Fallout (Crank 3)

really want to talk

to her, or anyone.

So much for gold

flecks. I’m black coffee.

I SHOULDN’T HAVE WORRIED

About not feeling like talking.

Cherie can talk enough for

both of us. And she does.

Guess what? Billy Burke

asked me to Homecoming.

“Great,” I say, even though

I think Billy is disgusting.

Why would she want to go

out with that loser, anyway?

Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.

Wanna help me shop for

my dress? I’m thinking blue,

or maybe green, but I’m not sure.

Is blue the wrong color for

fall? Because all I’m seeing

in magazines is, like, plum and

apricot and that custard yellow….

She goes on and on about

fashion, all the way to Ms. Carol’s

classroom. I nod and smile

and do my very best to

conjure up toffee.

WHEN WE WALK THROUGH THE DOOR

I really hope I’ve managed

to glom onto a few gold flecks