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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYMY1oqFUY
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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?”440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugLk6kvOQ2
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZCfIP5tUe
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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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxVI2bZqUP
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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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFsCwBCZbr
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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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZehy9OG3dI
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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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ElS2JBe7r
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KvvqN4m4i
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2aZq42VRj
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“Does he know about your dad?”440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw6YAt2OgN
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“No.”440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvJvgbBoG9
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Green eyes widened in surprise.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQAvsT4ANH
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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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hyQo2Gk9E
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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.”440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAQ866hBIi
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPw8sjaxxB
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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.”440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCTB4GHcJj
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w6usAjuvd
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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMbKBDU4kK
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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—”440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXd2aldat6
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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.”440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKWTGhnfU9
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahfdRlbN8R
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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tJtyUpAWK
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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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9AvV5G5ps
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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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMUolOnZzh
