+ Excerpts from John H. Watson's Journal (1988-2010) +

June 30th, 1988

Dear Journal,

Hello! So, I'm sitting here, writing my very first journal entry! Mum says it's good for "therapeutic reasons" or something. I don't know what that means, but it's probably good. Anyway, who cares about that boring stuff.

I'd like to tell you about my new friend. We've only been in this place—England—for one month and I made a really good friend. His name is Sherlock Holmes. It's an odd name, but I like it! I wish my name was a fun as his name. I bet you're wondering what he looks like. His hair is messy, and he's shorter than me. He laughs weirdly.

As much as I like Sherlock, Mum tells me that he's no good. She tells me that his real parents abandoned him as a baby boy and he's all messed up 'cause of it. I say bullocks! (I hope mum doesn't read this). I like him a lot. Even though he's odd and his room is really messy, he's smart. He knows things that no one else knows! He's like a magician. The first thing he said to me, before we were best friend, was "That must have been a good Black Jack. Have any more?"

I was amazed! How did he know I had just eaten that candy? So, I said, "How did you know I ate that?"

"You have a black tongue. And I can smell the flavoring from here," he said with a funny smile.

"Oh," I said. I thought he was some kind of wizard or something. Anyway, he's been guessing stuff about me every day! I keep testing him saying, "What did I eat today?" And you won't believe it, journal, but he guesses it right every single time! I think this is going to be a very nice friendship. Maybe I can learn to be a wizard like him.

There's so much to tell you, but I have to go now, journal, dinner is ready!

-John

February 14th, 1989

Dear Journal,

I've eaten so much candy today! Our school had a whole chocolate fair. You must be jealous, journal. I feel bad for you. You can't ever eat chocolate! Haha! Oh, there were also pretty cards and stuff. They had some girly pink hearts on them, so I stayed away. I am not a girl.

Anyway, something else happened today other than the chocolate fair and cards. I was talking to Mary, a girl from my class, when Sherlock tapped me on the shoulder and brought me to the side of the playground. He whispered to me. I don't know why he did that, but it was like he wanted to keep stuff a secret.

"I have something to give you," he said quietly. I was confused and excited at the same time. I love gifts!

"Here." He handed me a white envelope that said "To John" on the front. His handwriting was pretty. He told me to open it when I got home. I put it in my jacket, waved good bye to him, and ran back to grab more chocolate.

The first thing I did when I got home was shout to Mum, who was watching the tele, that I was home. Then, I tore open the envelope and looked down at a card with badly-drawn black heart on the front. Inside the heart, it said, "Happy Valentine's Day!" I opened it. Inside it said this:

"Dearest John,

I'd like to thank you for your friendship. You're the only friend I've ever had. Being with you makes me so happy. I hope I'll be with you forever. I love you. Happy Valentine's Day!

Love,

Sherlock Holmes"

I was so happy when I read it. It was the nicest thing anyone had ever said, or written, to me. I hugged the card. I brought it up to my room and put it beneath my pillow. Now, it'd never leave my side, and I'd be able to look at it whenever I was sad. And now, I have to do homework. Mum keeps nagging me about it. Talk to you later, journal!

-John

August 28th, 1991

Last night I slept over Sherlock's house. We had planned it about a week in advance, and I set up a chart listing all of the things we wanted to do. After his mum and father went to sleep, I showed Sherlock the list and he laughed in my face. It was rude and I frowned.

"Forget that list. I've got something cool to show you," he grabbed my hand and led me to the upstairs hallway. He pulled a cord, and stairs slowly floated down, revealing an attic. It was dark and creepy. I couldn't wait to go see what was up there!

I darted up the stairs, leaving Sherlock behind. The place had wooden walls, and a lot of exercise equipment. It wasn't anything too exciting. There was a large red pillow hanging from the wall in the center of the room, with boxing gloves lying on the floor. There were also a lot of mattresses on the floor, and some weights on a rack. Holmes poked me, and I turned around to see him smiling evilly.

"So are you going to show me some Bruce Lee moves or something? My father loves him and his movies!" I cried.

He laughed again. "Sure, sure. Something like that."

So he showed me his moves. He jump-kicked and spiraled in the air. I clapped. He lifted really, really heavy weights a couple of times, and handed them to me. I nearly fell the ground, and my muscles hurt really bad. Then, he started punching the big red pillow. He punched it so hard that the pillow flung madly around on the hook. Then he stopped and quickly turned toward me.

"John, I'd watch out it I were you."

"What? Why?" I asked nervously.

"Because...I'm going to get you!" He cried and charged toward me. Before I could turn away and run, he'd grabbed my waist, lifted me in the air, and pounded me into the mattress. I was breathing heavily out of shock. Sherlock had pinned me down and pinned me good. I couldn't budge my legs, because his were forcing mine shut.

"Wow," I said, my chest heaving really fast. And there was that big smile of his again. He looked at me, and I looked at him for awhile. I had never realized it, but I liked his face. It had a nice shape. Then you know what he did? Don't laugh, journal. Wait, you can't even talk! Anyway, he kissed me. He leaned in fast (he almost knocked his head with mine!) and kissed me sloppily on the lips and I let him. I think, I'm not sure though, that I kissed back. I don't know! I've never kissed before. I'm young! I felt all tingly and happy everywhere. Then he pulled away from me, and I gave him a smile. I was so happy in the moment that I didn't even think that I just kissed a boy. That's not how it is supposed to be. Mum had said so. Whatever, I hide this journal under my bed. Mum never cleans my room. I always do that on my own.

"You're the best, John," he said while only several centimeters from my face. I wanted to kiss him again, but I stopped myself.

"So are you," I said. After that he rolled over and laid down next to me. We talked for awhile about everything...until we heard birds chirping. That meant it was really early in the morning. I fell asleep before Sherlock, and I feel bad. I must have slept while he was talking or something. But I told him, in the morning, that I was sorry. He hugged me and I went home. Now I'm here. That was a fun sleepover. We planned another one for next week, and I'm even more excited for that one!

-John

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