Shadows In Durango

Chapter 17

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

The next school day rolled around, and I found myself standing outside the school gates before 9, scanning the crowd for Emma. The sky above was heavy with dark clouds, and the rain had begun to spittle down, the first signs of the impending storm.

Finally, I spotted Emma disembarking from the large yellow school bus, her pace quickening as she rushed towards the entrance - having not seen me yet as she used her arms to shield herself from the rain.

I waved to her excitedly, catching her attention amidst the sea of students when she got closer, as her eyes seemed to light up warmly, rushing towards me.

"Morning Emma!" I called out, my voice barely audible over the growing patter of rain that grew heavier by the seconds.

She weaved towards me, a bright smile lighting up her face despite the dreary weather. "Sofia! Hey!" she exclaimed, hurrying over to join me under the shelter of the entrance canopy.

"We have English together first, right?" I asked, my excitement bubbling over at the thought of spending more time with my newly found friend who seemed like the most normal and down to earth student I had come across so far: already offering me a new found comfort.

"Yeah, we do!" Emma confirmed, her enthusiasm matching mine. "It makes the class more exciting now doesn't it? We can sit together and maybe even work on some projects together if there's any partner stuff! I always hated the partner crap, that's when you would really notice that nobody likes you!" She buzzes in a rant, helping me to feel more normal at the school as we walked.

I nodded eagerly in agreement, already envisioning us chatting and laughing together in class like normal teenagers. "Definitely! Speaking of sitting together, do you think Daryl would mind swapping seats with you? I was thinking that I could just ask him?" I asked, remembering our conversation from yesterday and expressing my thoughts out loud about how we could sit closer.

Emma's eyes widened in understanding. "Oh, I don't know, he's in with Vincent's crew right? He might just tell us to get lost!" she voiced, her worry evident as I shake my head and laugh.

"Nah not Daryl! He's actually really nice! He's nothing like Vincent, believe me. I'll ask him when we get there." I encourage, as she sighs and nods along with the idea - clearly not wanting any trouble from anyone in the process. But Daryl was different...

He wouldn't mind, it isn't even a big deal asking for a seat swap, right?

there, chatting with a few other classmates near the

weather.

of nerves forming in my stomach as he eventually noticed me and raised

I greeted him awkwardly, trying to sound casual despite

the other students stared holes through me in a

up with you today? You seem more jumpy?" he replied, his usual warmth evident in his voice

with my request deciding that it was now or never. "Do you think you could consider swapping seats with Emma today? We thought it would be

furrowing in confusion as he looked between us both. "Oh, uh, well I've always sat here, but yeah I guess so," he replied with a shrug, his tone slightly subdued and icy for the

little, puzzled by his reaction and not wanting to upset him at all with the move. Daryl

I pressed, wanting to make sure that he was okay

yeah, it's fine," Daryl assured me, his smile returning albeit somewhat forced as he

throat and moved towards the seat Emma had vacated for him, leaving me feeling bewildered and unsure of what

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it had always been his seat? Maybe he

if he would prefer to switch

in to our chairs as class began, but I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss with Daryl

concerns, choosing instead to focus on the happiness of the present moment. "He didn't seem too happy..." Emma whispers, motioning her head over towards Daryl as I glanced quickly to find his eyes fixated on us both

him, maybe he's just having an off day." I assure her, sounding more as though I were trying to convince myself of the fact instead.

know him well?" Emma pushes, curious and on edge - continuing to glance at him from time to

and he's pretty easy to talk to, that's all." I nod, pushing a smile as I remembered the times Daryl had insisted on walking me home, being a total gentleman. I

his grand entrance, with his usual smug smile plastered