You See But Do Not Observe

STORY

"Tea is your solution for everything." Serena said, and she sat at the table.

"Hey." She said to Sherlock.

"Hello."

Neither of them said anything else, but Serena felt that the silence was unbearable.

"So, um, last night." She said.

"Yes." He looked at her.

"I totally understand if it means nothing to you. We were both drunk, and emotions were running high."

"Is that it was to you? A drunken mistake."

Serena glanced down. "Not to me it wasn't. It means a lot to me."

"I'm not quite sure what you're saying, Serena."

"Oh, don't be think, Sherlock." John said abruptly. "She's saying she likes you. She's asking if you feel the same."

Serena glared at John and felt her stomach flop. "Well, I was trying to be subtle about it." She muttered with another angry glance at John.

Sherlock stayed quiet, and the kettle began to whistle.

"But why me? Most people dislike me."

"I'm not most people."

"No." Sherlock said. "No, you truly aren't. And I've always thought love was a disadvantage."

Serena felt as though the floor had given way and she was plummeting.

"But maybe it is both strength and weakness." Sherlock added, shrugging.

"Depends on the pair." Serena said just as calmly.

"Yes. It depends on the pair."

Serena felt herself smiling before she started laughing uncontrollably. She shouldn't have been. The demons were haunting her. One of her friends had died, and her ghosts had reappeared, but she didn't care in that moment.

And when John started laughing along with her, Sherlock's smile made her want to fight against the demons to keep what she had found. What she had earned.

"So what's next?" John asked, and Serena's smile faded.

"I have to go." She said, picking up her phone.

"Where?"

"Sandy's sister. She needs to hear it from me." Serena flipped open her phone. She dialed the number feeling like her stomach was being beat with a whisk.

"Michelle?" She asked.

"Serena! I knew you would call." Michelle's voice was thick with tears.

"The police told you." Serena said.

"It's so terrible. I can't believe it." Michelle sobbed.

"It'll be alright. I could visit you, if you wanted."

"No, I'm fine." She didn't sound fine.

"I'll take care of everything." Serena promised her.

"I-I have to go." Michelle said brokenly, and she hung up. Serena snapped shut her phone and looked at Sherlock and John.

Sherlock was the first to move toward her. He grabbed her before she hit the ground, supporting her weight.

"I still can't believe it." She said faintly as John moved in front of her.

"I know." Sherlock said softly.

"What do you want us to do?"

Serena thought through her head. "The funeral should be soon. A few days from now. The police will have his effects by now. Michelle isn't in a state to pick them up."