Shadows In Durango

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

Placing my money in an envelope for safe keeping, I smile at what I had walked away from the bar with last night... $1,486!

Vincent as promised had rewarded me generously on top of this week's pay saying that despite nearly dissecting my own thumb on top of nearly bursting out of my dress in front of the men, that I had done a good job. In total, with tips and all, I had managed to bring in close to $1,600 this week alone which was more than enough to cover next month's rent which was the main concern! Continuing this way, I would be able to save up and find a better place to live somewhere else in town: somewhere I wouldn't be ashamed of.

Somewhere with better neighbours and decent furniture!

By the end of last night, Vincent had seemed pleased with how things had went with the men he was speaking to, as I all but smiled and remained quiet listening to him rabble since I was tired and just wanted to head home. Daryl had given me back my apartment keys and backpack that I had left in his car and after that, I asked him to give me some space to think over everything he had said.

It made no sense, why Vincent would lie and tell him we already kissed when we hadn't... well not by that point of the night anyway!

I also didn't think that Daryl's kiss with that girl was totally innocent either, not when they had a history together.

I grumble, placing the money filled envelope back in to the kitchen drawer.

It was Sunday today, and I had no plans which made me sigh.

I wondered if I would be able to find Emma's place on my own with remembering her address from when she had told Vincent it yesterday.

I wasn't sure how I would manage to walk there though, unless I could ask a local to guide me on what bus I could hop on to take me closer?

Deciding to try my luck, I take twenty five dollars out with me along with some change for the bus, locking up my apartment and skipping my way down the stairs.

Thankfully it was dry again today, despite that it was still pretty cold after the storm.

Damn!

"Neighbour baby! Join us!" One of the drunks splutter out towards me, highly intoxicated as his friend was seated on the steps shooting up a needle into his arm. I cursed myself mentally for forgetting about the pair of them, usually remembering to check out the window before going out the front door of the building.

"No thanks..." I respond quietly, trying to snake my way past them, before he has the audacity to reach out to grab a hold of my bicep.

I glance in horror at his hand, seeing his dirty finger nails digging into me.

"Why did a little snob like you even move into our place?!" He sneers, as I shake him off and rush down the street at lightening speed.

I was sick of living like this, dealing with guys like that! They see a young girl by herself and they pounce!

Stopping at the bus stop, I clutch my chest in attempts to catch my breath, before turning to find an elderly woman approaching.

"Excuse me... what bus takes me to the Three Springs area?" I ask, forcing the words out past my gasping breaths.

"The number sixty will take you there dear... one should be due here in five minutes!" She points to the timetable as I smile and thank her.

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Rightly so, the bus did arrive on time, as I handed the driver my change for a ticket before taking a seat towards the back.

I watched the town pass me by, reading the street names and trying my best to get more familiar with the area.

Luckily, the bus had a little electronic sign on the ceiling which showed the name of each stop on approach and when Three Springs appeared, I stood up from my position and pressed the bell to get off. The bus took around fifteen minutes to get to Emma's area, as I wondered down the road to look for any familiar surroundings.

Eventually, I spotted a convenience store that we had drove past both times when going to Emma's place and I knew that her street was the next on the left.

Perfect! I did it!

Practically skipping down the road, I rush up the path to Emma's house before gently knocking on the door and shuffling anxiously from foot to foot.

I was a little nervous, since I had only briefly met her parents and hoped that they still liked me after the party...

But to my relief, it was Emma herself who opened the door, looking just as shocked to see me as I was her.

"Wow hey!" She chimes, opening the door fuller and motioning for me to come in as I do just that, immediately enjoying the fresh linen scent that floods my nostrils on entry.

Her home was beautiful, cute and cosy. Everything was white or cream and neatly in its place.

"I'm home alone, my parents are out so we can sit down here. You know, I wanted to text you last night when I got home and then I realised that I don't even have your phone number!" Emma chuckles, as I chew my lip.

"I know, but I currently don't have a phone... my last one broke and I haven't replaced it yet." I admit, always shy whenever I had to tell people that I was probably one of the only people on earth not to own a damn phone in this generation.

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"Oh well why didn't you just say so sooner?! I keep all of my old phones in my room for emergencies, I can give you one of those to use!" Emma's eyes widen at the idea, as does my own at her generosity.

"Oh no, I couldn't just take one of yours! You could sell them, or you might need them at some point!" I hold up my hands as she just laughs and waves me off.

"I just got upgraded two months ago, you can have my last phone! It's still pretty new and up to date! Come with me..." Emma motions, exiting the living area and heading for the stairs as I quickly move to catch up to her.

We climb the stairs, as she leads me into her bedroom decorated in a calming sage green colour with cream bedding, a cream rug and other light accents.

It was a calming room if I had to use one word to describe it, spacious but not ridiculously big like the rooms at Vincent's place.

Rummaging in her bedside drawer, she eventually retrieves a large gold iPhone.

"It's an iPhone 13 Pro Max! You just need a SIM card for it. The store around the corner should sell them for like eight dollars, you can just top it up for now to make calls and texts. If you connect to your WiFi then it will be free to send texts too!" Emma rants, turning to hand me the phone as I shake my head.

"You can't just give me this for free Emma! It's a really good phone..." I feel nervous and almost guilty for accepting such a gift.

"Please just take it, it's no big deal! I have another four back ups in the drawer, it's becoming a hoarding problem at this point! Besides, I have the 15 now look!" Emma laughs flashing me her own phone as I smile gently and nod. I take it from her hands, feeling incredibly thankful to her for the gadget.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

It would definitely make my life a little easier with work, school and with making friends... or should I say friend since Emma was my only one at this rate after how Daryl was being.

"Let's walk to the store and get you a SIM card and I'll help you set it up! I have a spare charger here too, let's leave it to charge whilst we are away." Emma suggests, taking the device back before moving to plug it in at the wall. I was grateful to have someone like her to spend my Sunday with here, it made this place even better...