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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxQMYTd44c
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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?”402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZalA0GlmA
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw70NOWxnx
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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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpge4Yoqmx0
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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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j6Euv6TqS
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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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9siZA30Tj
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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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxuwn3LnXf
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxM8bIpEnr
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGvpBipjmj
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“Does he know about your dad?”402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufTue34ASM
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“No.”402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5PKzFkmpQ
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Green eyes widened in surprise.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgLbubvNOU
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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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitYlvezlc7
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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.”402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c03oYXKlF
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCCyJWB1gk
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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.”402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wNQhPJWC0
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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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4Og9Ybzne
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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—”402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGA2V9PtIm
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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.”402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUtjDQ2cC0
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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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DKDtdZlsz
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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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiJKw8jt4Q
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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.402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3VM0vi5wC
