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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlyACkCHni
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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?”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixVg7onobI
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VpuA6uWyn
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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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g8bsDTfux
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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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyHUaOWwEF
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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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRZTl8BODh
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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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMtHHFE3yt
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe7T8d9u35
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoroFa67Jy
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“Does he know about your dad?”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7zl57LNSp
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“No.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNGal15APE
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Green eyes widened in surprise.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ELiZKbSmG
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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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq97gyeFxLw
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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.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MIkJdq8Ti
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkhM1rX07e
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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.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy51c0MDms2
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmQvx76XOe
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqVcaS9AdX
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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—”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgPq5qznVA
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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.”406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzPmN6oLoU
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XaEdOUNPL
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi5h6gcTLX
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvjgcnFedU
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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4C00GU5un
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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.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks82qrYEKs
