Just to preface this - I do not have an ADHD diagnosis or any mental diagnosis other than moderate anxiety.

I have always been a very forgetful person, but as I'm getting into my older teenage years, it's starting to interfere with my life. My general memory isn't bad - I remember what I did every day last week, and I'm literally learning a language right now where memorising vocabulary isn't an issue.

But my terrible short-term memory is becoming too abysmal to ignore.

For example, I just got into an argument with my dad about planning for an appointment I have today. He's been telling me all day to ring my stepmother about taking me to it. I'd say "YES, I WILL DO IT." I walk upstairs. The thought about ringing her doesn't even cross my mind, because then I'll sit down and start doing something else. He'd walk into my room: "HAVE YOU RANG HER? RING HER." I say in response, "I FORGOT, BUT I'LL DO IT RIGHT NOW." He leaves the room, I have absolutely no thoughts in my mind about that appointment, and the cycle continues. Now I have nobody to take me there.

This sort of thing happens a lot. I'm just wondering if this level of forgetfulness is something I need to get checked out, or if it's just part of who I am.

I always tell my dad, "I'm sorry I forget things; I have a lot on my mind." But the truth is, I really don't. It's just that when I move into a new room or any tiny thought enters my mind, what I was told to do 5 seconds ago evaporates from my memory.

It's always simple things like "LOCK THE DOOR AFTER YOU COME IN." And I don't because now I'm in the house thinking about what food is in the fridge.

I'm writing a novel in which the main romantic couple is gay, but I'm also a huge sucker for tragic romance. I've noticed that my book falls into the "bury your gays" trope.

I wanted the main love interest to die at the end, given that my book features danger and action.

Before my book became what it is today, it was going to be about a straight relationship where they both die. But I realised that I wanted to explore the societal pressures of romance and internalised homophobia.

I really do love a sad ending, and I'm looking forward to writing one...

However, after reworking my characters and story, I've realised I've fallen into a problematic trope.

Does anyone know any ways I can avoid making my queer book problematic, while still keeping a tragic ending for my main couple? Or is that impossible without it becoming this trope?

Thanks :)