Shadows In Durango

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

Physical Ed wasn't too bad, at least not today, since the coach said that I could observe the lesson with it being my first day and not being prepared for my timetable with a change of clothes...

Little does he know that I probably won't ever have a change of clothes with me for the foreseeable. His kindness won't last very long when he realises that it isn't just a case of me not being prepared, I genuinely didn't have any clothes fit for taking part, but that was a problem for another day.

The girls in the class seemed rather brutal to say the least, as they whispered and stared over at me the entire lesson, often giggling and pointing occasionally without shame. The guys in my class were also immature as they pushed and shoved one another half of the time - before wolf whistling at the girls when they ran around in their tiny short and crop top sets.

I hate the school environment, but I refused to miss out on an education. How else will I get a decent job and a better life for myself?

I never used to hate it though, when I was once one of the 'normal' kids with friends and nice things... but I couldn't hold on to the memories of my past, for it would only kill my soul even more.

It was now lunch, as I stood alone in the line with my tray - eyeing up the options to decide what Vincent would like since I had been roped in to becoming his personal food supplier.

I place a cold tuna roll on the tray for myself, along with grabbing two chocolate bars - one for Vincent and another for me. The bottled water was free, and so I took one for myself, knowing that I could fill it up throughout the day too but decided on a can of Cola for Vincent in case the water would disappoint or bore him.

Maybe he would like fries for lunch? I didn't want to get any toppings either in case he didn't like something that I chose...

I was almost angry at myself for caring so much, but I figured that if I managed to do a good job today, that he might let me off the hook sooner rather than later with our deal.

"Is that everything for you dear? The fries will only be a moment. The fruit is free so you can help yourself to that too." The dinner lady motions towards the array of fruits as I nod and smile.

That was another piece of good news I guess...

Handing her my card to pay, I wait for her to swipe it, seeing the light flash green before she hands me it back and I move towards the fruit.

Grabbing an apple and grapes for myself along with an apple and orange for Vincent, I ponder over the best way to do this... how can I get this to Vincent before the fries grow cold, giving myself enough time to eat too? "Excuse me..." I move back to the lady, as she smiles warmly again which welcomes me to trust her.

"Could I leave this stuff here for five minutes, I paid for my friend's lunch and have to take it to them and then I'll be back?" I chew my lip in fear of her saying no, before she eases the tension with a nod.

"Of course, hand it over!" She motions, as I pass her the items that I wanted to keep for myself, thanking her gratefully for doing me the favour.

This set up wasn't too bad, if I could just do this every day to make sure that I was still eating something... if my free lunch credits last so long that is...

I walk back through the corridors, making my way towards the gym halls - hopeful that I had remembered the correct way back - as I rounded the last corner and successfully found the doors before me.

I turn to face the lockers, pausing for a moment when hearing an eruption of laughter, before I decide to get this over and done with as quickly as possible.

"There she is! My own private lunch lady!" Vincent grins wickedly, as I eyed the pair, relieved to see him standing with only the blonde this time, easing my anxiety with less males than before.

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His teeth sat in perfect white rows, as he leaned against the wall with folded arms in a relaxed manner - face full of amusement.

"What did you get for me then eh?" He motions with his two fingers for me to approach, as I gulp and take slow steps towards him to reveal the contents on the tray.

He inspects it thoroughly, glancing to his friend who had began circling around me slowly like a wild animal stalking its prey, making the sweat build on my forehead from the gesture alone.

"It's pretty fucking basic, but I'll let you off the hook on your first day. I expect you to do a better job tomorrow though, is that clear Cinderella?!" He takes the tray from my hands, and turns to sit on the nearby ledge to eat it. "Ok..." I whisper, intertwining my fingers together to calm my racing heart as I submit to his wishes fully.

"You can leave now." He gives me an obvious look as though I was meant to know that, as I nod once and turn on my heels...

But with my first step, I find myself tripping and falling forward with a loud shriek, before the pair erupt with laughter from behind me as I smash against the tiled floor below - my knees taking the brunt of the fall. "You're fucking sick for that!" Vincent scolds his friend who had tripped me up without shame as I scramble to stand back up from the floor with tears now brimming at the edges of my eyes. "Take a joke Cinderella!" The blonde retorts, as I clench my teeth to prevent myself from crying in front of them.

With that, I hurry away, leaving the pairs draining laughter to drown out from behind me as I hurry back to the lunch hall to leave myself with enough time to at least eat something today...

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This whole first day seemed to be going in the direction that I so hoped it wouldn't.

I reach up to quickly wipe a stray tear from my cheek as it falls, closing my eyes over to regain my composure with a slow inhale of air.

I can do this... I've coped with way worse... it's going to be ok...

I reassure myself in my own thoughts, before straightening up and heading back in to the lunch hall - approaching the same lady from before.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

"There you are - you still have ten minutes to eat it." She checks the clock, as I sigh in relief and thank her, looking forward to the basic lunch more than probably anybody else in this place.

It was strange having to start over three times in the space of a year, and I hoped that I could at least eventually settle somewhere.

I never felt safe, no matter how much distance I seemed to put between myself and home, for they would always search for me to drag me back with them.

I took a bite of my roll, enjoying each and every burst of bland flavour that came with it, as I scoped out the surrounding tables to try and find a fellow loner - preferably a girl - to which I could hopefully befriend. There didn't seem to be any, unless they went somewhere else for lunch?

It seemed I wouldn't be making a friend any time soon... but maybe it was for the best, since I don't know how long I'll even last this time around...