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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGaJfCvWfp
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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?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2Kkzi2C16
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTcO4S0c8E
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFY7V9pfXZ
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FdM2GVtzI
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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVGa8waaDT
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9crXoxrIDp
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFRaVxYzIQ
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6WeO2x0PP
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllOj4sFtXQ
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjMPV2iQf0
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTZOo83CF4
“Does he know about your dad?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLxqcigEeL
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“No.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7cVa74KhT
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Green eyes widened in surprise.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPojostX43P
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOaiViwfLk
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWf9Xs8dMm
“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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE3m7lZkvC
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaBXOyYAsg
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWAuCN1baM
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBVCl0xubg
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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRu5A1bnro
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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—”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mr7aHGkXC
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nz6b3QRO4
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07YGNP6siR
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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfboWlFyXh
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9eYOni1EF
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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jR1z3viP6
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoXAJ9WOIJ
