Shadows In Durango

*****Sofia's POV*****

The next school day rolled around, and I found myself standing outside the school gates before 9, scanning the crowd for Emma. The sky above was heavy with dark clouds, and the rain had begun to spittle down, the first signs of the impending storm.

Finally, I spotted Emma disembarking from the large yellow school bus, her pace quickening as she rushed towards the entrance - having not seen me yet as she used her arms to shield herself from the rain.

I waved to her excitedly, catching her attention amidst the sea of students when she got closer, as her eyes seemed to light up warmly, rushing towards me.

"Morning Emma!" I called out, my voice barely audible over the growing patter of rain that grew heavier by the seconds.

She weaved towards me, a bright smile lighting up her face despite the dreary weather. "Sofia! Hey!" she exclaimed, hurrying over to join me under the shelter of the entrance canopy.

"We have English together first, right?" I asked, my excitement bubbling over at the thought of spending more time with my newly found friend who seemed like the most normal and down to earth student I had come across so far: already offering me a new found comfort.

"Yeah, we do!" Emma confirmed, her enthusiasm matching mine. "It makes the class more exciting now doesn't it? We can sit together and maybe even work on some projects together if there's any partner stuff! I always hated the partner crap, that's when you would really notice that nobody likes you!" She buzzes in a rant, helping me to feel more normal at the school as we walked.

I nodded eagerly in agreement, already envisioning us chatting and laughing together in class like normal teenagers. "Definitely! Speaking of sitting together, do you think Daryl would mind swapping seats with you? I was thinking that I could just ask him?" I asked, remembering our conversation from yesterday and expressing my thoughts out loud about how we could sit closer.

Emma's eyes widened in understanding. "Oh, I don't know, he's in with Vincent's crew right? He might just tell us to get lost!" she voiced, her worry evident as I shake my head and laugh.

"Nah not Daryl! He's actually really nice! He's nothing like Vincent, believe me. I'll ask him when we get there." I encourage, as she sighs and nods along with the idea - clearly not wanting any trouble from anyone in the process. But Daryl was different...

He wouldn't mind, it isn't even a big deal asking for a seat swap, right?

When we reached our English class, Daryl was already there, chatting with a few other classmates near the back as he laughed loudly and hadn't noticed us come in yet.

I glanced at Vincent's empty chair on passing, pondering over whether or not he had possibly skipped school today due to the weather. The thought alone brought me some relief, but the bell had only gone seconds ago so maybe I was being too hopeful.

I continued to approach Daryl tentatively with Emma at my back, feeling a knot of nerves forming in my stomach as he eventually noticed me and raised a brow.

"Daryl, hey," I greeted him awkwardly, trying to sound casual despite my racing heart.

I wasn't nervous to ask the question, but I just didn't like how the other students stared holes through me in a suffocating silence just to be nosey.

He turned his body fully towards me, with a smile slowly spreading across his face. "What's up with you today? You seem more jumpy?" he replied, his usual warmth evident in his voice which regularly put me at ease.

I hesitated for a moment before plunging ahead with my request deciding that it was now or never. "Do you think you could consider swapping seats with Emma today? We thought it would be nice to sit together, she's a friend." I explained quietly, gesturing towards Emma who stood beside me, her expression hopeful yet nervous.

Daryl's smile faltered for a moment, his brows furrowing in confusion as he looked between us both. "Oh, uh, well I've always sat here, but yeah I guess so," he replied with a shrug, his tone slightly subdued and icy for the first time since I had met him.

I frowned a little, puzzled by his reaction and not wanting to upset him at all with the move. Daryl had always been so easygoing, but now he seemed... weirdly disappointed?

"Are you sure? Only if you really don't mind?" I pressed, wanting to make sure that he was okay with the change and didn't feel pressured by everyone watching.

"Yeah, yeah, it's fine," Daryl assured me, his smile returning albeit somewhat forced as he stood up slowly and took his things with him.

Reluctantly, he cleared his throat and moved towards the seat Emma had vacated for him, leaving me feeling bewildered and unsure of what just happened.

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Maybe that's just his comfort since it had always been his seat? Maybe he likes his spot but didn't want to say no to me?

I could always ask him later if he would prefer to switch back...

We sank down in to our chairs as class began, but I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss with Daryl today.

But as Emma and I sat side by side, laughing and chatting like old friends who had known each other for years at every chance we could, I pushed aside my concerns, choosing instead to focus on the happiness of the present moment. "He didn't seem too happy..." Emma whispers, motioning her head over towards Daryl as I glanced quickly to find his eyes fixated on us both as we spoke.

"No I really think he will be fine with it, don't worry! That's not like him, maybe he's just having an off day." I assure her, sounding more as though I were trying to convince myself of the fact instead. Whatever Daryl's reaction meant, I was determined not to let it scare off my one and only friend here!

"You seem to know him well?" Emma pushes, curious and on edge - continuing to glance at him from time to time, immediately diverting her eyes when she found him to still be staring.

"He's been nice to me ever since I got here, and he's pretty easy to talk to, that's all." I nod, pushing a smile as I remembered the times Daryl had insisted on walking me home, being a total gentleman. I would hate to upset him... to have him act colder towards me... just like-

"Sorry I'm late!" Vincent suddenly makes his grand entrance, with his usual smug smile plastered across his face.

My jaw nearly dropped, as my anxiety skyrocketed seeing his eyes find my chair amongst the class: crushing the little hope I had of him not showing up today.

"Mr Walker, may I just ask, how are you bone dry if there is a current storm happening outside?" The teacher questions, evidently displeased with his late arrival, as he shrugs and moves towards his empty chair. He was right by his question, as I turned to glance towards the window - seeing the battering rain ripping down from the clouds.

There was not one drop of water on him... so where actually was he?

On that note, the door opened again, revealing a girl student with flushed cheeks and slightly messy hair.

"Sorry! I got caught in a meeting at the office!" She blushes and giggles, before turning to smile at Vincent who looked victorious to say the least.

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A twisted knot formed within my stomach, watching their sneaky exchange, and seeing the dark haired girl move around the room in the shortest skirt I think I had ever seen.

The teacher continued on with the lesson with a brief shake of the head, deciding that it would be more beneficial to ignore the encounter as opposed to addressing it.

Vincent turned to eye me, throwing me a wink as Emma audibly gasped from beside me as I turned to her.

"Ignore him, he does this to me every day, I don't know why!" I grumble, feeling more frustrated with him today than usual.

It seems that everything Vincent does purposefully tries to get a rise out of me... and I still can't put my finger on why? Why me?! What does he love about tormenting me so much?!