Grave Matter

by Karina Halle

Your mental health is important to me, and this book contains all sorts of fuckery, so please proceed with caution.

Starting off strong

I try to stay silent when I first meet people, trying to figure out how to wear my mask, what kind of person I need to be for the conversation.

Me

“I think I have a hard time keeping people engaged. Because even though I feel like I’m honest, I’m also holding the real me back.”

My rejection sensitivity dysphoria usually kicks into high gear because I have this ability to assume that everyone hates me deep down, but

“I’m no one’s angel,” he says darkly. He puts his hand at the small of my back. “But I like to think I can protect you.

But he is my doctor. I am his patient. He is my teacher. I am his student. He says he’s the one keeping me safe. But every moment I’m with him, I feel I’m one step closer to danger.