Shadows In Durango

Chapter 6

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

I sat at the back of my English class, tapping my pen absentmindedly on the desk.

Mr. Thompson's voice droned on about Shakespeare, but my mind was elsewhere. Tonight would be my first night of training at Intensity, and I couldn't shake the nervous excitement coursing through me - grateful to have finally landed a job. What would it be like? Would Tito be patient with me or a nightmare boss? I had never worked in a bar before, let alone one with the kind of reputation Intensity seemed to have. He even mentioned something about me working upstairs in the VIP lounge whatever that meant...

Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed the hum of chatter from the other students whispering around me. The classroom, with its faded posters and rows of wooden desks, seemed distant.

I was so engrossed in imagining what the bar would look like in full swing that I almost missed the scrunched-up piece of paper that landed squarely on my desk in a swift motion.

Startled, I glanced around and saw Vincent smirking at me from across the room. He gestured for me to open the note, his eyes twinkling with mischief as I opened and closed my mouth dreading whatever was on it.

My heart sank. The last thing I wanted was more attention, especially from Vincent, who already seemed to enjoy making me the center of unwanted jokes.

I was hoping that he would have meant to pass it to someone else, but judging by his thrilled expression I had guessed wrong...

With nervous fingers, I unfolded the paper, aware of the curious stares from the other girls in the class, some of which not looking so pleased with the interaction.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I smoothed out the crumpled sheet. Inside, I found a quick comic-like sketch that Vincent had drawn. The first panel showed a girl, clearly meant to be me, carrying a lunch tray towards two guy characters.

a speech bubble that read, "Meh" as the character seemed to judge the lunch with a

falling flat on her face, a comical shriek emanating from her open mouth, reenacting

of red as I realised the sketch was a cruel parody of my encounter during lunch yesterday. Embarrassed and hurt, I quickly scrunched the

for Vincent though, as I glanced over at him briefly to see his smug arrogant look plastered across his facial

Why me?

could hear a few stifled giggles from nearby - clearly having peaked at the paper as I was inspecting it. Vincent chuckled softly, clearly pleased with himself, as I checked the clock on

how much his mockery had affected me. I took a deep breath and tried to focus on Mr. Thompson's lecture, but the words seemed to blur together once again - feeling Vincent's unwavering gaze settling down

He evidently put a

of class, leaned over and whispered, "Ignore him, he's just being an

the

thanks." I reply softly, allowing myself to melt in to Daryl's kind sky

the style suited him well. He was another guy at this school with an athletic build and great height on his side. Maybe that's why he wasn't so scared? I

by you!" Daryl laughs loudly at his own statement, earning a harsh

landing on us both every once in a while which causes me to squirm and shift in my chair. "Yeah I guess you could say that, I do live

seemed to be making my time here at school a living nightmare. Daryl leaned back in his chair casually with a meek nod and a shrug, seeming unbothered

least seemed somewhat decent compared to

that dwelling on

for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting

mattered to me right now. Despite my nervousness, the thought of earning my own money and gaining some independence was thrilling.

I gathered