Shadows In Durango

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

Waking up for school to my new iPhone ring tone was a first in a long time...

Smiling, I unlocked the phone which had not many apps downloaded yet at all, and clicked on to my text chat with Emma.

I had paid for a SIM card and had used fifteen dollars of my money to top it up for now.

'Morning! I'll meet you at the front doors?' I send the text to her, before locking the phone and moving to get ready for school.

Wearing a pair of jeans and a thick jacket, I tie my curly hair up into a messy bun using a couple of clips to secure it - making it look as though I had at least put some effort in to the look.

I dreaded seeing both Vincent and Daryl today, with plans to avoid both of them at all costs... that is until after break when I have to face Vincent for extra credit in the storage room!

First I had English though, which was beginning to grow on me since I sat beside Emma now. Thankfully I had asked Daryl to swap seats with Emma when I did considering how awkward things were between us now - I would die knowing that I would have to sit with him for just short of two hours today!

I leave my apartment, heading downstairs and outside always thankful that my neighbours seemed to be allergic to the morning air...

I got to school in record time, feeling sort of good about myself as I held my 'new' phone in my hand and connected to the schools Wi-Fi as soon as I was in proximity. It felt normal, as though I was just another undamaged teenager like the rest of them...

"Sofia!" Emma calls me over, as I almost miss her due to having my head buried in my phone trying to download some games and things to help pass my time whenever I'm at home.

"Seen any of the devils yet?" I remark, locking the phone and giving her my full attention not wanting to be rude.

The 'devils' was the new nickname we had given to Vincent and Daryl, both on the look out for them at all times moving forward to make my life a little easier.

"Nope! Maybe we should get to class early and be seated for when they arrive? Less awkward..." Emma suggests as I instantly nod and follow her inside, weaving our way through the sea of students with five minutes to spare before the bell.

I told Emma everything that Daryl had told me, and she seemed shocked to hear that Vincent told him he had kissed me before he actually did...

She claims Vincent loves a game, and probably wanted to cause some drama for his own amusement that night to which I nodded and agreed - what else could it be?

We take our seats, getting out our things, before hearing the dreadful morning bell ring out around the school signalling the start of the first class.

Surprisingly, Daryl and Vincent didn't show up, as the time ticked forward and I waited for either of them to walk in at any moment, but they never.

"Huh, maybe they are both sick and will be off all week?" Emma whispers as the teacher waffled on, causing me to snigger.

"You're evil!" I laugh and whisper back to her which she grins and pushes her glasses up her nose.

The morning seemed to go in faster without the both of their presences swarming the atmosphere, as the bell sounded out to signify the start of break.

Great, storage room duties with just me, myself and I today it seems!

"I meant to ask you sooner, how come you got a job at Vincent's bar?" Emma hums, thinking out loud as I meekly shrug.

"I needed some more money and nowhere else was hiring..." I explain, hoping that she won't pry any further since I wasn't prepared to lie to her about my whole living with my brother story.

I certainly wasn't living with any of my brothers - they were all just as equal assholes to my father!

"That makes sense, but did you just ask Vincent for the job?" Emma seems more curious about how I actually got the job instead of why I needed the money to which I was glad about.

"Nah I spoke to the manager Tito and didn't realise until my first shift when he walked in that he owned the place!" I roll my eyes, as Emma gasps and follows up with a giggle. "Seriously?! What are the chances of that!" Emma shakes her head as I agree.

"He did let me keep the job though to be fair to him, that was pretty decent." I trail off, knowing that despite Vincent and his ways, I would always be grateful that he at least gave me a chance. Finishing up with break, we walk towards the science corridor, before I depart from my friend and head for the storage closet once more.

"Good morning Mr Stanley!" I beam, excited for my time away from Physical Ed class, especially now knowing that Vincent wasn't anywhere to be seen today.

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"Sofia, good morning! I've left a list of what needs done today pinned to the computer. Vincent made a start this morning so all of the school departments have already gotten their deliveries that you helped to pack last week." He explains, as I feel the colour practically rinse from my face.

Did I hear him right?!

"Oh... ok... so is Vincent still here?" I trail off, my voice growing quieter as he just laughs and nods.

"He's right in there, good luck!" He chimes, before leaving me to suffer on my own with him.

I still have time to run if I want to...

But I can't!

Straightening up, I push open the door and find Vincent standing in nothing but a tight white vest and grey sweatpants.

"Didn't think you were coming today..." He straightens up, dusting off his hands as my eyes guiltily trail over his numbers of tattoos covering every inch of skin on show.

"How do you have so many? So young?" I find the questions escaping, almost mesmerised by his flexing muscles.

Feeling embarrassed as he smirks, I shake myself out of it and watch him fold his arms comfortably.

"I know a guy." He shrugs, as I nod once slowly, choosing to say no more.

"So what's the deal? What did Daryl say? Did you guys kiss and make up? Did he blame me for it all?" Vincent cocks his head to the side as he speaks, leaving me feeling hot and under pressure.

They were supposed to be best friends... why do they not communicate?!

"He did actually, yes." I confirm, my voice soft and quiet as he just clicks his tongue and rolls his eyes.

"Typical. When a man kisses a woman they mean it. He can blame me all he wants but he obviously wanted to kiss that bitch!" Vincent laughs, seeming unbothered by the fact Daryl had put the weight of the situation on to him.

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I understood what he meant though, since Daryl hadn't actually apologised or took responsibility for what happened himself...

"So did you really want to kiss me?" My words slip out for the second time, curiosity killing the cat as usual.

I didn't need to know that, so why the heck did I have to ask?!

Vincent makes a move, causing my whole body to grow tense, watching him casually saunter towards me.

He towers over me, closing the distance between us, as I feared that if I needed to yell for help, nobody would even hear it!

"I wanted to kiss you... because I like how innocent you are... Daryl shouldn't get a girl like you all to himself." He speaks, bringing the back of his large hand down my cheek gently causing me to suck in a breath. He's messing with me again...

"Stop..." I breathe out, as his mouth stretches out into a smile.

"You always say that, yet something tells me that you don't actually want me to stop." He hums, his voice deepening with each word causing me to grow hot.

When suddenly, he steps back, breaking up the moment with another chuckle.

"My little toy." He mutters to himself in amusement, as I clasp my trembling fingers together to gather my composure.

His toy... that's all he thinks I am...

"I like your hair like that by the way, it almost looks as though you've had a good fuck before school." He suddenly states, turning to lift some boxes again as my jaw drops and nearly hits the floor. He has no filter!

How will I survive?