"You don't understand how hard it is." Sebastian Moran has cornered me in the bathroom the Monday morning after winter break had ended. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that he's talking about Victor. Of course, he had called me every day during the break to complain about it as well, so I'm hardly surprised.
"I know. You've told me all about Victor, Seb." I reply, hoping to sound consoling.
"Victor is always bossing us around." Sebastian huffs as if he hasn't heard me, though judging by the way his shoulders relax, he's much happier. "And he's the one that gets the first choice of everything. Like, I always had my hair spiked, and then two years ago Victor decided that spiked hair was his thing, so I wasn't allowed to spike my hair anymore."
"But Victor doesn't spike his hair anymore…" I begin, slightly confused.
"I know." Sebastian growls. "But it was this thing, so I'm not allowed to do it ever."
"I'm sorry." I apologise, trying to placate the tall blond, but Sebastian isn't finished.
"Yeah, and he cheats on Sherlock every day." Sebastian grumbles, not noticing when I freeze in place. "In the auditorium sound booth immediately after school. With Irene Adler."
"But they're both gay." I say without thinking.
"Irene is only using him so she can get to Kate. Victor is bi, and I've never told anyone because I am such a good friend." Sebastian huffs, looking defeated.
"You really are." I agree with him. "I bet Jim is looking for you. He called to tell me how much he missed you over winter break."
"He did?" Sebastian's attention is diverted beautifully. "I haven't talked to him since the talent show."
"Go find him!" I say cheerfully. "He'll be thrilled to see you!"
Sebastian darts out of the toilets without another word, a hopeful look on his face. Pleased at my invasive manoeuvre, I quickly shoot a text to Greg and Mike.
V cheating on S. After school with Irene.
I don't have to wait long for a response, and sure enough, as soon as I exit the restroom, my mobile chimes merrily from my pocket. I open the message, hardly surprised that Greg texted back first.
Operation: BREAK UP now commencing. Sherlock will find out about this one way or another.
Our first attempt didn't end up going so well. I had cornered Sherlock in advanced biology after Dr Hooper had finished up the daily lecture. Sherlock had barely looked at me when I told him Victor wanted to meet him in the sound booth after school, just nodded in understanding and left. Of course, we found out the next day that Irene had been absent that day.
We tried every day of the week to no avail, Greg leaving letters surreptitiously, Mike sending emails, and me helping out wherever I could, but nothing worked. Every day one of us managed to convince Sherlock to go to the sound booth, and every day Victor slipped away just in the nick of time.
The only accomplishment we managed that week was to give a bottle of shampoo to Victor that contained a small amount of colour stripper. It would take time, but soon his luscious brown hair would be a thing of the past. The week had been a failure, so I decided on the final day that I would use Victor's cheating to my own advantage.
"Sherlock!" I call at the end of the day on Friday, running to catch up to the curly-haired brunet. He gives me a wary glance, but he stops.
"What do you need, John?" He asks me, tone matching his gaze.
"I just…I don't know." I stutter slightly, trying to figure out a way to repair whatever damage Victor had done at that stupid Halloween party. "I miss going on cases with you."
"You…do?" Sherlock asks, frowning slightly. "But why?"
"Because you're brilliant." I answer honestly, flushing slightly as I do so. "You haven't solved it, have you?"
Sherlock stares at me for a moment before gracing me with a small smile. "I have not, no. I've been stuck in a rut. There seems to be a connection with Jennifer Wilson and Carl Powers, but I haven't found one yet."
"Maybe they're two separate murderers?" I suggest, causing Sherlock to scoff.
"Doubtful. No, it's the work of the same person. I just need a connection. Anything at all."
"Food always helps me think." I offer helpfully. "Maybe we can think at my house? Mum made chocolate chip cookies yesterday."
"That would be…nice." Sherlock says, looking faintly surprised. "I confess, I've missed your family."
"And not me?" I chuckle, nudging him.
"You're an added bonus." Sherlock winks at me, pulling out his mobile. "Come along. I have to meet Victor later on this evening, and I wish to get some work done."
"Right, of course." I reply. "Let's go."
Of course, Sherlock never did meet up with Victor later that night, because a third body had been found. Sarah Sawyer had been killed earlier that afternoon.
A/N: On this day, ten years ago, Mean Girls was released in theaters! So, as a celebration, I decided to not only update this fic, but also write a one shot of sorts. You'll be able to find it later today on A03, and it's Sherlock's point of view from the Halloween party. Happy 'Mean Girls' day everyone!
