Shadows In Durango

Chapter 10

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

The morning sun peeked through my cracked blinds, dragging me from a restless sleep. I groaned, the familiar ache of exhaustion settling in my bones.

Another day of school, another day of navigating the complex social web that I had yet to untangle. I forced myself out of bed and into my little routine, each step bringing me closer to the part of the day I dreaded most: lunch.

I arrived early, giving myself time to find my Physics class and thankful to find neither Vincent or his side clones in my class today - it was mostly filled with what others would refer to as 'nerds'.

The time flew by, before the bell rang and the hallways of the school were buzzing with chatter and laughter as I made my way to the cafeteria.

I tried to blend into the crowd, hoping to go unnoticed which so far I had seemed pretty successful at. The thought of buying lunch for Vincent again made my stomach churn. It had become a daily task that filled me with dread, a reminder of my precarious position here.

As I joined the lunch queue, the usual sense of apprehension settled over me as I debated over the different choices today.

The line moved slowly, and I stared at the back of the student in front of me, trying to mentally prepare myself for the encounter with Vincent and his crew - whether it would bring me more ridicule or praise. Suddenly, a familiar scent flooded my senses, a mix of fresh pine and something subtly sweet. I looked up, my heart skipping a beat as I found Daryl standing beside me with a playful grin on his face. "Hey there, Sofia. Fancy seeing you here," he said, his tone light and teasing.

I blinked in surprise, momentarily thrown off balance. "Oh, hey, Daryl. Didn't expect to see you here," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

What a dumb thing to say?! I didn't expect to see him here? In the lunch line? Ugh!

He chuckled, a sound that seemed to chase away some of the tension coiled within me. "Thought I'd join the common folk for a change," he said with a wink. "Plus, I figured you could use some company for lunch today." He offers, as I furrow my brows.

I furrowed my brows, both flattered and confused by his sudden interest. "Really? You want to have lunch with me?"

a break from the usual routine," he said, his eyes glinting with mischief. "And besides, I have a proposition for

curiosity piqued, I tilted my head. "A

slightly as the line shuffled forward. "How about you don't

the words not quite registering at first. "What? I can't do that. He'll be furious - I would never live it down." I shake my head frantically

nonchalantly with a sigh before continuing. "Let him be furious. It's

stammered, the panic rising in my chest. The thought of Vincent's

I'll take the hit for

idea of standing up to Vincent was terrifying, but Daryl's

are

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to the point of no return. Daryl's hand remained on my shoulder, a steady anchor in the swirling sea of my

me," Daryl interrupted gently. "I've got this. Vincent can be a jerk, but he's not unreasonable when it comes to

of my fears. "Okay," I said, my

and he gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before letting go. "That's the spirit. Now,

line, and I felt a strange mix of apprehension and relief. Daryl ordered his lunch and then pointed to a ham and cheese

you sure about this? I don't want to die..." I trail off dramatically. "Positive," he said, handing over the money. "This is the

chaos, but I felt a sense of calm settling over me knowing that for the first time, I wasn't sitting alone. Daryl's presence was a comforting buffer

minutes before he turned to me with a serious expression. "I'll take the sandwich to Vincent. You stay here and enjoy the last of your lunch. If he has a problem with it, he'll have to deal with me." I

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playful grin returning. "Now, eat up.

and made his way out of the canteen in search of his friend as