Lady Bess

She froze.

Todd and her best friend, Meg, were on the small shag rug on the living room floor, grunting and going at it with wild abandon.

Todd must have felt a draft on his bare butt, for he suddenly turned, saw her, and started scrambling to his feet. “Rave … Rave … no … this … this is nothing … Rave!” he shouted as he threw his clothing on hastily.

Too late—so few letters, such small words, such large meaning. Too late.

Ravena backed up clumsily until she hit the closed door at her back. She turned then, opened the door, and with shock and hurt flooding through her veins, she ran.