Page 65 of Did They Break You

But I know that’s not really going to work.

I can’t stop thinking about it.

Why did I even go?

For my friends.And then I left Sloane. Shitty friend.

Why did I drink so much?

Maybe that’s a question I don’t want to answer.

I bite the inside of my cheek, about to reply to Sloane, but before I can, another message comes through.

My heart nearly stops.

Cortland’s name shows up at the top of my screen.

I never changed my number. Never deleted his. Didn’t block him, either. The cops just showed up at his house and I let it go.Let him go.

I don’t take a breath as I open his message.

Cortland

Be a good girl. Put the blades away, and keep your mouth shut.

I inhale through my nose.

Out through my mouth.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

I drop my phone and stand, swiping my hand across my desk, the pen cup spilling with a clatter onto the floor, my pens and scissors scattering beneath my desk. My water bottle rolls to the edge and falls off, too, the cap bursting off and water splashing up my jeans.

I run my fingers through my hair, turning away from my desk. Pressure builds behind my eyes and I don’t want to cry for him.

I won’t.

Not again.

A full body shudder courses through me.

He touched me again.

I woke up in his arms.

A scream bubbles its way up through my mouth and I pull my hair, hard enough to make my eyes water.

At least I’m not crying because of him.

It’s from the pain.

And at least I’m not crying because last night,I slept good for the first time in a year.

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