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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHn2LJua72
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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?”444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPvWA7ejgZ
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“I don’t know,” I muttered. “Just please get me out of here.”444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKPiYqbLws
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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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4gIN9q1hc
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArhJCdrhb1
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nXbpwTAuf
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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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKxDr0x3iM
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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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDSm3nIDv0
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“Is Christian your boyfriend?”444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOAgqiC35a
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“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s just a friend.”444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXVcddEhsY
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“Does he know about your dad?”444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOp7ITH0v7
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“No.”444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX0FA0VOBW
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Green eyes widened in surprise.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwdl1Pp63Y
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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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFQD1PtMxk
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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.”444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPqKvNM08r
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“I don’t, not really,” I said, frowning. “It’s just I feel like you’re—”444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy8CLrphH4
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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.”444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRSLeeyO1p
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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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlFQ7snJhp
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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—”444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogqIjvkIFN
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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.”444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVjfHCKNcd
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDZo99Qbnn
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIps2WFOjoY
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wJp4kTeKF
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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65rh5iRj3L
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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.444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRAPDaSU2j
