Every single Jellicle is noticeable in some way. They all stick out. Whether it's because of something they do or their appearance. Everyone is recognized and remembered. Everyone, that is, except for me.
I'm always in the background, always blending in with my surroundings. Dark as the night, I can never be seen. I stand alone. An outcast.
Sure, there are some that are friendly to me. I just smile politely and act as though I like them. They hardly know I'm there so they'll never know the truth. I hate them. Hate them all. Every last one. Even Old Deuteronomy. I'm a very old cat. Older then Jennyanydots or Jellylorum, and yet I am never chosen to go to the great beyond. I'll never be chosen, for the old dolt cannot see me. I used to-after every Ball-run up to the leader and ask him when it will be my turn. "Oh, Exotica! I'm sorry. But just between you and me, I'll pick you next year." But he never did. I asked him time and time again why I wasn't picked, but the answer was always the same. After a while, I got tired of asking him so I just left it alone. He'll never see me.
As I said before, I hate the rest of the tribe. There is this quitten-who I hate most of all-that is the best female dancer any cat will ever see. Her coat is the one that stands out the most. Completely white. Well, not completely, but close enough. Victoria.
Then there's this fiery red cat. All of the guys adore her. She's well known as the biggest flirt and sex queen. She makes me sick. If it weren't for her, there'd be a lot more toms to go around. Not that I really care because they wouldn't see me anyway. Bombalurina.
There's also this gray and white tabby tom. He's the protector of us all, even though I never feel any safer with him around. He's supposedly going to take over for Old Deuteronomy when the time comes. I hate it how he's always acting like it's his job to tell the Jellicles about, well, everything. And he states the obvious. Munkustrap.
And I could go on and on about the Jellicles and the things that I hate about them. But it's a really long list. I could tell of how Macavity almost raped me when I was a kit and no one was there to help me. I could tell of how Jenny stole Skimble from me. But I'm not going to. It makes me cry. Actually, it makes me cry even more. For you see, I am always crying. Always wishing that I could be nicer to everyone. But if everyone keeps forgetting me and forgetting that I'm there, things are going to stay just the way they are. I'll always be the same old Exotica.
I'll always be hidden in the shadows.