Shadows In Durango

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

Morning arrived far too quickly, with the bright sun shining through the blinds once again - welcoming me to a new day.

I groaned, my body protesting as I forced myself out of bed (if you could even call my blanketed spot on the floor my bed).

The events of last night still swirled in my mind, mingling with the remnants of restless dreams.

I had survived my first shift at Vincent's bar, but the uneasy tension between us lingered like a dark cloud - making me think over when I would next see him with fears that he would perhaps change his mind and fire me. After a quick shower, I dressed in my usual school attire- simple jeans and a tee. The cold morning air nipped at my face as I stepped outside, my breath visible in the frigid air.

It had started to get pretty cold, and I heard some men at the bar last night talking about a storm that was approaching... which only filled me with dread.

I didn't have any warm clothes or waterproofs if it were to rain, but perhaps with my new job somewhat secured I could visit the store again and pick some new items up?

I continued to walk briskly to school, my mind replaying the strange interaction with Vincent last night as I had met them in the last place I ever expected to.

Why had he insisted on cutting my hours while keeping my pay the same? The more I thought about it, the more baffling it seemed.

I managed to reach the school building in record time, probably wanting to get out of the cold as quickly as I could, and I welcomed the warmth of the place with open arms.

It was another day of physical ed on the cards, and I again didn't bring any suitable clothes for it.

Great!

I hated the whole atmosphere of the class too, with the bitchy girls and rowdy guys drooling over them every two seconds... it was sheer hormones on heat!

The bell rang, signalling the start of my morning misery, as I dragged my feet towards the gym halls, hoping for something drastic to have happened in order for the class to be cancelled.

But I was being hopeful, approaching to find the same guy teacher from before, standing in the same dull grey uniform with a whistle hung around his neck.

"Ah Maria, is it?" He greets me, causing two of the nearby girls to snigger at him calling me by the wrong name.

"Sofia..." I correct quietly, as he squints as though I wasn't being truthful.

Why the heck would I lie about my own name?!

"Go change, we are doing rugby indoors!" He pushes, as I fidget with my fingers in fear of what he would say when I again explain that I don't have any change of clothes.

"I don't actually, have anything to wear... I forgot..." I mumble, trying to keep the other girls from hearing my admission.

"Oh so you're going to be one of those ones are you? Hates exercise? Good thing we have spare clothes for the likes of you - go find something in the box!" He points towards a large plastic box in the corner, as my eyes almost pop out of their sockets.

I walk over to the red box with slow steps, my heart sinking as I rifled through its contents. The clothes inside were a chaotic mix of sizes and colors, most of them looking well-worn and unwashed...

Reluctantly, I pulled out a pair of oversized shorts and a too-small shirt that had a faded school logo barely visible. The outfit was mismatched and ill-fitting, but it was all I had.

I trudged my way to the girls' changing room, trying to ignore the growing pit of dread in my stomach at showing them my outfit.

Inside, the air was thick with the sounds of chatter and laughter to which I didn't fit in to in any way, shape or form. I quickly changed, feeling the eyes of the other girls peering towards me, their whispers barely concealed. "Nice outfit, Maria," one of them sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she had overheard my change of name kindly granted to me by the teacher just moments before.

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I kept my head down, focusing on tying my sneakers back up, hoping that they would just get bored and would leave me alone.

"Oh my god, she looks like a clown in that outfit," another one chimed in, and the group erupted into even more giggles.

I forced myself to stay silent, letting their words wash over me. There was no point in responding it would only make things worse.

"Hey, why aren't you saying anything huh?" a tall girl with perfectly styled hair demanded, stepping closer. She was one of the queen bees of the class clearly, always surrounded by admirers and lackeys.

I didn't look up, keeping my eyes on my laces.

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence, and I could feel her frustration growing at my lack of acknowledgement - but I didn't know what else to do.

"Hey! I'm fucking talking to you bitch!" she snapped, grabbing my ponytail and yanking it hard.

I screamed instantly, the pain shooting through my scalp as she pulled me right down until my knees hit the tiles. My hands flew up to my head, trying to free myself from her grip, but she only tightened her hold, dragging me around the changing room next.

The other girls laughed, their amusement echoing off the walls as they all enjoyed the drama of the incident at my expense.

"Please let go of me!" I pleaded, my voice breaking out in a cry, drowned out by more laughter and snide remarks.

But she didn't listen, her grip unyielding. Tears of pain and humiliation blurred my vision as I tried to twist free.

Suddenly, the door to the changing room flew open, and the gym teacher stormed in, his face a mask of fury and no care for whether or not we were all decent.

"What on earth is going on in here?!" He boomed, his eyes darting between us both.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! The tall girl finally released me, and I stumbled to my feet, clutching my head.

"They were fighting, Sofia started it!" one of the other girls said quickly, a smirk playing on her lips.

The teacher glared at both of us, his nostrils flaring. "Fighting, huh? Both of you- detention for the rest of the day! I won't tolerate this kind of behavior in my class." "But she" I started, my voice shaking, but he cut me off instantly.

"I don't want to hear it. Detention, for the both of you. NOW!" He yelled.

I looked at the girl who had attacked me, a triumphant glint in her eye.

My heart sank. There was no use in arguing-it was her word against mine, and I already knew who they would believe, especially with the backup of the whole class.

With a heavy sigh, I gathered my things and trudged to detention, my scalp still throbbing and hair messy from the assault. The unfairness of it all stung, but I kept my head down, determined not to let them see how much they had hurt me. Detention was a small, dreary room at the back of the school, the walls lined with old textbooks and faded posters.

I slumped into a chair, feeling the weight of exhaustion and frustration settle over me.

The tall girl sauntered in a few minutes later, taking a seat across from me. She shot me a smug look, clearly enjoying my misery.

I stared at the desk, trying my best to block her out. This day was just getting worse and worse, and all I could do was endure it... Couldn't I have one decent day at this school?!