Sticky

June came before anyone could acknowledge summer’s presence. They’d all come a long way since the Christmas dinner, Hartley especially. Her parent’s had decided therapy was the best thing for her, and had banned Arden from the house.

Hartley had been opposed to therapy at first, refusing to pour her soul out to a complete stranger, but had warmed up to the idea after the first few sessions. She looked healthier now.

On occasion she thought of Arden and all he’d done to her, how could she not? He was always with her in some way or another. Sometimes when she was with her friends or even on a date, as she had tried showing interest in boys again at the encouragement of her therapist, she’d hear him talking to her. She tried to ignore him as best as she could, but still found the voice prominent in her brain.

. . . “It’s because I love you, and I never want you to belong to anyone else.”