18 years old

"Alright..." He began to pace, a pair of specs on his nose staring at my file. I watched him curious as to why he had them so low. "Alright... Alright... Alright..."

"Sir?" I said. "I'm rather busy at the moment. Can we not make this a short meeting?"

Professor Harwick sat down, pushing the file onto the desk. He sighed and clasped his hands. "Mr Holmes, your behaviour has been despicable over your entire educational career here. This is a prestigious school, to which your brother made the highest recommendations for you. Yet you seem to waste your time swaning around this place pretending that you are going to get what you want when you want."

"Your point sir?" I asked picking up the letter opener and tapping it against my knuckle. Harwick stood up and took the letter opener from me.

"Sherlock," He said, trying to sound all comforting and fatherly. "You're a bright lad. And you could go really far in life if you took things seriously." Then he did the head tilt. "Now, is everything okay at home?"

"er..."

"Because I have met your father and he doesn't seem like a pleasant man."

"Well aren't you the little detective?" I muttered.

"What did you say?"

"I said 'He's alright'" I replied.

Harwick leaned back. "Right..."

I sighed. "Sir, what did you call me in for, really? Because I doubt that you wanted to give me a pep talk."

"No, you're right. I can't give you pep talks anymore. You're not in high school." Harwick said. "All I can tell you one thing." He sat back down on his leather chair. "Either buck up your ideas or you're out of this university."

I looked up at him. "You can't be serious."

"I am. Deadly. Serious." Harwick replied. "Now get out."

A little stunned I stood up.

"Oh," Harwick said as if remembering something. "Please tell your friend Ms Irene Adler, that if she does break into the school again to see you, I will call the police."

"For coming to see me?" I asked.

"No, for breaking into my office and stealing the test papers for the Social Science class next month." Harwick replied. "I know it was her. She has a reputation in this area and as far as I know... You two are an item."

I nodded.

"Well, another word of advice," He said. "She is not good company. Get out while you still can. She will poison that brilliant mind of yours and we can't have that."

I looked away.

"Of course, you're not going to listen." He sighed. "Alright. Be on your way Mr. Holmes."

"Thank you sir." I muttered, slamming the door behind me.