Elementary, John

Chapter 2: New Beginnings

The next few weeks followed a similar routine. Sherlock would be put in time out a lot, and John continued to play with the other kids. Even though he didn't like the fact that the boy was always in time out, John laughed at most of Sherlock's witty comments.

One day, at recess, Philip and Sally were talking to each other, looking over at Sherlock. Philip then approached him. John, who had been taking advantage of the recent rain and building mud pies, immediately stopped what he was doing and looked on with interest.

Philip had hardly opened his mouth to speak when Sherlock started rattling off his deductions to him. John smirked a bit, but then cringed as Philip slowly backed away, turned with tears in his eyes, and ran to Sally. John frowned and walked over to Sherlock.

"What just happened?" He asked.

Sherlock gave him a look before saying "He and Donovan were gossiping about me, and he was about to be a jerk, so I simply laid out my deductions."

John's eyebrows drew together, but he hardly had time to get a word out before Sally came marching up behind him, Philip close in toe.

"Stay away from him, John," she said, "He's a freak!"

Something dimmed in Sherlock's eyes, and John stiffened. "Why should I listen to you?" he asked. She had no power over him, why should he obey?

"He's a jerk! He called my dad a cheater!" said Philip. "The freak!"

John glanced over at Sherlock. The boy who had so much to say was oddly silent for once. That just wouldn't do.

"He's not a freak!" John exclaimed, "He's just smarter than you and all of us. Leave him alone!"

Sally approached threateningly. "Make me."

With that, John scooped up a fistful of mud and chucked it at her. She flinched away, but she didn't move fast enough. The glob of mud hit her square in the shoulder, right on the sleeve of her blouse.

"This was a new shirt!" she shrieked, "I'm telling on you!"

She stormed off to Mrs. Kendall, who was preoccupied with two other kids, and Philip followed her close behind. John turned to Sherlock.

"Are you ok?" He asked hesitantly.

Sherlock had just been standing there, seemingly in shock, but when John spoke, he snapped back. His eyes, which were slightly dulled, suddenly jumped back to life, as did he. He literally jumped.

"Are you kidding me? That was bloody amazing!" he whooped.

He moved forward, so John got ready for a hug, but Sherlock paused. He cleared his throat and held out his hand, John shaking it confusedly. "Thanks," he mumbled.

"John Watson!"

John whipped around to see the teacher he had all but forgotten about. Crap.

"They called Sherlock a freak!" he defended, "I had to do something!"

"He said my Parents—" Philip started, but was cut off by the teacher.

Mrs. Kendall shook her head, saying, "You could have just come to me, then only one of you would be in trouble. All of you, inside. You will each be in a different corner during snack time, and I want you to write apology letters to each other during that time. Got it?"

They all nodded, some of their eyes downcast, some of their chests puffed out in pride. When Mrs. Kendall turned her back, John and Sherlock made eye contact. John grinned and Sherlock allowed himself a small, genuine smile.

When they were inside, Sherlock refused to write the letters of course. John barely managed, but he and Sherlock kept sharing smug looks as Sally and Philip glared at them.