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.

home in record time with the storm,

which, seemed to have had a problem earlier today and I wanted to know

are top range!" Daryl confirms, speaking out first as I smile and nod, not really knowing what to say

on the table as I glance over his features - seeing his damp darkened

being

Oh...

I push a smile, before worrying quickly that I hadn't said enough - "Is everything ok with you though?" I question, clasping my hands together on my lap to ease my nerves. Daryl looked conflicted, taking a moment to

weird way because you

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

you're used to sitting!" I smile, but Daryl doesn't seem to return the gesture. Pausing, as the lady

Daryl nods, evidently on a first name basis with the woman as she smiles and

her!" Helen chimes, turning to head off as Daryl

where everybody knew everybody and so far, it was living up to my

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chance to try my coffee, humming in delight after the first swallow. It was already the best coffee I had ever tried by

laughs as I nod eagerly

til you try the cake!" He nods down towards it, grabbing a fork and moving

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

I nod my conclusion, taking another piece as he grins and seems amused with himself for recommending

coffee together, watching the heavy rain outside as it battered

was being an ass... I didn't 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!" Daryl suddenly admits in a ramble, as I swallow the piece of cake currently in my mouth and give him an

stay beside me in class?

I hated him after asking

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

I appreciated having him to

I'm sorry for upsetting you. I loved having you sit beside me. I just felt excited because Emma is a girl and I knew we could talk about silly stuff together to help pass the time. I really meant no harm." I tell