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.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAfezk8aqu
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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?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zhnSAy0tE
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxk21MpFBf
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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.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5z2PwBvK3
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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.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRgL2LgoM6
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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.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFRwdo0zug
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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.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P5dPG3toz
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuUupcFFA1
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4UfMpAYzu
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“Does he know about your dad?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDg4aIYeaG
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“No.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dzNILVpxK
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Green eyes widened in surprise.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReGvRJEEWg
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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.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHANRi7M14L
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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.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94I3Xm1y7Y
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nz6Z9tU3U
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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.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXTBnLkgeN
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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.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY9BOwwbsR
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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—”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTri69BP9C
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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.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAda6FytQox
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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.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGwAfqMjuD
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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.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Psqm0x28G
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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.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2aBqEqIqM
