Page 4 of Barbie: Dreamscape

At her words, the previously evicted anxiety comes back knocking.

I try to ignore it.

I’ve worked hard for this. I refuse to let some stupid nightmare ruin my excitement.

Still, Robin misses nothing. “Is something wrong, Barbie?”

“No,” I say quickly, because the dream I had obviously isn’t real. And I don’t want her to worry about me, when she already has so much to do before the culminating moment of our class’s entire journey at Swancrest.

She looks unconvinced, so I add, “It’s just… for a moment there, I was feeling a little… worried. About my Fate.” I throw in a laugh to show I recognize how ridiculous that is.

Robin just tilts her head at me. “Why would you… worry?” she asks, like the word is foreign on her tongue. That’s because it is.

People in Heartland don’t worry. Why would we, when there’s nothing to worry about? The Fates tell us how to spend our lives, give us the tools to perform our roles, and guide us on how best to devote ourselves to Heartland so we always have everything we need in abundance. The town itself is perfect: Light pink rivers run between pastel-hued homes and shops stacked high along the canals. A pink mist of magic—created by Robin and her glowing staff—hugs our heart-shaped land’s edges and keeps us safe from all the dangers beyond, the ones my own mother died defending us from.

We don’t have to worry about the horrors my mom fought anymore. Here, thanks to Robin and the Fates, we’re protected. There’s nothing to fear. Nothing to stress over. As long as we stay put.

That’s the one rule we all live by: No one leaves Heartland.

But why would anyone want to leave paradise?

I shake my head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said any—”

“Don’t be,” Robin says, her voice patient, if a bit clipped. “There’s no need to worry, though, Barbie, for the future has already been decided. Yours will be whatever it is meant to be. The Fates don’t make mistakes; remember that.”

“Right,” I say, my voice bright. I believe it. Of course I do.

She reaches across the desk to take my hand.

“You know… your mother would be so proud of you,” she says, and my eyes immediately prick. I look away, trying to push the sadness down. Robin’s grip tightens. “Really, she would. You work so hard. You study all the time. You have the best grades. You’re a great friend. You help everyone around you. She would be so, so proud.”

She releases her hold on my fingers, pushes back from her desk, and smooths the pants of her perfectly pressed pink suit.

“But, Barbie…” I meet her gaze, now flat and serious. “Don’t question destiny. That will only tempt it to change.” Robin claps her hands, brightening. “Now off to your final. You don’t want to be late.”

My heeled boots click against the stone castle floor, in sync with my best friend Callie’s stride. Sunny’s on the other side of me, book open in front of him as he reads out the pages we’re being tested on for our last final at Swancrest.

Celebration for the last day is everywhere. Lavender ribbons tied into giant bows hang across the lockers. Heart-shaped balloons pepper the ceilings, popping and releasing confetti in time with our steps.

“Why do we even need to take this test if the Fates already know what roles we’re getting?” Sunny groans, shutting the book with a loud thwack.

Callie’s brown eyes dart around as if the Fates could be watching us through those balloons. Her voice is quiet. “They could still… you know… be deciding…”

Sunny raises a brow at her. “Are you calling the Fates indecisive?”

Her eyes widen. “No, never! They’re just likely… flexible. You wouldn’t want to upset them and be… punished.”

Sunny gapes at her. “Now are you calling them cruel?”

Callie looks like she’s going to pass out.

I roll my eyes. “Leave her alone,” I say, winding an arm around my oldest friend and shooting Sunny a hard look. “You know she’s nervous.”

Sunny just grins wickedly. “We should all be, the way Callie’s talking. Punished?” He tuts his tongue.

My eyes narrow. “Well, if anyone should be punished, it’s you.”

Sunny only smiles wider, agreeing with me.