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.269Please respect copyright.PENANAdz26p8D2OU
269Please respect copyright.PENANAgPCs0k4eyK
“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?”269Please respect copyright.PENANAWZILBnfiyj
269Please respect copyright.PENANATnU9l5JFZr
“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”269Please respect copyright.PENANAG1tWqJ9VdI
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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.269Please respect copyright.PENANAhRDCI1j8eZ
269Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2AGaQWlcI
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.269Please respect copyright.PENANARydln4hCWh
269Please respect copyright.PENANAynAgiDNSDk
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.269Please respect copyright.PENANAHM2X9M6dBy
269Please respect copyright.PENANAxGjYODYen4
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.269Please respect copyright.PENANAKxTrjET5Wi
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”269Please respect copyright.PENANAPVjZWXVyoH
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”269Please respect copyright.PENANA0B7hfqGjoF
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“Does he know about your dad?”269Please respect copyright.PENANAY2SShw7U48
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“No.”269Please respect copyright.PENANAZdQrD5GCCw
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Green eyes widened in surprise.269Please respect copyright.PENANArGe4kzADNM
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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.269Please respect copyright.PENANA91SXIiUvW8
269Please respect copyright.PENANAGFTWql8u95
“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.”269Please respect copyright.PENANAGy4f0h42SQ
269Please respect copyright.PENANAwrh6tMaKfx
“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”269Please respect copyright.PENANAU8nvGiLYsq
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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.”269Please respect copyright.PENANAqIPujxExAt
269Please respect copyright.PENANA7t9AXnZECL
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.269Please respect copyright.PENANAigWjBp6uSJ
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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—”269Please respect copyright.PENANAMsusnNZFOe
269Please respect copyright.PENANARbiYTNEadg
“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.”269Please respect copyright.PENANARftlkzyWLY
269Please respect copyright.PENANA3NxIWzyxmx
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.269Please respect copyright.PENANAQMm7u4Fxea
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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.269Please respect copyright.PENANAT9WhVccECk
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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.269Please respect copyright.PENANAUKsmRGHsqb