Growing up in the same town her entire life, meant that she could navigate the streets on autopilot – which to her meant that she didn’t need to pay too much attention to the world around her. As always her attention was firmly on her phone and replying to whoever she happened to think deserved her time that day. Despite what seemed to be popular opinion, Willow wasn’t stupid – she knew full well that most of her ‘friends’ would be the first to stab her in the back, she simply didn’t care about that, because she’d do the exact same to them. Nobody got to the top by playing nice, even if they did have to fake pleasantries every so often. What she did know however, was that missing out on the gossip they all shared over group texts was almost a sin, she had to be the first to know everything, and that took precedence over paying attention to where she was walking.
Rounding a street corner, she saw a flash out of the corner of her eye, causing her to glance as inconspicuously as possible over her shoulder. Noticing someone walking a little too close for her liking, she ignored the sudden pit in her stomach, choosing to step to the side of the sidewalk to let them past – mentally deciding that they just lacked patience and temporarily forgot that personal space was a thing. Almost instantly, her attention flickered back to her phone, before freezing when she noticed that the person behind her had paused when she did.
Refusing to let any form of weakness show, she slipped effortlessly into her ice queen persona, lifting herself to her full height before pinning her gaze on the other person. “Can I help you?” It was a touch too bitchy considering she wasn’t entirely sure what was happening, that was half her point however, to make them go on their merry way and she could make the rest of her own journey. Most people seemed to simply roll their eyes at her, or do what she said depending on how confident the other person happened to be – this time, the person simply stared back at her. She couldn’t explain why, all she knew was that something seemed off about the entire situation and she wanted to run, but she couldn’t bring herself to show that she was apprehensive about it all.
“Okay really, what’s your problem?” She scoffed once they stepped closer, and began muttering in some language she didn’t understand, stepping back herself, she felt her back hit the streetlamp behind her, as she finally remembered her phone in her hand, suddenly bringing it up and typing frantically. The letters where random and she had no recipient in mind, she wasn’t even planning on sending someone the message, the aim was to make the other person think she was going to send it. Trying to hide any apprehension on her face, she cast a glance around them, hoping in vain that anyone else would show up.