I glanced at the person as they moved closer to me, barely registering who it was until they wrapped their arms around my back and I sank into them. A hand touched my face, fingers working to wipe away tears.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3qF5kiqPs
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“What did you do?” Christian asked, lifting me into his arms. He turned to stare at the broken mirror and I buried my head in his chest. “Jesus, what the hell happened?”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cWcGxJlNM
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYbjRnHe2R
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That stupid paperweight is all I see when I sit down across from him. He’s giving me a look, his eyes locking with the gauze around my arm. I scrunch smaller in the chair and shake my head. I don’t want to talk about it yet, so instead I tell him a story.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8pQFSN8h5
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I talk about my dad. I talk about how he was a good father, always checking to make sure I did my homework, or checked the doors and windows when I got scared, making sure they were secure. Then I talk about the alcohol, the smoking, the constant cheating, and about the day he came home from work early just to beat up my mom.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsrjVpLRh2
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He always told me that crying was weak, which was probably why I rarely did it, with the exception of this morning. In all fairness, I hadn’t realized I was doing it until Christian touched my face.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZUk8BevGL
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I’ve found out the doctor’s name, because I finally decided to look at the name plate. It says in bold capital letters: Dr. John Monroe.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLKqHuRY4N
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmnY65wFSG
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACeooDKmAz
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“Does he know about your dad?”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpoahNQvQy
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“No.”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpVaZ5piqO
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Green eyes widened in surprise.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8yBKg39He
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The entire time I’ve been talking, he wasn’t looking at me, and now I know why. He slides a piece of paper across the desk toward me and nods.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq4HfqCFTS
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“This is my home and cell number. If you need me again, call me. I mean it, Kendall.” Before I can ask what’s on my mind, he cuts me off. “No, your sessions aren't done. I just think you could use some time to yourself. You look like you hate it here.”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FZSiFbVBy
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9KIs1ZMw9
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“Prying?” John smiles and shakes his head. “It’s not my intention. I’m just supposed to listen and give advice. It’s okay, we can reschedule. But remember what I said.”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGP2EHDgdt
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLT9nbZVyU
After I thanked him and left, I stood in the parking lot of the office for a while, the sun beating down on my head, warm and calming. I stared down at my shadow on the asphalt, and was startled when I was joined by another.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwW90nqaWB
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It’s just a stranger, I told myself, probably a wandering homeless man looking for some money. I lifted my head, the words out of my mouth before I could stop them. “I’m sorry, I don’t have any—”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYNlSM0yT2
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“I don’t want anything from you,” a familiar voice spat. Then they whispered, “But now I know your secret. You’re a freak. Here to talk about your daddy issues? Or maybe you’re telling the shrink how much of a whore your mother is.”407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1QNs6SN9q
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Xw5qR07lP
Cassie Barnes never got any further in her insult, because at that moment, my fist came in contact with her jaw. She stumbled back and slammed her head on the edge of one of those potted plants that was sitting inches from us.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDO78MxJFh
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Just as I heard the sickening crack of Cassie’s skull hitting the pot, I saw the blood that blossomed from the wound. It dripped down her temple. I bent down to see if she was okay, to tell her I didn’t mean to do that, but she wasn’t moving.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4JbAzxPn5
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As I stood frozen to the spot, all I could think was, I guess that’s better than gutting her. Less messy.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWNlzTY6Mq
