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.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtntCYYy3B
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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?”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YH9vrZUA4
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlFQ8L6VFb
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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.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5PG0LmmHW
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH49g9kZ7N
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.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3cgFsd1N5
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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.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlT3q2jzmiH
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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.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwYvp1G3pf
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJQd6QEW46
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvKYYWaLHI
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“Does he know about your dad?”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ840KCTMctR
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“No.”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWKDD9bbbG
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Green eyes widened in surprise.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMu4JNpCfv
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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.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5CHSG6zwH
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKetfjd2JQi
“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.”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3JH1NO835
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvovZDOcGy2
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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.”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGxAKfDt4h
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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.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYpTFU0aef
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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—”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V9NaH7es6
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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.”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD3lTh3p9e
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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.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpzoGH9SR3
89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifGmBAEEZN
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.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ528bmZoV
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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.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcG0yiAcXz
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