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?

Daryl was already there, chatting with a few other classmates near the back as he laughed loudly

he had possibly skipped school today due to the weather. The thought alone brought me some relief, but the bell had only gone seconds ago so maybe I was being too

Daryl tentatively with Emma at my back, feeling a knot of nerves forming in my stomach as he eventually

trying

just didn't like how the other students stared holes through me in a suffocating silence just

"What's up with you today? You seem more jumpy?" he replied, his usual warmth evident in his voice which regularly put

with Emma today? We thought it would be nice to sit together, she's a friend." I explained quietly, gesturing towards Emma who stood beside me, her

uh, well I've always sat here, but yeah I guess so," he replied with a shrug, his tone slightly subdued and

at all with the move. Daryl had always been so easygoing, but now he seemed... weirdly

I pressed, wanting to make sure that he was okay with the change and didn't feel

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

the seat Emma had vacated for him, leaving me

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been his seat? Maybe he likes his spot but didn't want to say no

ask him later if he would prefer

began, but I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss

as Emma and I sat side by side, laughing and chatting like old friends who had known each other for years at every chance we could, I pushed aside my 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

it, don't worry! That's not like 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. Whatever Daryl's reaction meant,

Emma pushes, curious and on edge - continuing to glance at him from time to time, immediately diverting her eyes when she found him to

nod, pushing a smile as I remembered the times

grand entrance, with his usual