The Morning After

After the kiss, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The tension that had built up between us seemed to hang in the air, charged with anticipation. As our lips parted, you looked into my eyes, and the desire was thick as a fog. You said, "I always wondered what that would feel like; I'm still not so sure I got it." Then you leaned in closer, and we shared another passionate kiss.

After the second kiss, I had to take a moment to catch my breath as it all took me by surprise. You took me by surprise. We talked and laughed some more but the entire time, the only thing that was going through my mind was, "What's next? I kissed him, so what is he expecting next?"

After we spent some time talking on the couch, you asked me if I wanted to get more comfortable, lie down, or something, you said. Well, I wasn't going to say no and look like I was overthinking things or being a child, so I agreed. We moved to the bedroom and laid down on the bed.

I remember laying on the bed with my orange dress that hugged my body well, and you had on black jeans and a navy blue shirt. As we lay down on the bed, I checked my samsung phone for the time. It was a little past 2 am in the morning, and I  had just come up with a plan. I knew that I wasn't ready at that time to have sex with a man I barely knew, so I planned to talk you to sleep.

With this plan in play, I told you so much about my high school, my friends, just random things. You laughed at some of them and told me about a couple of experiences you had in your teenage years and the few years you had already spent in college. With my storytelling running on fumes, I closed my eyes and said I quick prayer. I brought back my attention to our conversation, and then I asked you a question, but i didnt get a response. I lifted myself off the bed and peered into your face, and you were asleep. I had done it; I had achieved this great feat. I quietly slid my body back onto my side of the bed and shut my eyes.

When I woke up the next morning at about 10:30am, I did that thing we see in every movie; I checked that my clothes were still on. It was only after I was satisfied with the fact that my clothes from last night were infact still intact that I noticed you had covered me with a blanket. Looking back at that night, I realized that you knew I was nervous, and you simply let me talk you to sleep. It was one of the many things you did that made me trust you so much, but unknown to me, you were not what you seemed.

I turned my eyes to the other side of the bed to look for you, but you weren't there. I stood up and made my way to the living room, where I saw you seated on the ash-colored couch, texting away on your phone. You turned around when you heard me come in and flashed a smile. You had a bedhead and a rugged look about you that I found really cute.

You asked me if I slept okay and if I was hungry. In response, i collapsed onto the couch and said, "I can't believe you slept off before your guest;  major poor hosting skills." You laughed and reminded me that you had a bit to drink at the "party" last night. You stood up , walked towards the bathroom while you told me you wanted to go get us something for breakfast . I asked what the choices were, and you spelled them out while you brushed your teeth. "Pancakes, loaded fries, or noodles," you said as you rinsed off the toothpaste. I chose pancakes, and you asked if I wanted anything to drink with that. Of course, I chose tea. You see, I am a tea person, and I can literally have tea every day. You put on some clothes ,a face cap, and told me you'd be right back.

When you left, I picked up my phone and called my roommates who droned on and on about what a great time they had at the other party and how a game of "strip poker" was played. It sounded so interesting, but I was secretly more impressed with the time i was having rather than stripping in front of a bunch of strangers. They had all returned to our apartment and wanted to know when i was coming home. One of my friends asked if they could pack up all my clothes and bring them over to my new "home." The call ended with laughter and a promise to get back as soon as possible.

While i was still reeling with laughter, i heard the door. I went right up to the front of the door, my face beaming with smiles, ready to launch a new cascade of banter. Then the door swung open, it wasn't you. Instead, i stood face to face with three hefty men as they bursted into the room, each wielding a pump-action shotgun. They spoke so fast and all at once that it was impossible to decipher their words. Panic surged through me, and I stood there with my hands raised high, trembling in fear. My nerves were so overwrought that i felt urine running down my trembling legs.

One of the hefty men, with his face obscured by a menacing masks, pushed me forcefully against the wall. With a swift motion, he used his boot to spread my legs wide apart, leaving me vulnerable and exposed. Then, with ruthless efficiency, he cuffed my hands behind my back.