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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5yZAr978N
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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?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvFjMA9XCD
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7OsTi7iwz
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIPzf1tehB
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLUxcQiiV9
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQsKWYDUYm
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBrn5xLcC5
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYHWHalvFV
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcsS92pv2X
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“Does he know about your dad?”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNYRSKFr4L
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“No.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ97Jf4HZB6
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Green eyes widened in surprise.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vhd8q38yC
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOnX2EEpPa
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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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2bK2zpfj4
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrmqhR789Q
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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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTdNQ6PnFL
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CcCLHKGcq
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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—”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3vlqg9ddP
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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.”412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49lKVHfvMC
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXidibMjZP5
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uH6UB0OTz
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuKJkdfkhx
