Usually, he walks through the suffocation crowd. Now, the crowd parts a little - giving him more space as he walks than usual. People keep staring at him. Some are giving him winks, and some are looking like they fear him. Some are giving him a pat on the back saying, "Good luck, John!" and some are giving him a nod like there's some nasty business going on.

Apparently, word has spread out that John Watson, Captain of the Rugby Team, is planning a beating for one Sherlock Holmes. Everyone at school knows about the details except for: the school staff, Sherlock Holmes (or maybe he does know?) and John Watson himself.

For the whole day, he grows more and more confused with everyone's behaviour towards him. It's like they're treating him like a king or hero. 'What the hell is going on with everyone today?' He feels like everyone's being cryptic about something and they expect that he knows about it as well so he just plays along. In truth, he remains oblivious for the whole day.

"Oi, John!" He turns to see Greg walking towards him.

"Yes?"

"Heard you're planning to beat up Holmes... I thought you said you're not gonna do that?"

His mind goes blank. First of all is shock. 'Everyone thinks I'm going to beat up someone?!' Seconds is confusion, 'Where the hell did this come from?' Disappointment, 'To think everyone thinks I'm capable of doing that.' And a lump on his throat, 'If everyone is treating me like some bloody king because they think I'm gonna beat up Sherlock, that's... That's just sick.'

"Where the hell did that come from?" he asks.

"Everyone already knows about it. This guy saw you give Holmes that scary look on your face. You know, the one you give to the people you punch." Greg gives him a disapproving glare.

"Hey! I only punch bullies!"

"Well, you're a bully now so..."

He's appalled. "I will NOT beat up Sherlock Holmes."

"Then why does everyone think that, hmm?"

"Because that guy probably just saw me get angry when Sherlock said the Beatles is boring."

"Whoa..." Greg says. "Your favourite."

"Exactly..."

Silence engulfs them. "Well, guess I owe you an apology. Sorry. Just thought you became like Moran or something."

He mockingly puts a hand on his heart and fake-almost fainting "That broke my heart, Greg. You know me more than that."

"Stop that. But yeah... Shouldn't jump to conclusions."

"Seriously."

A pause. "Oooooooooooh..."

"What?"

"You called him Sherlock."

"Did I?"

"Yup."

"Oh."

"So..."

"So?"

"You guys dating?"

He looks at him, "A minute ago you thought I was gonna beat him up and now this? You shouldn't jump to conclusions again Greg. No, we're not dating."

"But... 'Sherlock'?"

"We officially met yesterday."

"I know... Everyone kinda knows about that..."

"We met. That's all."

"Right... Right, I'm gonna go now. Bye, John. Sorry again."

"No problem, mate." Greg runs off and he shakes his head in disbelief and then chuckles at the absurdity of the conversation.

The day continues with lots of questions about the upcoming "beating". Everyone makes him sick. 'Why would anyone be excited about beating up someone? Sherlock can be an arse but he doesn't deserve to get beaten up for lacking social skills .' He just ignores them and pretends not to hear them or just mumbles inaudibly that no one understands a word he says.

He quietly and secretly does his homework (Doing your homework on the same hour it is given is apparently what swots do. Especially when it is due next week) when Sally sits beside him and gives him her full attenrion. "Heard you met the Freak yesterday."

He internally winces at the word. He keeps his eyes on his homework, avoiding looking at Sally - he doesn't want to look at her accusing eyes at the moment. "Yes. Met Sherlock while walking..."

"So... You're going to beat up the Freak, huh?" he sighs at this but before he says something, Sally cuts him off. "Look, John. Even though we both know that the Freak is the absolute worst freak of all the freaks and everyone hates him, don't beat up the arsehole. I know, I want to punch him myself and I even want to see him get beaten up - that's the dream. But come on, John. Violence isn't worth it."

His eyebrows rise in surprise. He definitely did not expect this. Sally may be a bitch but she's a decent head girl. Decent enough to be against bullying and violence even if the victim would be Sherlock. "Sally, I'm not going to beat up anyone."

"But everyone knows already! No need to lie John."

"Those are rumours!" Sally's eyes narrows a bit and then she nods.

"Ohhh..."

"Yes, oh."

"If you tell anyone that I tried to stop you from beating up the Freak, I will-"

"No need to threaten me, Queen Sally."

Sally huffs and says, "Ha. Ha." In a dark tone. They both laugh.

"Listen Sally, it's nice to talk but these interviews are getting on my nerves."

"Interviews?"

"Everyone's being worse than the media at the moment."

"Ahhh. Got it. Okay," Sally goes back to her seat and he continues his homework. He's almost done. 'I feel like a swot.'

Rugby practice is cancelled which he scoffs at - he already changed clothes! He's the last to walk home - he left his phone. As he passes through he alley beside the school. He hears someone yell. "Watson!" He turns to see his teammates at the dead end of the alley, looking at him with a grin. He runs towards them.

As he moves closer, he sees a figure trapped in the corner. Pale skin. Black coat. He's now ten feet from them and sees Sherlock looking dangerously angry. Moran puts a hand on John's shoulder. "Mate, we got the freak for you. Beat him up! We all know you've been waiting for this! Come on!" Moran pushes him towards Sherlock and the two meet each other's eyes.

He can see the look of anger at him. He can see Sherlock despises him, hidden at the cold mask of his. He can see Sherlock thinks he's one of them. He can hear his teammates' snickers and excitement. He's in between Sherlock and his team. He squares his shoulder and sees red. He also sees Sherlock's eyes crack a bit of fear in them and he wants to vomit if Sherlock thinks he will actually beat him up. He turns around to face Moran with his deathly glare - worse than ever. They step back a little, "Oi Captain! We said beat him up, not us!" One of his team says.

"I will not beat up Sherlock." He watches the scene in front of him. His eyebrows rise at the mention of his name. HIS name. "Let. Him. Go." John continues.

"Okay. Okay!"

"Get out of my sight." They run. John is helping him.

"Get out of my sight." They all turn to walk out - he can see them run. He turns to Sherlock with soft eyes. He doesn't want to scare the guy. He lifts Sherlock's arms and turns his head side to side. "You alright?"

Sherlock looks at him in confusion, "What? Umm... Yes, yes, indeed." He mumbles quietly.

"Sorry about them. Everyone kinda thinks I'm gonna beat you up." Sherlock looks at him suspiciously. "I'm not. I don't approve of violence."

"And yet you play Rugby."

He chuckles, "True." He helps Sherlock stand up and Sherlock tumbles. "Whoa, mate. You alright?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." Sherlock moves his hands from holding his arm as he tries to help him. "No need for help. I'm fine."

"Damn hell you're fine. I'm helping you go home."

"There's no-"

"This isn't debatable."

"Alright, doctor." He puts Sherlock's arm around his shoulders and helps him walk.

"Where?"

"Baker Street."