however the engine is warm so you've just arrived; staying then. Your clothes aren't pressed, early morning? Long drive because if we go on the basis that road speeds are, at an average of, forty miles per hour, plus the early morning yet only just arriving now at quarter to eight it had to have been a good distance but not too long or you would've arrived yesterday before term starts not on the day of. Coming back to distance lets say five am start so that's- roughly one hundred and thirteen point three miles, now I've got radius and an area of seven hundred and twelve point nought nine square miles. From the car type I'd say you're used to rough terrain- country roads; that rules out large towns and cities. Although I have area I'm presuming outskirts, your jumper is-" the tall boy leant close sniffing John's woollen jumper, quickly swiping the fabric with his nose before promptly pulling back. His proximity sent John's pulse skittering terribly.
"Pomeranian wool predominantly found in the northern regions, hand spun, no coloration so locally made. I'm thinking small, close-knit, farming village -if you'll excuse the pun- so Greenston? Now arrival time is obtuse because your driver has strange working hours that can't be manipulated. I'd say -yes, they work in care; the NHS support sticker in the window says…nurse? This is confirmed by the ID card in the front, left, side-door compartment. Now what would a non-family member be doing running a boy across country after a night shift? Why night shift? The coffee cups in the front and scrubs in the glove box- she would have removed and washed them if she'd had the chance. So family member then, 'she' I presume mother. Her names Watson so you are also a Watson, by age I'd say a future student here. The only student due here today by the name of Watson is a Mr. John Watson for year twelve, lower sixth. John Watson it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, I'm Sherlock Holmes," the strange boy extended a long fingered hand, a satisfied yet curious smirk on his face. "And why is it that you have not yet left the car?"
If John had felt speechless before, now he was damn straight mute. Shakily he raised a hand to meet the other boys' whose fingers were cold and damp from the rain.
"How-?" John shook his head slightly, a small smile tilting his lips. "You're right...almost entirely right, wow that's-" John dropped the cool hand, raising his eyebrows and blowing out a soft huff, "that was bloody brilliant." His eyes met Sherlock's- what a strange name- and he looked lost, put out even. Had John said something wrong?
"Damn it...what did I miss? There's always something-"
"Nothing big, just it was my sister who drove me this morning, we left as soon as mum got back, that's why her stuff is still in here-"
"Oh god! Stupid mistake, should've known- the eyeliner, damn it." Sherlock seemed to disappear into himself for a moment.
"Er...Sherlock? That was fantastic, I mean bloody amazing," for some reason John felt the need to comfort the taller boy.
"That's not what people usually say," Sherlock said quietly keeping John's soft gaze fixed with his own. John could only just catch enough breath to reply,
"And what do people usually say?"
Sherlock's lips twitched,
"Piss off." John barked a laugh before stifling it with his fist, then Sherlock was snickering and both boys laughed freely in each others company.
"John, do you plan on answering my question?"
"What- oh! Um...Harry- my sister- has uh-"
"Drinking issues."
"Yes, how-?"
"Coffee strength, John, do continue."
"She needed to uh...revive herself, I guess. I wanted to wait for her but, well, I don't want to be late I suppose."
Sherlock nodded speculatively and after a moment turned to John again,
"Would you like me to take you inside?"
Choking on his own breath, John's face flooded red and he could no longer hold Sherlock's gaze.
"No I uh...it's...no thank you."
"John, are you alright?" Sherlock's piercing stare zeroed in on him. John could literally see Sherlock running over their conversation; the only tell that he'd understood John's line of thought being the light pink blush over his cheeks.
Sherlock cleared his throat and hopped out of the car,
"As far as I know we're room mates so I may as well."
As the taller boy strode round to the boot John gulped a deep breath, he had to keep it together, he didn't want to freak out his new room mate; that wouldn't do at all.