Page 10 of Barbie: Dreamscape

“I’m so happy for you.” I peer closer at the accessories in her hands. “But you don’t even wear glasses,” I point out.

Her smile grows even wider. “I know, isn’t it great?!”

I nod emphatically. Accessories are always great.

“Wait, Callie. Tell me—what’s it like?” I ask, desperate to know.

“You walk through the pink door into the room. Once you step inside, glitter starts to rain down all around you like the most glorious storm, and when you walk through it, the walls and whatever else is inside the room reveal your Fate! It’s all painted right there, like your own story. All the accessories you need are tied to the walls with twisting metal wires. Then, you know the rest. The rectangular window is at the end of the room, and you go show everyone what you got, all while striking a pose.”

The birds start to squawk. Callie sighs. “I should get back to my family.” The birds have magically multiplied, hovering around us now. Robin is basically telling us to wrap it up.

She squeezes my hand. “I just wanted to say thank you. Find your Fate. I’ll be watching!”

Good. I squeeze her hand in return, and she turns and takes off down the staircase.

It’s my turn now. I push my shoulders back and lift my chin high.

I’m ready to see what the Fates have in store for me.

Misty and Bonbon break from the flock and lead me to the door in the middle of the row. I give them a grateful smile: They helped me get ready for each day that I did my absolute best. I’ll have to thank them properly after this is all over. They drop me off with chirps that almost sound like good luck.

I don’t need it. I worked for this.

This pink door is the beginning of the rest of my life. A weak ray of light streams out the bottom, as if my new life inside is spilling out to meet me.

I suck in another deep breath and straighten. I’m ready.

I give an encouraging smile to the students on my left and right as they reach for their door handles. I wait, as instructed, since I’m supposed to be last.

Moments later, cheers erupt from the rooms on either side. Both of the other students have discovered their Fates, and by the sound of it, they got exactly what they wanted. My chest fills with an anticipatory thrill, ready to see mine at last.

Birds caw behind me. It’s time.

Time to make history.

Time to get rewarded for all my hard work.

Time to step into my destiny.

I open the door, and glitter begins to pour from somewhere above me, just as Callie said.

I don’t stop for a moment. I keep walking, brimming with excitement, moving through the slight resistance of the magic, before something pops and gives, like a seal being broken.

As quickly as the glitter began, it suddenly stops, revealing a rectangle of light at the far end of the room, framing the vertical window to the outside, where everyone is waiting.

And nothing else.

I blink.

The room is bare. The twisting metal wires that should contain the accessories are empty, like they’ve been ransacked.

The walls that are supposed to show images of my future are stark white, unpainted.

I frown.

There—there must be a mistake.

I take a step back, then forward, like I might have missed something. But there isn’t another seal. All the glitter is on the floor, scattered across the light cardboard-colored hardwood.