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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4bnav3AyA
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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?”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ogQ1FDDPj
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdprLbr67IY
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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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPEbnHofWC
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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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGjrk81C1k
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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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAp6u8USTS
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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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9IvDac6vL
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuknIjVTuh
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBsGU4bwaO
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“Does he know about your dad?”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtvAC6nNhQ
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“No.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWsjLcI4zm
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Green eyes widened in surprise.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxEYBRob4i
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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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xUysmnzzG
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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.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0Bydih2pl
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E2QEFNz6x
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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.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3Xsgxutbu
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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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaru58QbfAp
414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFHI9VIaRK
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—”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HchHEpgiP
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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.”414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85VldnhxMw
414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKHA4CmlRu
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrO1SGfwfC
414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6hDsdWh51
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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK82NChRT3
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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.414Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQc1SbAzJr
