Fluff & Stuff

Teachers

"Remember to return last week's given assignment for tomorrow. I don't want any excuses." The professor said, receiving nods from the students and small mumbles in agreement. "Alright everyone, class dismissed."

As the students take their leave, Professor John Watson packs up his things in his briefcase neatly and then leaves the classroom, closing it behind him.

"Professor Watson!" The peculiar voice of a student called him name, making him stop and turn around. In front of him stood two sixteen year old girls in school uniform.

"Yes, Ms. Hooper and Ms. Adler?" John responded, not used to his students actually making conversation after class ends.

"A little birdie told us-"

"-That you and Miss Holmes are dating." Ms. Adler cut her off, finishing each other's sentences.

"Is it true?" Both asked at the same time. John was slightly taken aback by the question but quickly responded before they jumped to conclusions.

"Erm, no, it's not. Our friendship is strictly professional." John responded, shaking his head at the girls, who frowned.

"Well, that's a shame." Ms. Hooper said.

"Maybe you two should give it a try." Ms. Adler suggested.

"You do make a cute couple." Ms. Hooper and Ms. Adler both said at the same time, creeping John out.

"I don't know where you're getting these...absurd ideas! We are teachers-"

"But that doesn't matter!" Ms. Hooper chimed in.

"Everyone in the school ships it. Even Principal Moffat. He doesn't want to admit it though." Ms. Adler added.

"C'mon, Professor!" Ms. Hooper whined. "Just give it a try! She does like you after all. And we know you do as well." She said. John's face got red with embarrassment.

"My personal life is none of your concern!" John called over his shoulder as he walked away and into the cafeteria. He put his meal in the microwave and waited for it to reheat. While his food was being reheated, he looked around and spotted Professor Sherlock Holmes eating alone. When his meal was done, he put it on a tray and then walked to Sherlock's table.

"Good afternoon, Miss Holmes." John said. "Is this seat taken?"

"Good afternoon to you as well, Dr. Watson. And no, it is not. You are welcome to join me." Sherlock gestured to the seats around her and John politely took the one right across from her.

"Wait, How did you know I was a doctor?"

"Read your file. Impressive set of skills if I might say." Sherlock said, before stabbing a sauce covered shrimp and putting it in her mouth.

"Thank You." John said as he gave her a small nod in gratitude.

When John was about to dig into his food when he noticed his two nosy students walking towards him and Sherlock. He sighed and put his fork down.

"What is it?" Sherlock asked, slightly concerned. Then she turned around and gave a fake smile at her two students. "Hello, Ms. Hooper. Hello, Ms. Adler. What seems to be the matter?"

"Oh, nothing, Miss Holmes." Ms. Hooper said. "Just that we hope you enjoy your meals." Both girls smiled at them, tilting their heads to the side.

"Did you poison our food?" John asked in horror.

"Dr. Watson, don't be absurd. These students know that if they poisoned our food, they will never have a chance to continue in any school. Therefore, not be able to graduate or go to prom." Sherlock answered, smiling sweetly. Both of the students faces paled at the thought of not going to prom.

"Alright, I can't hold it much longer." Ms. Hooper said. "Everyone ships you and Professor Watson."

"I beg your pardon?" Sherlock asked, a confused expression on her face.

"Everyone thinks you and Professor would make a cute couple." Ms. Adler said.

John avoided Sherlock's surprised look, his cheeks a bright shade of red. Sherlock's cheek's were also a bright shade of red as she cleared her throat.

"Well, I assure you we are not a couple." She said, taking a sip from her coffee. John turned his head back to look at her. He played with his food, his cheeks still like a pair of tomatoes.

"Well" John piped up. "Would you like to?" John asked without looking at Sherlock's reaction, finding his plate of spaghetti suddenly interesting.

Sherlock froze and calmly lowered her coffee slightly. She looked at John with curious eyes, meeting his gaze when he shyly lifted his head.

"At least buy me a drink first." Sherlock said with a smile before gulping down the rest of her coffee. John sputtered and sat up straighter.

"How about tomorrow at 7?" John asked, lightly tapping his finger on the table in a steady rhythm. Sherlock wrote down her phone number on a small piece of paper and then passed it to John.

"I expect impeccable punctuality, Dr. Watson." Sherlock said, slipping her coat back on and piling up her rubbish.

"Of course, Miss Holmes." John said with a nod and watched as Sherlock threw away her trash and took her leave. He smiled to himself, reviewing the paper he had just miraculously received.

"So, what do you think their ship name should be?" Ms. Adler asked Ms. Hooper, the two students having been forgotten by their teachers momentarily.

"Quiet or both of you will have detention!"