Shadows In Durango

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

"No Emma, I honestly can't believe it!" I rant out, my thoughts still seeming frozen from the night before as I struggled to digest it.

"You've not only kissed Vincent, but now you've kissed Daryl too! All in just over a week of being in town! It's unheard of Sofia... you have them both under some sort of spell - are you a witch?!" Emma suddenly gasps, before cackling loudly at her own joke which causes me to giggle too.

It was the next day at school, as we both currently sat at break, and it was my first chance to catch up with Emma properly after last night.

Sure, I had text her as soon as I got home of course, but ten minutes after getting in my apartment I was horrified to find my neighbours snooping around outside my door and understandably that became a whole drama in itself.

I got so scared, hearing them creeping around outside the door, even trying the handle at one point - to which I even debated on texting Daryl to come over for help.

But I knew that I couldn't, since I didn't want to reveal my truth to anyone...

That I lived alone, in a crappy empty apartment in what seems to be known as the worst part of town - which on that note, was fully living up to its reputation with my neighbours being assholes.

"So tell me all about it! All I got last night was a text saying 'we kissed' before you went missing in action, I didn't hear back from you until this morning!" Emma giggles, as we sat at a table outside today since the sun had eventually made an appearance in town.

Shaking the events of my attempted break in from my mind, I force a smile out at my friend.

"So we went for ice cream, and this big guy started to complain because I was taking a moment to order... and because he was rude to me, Daryl lost his temper a little..." I recite what had happened, as Emma pulls a 'damn' face.

"Did they fight?!" Emma gasps, as I shake my head immediately.

"No, no! Daryl just told him to apologise in a sort of, harsh way." I chew my lip, as Emma seems amused by the story.

"At least it wasn't Vincent taking you for ice cream! He would've probably killed the guy for the inconvenience!" Emma remarks, as I look around to make sure nobody was close enough to hear our gossiping. She was right... that was exactly my thoughts on it! Daryl wasn't all bad compared to how Vincent would have probably handled things!

"But after that we ordered and went back to his car to eat it. We sat staring out at the lake and it was really peaceful!" I smile at the memory of being by the water, something again that I had longed for in months.

"So how did the kiss happen?!" Emma rushes me to the good part giddily, making me laugh at how excited she was becoming for my situation.

I, however, felt sort of anxious over it.

Sure, it was fun to talk to Emma about, feeling like a normal teenager who had just gone on a first date, but I couldn't help but feel somewhat deceitful having kissed Vincent twice only days ago before now kissing his best friend Daryl. It was a growing problem, but I reminded myself that Vincent referred to me as his toy... there was no real feelings on his end, whereas Daryl was now a major question mark to me...

"So I asked how much I owed him for the ice cream since he paid, and when I tried to get my money out he stopped me! Then he pretended that I had something on my face and then before I could even think, he just kissed me!" I explain in a hushed tone, my face heating at the memory.

Emma nods along eagerly to know the rest which makes me smile before continuing-

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"I didn't know what to say after that, but he laughed it off and claimed that he's 'been waiting to kiss me'... thankfully it wasn't too awkward though, we just talked as normal before going home." I conclude the night, as Emma groans playfully. "Ugh I thought there was more! After the kiss I mean!" Emma laughs, as I shake my head at her imagination having clearly ran wild after that.

"Sorry to disappoint!" I respond as we both finish up laughing hearing the bell ring out.

Going to our separate classes, now being alone to think, I couldn't ignore the panicked thoughts playing in the back of my mind about what had happened with my neighbours last night...

What were they trying to do if they got in? Anything could have happened if my locks weren't done...

Imagine I forgot to lock the door? Not that I think I would in that neighbourhood but my mind raced with a variety of 'what ifs'.

Would they try to enter again? I didn't even want to stay there tonight now...

Maybe I could hang around town and tell Tito that I forgot my uniform? But there isn't a spare dress anymore for me to wear... and if I don't go home after school, I'll still need to return there after work to sleep so what difference does it make really?

All I knew was that the thought of what they done last night terrified me and I felt like I couldn't even tell Emma or Daryl about it because I would give myself up.

As far as they knew, I lived in a decent place with my brother... all a lie of course... and if they ever find that out, they will ask questions that I don't need or want to be asked.

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They don't have to know about my past... nobody here does...

I can't risk it.

"Enjoy your kiss?" I turn on my heels to find Vincent, looking as serious as usual.

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"Uh, hey?" I respond, with it sounding more like a question as he visibly rolls her eyes in boredom.

"You like being a little player don't you?" Vincent continues, as I glance around nervously at the wandering eyes surrounding us.

Why would Daryl tell him we kissed? Was it all just a ploy to one up his friend? But Daryl isn't like that...

But then he did kiss that girl to one up me at the party...

Feeling hurt, I choose to remain silent, not liking that Vincent had now named me a 'player' of all things. Why does he even care that we kissed? Unless it was just another fun thing for him to mock me over... "Better get to class darling or you'll be late." Vincent smirks, walking off without another word as I finally feel that I can catch my breath.

Great... now I'm late for class!