Shadows In Durango

Chapter 8

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

The final bell rang, as I hurried my way out of the school building, my mind racing with anticipation and anxiety about my first night of training at Intensity.

The walk home was usually a time for me to decompress and gather my thoughts, but today, my thoughts were a jumble of nerves and excitement.

I clutched my bag tightly as I made my way down the increasingly familiar streets, my thoughts pounding in my head as I wondered what sort of training I would be put through...

I had just turned the corner on to the Main Street lined with stores when I heard footsteps quickening from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder, surprised at first to see Daryl jogging to catch up, his easygoing smile lighting up his whole face.

"Sofia, wait up!" he called, his voice warm and friendly as I squinted slightly, wondering why he was rushing towards me.

I stopped, evidently surprised to see him. "Oh hi. What's up?" I asked, trying to hide my nervousness as I forced out my response.

He caught up to me, slightly out of breath from the brief jog. "I wanted to apologise for what happened at lunch today. Kim and Rachael... that was just uncalled for. I know Vincent can be a real dick sometimes, but they were both way out of line for getting involved. It was shitty!" He concludes, as my eyes grow wide with each passing word.

My mind raced to comprehend the interaction, with how he had rushed to catch up with me just to apologise for the girls' behaviour... that's actually pretty sweet of him.

I offered a small, grateful smile. "Thank you. I appreciate you saying that. It was pretty intense, but I'm okay. I just hope it won't cause any other problems at school - with me being new and all, it's pretty hard already!" I admit, as we begin to stroll together slowly.

home?" he asked,

I didn't want him to see it. "Actually, could you just walk me to the

nodded without question. "Sure

in his presence. Daryl had a calming aura about him,

I test, unsure on how he would react to what my question was, but deciding I was comfortable enough to ask him

to keep the conversation light. "You two seem so... different." I added the last part cautiously,

chuckled, shaking his head and looking up at the sky briefly. "Yeah, I get that a lot. But there is a reason for it. Vincent's parents work abroad a lot, and they left the house to him to finish school here. He didn't want to live alone, so he asked a few of his closest friends to move in. That's

must be really close then?" I confirm, realising that my true thoughts and feelings for Vincent would have to remain locked away -

as he makes himself out to be. He's got a lot of pressure on him, and sometimes he doesn't know how to deal with it.

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struggled to

pressure?" I echoed out loud, intrigued

and It makes him act out sometimes, but deep down, he's a good guy, plus

scoff at the last part, unable to believe such words.

to reconcile the image of the arrogant, condescending Vincent with the person Daryl was describing. It

I was enjoying Daryl's company. It was the first person in town who had so far opted to spend time with me willingly. He was easy to talk to, and his

Daryl," I said as we reached the park entrance. "I really appreciate

to earth and sincere..." He hums to himself, cocking his

you think so?" My tone flutters out, as my heartbeat quickens -

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