Licked by a Dog

In the quiet suburban street, a 18 years-old girl named Mandy pedaled her bike home from the library, the wheels spinning in a comforting rhythm. Her curly hair bobbed behind her, the wind gently playing with the loose strands that had escaped her ponytail. Her eyes were glued to the sidewalk ahead, but her mind was a million miles away. She had just picked up the latest book in her favorite series and couldn't wait to dive into the fantastical world it promised.

Mandy's best friend, Rachel, was already waiting for her in the driveway. Rachel was a year older but had the kind of maturity that seemed to have been borrowed from someone twice her age. Her straight, dark hair was always neatly combed back into a sleek ponytail, and she had an uncanny ability to make any outfit look like it had just been pulled from the pages of a magazine. She leaned against the fence, her arms folded and an expression of curiosity on her face.

"Hey, what took you so long?" Rachel asked as Mandy pulled up.

Mandy's cheeks flushed. "Just got caught up in the ...