Shadows In Durango

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

Standing from the floor, I move to crack my aching back with a sore stretch.

Sleeping on the floor was not the best form of sleep but it would just have to do right now.

I got myself ready for school, deciding to wear the blue tee and new jeans I had purchased from the thrift store yesterday, providing a sense of freshness from the clothes I usually rotated between these days.

My hair and body was now spotless after an hour of relentless scrubbing in the cold shower which needed to be done - and I was thankful that my hair dried naturally straight which meant that I didn't have to style or attempt to fix it too much either.

With a heavy spray of deodorant and a scrub of my teeth, I pull my bag over my shoulder and head for the door - thankful that my two neighbours hadn't yet emerged in the early hours of the day.

I followed the small map on the pamphlet, realising that the school wasn't too far from the town centre which made things easier for me.

It was roughly a fifteen minute walk in to town and then no doubt a few more minutes walk from there. I liked walking, but recently find myself taking dizzy turns probably due to my lack of a healthy diet.

At first it was a struggle, trying to watch what I was spending by cutting back on my food, but at this rate it was a terrible habit that I often forgot about.

I was the skinniest I had ever been, which made me feel slightly queasy whenever I thought in to it too much. My old clothes didn't fit the same, and I was angry with myself for letting go of my appearance so much over the months that I had ran away.

I was always slim, but had curves which I didn't mind, but by now, any sort of ass that I once had was non existent...

If my forged paperwork had been accepted by the school then I should hopefully get a free lunch every day which will keep me going though.

I had gotten good at this forgery stuff, although it did worry me with what could or would happen if I ever got caught.

I had my oldest brother's ID, but only ever used it for important stuff such as applying to switch schools. I claimed he was my guardian, and worked away in the army, which was why I was left to live alone.

Technically I was seventeen, almost eighteen, which meant that I wouldn't need a guardian at all soon enough... but I had to be cautious with what I used the ID for.

Sure, I could attempt to take out a credit card in his name, but that would leave a foot print of where I was since I would have to do it online.

I have learned to be clever, because after the first two locations I had run off to, I realised how quickly they could find me with the smallest slip up.

Having now passed the town, I noticed a young guy with a backpack on and decided to follow behind him assuming that we were both going to the same place - being school.

Rightly so, within five minutes, we rounded a corner and the large building stood before me.

This was the worst part about moving, having to start a new school. The first day could go one of two ways, either everybody would notice I was new and could make my life a living hell, or I would go undetected which was my most favourable option.

Luckily I seemed to be early, as not many kids were here yet as I headed inside and glanced around.

"Lost?" I turn to find a man with glasses, cocking an eyebrow down at me as I nod assuming he was one of the teachers.

"I'm looking for the office." I explain, as he nods and motions for me to follow him as he begins to walk in a quickened stride.

I push my feet quickly to keep up, turning a left and then a right before the large glass windows of the school office soon come in to view.

"Thank you!" I beam, knowing that I would have never found this place on my own.

"You are welcome - good luck!" He nods once more before taking off again, leaving me standing by the door alone.

I knock gently, seeing the small elderly receptionist peer up at me from her computer screen before motioning for me to come in.

I enter, approaching her as she stands and moves to grab an envelope of sorts before pushing the glasses back up her nose.

"You must be Sofia Isabella yes? The newbie?" She questions, handing me an envelope which read 'student welcome pack'.

"That's me." I reply in confirmation, as she takes a seat once again and begins to type something up on the system.

"Ok so the headmaster is out all day today so he will meet you another time, but you have been assigned one of our students to help show you around, he should be here in ten minutes. You also get a free lunch is that correct? You will find your student lunch card in the welcome pack and it should already have credit on it for you to buy your lunch. You bring the card back to us every three months for us to update the credits. Your timetable will also be in your welcome pack but you will have first two classes off to go on a tour of the school." The receptionist recites her checklist with ease, showing me that she had done this role many times before and that I was just another typical new student to her - nothing special. "That all makes sense, thanks!" I respond, fumbling with the large brown envelope in my hands as she offers me a tight smile and motions towards the waiting seats.

"Take a seat, read through your pack and the student should arrive for you soon." She pushes, as I take a glance at her name badge which read 'Brenda'.

I nod, pushing back a smile at her hurried demeanour, before turning to sink in to one of the comfy chairs.

The only sound was of the keyboard clicking, as I tore open the envelope and revealed its contents...

Inside, was a map of the school which I placed aside, a key to my own locker which was number '804', my lunch card with my name on it, a welcome breakfast snack bar which I was more thankful for than she even knew, a booklet listing what the school offers for extra credit with what clubs were available to join, followed by my timetable.

I decide to eat the breakfast bar before the student arrives to show me around, finding that it would be rude to do so when he gets here.

I rip open the wrapper, take a bite, causing my stomach to growl out - almost in excitement at gaining fuel.

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Glancing down at the timetable, I had English in the morning which I would be missing for the tour, Physical Ed after that which I absolutely hated only because I didn't bring a change of clothes because I don't own any, and then Art at the end of the day which I did enjoy.

Back home at my normal school I was one of the best runners and cheer flyers in my year group - if I don't mind bragging. But since leaving, my taste for physical activity quickly deteriorated due to many reasons. The first being that I didn't have much energy with the cut back in food I had to endure, along with the fact that I didn't own any gym clothes at my new schools so often got embarrassed about taking part in my normal clothes after a girl called me out for it once. "Sofia?" I glance up out of my thoughts to find a young guy standing awkwardly beside me that I hadn't even noticed come in.

Chewing the last bite of the breakfast bar quickly, swallowing it back, I clear my throat and offer him a smile.

"Yes nice to meet you... and you are?" I try to be polite, pushing the contents of the welcome pack back into the envelope - placing my locker keys, lunch card and folded up timetable in to my jean pocket for convenience. "Joel. I'm doing extra credit, so they said to show you around." He explains, as I nod and stand - taking my bag and other things with me.

"Yeah uh, thanks for that!" I quickly say, knowing this would probably make my time here much easier - especially today.

Hearing the school bell suddenly ring out, giving me a fright, he chuckles slightly at my reaction to which I grow slightly embarrassed by.

"We can give it a minute for the corridors to quieten down before heading out. What locker number are you? We can go there first." He suggests, as I nod and fish out the key from my pocket quickly.

"Oh no, 804! You might have some trouble there..." He trails off, as I furrow my eyebrows in confusion as to what he meant.

He turns to glance out in to the hallways, before turning back to me.

"Let's go, should be quiet now." He motions with his hand as we exit the office and he leads me back the way I came towards the front doors of the school. Here goes nothing...