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.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhusr0og3E7
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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?”424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyFTE4dvuG
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U8gFDkaWC
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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.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLKTlrORBQ
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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.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsyLPRiqvV
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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.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK0h92Vwtx
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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.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHUTC9pTxQ
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEsXOhdOpp
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUDU4KYkxZ
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“Does he know about your dad?”424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHLVgNukMT
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“No.”424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrtald7Wu6
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Green eyes widened in surprise.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpSw17zKgS
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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.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KkqKCtd07
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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.”424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXNIjjw9ZM
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEOJMCS6cz
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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.”424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeSwfIuSRl
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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.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3ROcVlLK1
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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—”424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsR3iUMoG8
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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.”424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Dor1RqUuA
424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgtr5hxl26
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.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKxlCnyd10
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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.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LzeAB36Vw
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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.424Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxd8upHc5O
