Shadows In Durango

Chapter 14

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

Morning arrived far too quickly, with the bright sun shining through the blinds once again - welcoming me to a new day.

I groaned, my body protesting as I forced myself out of bed (if you could even call my blanketed spot on the floor my bed).

The events of last night still swirled in my mind, mingling with the remnants of restless dreams.

I had survived my first shift at Vincent's bar, but the uneasy tension between us lingered like a dark cloud - making me think over when I would next see him with fears that he would perhaps change his mind and fire me. After a quick shower, I dressed in my usual school attire- simple jeans and a tee. The cold morning air nipped at my face as I stepped outside, my breath visible in the frigid air.

It had started to get pretty cold, and I heard some men at the bar last night talking about a storm that was approaching... which only filled me with dread.

I didn't have any warm clothes or waterproofs if it were to rain, but perhaps with my new job somewhat secured I could visit the store again and pick some new items up?

I continued to walk briskly to school, my mind replaying the strange interaction with Vincent last night as I had met them in the last place I ever expected to.

Why had he insisted on cutting my hours while keeping my pay the same? The more I thought about it, the more baffling it seemed.

I managed to reach the school building in record time, probably wanting to get out of the cold as quickly as I could, and I welcomed the warmth of the place with open arms.

It was another day of physical ed on the cards, and I again didn't bring any suitable clothes for it.

Great!

I hated the whole atmosphere of the class too, with the bitchy girls and rowdy guys drooling over them every two seconds... it was sheer hormones on heat!

signalling the start of my morning misery, as I dragged my feet towards the gym halls, hoping for something drastic to have happened in order

before, standing in the same dull grey uniform with a whistle hung

me, causing two of the nearby girls to snigger at him calling me by the

quietly, as he squints as though I wasn't being

the heck would I lie

fidget with my fingers in fear of

don't actually, have anything to wear... I forgot..." I mumble, trying

you're going to be one of those ones are you? Hates exercise? Good thing we have spare clothes for the likes of you - go find something in the box!" He points towards

the red box with slow steps, my heart sinking as I rifled through its contents.

a too-small shirt that had a faded school logo

way to the girls' changing room, trying to ignore the growing pit of dread in my stomach at showing them my

other girls peering towards me, their whispers barely concealed. "Nice outfit, Maria," one of them sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she had overheard my change of

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back up, hoping that they would just get bored

god, she looks like a clown in that outfit," another one chimed in, and the group erupted into

silent, letting their words wash over me. There was no point in

anything huh?" a tall girl with perfectly styled hair demanded, stepping closer. She was one of the queen bees

look up, keeping my eyes on my

I could feel her frustration growing

bitch!" she snapped,

she pulled me right down until my knees hit the tiles. My hands flew up to my head, trying

other girls laughed, their amusement echoing off the walls as they all enjoyed the

I pleaded, my voice breaking out in a cry, drowned out by more laughter

unyielding. Tears of pain and