A/Note: Wow! I can't believe how much reaction my last chapter caused. Thanks to all the people who favorited it (Crazygirl1196, Himeki Aiuzawa, Kelly1228, Lira Fujoshi, Prettylittlehead22), are following and have reviewed since yesterday. I'll respond to you guys as soon as I post this.

(Chews on nails) I hope you guys don't hate me for it... I don't want to lose all of you, the readers, but I drew the curtain of modesty in our window. So berate me if that'll keep you reading (innocent puppy eyes asking for your forgiveness). : J

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17. People are so complicated

Sherlock stared at the Physics teacher, but his mind was elsewhere. He was proud of himself, he had been able to stay impassive the whole day, so not to give away what had changed in his life. As soon as he stepped out of the class though, he was vaguely aware of a hissing.

'What are you so happy about, freak?'

It took him a while to figure out the hissing had been directed at him. His lips tugged down, Sebastian. Ignore him.

'Hey, I'm talking to you. What's that? A new scarf?'

He was jolted backwards; Sebastian had grabbed it from behind.

'Ooh, Christmas gift from a boyfriend?'

'Sebastian, this is tedious, don't you have better things to do?'

'Ooh, so it is, isn't it? Oh no, you're not leaving. Who gave you that?'

'Let go of my arm.'

'Tell me who gave you that and I will.'

'Mr. Moran! Mr Holmes! What's the matter?'

Sebastian immediately let go of Sherlock. The History teacher, Mr. Foster, was staring at them, fists in his waist.

'Nothing is the matter, Professor. Just some playful banter between friends, that's all,' Sebastian smiled.

Mr. Foster stared at him, then at Sherlock, 'Is that right, Mr. Holmes?'

'Quite right Professor, thank you. Mr. Moran is just being his usual idiot self.'

'And Mr. Holmes is being a prat, as usual.'

Mr. Foster frowned at them, then finally let his hands fall, 'All right, move along then. You have classes to attend.'

'Yes, Sir,' both answered.

'Later, prat.'

'Later, idiot.'

That was close. He'd have to be more careful outside classes also.

...

'What's the matter?'

'Hm? What do you mean?'

'You look gloomy today,' John said as they sat at the Lab.

'Just applying self control, that's all.'

'What do you mean?'

Sherlock lowered his voice. 'If you want this to remain a secret, I can't really be soppily smiling at you, can I?'

John stifled a laugh while Sherlock remained facing forward, rolling his eyes and sighing for show.

...

It bothered John. All throughout the first week of school after the Christmas break Sherlock was cold, aloof, distracted, never showing any warmth at all. Intellectually he understood why, but Sherlock played his part all too well. It was almost as if nothing had ever happened between them. There had not been an opportunity to meet that week. By Friday he texted.

_'S, can we meet at your house today? J'

'Not today. S'

_'Why not? J'

'My brother is home. S'

_'Ok. My house then? J'

'Can't do that either. S'

_'Why not? J'

'My brother is home. S'

_'What's that got to do with my house? J'

'You don't know him. He'll know. S'

_'Tomorrow? J'

'Perhaps. S'

John threw his arms up, alarming a few girls walking by. Then he heard a ping.

'If you have Yorkies, I might be persuaded. S'

He smiled, Ah, cheeky and coy, are you?

_'Haggler. J'

'You started, you are the briber. S'

'But seriously, I don't know if I can get away. I'll keep you informed. S'

John's smile faded again.

'Hi John.'

He jumped, closing the screen.

'Sorry, sorry, John. I didn't mean to startle you.'

'Oh no, that's okay, Mary. I just didn't hear you approach.'

'Bad news?' she jutted her chin to his phone.

'Oh, that? No, not at all,' he pocketed his phone. 'I think I just got turned down for a date, but other than that, it's all fine,' he smiled self deprecatingly.

'Oh,' she blushed a bit. 'I'm sorry. Em. Uh, well, if you're not - busy - this weekend, I mean, if you want to, maybe we can hang out then? Would you like to go to the cinema this weekend? I mean, not like, a date or anything, but just to hang out?'

John considered it. He had no interest in her, and it would be unfair to give her hopes. But if they were to keep their relationship a secret, it wouldn't hurt to "hang out" with girls once in a while. Plus, if Sherlock were to come to his house, they had agreed to stick to their afternoons, to keep up with their established routine.

'Well, uh, if it's in the evening that might work. Just to hang out?'

'Yes, of course. I'd like that.'

'Me too. Thanks for the invite.'

She smiled and they exchanged numbers. Some of his mates saw it and teased him afterwards while Sherlock walked by.

...

_'What did they mean, you have a date with Mary tomorrow? S'

'S, it's not a date. J'

_'You are going out with a girl on a Saturday night. Sounds like a date to me. S'

'Look, it's just diversion, all right? It won't interfere with us. Our "schedule". J'

'Plus you more or less turned me down. J'

_'I did not. S'

'Can't talk. Class. J'

_'Don't be ridiculous. You're just doing that out of spite. S'

_'J? S'

_'J. S'

...

_'S, pick up your phone. J'

_'Please, we need to talk. J'

_'Please, I need to talk to you. J'

...

'Hello,' Sherlock kept his voice neutral.

'Why are you mad at me?'

'I think that is perfectly clear. Don't insult my intelligence by pretending you don't know.'

'I was in a class, the prof had already told me off. And plus, it's not a date!'

'Why are you going out with her then? On Saturday. Our day.'

'Sherlock, I told you, it's just for appearances. Plus we only get together in the afternoons, remember? Please, I need to see you, I need to feel you and know it's real.'

'What do you mean "real"?'

'You were so cold to me the whole week, it was as if nothing had happened at all. Like I had just imagined it. That's why I wanted to get together today.'

'John, you asked me to keep it quiet. I have to act like I've always did. Sebastian almost caught me the other day.'

'How so?'

'I was smiling.'

John thought it was a sad thing that Sherlock couldn't even smile in peace. Then he got angry at Sebastian. 'That arsehole! I hate that you can't even smile without him picking on you. God, I want to pummel him so badly right now!'

Sherlock felt a bit warm at this and smiled, 'Chivalry won't do our cover any good, John. But changing the subject will not work with me.'

'I'm not changing the subject, it's not a date. I have no interest in her. Please Sherlock, I need to see you!'

Sherlock pondered and took a deep breath. 'John, maybe we'll need more distance if you want this secret to work.'

'What? What do you mean?'

'Maybe I should transfer schools.'

John was speechless for a few seconds. 'No! You can't do that!'

'Two years, John. How do you expect this not to come out for two years? I most likely can do it. But I don't think you can. Just listen to yourself. It has only been a week.'

John felt like he had just been punched in the stomach. This almost sounded more like a break up to him.

'Sherlock, I need to see you. Please.'

Sherlock sighed, 'John, as much as I'd love to, you don't know my brother.'

'Sod your brother. Let's come out to our families then.'

'Are you sure?'

He swallowed. 'Yes.'

'You mean today?'

'Yes.'

'Don't you need to think this through?'

'No, let's do it.'

'All right. You can come over then.'