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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0k4v5QDok
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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?”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XZJxIj9s5
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6SCFJvBza
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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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H3hgsWzcL
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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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eMXigs6gy
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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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpcXH6zdvB
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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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJSRgAoffu
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZTFUuO7x4
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKXOoBq8Og
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“Does he know about your dad?”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQrXis1lRk
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“No.”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZDwhVH31Y
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Green eyes widened in surprise.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7UAJu3VuF
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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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnJNcSVt3p
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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.”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9gxJzufyu
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF91cFasGnF
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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.”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA6E6qIvFf
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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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVNtnA2oSQ
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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—”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1tF10Jb0u
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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.”47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19EtdW1IX4
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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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ722xzblHnx
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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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYus5QkdcXx
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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.47Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyzcUs7blL
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