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.342Please respect copyright.PENANALvRfSWo1y7
342Please respect copyright.PENANAKuafiYpQpw
“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?”342Please respect copyright.PENANAZbjaOORRpY
342Please respect copyright.PENANAYYHOmwOOFZ
“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”342Please respect copyright.PENANADKgzCub5MO
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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.342Please respect copyright.PENANAalBMsZrbaI
342Please respect copyright.PENANAi3oyVHW0Fj
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.342Please respect copyright.PENANAnHUqfhn1kH
342Please respect copyright.PENANAdfuzuowSjD
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.342Please respect copyright.PENANAXT4dzLDp69
342Please respect copyright.PENANALvNpFPwpRd
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.342Please respect copyright.PENANAhZjgQ5S7tp
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”342Please respect copyright.PENANADuDr6tlS6F
342Please respect copyright.PENANAC8YGIwId5h
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”342Please respect copyright.PENANAucTTrB5gRS
342Please respect copyright.PENANAyjPTpW8xbe
“Does he know about your dad?”342Please respect copyright.PENANAQCvPQJAxCV
342Please respect copyright.PENANAGg0xGsBqPH
“No.”342Please respect copyright.PENANA2Rf7dnnfmx
342Please respect copyright.PENANA7FDwwD1E0x
Green eyes widened in surprise.342Please respect copyright.PENANAeOA75a7T8x
342Please respect copyright.PENANAypIcqhdRMy
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.342Please respect copyright.PENANAD9x3QqU7WR
342Please respect copyright.PENANAVNO7XTzphW
“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.”342Please respect copyright.PENANAlBl4UgESE2
342Please respect copyright.PENANAuZwd3YWuQm
“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”342Please respect copyright.PENANARJ5ZGfSO43
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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.”342Please respect copyright.PENANAu9r9rOO2wh
342Please respect copyright.PENANAIxnxOvQHVQ
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.342Please respect copyright.PENANA94yBRZDniC
342Please respect copyright.PENANApX0GEX2Oyn
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—”342Please respect copyright.PENANAd8WIfh2L76
342Please respect copyright.PENANAL9g9w7enGG
“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.”342Please respect copyright.PENANANDNhqbUide
342Please respect copyright.PENANAGQHsb1PuCQ
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.342Please respect copyright.PENANA0h5v6H4LrE
342Please respect copyright.PENANAwQIDm9plHT
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.342Please respect copyright.PENANAMS3eBNBi6X
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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.342Please respect copyright.PENANAqGDuZcFzX3