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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXraTqbQ223
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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?”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr6D6Dl3YB
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxrVYkoIKU
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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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHUc8BSbBw
368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1avPgs7FR
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSIIaOWs7x
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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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lgzZAgTP5
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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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiIl7upwhx
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqjUBDVFQS
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr6zc6NkPH
368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGxeXPnnZi
“Does he know about your dad?”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLhmbAxsue
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“No.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4fSdtzqc1
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Green eyes widened in surprise.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOlUk4LiiK
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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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDamgj6UBw
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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.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4UjLnvW08
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgCJuY2zZw
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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.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuyhZx3VE9
368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFfOc5EbFP
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjh9DE3w88
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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—”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZupRnKe8b
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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.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbjkTX0KUL
368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KwVWY18fg
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJFiS2M8F5
368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFKteEertZ
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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aqUARCBzb
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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.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqJnLGHW6e
