Juniper veered suddenly toward the opposite sidewalk, her eyes darting up to where the scaffolding disappeared into the morning haze. Groups of workers were already descending the metal framework, their voices carrying across the street in a mix of languages.

“It’s fine,” Sophia said, catching her friend’s elbow. “It’s a union job - perfectly safe to walk under.”

But Juniper had already taken two steps away from the scaffolding, her body language betraying more than simple concerns about falling debris. Her shoulders had tensed, her stride shortening unconsciously as she angled away from the collection of workers above.

Sophia’s expression shifted as understanding dawned - this wasn’t about safety at all. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied her friend’s face, catching the flicker of discomfort that Juniper herself might not even have recognized.