"Good morning, Watson."

"G'morning H-H-Holmes," I yawned, then shivered. "Chilly this morning."

Holmes nodded in agreement. I stamped my feet and blew on my hands. Holmes laughed. "I thought you were from New England!" he said.

"That doesn't mean I don't get cold," I said. We waited in silence for a few more minutes. Where was that stupid bus? I wrapped my arms around myself and tried to keep my teeth from chattering.

Holmes laughed again, very softly, and put his arm around me. He hugged me and it started to snow. I smiled and put my head on his shoulder.

Then with a squealing of wheels and clanking of metal, the bus pulled up. Oh, well. We boarded and I got a very, very evil look from Marianne. But let her look, I smirked.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Marianne and her posse cornered me on the way to lunch. "New girl," she said. "I told you to stay away from Sherlock and you didn't listen. Prepare to pay."

I sighed. There were four of them and only one of me. This looked bad. "Marianne," I said. "Please. It's not my fault - " She swung. I ducked and her fist hit the wall behind me. I shoved her backwards and scrambled away.

Her friends cried out and swarmed around Marianne, who was cradling her hand. "I'll get you for this, new girl!" she yelled at me as I ran.

I stumbled into the cafeteria, panting. Calming myself and straightening that ugly pleated skirt, I joined the cue for lunch. Once I had paid for my tray, I glanced around for Holmes. That's funny, I didn't see him.

I sat at our regular table and began to poke glumly at my food.

"Hey, there, gurl!" Someone sat across from me. I looked up, surprised.

"The name's Charise," the rather boisterous, cheerful girl extended a hand.

I shook it. "Um... I... I'm Sara," I said, shyly.

"Listen," Charise said, flicking a beaded braid from her face. "I saw you looking all lonely over here. Wanna come sit with me and my girls?"

"Really?" I asked.

"Absolutely-positively," Charise giggled. "You spend too much time with Holmes. Gurl, you need some female companionship."

I smiled. "I'd love to sit with you, Charise." We both stood and she pulled me over to her table.

"Gurls," she said. "I'd like y'all to meet Sara. You know, the new girl. Sara, this is Ann, Mell, Jess, Diane, and Molly." She pointed out her friends in turn.

"Hi," I said, shy.

"Hey," they said in turn. I sat down and they all began talking.

"So, where'd you move from?"

"Do you highlight your hair?"

"I heard you play your flute in band, you're really good!"

"Are you going to the dance?"

"Are you and Holmes going out?"

"New Hampshire, yes, thank you, probably and no." I said. They all laughed, and Charise slapped me on the back.

"I told you she was fun!" Charise giggled.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


I found Holmes at his locker. "Where were you during lunch?"

Holmes put his math book away and muttered something incoherent.

"What?" I asked.

"I was just busy, okay?"

"Okay," I said, and leaned against the wall. I bit my lip and gathered up some serious guts. "Holmes, willyougotothedancenextweekwithme?"

Holmes yelped as he shut his finger in his locker. "What?" he said, and stuck his bruised finger in his mouth.

I looked him in the face, apprehensive. "Will you go to the dance with me? Just as friends?"

He took his hand from his mouth and looked me in the eyes for a long, long time. After a minute he spoke. "All right. As friends."

I smiled. "Thanks, Holmes. I can't wait."

We turned and walked to our next class. "When's this ... uh... dance?" Holmes asked.

"The twentieth," I said. "It's a Christmas dance."

"We're going just as friends," Holmes repeated, as he opened the door to science.

"As friends," I agreed.

Hahahaha! Yes! Mission Dibs on Holmes: Accomplished. Eat your heart out, Marianne.