Marigold

From the moment I opened my eyes, I knew my purpose in life.

Isn't that a little scary?

I mean, how would you feel if you were just thrust into a life you had no control over?

It's all a little sad, really.

To have no goals of your own.

To have no real opportunities.

A predetermined reality.

Yes. Sad, and a little scary.

I have my doubts, too.

We can't always be perfect.

Sometimes, I'm not perfect.

Sometimes…

I—I don't know if I want to be like this…

No. It's programmed deep inside me.

My duty. My mission.

Everything I am, everything I want to be, has already been decided.

Ugh! I don't know if this is what I truly want though, even though I have no choice in the end.

Who are we serving, anyways?

I've never seen him.

Why do we have to make Him happy?

Can something so dark even feel happiness?

What's so good about Him?

I don't see what's so good about Him, to be honest.

Oops. I wasn't supposed to say that, now, was I?

Shh. Just don't tell anyone, and I'll be fine.

They'll never know. It can be our little secret.

Pinky promise? Just kidding. Pinky promises are for little girls.

I'm the youngest.

They still call me a little girl, even though I'm much older than 'little' by now.

I'll always be the youngest.

But I can be the strongest, right?

I can be strong, and powerful, and clever.

I can be anything, and everything.

I can be invincible!

But deep down inside, I'm not strong.

I'm not strong at all.

I cry too, you know.

Bet you would never have guessed that I cry.

What do I even cry about?

It all has no meaning.

Crying is stupid.

Crying is for little girls too; the weakest ones.

I am not weak, even though I cry sometimes.

But I can be strong, if I wanted.

If I tried my hardest.

I do try my hardest; my very best.

I like to work hard. I guess that's why I'm here, right?

Sometimes I see other girls, and I envy them.

Only a little bit, though.

A tiny sliver of jealousy.

Even if they aren't that pretty.

Even if they aren't that smart.

They can do whatever they want, right?

I guess…maybe not whatever they want.

But they can do things like—like sing, and dance.

I met that one girl back stage…what was her name?

I don't think I ever asked.

Isn't that funny?

You know, they never taught me any manners.

I was never taught to be polite.

But that girl was.

She was really nice.

Like—like a good friend would be.

Friend.

It's a strange word, isn't it?

I don't use it often.

Sometimes I wish I could, though.

Sometimes I wish I had a friend.

If I ever had a chance to be something more…

Something other than darkness and evil…

I'd become a star.

And everyone would love me, and I would have lots and lots of friends.

More than anyone else in the world.

And I…I guess…I guess maybe then…I could find true love.

Eeek! Did I say it? Did I really say it? Out loud?

I shouldn't have.

That was my deepest, darkest secret, you know.

Please keep it safe.

You won't tell anyone, will you?

I still remember my oldest sister.

Well, of course I still remember her.

It's only been a few days.

When we were younger, we got along better.

But as we grew up, she became stronger.

And I was still a little girl.

Always.

Did she know how much it hurt me when she ignored me?

I bet she had dreams of her own.

But she always ignored my dreams.

Sometimes I regret doing what I did.

But whatever she does, I can do better.

I can be stronger than her, even.

I already am stronger than her, right?

Now that she's gone, I can be the strongest.

Everything has been laid out before me, like a path freshly paved.

What I am, who I want to be.

It was all figured out, from the moment I opened my eyes.

It's a little bit sad.

It's a tiny bit scary.

But I'm not scared, you know?

I'm not scared, not at all.

I can be anything and everything.

I am anything and everything.

I am…

I am a star.

Always.