Shadows In Durango

Chapter 18

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

As the day wore on, the storm outside seemed to grow wilder, the wind howling and rain lashing against the windows with increasing ferocity. Inside the classroom, the tension I felt earlier only seemed to escalate, making it difficult to concentrate on the lesson as it drew to a slow end.

Daryl's occasional glances in my direction and Vincent's lingering stares only added to my discomfort, leaving me feeling hot and under pressure by the pair of them combined.

"What you got next?" Emma asks, as I pout my lip and sigh.

"Physical Ed... I hate it so much! The girls in my class suck and so does the teacher!" I explain, remembering back to yesterday's attack and how painful it had been to try and wash and detangle my hair when I had gotten home.

I also thought back to how Vincent had warned the taller girl to leave me alone, which seemed out of character for him since I couldn't quite put my finger on why he even cared.

"I hated it too... but there's a way to get out of it you know?" Emma explains, instantly gathering my interest.

"How so?" I ask for more, deciding that at this point I would do anything to avoid going back to that class.

The bell suddenly rang out, as students jumped out of their chairs to leave - since the lesson itself had probably been one of the most boring that I had ever sat through in my life.

Daryl gathered his stuff and approached Vincent who waited for him by the door, suddenly choosing to avoid looking at me on passing which hurt my feelings a little.

What was up with him today?!

"So uh, what do I have to do to get out of the class?" I clear my throat and return my attention to Emma who slowly packed her books away.

It was now break time, and I had fifteen minutes to figure it out before the next class starts...

extra credit, they will ask if you want to do it during Physical Ed or after school and you say Physical Ed. Most students do it after school hours because they don't want to drop out

That sounds pretty easy!

as I

and I got detention

keep to myself..." Emma sighs, as we round the

I follow her towards an information board with

for you on the timetable." Emma says as she points to the correct list and I scan over them. Ok so my options are litter picking duty, organising the library, doing sport laundry or sorting the

Great...

taking part in Physical Ed!" I laugh loudly, causing Emma to giggle only moments before the office lady harshly shushes us both. Slapping a hand over our mouths in horror, I

and the librarian can be a nightmare to assist I've heard." Emma explains, as I nod and mentally cut that choice

adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for

doesn't sound ideal today with the storm... I can imagine it must suck on days like this." I sigh, as Emma agrees and I score that from the list too. "So that leaves doing the laundry or sorting the stock room, which I would take either or to be totally honest." I shrug,

many people are doing those and go for the quieter one?" She suggests, as I decide to do just that and approach the

is different to the one who was here on my first day, as she peers up at me from behind the computer and evidently

She questions hurriedly, as I swallow the lump in my throat instantly

how many people were signed up for doing laundry or for the storage room." I explain, as she sighs and clicks a

laundry has three people assigned and the storage room has one!" She states, as I nod and force

start today?" I ask hopeful, unable to hide my tone as she

and close my mouth for a second as though

I recite, as she smashes her manicured nails against the keys

the bell sound out for the end of break, as Emma picks up her backpack from the floor and pulls it

is where the adventure continues. Join us for

you will report to Mr Stanley to sign in for stock room duties instead." She tells me, as I thank her and head for the door

relief I felt knowing that I wouldn't have to show my face to the Physical Ed teacher ever again, including those awful