ethereality| a sherlock fanfiction

1.5

2000

Simone

Before he could open his mouth to answer, or, perhaps, question my deductions, the bell rang and I smirked. Saved by the bell, I suppose. I turned on my heel and bounced away towards Mr. Moodle's class, but the boy followed, hot on my heels. I bit my lip, brows knit, and continued walking-- after all, there were other places to be. Other places, besides Moodle's classroom.

But worry began to sink its claws into my conscience as I approached the end of the hallway, and the boy was still on my tail. Just as I arrived at the door, my feet came to a screeching halt. I could hear the sharp intake of the boy's breath as he stopped too.

"Are you going to leave or not?" I tilted my head back, eyes meeting his. "You realize I have things to be taking care of."

"I, um," the boy bit his lip. "I'm to have a meeting with Professor Moodle today as well, actually."

"Fair enough," I huffed, and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Moodle's nasally tone grated on the my ears, and I pushed the door open.

"Sit."

I stood as the boy eased himself into the seat across from Moodle's desk.

"Miss Poole, sit."

I hesitated momentarily before I sat.

"I trust you two have met?" Moodle's rosy cheeks rose in satisfaction, and perhaps delight in not having to introduce us.

"Yes."

"No."

I whirled my head around to face his, blue and green eyes clashing, and with all my might, I kicked the boy under the table.

The boy stifled a groan, then let out a stilted, "No."

 I smiled.

Moodle cleared his throat. "... Alright. Well, William--"

"Sherlock."

"Sherlock, you will be tutoring Miss Poole here."

"What?"My brows furrowed. "That's unreasonable--"

"Mr. William Sherlock Holmes is one of the most intelligent of our school, and we believe he can teach you a thing or two in academics, given his, ah... less than impressive social skills," Moodle drawled, a smug look on his face.

I was nailed into the seat, momentary shock holding me down like a paperweight. This boy was tutoring me, just because he had the best grades in the school? What about his attitude towards teachers?

And Holmes? He's a fucking Holmes?

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

"And you, William--"

"Sherlock."

"Sherlock, you can choose where you'll be tutoring her, suiting your tastes. The library is always open for you, when needed."

I kneaded my icy hands together. "And? How long is he going to be... tutoring me?"

"As long as he sees fit, starting today."

Today?  "You're kidding me."

"No, Miss Poole, in fact, I'm completely serious. Your marks are absolutely unacceptable for a student attending our school, and if they continue their path down this road, we will have to choice but to have you expelled."

An unexpected chill ran over my body. No, they wouldn't do that, they promised, what about Mum--

"Understood?" 

I looked up, and I could feel heat creeping up from my collar and into my face. My composure was leaving faster than the hair receding Moodle's hairline, and I dug my fingers into my palms so hard I felt a sharp pain, then a wet stickiness on my hands. No. Stay calm, all I needed to do was to listen, be a good girl, stay calm--

"Good. Then you two are released from your classes from the rest of the week, for I believe Will-- Sherlock will teach you everything you need to know." He waved a meaty hand, and William Sherlock Holmes stood and left the classroom.

-----

"Your hands."

We were at the entrance of the library now, and I snapped my head back to meet his eyes. Sherlock (He had told me to call him that) looked back calmly. "Excuse me?"

"Your hands. They're bleeding."

I looked down, and I noticed the four crescent shaped marks on either hand. Sherlock was right, the marks were bleeding quite profusely. So that was the stickiness I felt on my hands. "...Oh. Um."

"Do you need help with that?" He strode forward, eyebrows furrowed in concern, but I flinched away.

"No, um--"

No, your eyes are too familiar.

"--You're my tutor, not my nurse," I snapped instead. Sherlock's face fell, and my heart wrenched. "I got it," I mumbled, as I backed away and stumbled off to the bathroom.

William Sherlock Holmes.

Holmes.

I knew you looked familiar. 

A/N: yeet