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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9XvciEt6r
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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?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZULoIU716
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLL9LpEDMS
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQY5UHygsA
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSFt7W41Rz
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwruAOvIc3G
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YkCR3bVmU
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmlnelc0ab
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9eXoUy1IV
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“Does he know about your dad?”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzKOyHl5u5
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“No.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0oW6bMqAZ
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Green eyes widened in surprise.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyu5Q40Fth
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5J03uqrRp
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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.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwF8EAlJfD
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeGVe88gRr
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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.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrlLTemsk9
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrN4SHkIAK
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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—”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTIHPnxaak
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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.”229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxPULUou4M
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgQ65nX09w
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKz3mBtXQi
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabntzYHmp5
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