Beautiful Nightmare

by Katee Robert

“When I was young, my eccentricities were tolerated, but only by the adults and elders. Kids, regardless of their species, always know the truth. And the truth was that I don’t fit in. I never have.”

“Kids can be cruel, even if they don’t mean to.”

“I tried to blend in, but it’s so exhausting carving off bits of yourself so people around you will be more comfortable.”

I didn’t know it could be like this—any of it. The care he takes with me in this moment, how quickly he adjusts to increase my pleasure, the perfect anguish of being joined with someone who seems to see me. Imperfect in every way, and yet someone to be valued, to be desired, to be liked.