Fallout (Crank 3)

Off go my panties. Now everything

moves slow motion. Finally I find

my voice. “Wait. I’m not sure …”

It doesn’t let me push him away,

but it does let me say, “I’m a virgin.”

THAT SLOWS HIM DOWN

But he doesn’t want to stop.

Instead he becomes gentle.

You want to, don’t you?

I want to say, “Maybe not,”

but it maintains control,

kisses him. “Yes. I want to.”

I won’t hurt you, he promises.

Let me make you ready.

He touches that place.

Kisses that place. It moans.

No, Autumn moans. No, I moan.

And I see that it is really me.

REALLY ME

Here with Bryce,

wanting to give

him all of me.

I’m scared.

But he has made me ready.

“I love you.”

The words spill

from my mouth

just before

a bright flash

of pain.