Scapegoat

It seemed like everyone had learned the same thing — the same words, "to speak out against what bothers you or against an injustice meant to become socially exiled." Honesty, while everyone says they appreciate it and want it, is feared and detested by many. Over the years, I have always been in situations of significant influence. As though people looked up to me, for what reason eludes me as I do not see any remarkable person... only me being, well, me. No matter what social setting, I somehow became a main centerpiece, though I hardly considered myself that social of a person. However, it always seemed to end the same, as I became the sacrifice.  My honesty leads me to loneliness. "I am alone, and they have everyone." I had a duty to fulfill placed in a position I never asked to be put in. However, I always took the lead with grace and accepted the fall with dignity. I didn't realize the pain that it brought time after time nor did I seem to see the cracks in my reflection. Until finally one day, I was asked on why I did so. Why did I take the blame? Why did I feel so guilty? Because in the end, the crowd had been so convinced that I had been the issue... that I even saw myself the sinful one too. I was the scapegoat, and rightfully so, because that perfect and strong person they all saw me be, had never existed to begin with.