A/N: So, I have no good excuse for this being 2.5 months late at least... I don't like where the story started going, so it's back to cases and sibling affections for a bit. Warning, there will be drugs when Sherlock's in University, but that's not happening for a while. Also, my only knowledge of British school is Harry Potter, so sorry about any inconsistencies :)

Disclaimer: I don't own characters or anything like that...

Sherlock knew something was wrong as soon as he received Greg's e-mail. By the time John called the next morning, Sherlock knew exactly what happened.

"John. Who beat you up?"

"What are you talking about Sherlock?" John asked, preparing to shoot Greg for telling his baby brother about the fight.

"Greg sent an e-mail that said you weren't calling last night, and I deduced it. Not to mention you're talking like your nose is swollen and your jaw aches."

John sighed before commenting, "you really are a genius, aren't you?"

"Obviously."

"Well it's not a big deal, I'm alright now. Don't worry about me."

After talking for a while, the boys hung up and went about their daily routines once again.

Sherlock worried about John, but he got preoccupied with avoiding bullies most of the time. His favorite hideout was an old oak tree in the school yard. Nobody ever went near it, so he could be completely hidden and alone.

The day after John's incident at school, Sherlock dangled his legs over the old tree's branches as usual. Suddenly, he heard a rustling in the leafless tree behind him. Every sense on high alert, he turned slowly to see a girl's face peering back at him.

"Who are you?" he asked, anxiety mixing with confusion in his voice.

"I'm Molly," the girl responded, "may I sit up here? Sally Donovan was chasing me."

Sherlock shrugged at the girl.

"If you'd like."

Silence fell over the tree and Sherlock silently observed the girl. Her mouse brown hair hung in two long braids down her back. Her chocolatey brown eyes held so much innocence, but shone out sorrow as well. Trembling slightly, she looked very much like a lost kitten. Her small mouth curved in a gentle, understanding smile that unnerved the young genius and comforted him all at once. Her uniform hung on her small frame, small stains littering the skirt. The rest of her appearance was so tidy, so the clothes were obviously a hand me down from an older sister. Her hands showed signs of labour, probably mending clothes and washing dishes. She must be a scholarship child.

"You must be smart," he commented.

Molly jumped, then flushed tomato red.

"I'm not particularly smart."

Sherlock gave her a smile, something only a few people ever saw from him, and lapsed back into silence. The two lonely children sat together, not talking until the bell summoned them back to classes.

This chance meeting in the old oak tree grew into a special friendship as the year drew to a close. Each understood the other in a unique way. Some days they would sit in silence for hours, on others they talked and talked until their jaws ached. One day, Molly came to the tree with tearstained cheeks and a frown on her face.

"Are you alright?" Sherlock asked, trying not to deduce why Molly was so sad.

"I'm moving away," Molly replied, fresh tears threatening to spill out of her eyes.

Sherlock felt his whole body freeze. His friend, the only one who really understood him besides John, leaving.

He cleared his throat before asking a single question.

"When?"

Molly watched his grey-blue eyes before she answered. His eyes told her more than he ever said with words. Right now he seemed lost.

"The week before the end of school. But we can keep in touch! I have an e-mail!"

Sherlock smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I suppose we can, can't we."

The conversation soon moved on to other topics, but the ominous goodbye loomed over them until Molly left the train station.

When the older three arrived home from school, they knew something was different about Sherlock, but he wouldn't tell any of them, even John. They didn't press, and by the end of the summer, he was almost back to his normal self again.