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The old librarian took care of me and loved me in a way that I had never experienced before That year, when I was only thirteen, she looked into adopting me It had been the happiest I had ever been I was sure Barbie would’ve loved to hand me over But before she could, she suffered from a severe stroke and passed away

That was the saddest I had ever been It’s also when I started prostituting myself for basic needs to keep me alive

My body sways as ister the soft touch of a hand on my hip at first

I still, and reality co back I jerk away from his touch, and hiss in pain when the pain in my hip flares hot

“It’s purple”

I don’t ask, and he doesn’t explain We both knohat hethe deep purple bruise on my hip I knew I should’ve worn an oversized shirt today This one is loose-fitting and up to h to fall pasthot fro about when it comes to mine and Ryan’s relationship

“I fell”

His face flattens

It’s not a lie

“I know Typical answer But it’s true, honestly”

“You fell,” he repeats dryly “But were you pushed?”

“No”

Now I’m a liar, liar

I don’t knohy I’ to convince him Mako’s eyes drop back down to my hip Now that he knows it’s there, he stares as if he has x-ray vision and can see through the soft cotton The silence grows uncomfortable

“Can I show you soreen eyes back to e hands are curled tightly into fists, and the , like a wild horse trapped in a cage