A Study in the Past

Chapter 3

It's been a month since the first day of school and Sherlock managed not to get beat up. During lunchtime, Sherlock would be out in the school grounds, with a few books, most likely up in a tree by the lake and reading. Other times, or when Mycroft is involved, Sherlock eats quietly, alone, in the corner of the lunch hall. John and Sherlock have a somewhat normal friendship. If it's friendship even. John says hello and goodnight to Sherlock everyday, but the curly haired boy merely nods in response. John invites Sherlock to join the football team, as he had, but Sherlock ignores their offer. Sherlock spends most of his free time, which is all his time, in the chemistry labs or outside. Why does Sherlock have so much time to spare? Because the work he is given is made for idiots so he completes it in 5 minutes after it is given. As for classes... Sherlock hasn't called any of his professors an idiot yet so all is well.

He's only got 2 teachers that don't think of him as an annoying know it all. The science professor, mr. Stapleton and the old English literature teacher, ms. Wilson, think Sherlock is the brightest student in the school. Maybe he's exaggerating a bit, but they have told him he's got a brilliant mind. He knew he would excel in all his classes but he didn't expect to be praised in literature. That's something Sherlock never took interest in. Ms. Wilson commented on Sherlock's advanced vocabulary. He knew it wasn't the way his too-deep-for-his-age voice pronounced every word properly that had ms. Wilson admiring his genius. Sherlock already deduced the reason for this. Ms. Wilson is a widow, that was clearly proven by the man's wedding ring on a gold chain around her neck. He had deduced that ms. Wilson and her deceased husband did not have children, which is why she was so kind to every student she's ever taught. Even to the idiots who misbehave in her class and take advantage of her kindness. She would talk to them politely, enough to embarrass them in front of the class instead of inflicting punishment.

It was the 5th week of school when things started going awfully bad, besides the tedious classes. One of the many simpletons in his history class must have gotten bored of beating up younger students. As soon as Sherlock walked out of the classroom, his leather bag full of books slung over his shoulder, (he recognized the boy as Sebastian), the auburn haired idiot purposely walked into him. How cliche it all was. Sebastian walked into Sherlock, shouting at the curly haired boy to "watch where your going freak!" Then pushed him out of his way, straight into the side of a locker. Sherlock bit his lip from crying out in pain as his back hit the locker. He glared at Sebastian who walked away with his buddies, all laughing.

After that, it became a routine. Sherlock started feeling bad for the person who's locker that belonged to. He imaged if this continues all year, he would have made a dent in that locker and had gotten major back problems. Then Sebastian and his buddies decided to change tactics. Whenever Sherlock was on his way outside during his spare time, they would follow him until they're close enough to push him to the damp grass. As the wind was knocked out of him upon hitting the ground, he could see them kick his school bag, all the books and papers falling out. Then they walked away, leaving Sherlock laying on the ground, his possessions scattered around him.

The few times John walked out of the bathroom to find Sherlock buttoning his school shirt, he would inquire about the obvious bruises on Sherlock's nearly transparent skin. Sherlock would ignore him and leave right away. He had to be honest, John was not as stupid as everyone else. He understood things other would deem unimportant. Sherlock was sure John knew what was going on. John had the decency to not ask direct questions about the situation.

After 3 months of this constant, physical abuse, Sebastian had crossed the line. Sherlock was walking down the hall during lunch time, passing boys and girls at their lockers. He was keeping to himself, like he did always did. Something must have provoked Sebastian to slam Sherlock against a locker. The girl at the locker shrieked and jumped away as Sebastian knocked Sherlock's books out of his hands. The boys that always followed Sebastian around, Jim and Colin, stood behind him, smirking.