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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUnYd5uve6
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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?”445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEZTujZyPC
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqJjm5VmnQ
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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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJUqvy0GiJ
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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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld2JkEliWa
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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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIrnVShY4O
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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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvfaiGiyhE
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK1Rujy2Hu
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq4V1iPQDi
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“Does he know about your dad?”445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA3U2lipy5
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“No.”445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ll1J8WcSh
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Green eyes widened in surprise.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3MJ9sNNKA
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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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NrIdcdlzy
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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.”445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjeNuSThqI
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeWe0fRLT7
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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.”445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi99ZbwpCHx
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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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkGPCyYcqQ
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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—”445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpVhFyOZve
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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.”445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3Xnnso9u2
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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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt4Kv6fT2I
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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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPhj8tna88
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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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv98Hv9SXWm
