Shadows In Durango

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

Groaning loudly, I stretch out in the odd comforts of the bed I was currently in... the foreign feelings rushing to me in an instant panic. Why was I comfortable? In a spacious bed at that?!

Shooting upright, I stare around the room in horror, as my eyes land on Emma who exits the bathroom - bringing me crashing back to reality. The party, Daryl, Vincent, the kiss!

Crap!

"Morning sleeping beauty! I was starting to think that you wouldn't get up!" Emma jokes, drying her wet hair with a towel as she stepped out of the bathroom.

"What... time is it?" I ask groggily, my voice scratchy and dry as I reach up to rub at my tired eyes.

"Almost twelve!" Emma giggles, as my eyes suddenly widen and I move a lock of blonde hair back from my face.

I never sleep this late! It must be the bed... it's been a long time since I actually felt comfortable whilst sleeping.

"Vincent came by with some clothes for us to change in to after a shower, said it was old stuff that his cousin left here a while back and said we could just keep it." Emma points to the neatly folded pile of clothes left for me as I glance back at her own outfit.

Jeans and a white crop top.

"Was he in here?!" My eyes suddenly widen, as Emma giggles and nods at my reaction.

"Yeah, about an hour ago! He thought we were awake but he was laughing when he seen that you were still in bed! You know, he doesn't actually seem that scary now after last night... it's bizarre!" Emma shakes her head, moving across the room to open the curtains - allowing bright sunlight to fill the space as I wince and squint.

"At least the storms calmed down today! I think it's still pretty windy out though!" Emma hums, staring outside for a moment as I take a second to allow my eyes to adjust.

"You need to check out this back garden Sofia! It's humongous! Even has a pool and a jacuzzi! When it gets warmer in the summer, maybe we will get invited back for the garden party!" Emma jokes as she tells me what she can see as I smile and laugh at her.Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.

I shake my head at the thought, as sheer embarrassment and regret floods through me after last night.

I felt terrible for how I had reacted to Daryl kissing another girl... he wasn't my boyfriend and clearly never ever wanted to be so who was I to cause a scene?!

"Don't get too excited, we are probably blacklisted from any upcoming parties now thanks to me." I groan, flopping backwards on to the bed and pulling a pillow over my face in horror as I hear Emma laugh.

"Last night was enough to last a lifetime! Now go and shower and we can get out of here before you have to face Daryl!" Emma approaches the bed and removes the pillow shield from my face.

I eventually stand up, swaying slightly before regaining my balance. This must be what a hangover feels like...

I grab the small bundle of clothes Vincent had dropped off, stepping inside of the luxurious bathroom finding the large rainfall walk in shower.

I used to have a shower like this back home... it was my favourite place to go whenever I felt sad, allowing the water to massage my skin as I sat beneath it...

Shaking away my thoughts, I find a packaged toothbrush and eagerly open it to scrub my teeth - glancing at my reflection in the mirror.

Woah I looked dreadful!

My mascara and liner was smeared all around my eyes and down my flushed cheeks and my hair sat in blonde knots around my head resembling how I had looked when Erica had attacked me in gym class the other day. Finishing my teeth, I run the water and strip out of the large tee that I had borrowed from the drawer last night to sleep in - placing it in the laundry basket where I noticed Emma had also put hers.

Finding an array of products already inside the shower, I step in under the water and almost moan at the perfect temperature as it begins to wash away my makeup and smooth out my hair. Grabbing conditioner first, I decide to layer a coat over my whole head to allow for it to sink in for a moment. While I wait, I grab some body wash and scrub every inch of my body in the rich sandalwood scent.

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I notice a small face wash, grabbing a small drop in my hands before spreading it over my whole face to help rid myself of the makeup stains from the previous night - watching the water turn black beneath my feet as I rinse it all away.

I rinse out the conditioner next, before scrubbing my hair twice with the shampoo before going back with a small drop of conditioner to soften out the ends again - feeling finally satisfied that I was as clean as a whistle.

I cut the water with a sigh, knowing that it would be a very long time before I get another shower this good again...

I wrap one of the fluffy large towels around myself for heat, before drying my skin and placing a smaller towel on my head for my hair.

I change into the outfit, embarrassed that Vincent had even thought to bring me a thong with the tag still on it, as I chewed my lip and pulled the black material up my legs.

The outfit was a pair of jeans, slightly darker than the ones Emma was given, and a khaki green, plain crop vest.

This was pretty cute and it felt nice to change into something fresh after the shower as opposed to having to put last nights clothes back on...

I exited the bathroom, almost falling over when I find Vincent seated on the bed and Emma to be nowhere in sight.

"Oh... h-hey?" I bubble out and try to act casual, like an idiot who just didn't nearly land face first on the floor in front of him.

"Where's Emma?" I add on, as he watches me, his hair damp to indicate that he had not long stepped out of a shower himself.

He wore a navy blue tee today with some jeans, a contrast to his usual darker colours that he tended to wear to school.

He suits colour...

"She went to make coffee and grab you both breakfast from downstairs, I told her to wait there for us. Reid is with her so she's in good hands so don't stress." He concludes in a bored tone as I nod slowly and begin to unravel the towel from on top of my head.

What did he want?

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"She's with Reid?" I recite, not knowing who that was exactly as he chuckles and diverts his gaze to the floor.

"Uh yeah... the one who tripped you up that day when you brought me lunch..." He continues, as my face falls and my heart quickens.

Poor Emma! That damn friend of his was an asshole!

"I'll go get her!" I confirm, swiftly turning to put the towel in the laundry basket inside of the bathroom, but when I turn back I am greeted with Vincent standing on his feet now. "He won't do anything bad to her, he has a thing for nerds." Vincent shrugs, as my jaw slackens at his statement.

"Don't call my friend a nerd!" I defend her, not liking his opinion as he rolls his eyes at me.

Did he seriously just do that?!

"It's not a bad thing! Stop being so on edge! We aren't bad people you know..." Vincent grumbles, as I sigh and think back to what he had done for me last night.

He had proved that he wasn't all bad, I'll give him that, but he also hadn't been the best welcome committee during my first week at school either...

"What can I help you with?" I push on, wanting to make sure Emma was ok sooner rather than later.

"We need to talk about the party, don't you agree darling?" He drawls out, taking a slow waltz towards me as I tense.

Darling... the same pet name he had used last night which brought back floods of memories of how he carried me inside like Prince Charming... Hah! Vincent Walker a Prince Charming? Please...

But what could he possibly want from me now?