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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLJQXiZoQp
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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?”380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwudiBTlW1
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQos8AtNtl
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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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50QmpDBZ1Z
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBJ9Hvu4bf
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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooacjHOSTm
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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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy0gY8CnF2
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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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76G72hHzRZ
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHU2V0tQk4
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPwdixX7uL
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“Does he know about your dad?”380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwoNberzR1
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“No.”380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxYIjX28Xb
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Green eyes widened in surprise.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMuQhRnxmB
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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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOX6e0wCjt
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0mD4sYDFJ
“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.”380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFZnepp1vM
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygmGT6ciWT
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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.”380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVyj9zYOTp
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8PMHNRczo
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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncEnZRTOcS
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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—”380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2b7ObjDj3
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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.”380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1z08dppBL
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySw8KJbfku
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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCq9TJ262e
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfxPcfdJKk
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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkysPXPecsH
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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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS8fqMLtc1
