A confessional dive into the fragmented psyche of a young woman caught in the tug-of-war between self love and self loathing. Through poetic monologue and visceral recollection, Walking Contradiction and It Hurts Me explore identity, emotional neglect, and the haunting residue of first love. Rita Marie wrestles with the aching need to be seen and the brutal clarity of being forgotten by others and, at times, herself. This chapter sets the tone for a journey of unraveling and remembrance, where silence speaks louder than screams, and pain becomes poetry.