John was really, properly happy for the first time in what felt like a long time. It was time for a new school year, and he was off to a new boarding school. He was ridiculously nervous, of course. He'd never been to boarding school, and he didn't know any of the other student's, but he had a feeling he'd have a good time. Leaving his mum would be hard, but his older sister Harry didn't live at home any more, preferring to spend her nights drunk out of her skull and sleeping over her many girlfriend's houses, and his dad had left recently (not on good terms) and his parents were going through the processes of a messy divorce. Getting away for a bit was good, he supposed. Home was still full of so many memories of his dad, some happy and some downright depressing, and he just wanted to get away for a bit. He'd be back home for holidays and he'd be able to spend time with his mum then. Under normal circumstances, John's family never would have been able to afford sending him here, even if his dad had still been with them. The school was ridiculously posh, John had seen photos of the campus and he was impressed. But it was easily one of the best academic schools in the country, and John's grades had been enough to get his foot in the door for a scholarship. He felt himself smirking as the countryside whizzed by, and leaned his head against the cool glass of the window, allowing his eyes to droop shut.

After the several hours long car drive, they stopped in front of a great stone hall, ringed with trees already turning orange in the fall chill. He stepped out of the car, watching around him as mother and fathers hugged their children goodbye and little siblings cried in the backs of expensive cars, angry that they weren't able to tag along. He made his way quickly to the trunk, grabbing his suitcases.

"Oh sweetie," his mum sniffled, trying to flatten his unruly dark blonde hair and straighten his new jumper.

"MUM!" he groaned, pushing her hand away but hugging her tightly all the same.

John smiled at her from the curb waving goodbye and having to eventually shoo her off. Unable to contain the grin spreading across his face, he made his way through the halls. He found the offices without too much difficulty, and got his schedule and room assignments from one of the secretaries, who smiled at him and welcomed him to their school.

Finding his room, on the other hand, was a whole other story. He wandered through the wood-paneled halls for what seemed like hours, getting lost and walking into abandoned classrooms several times before getting the courage to ask one of the nicest-looking older students for some guidance.

Finally, John found himself outside his own room. 221. Glancing down at his room assignment one last time, he caught sight of his roommate's name.

"Sherlock..." he tested the name on his tongue. Strange name, he'd certainly never heard it before.

Taking a deep breath, John shook the key out of his envelope and pushed it in the lock before quietly opening the door, hoping not to disturb his roommate if he was in there already.

He really hoped he'd get a chance to meet his roommate before heading to classes, it would be nice to know someone here...

A/N: Rewrite posted 09/05/13