Page 9 of Barbie: Dreamscape

The rowdy, bustling crowd falls silent at the sight of our regal Headmistress. That’s how it always is around her. Everyone is so grateful, so appreciative that she doesn’t just keep her magic to herself.

“It’s time,” Robin begins, her voice magically carrying to even the farthest reaches of the courtyard, “for the Fates to reveal what they have planned for our newest graduates of Swancrest Academy.”

She motions behind her, to a set of rooms and windows that are strictly off-limits except on Boxing Day. Three stories, with three rooms per floor, each with a large, rectangular vertical window that faces the courtyard. It’s where the Fates make their wishes known, and where the graduating students show the waiting crowd the futures that have been chosen for them.

“We trust the Fates and their endless wisdom to guide us toward continued peace and abundance so we may never again know the horrors that our land almost succumbed to nearly two decades ago.” There’s a moment of tense silence, and I think of my mom and her strength. Before the battle that took her away from me, the will of the Fates wasn’t always followed. Now, their choices decide our futures. “The mist keeps us protected. And the Fates keep us prosperous. We thank them for seeing strengths in us that we might not see in ourselves and for eliminating any doubt or choice so our society can function at the highest level possible.”

A cheer cascades through the crowd.

Robin gives an imperious nod. “Now. This year’s class, please line up.”

We do. My classmates hug their parents, and we make a queue in front of the spiral staircase that leads to the rooms on each floor. I spot Callie being embraced by her parents before scurrying toward the stairs, giving me a nervous smile as she joins the snaking line of our Swancrest peers. I hope she isn’t still worried. She doesn’t need to be.

I see Sunny farther ahead in line, and even his customary smirk is replaced by a look of solemnity. Is he feeling nervous, too? Or is he finally taking something in this school seriously?

I wait until everyone is lined up before the turret, then I join at the very end, as is customary for the valedictorian. I’ll be in the final group of nine students to approach the doors, and the very last student to open hers. I’m the grand finale.

Whispers echo across the citizens of Heartland as they watch me take my place. I beam, righting my sash, fielding Congratulations! from all sides. I try not to listen in on various guesses about which Fate I’ll get—Lawyer, Architect, a new one never seen before? (Yes!)

Instead of nerves, pure excitement flurries in my stomach.

I worked for this. I earned this.

As the line inches forward and up the staircase, I’m plunged into the relative darkness of the tower. I can barely see my classmates—the only light comes from pink specks like shredded stars floating within the stairway—but I can hear them. They’re whispering about their own guesses for what they’ll get. Then… it happens.

The first wave of cheers ripples through the crowd.

The first set of Fates has been revealed.

I wonder which roles have produced such celebration. As my classmates’ voices ring out around me, I start to think about my own guesses.

What Fate would make Robin proud of me?

What would make me proud of me?

What do I want?

No. I shake my head, hair clips clawing into my scalp. That isn’t for me to answer. I’ll be told what I want soon enough.

Another wave of cheers.

The line moves again.

In this stairway, time seems to move differently. Slower, and faster, all at once. My heart begins to throb with anticipation. I seem to forget the rhythm of how to breathe. My legs feel boneless with suspense. My face hurts with how wide I’m smiling.

This is everything I’ve worked so hard for. My dreams are all about to be nothing compared with my new life once I step into the Fate—Fates?—I was meant to claim.

Everything is about to click into place. The crowd erupts in another torrent of celebration. The minutes drag on, each stair bringing me closer to my destiny.

Until finally… we pass the other landings and reach the three rooms on the top floor. I feel as if I’m about to burst out of my skin with excitement.

A hand falls on my shoulder.

I spin around, only to see Callie, beaming.

“Barbie, you were right! There was nothing to worry about!” she says. Relief floods through my bones at the obvious joy in her expression. She holds up a book and glasses. “Look! Accessories!” Callie exclaims. “I’m a Librarian!” Several birds flit behind her, chirping approvingly.

Perfect. Callie loves to read, and her superior memory will be great for sorting books. She’s helpful. Kind. And, most of all, she seems thrilled.