Shadows In Durango

Chapter 21

*****Sofia's PoV*****

"Sofia! Hey, wait!" I turn in the rain to hear wet slaps hitting against the pavement as Daryl runs after me.

Why do we keep meeting like this?

"Hey! You good?" I question, clutching at the sides of my hood and allowing for the sweet smell of his aftershave to float into my nostrils.

"It's wet, can I buy you a quick coffee in here? I mean I would usually offer to walk you home... but your brother might hate that." Daryl gestures to the small little store beside us named 'Hugs and Mugs' and asks.

I gulp slightly at the mention of my brother, who I had openly lied about - claiming that he lived with me and was overprotective of me and blah blah...

"Sure!" I agree, knowing that I wanted to get to the bottom of what had gotten into him today after his strange mood in English class this morning.

Daryl opens the door, allowing for me to step inside first, before an older lady motions for us to sit in the free booth by the window.

"What will it be kids?" She questions, as I shrug off my wet jacket and inhale a breath.

"Just an americano for me please and a..." Daryl trails off, looking to me for my order as I clear my throat a little feeling put on the spot.

"Uh, can I try the iced hazelnut latte please?" I ask for the first thing which had caught my eye on the menu as she nods and scribbles down the order. "Any extras? Cakes or a sandwich?" The lady continues, as I shake my head a little and look to Daryl.

"Yeah two slices of the red velvet!" He grins, offering me a wink as I giggle at his eagerness.

He clearly likes this place...

The lady moves off with our order written down, as I glance around at the pink and green interior, enjoying how cute the place was.

with the storm, and the

to have had a problem earlier today and I wanted to know

as I smile and nod, not really knowing what to say next and feeling somewhat awkward

vibe, Daryl leans forward, placing his elbows on the table as I glance over his features - seeing his damp darkened blonde hair resting on

I was being weird." He nods firmly, going straight for the kill with his words which shocks

Oh...

- "Is everything ok with you though?" I question, clasping my hands together on my lap

weird way because you asked me to move seat." Daryl

move? I did think maybe that had always been his seat,

I get it honestly! How long have you sat there? It's going to be a hassle to swap seats if that's where you're used to sitting!" I smile, but Daryl doesn't seem to return the gesture. Pausing, as the lady from before returns with a tray in hand - taking her time to place the coffees down in front of us before placing two plates of red velvet cake slices down too. I'll admit,

basis

I'm asking for her!" Helen chimes, turning to head off as Daryl returns to

vibe that this town was the sort of place where everybody knew

for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting

delight after the first swallow. It was already the best coffee

laughs as I

nods down towards it, grabbing a fork and moving

decide to follow his lead, grabbing my own and placing a piece of the red sponge into my mouth

this is great!" I nod my conclusion, taking another piece

passed between us, as we enjoyed the cake and coffee together, watching the heavy rain outside as it battered its

want to switch seats, not because I've always sat there, I don't care about that, but because I actually enjoyed sitting next to you!"

me in class? That was

hated him after asking him to

you being there, I just got excited that I had made a friend at school!" I quickly attempt to explain, as he nods slowly and drinks in what I was saying. "I know that, now, but at first I just felt sorta offended. I was being a little bitch about it, and so I wanted to find you to apologise. I don't mind if Emma sits there." Daryl confirms, as I feel instantly guilty having made him annoyed earlier. He was also my friend around here, somebody who had done me more favours than one in my first week of being

I appreciated having him

girl and I knew we could talk about silly stuff