All I Have is Today

Did I Want This?

Hello, My name is Maria. I am 15 years old and I'm in a war.

I have never really enjoyed the idea of war, but they said it wasn't a war. They said we are just coming into this country to keep the peace. I don't believe them, I never have. We are going there to start a war. No matter what they believe. Even if they don't intend it, which they do, it will start a war.
We didn't even get a choice. Well, at least I didn't. All men and women over the age of 14 were to join the army. Yep, absolutely no choice at all. In the end it all came down to wether you were poor or not. Rich kids didn't have to. They are all the sons and daughters of generals and counts. So they were never going to be involved.

But all of the heads of our small country agreed to this foolish attack. It will put North Malico 'on the map'.  (a/n: North Malico isn't a real country.) I never knew what that meant. They said it a lot, but I never understood why. North Malico is a small chunk of land off the coast of Papa New Guinea. We don't need to be put on some map. But they think we do.

So anyway, here I am. Sitting in a fighter plane, heading for Australia. So I guess the real question is, did I want this? The answer is no, I don't. I don't think anyone really does, but they're just afraid to back out of it now.

My best friend, Rosalie, is also enrolled to fight. But she had a choice. Her father is a general and told her "You cannot enrol" She did anyway. Rosalie and I have been assigned to the same troupe and barracks, so I guess that's good. Even though she disagrees with this whole fiasco, she will put her life on the line for this damn country.