Her old friend, who had been part of a group known for their adventurous spirits, looked a bit out of place in the casual setting. "I know, I know. Life got in the way, and I guess we just drifted apart," he said, a tinge of regret in his voice.
As they chatted, a group of teenagers walked by, their eyes flicking towards Abella and her friend with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. One of them whispered something to the others, and they quickened their pace, disappearing into the crowd.
The world seemed a bit more complex then it had just an hour before. Abella quickened her pace, her heart beating a little faster. She couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead, especially if being in the right company or the wrong could make all the difference.
Abella noticed the exchange and raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?" she asked her friend.
She spun around, but there was no one there. The phrase echoed in her mind, paired with the image of the suspicious teenagers from earlier.
"Hey, it's been ages!" Abella exclaimed, genuine surprise coloring her voice.
But as she turned to walk home, she heard a faint whisper in her ear, "Bad company, Abella." The voice was low and menacing, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Nothing much, just some local drama," he replied with a shrug. "Teen stuff. They probably think we're up to something, given our history."