𝔹𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕣𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝔹𝕒𝕣𝕓𝕚𝕖𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕

1. I'm Not Famous

Dread started to settle into your bones; doubt seeped into your mind like toxins poisoning a lake. You felt your hair raise on the back of your neck; your body alert and ready to move at any second. The constant unease was starting to get to you, with your rigid limbs and increasing heart rate. The situation was a red flag in and of itself, and you once again wondered how you thought this was a good idea. The yells from nearby weren't a good sign either. You weren't entirely sure where this strong fear came from, but you knew that it had to be bad. You nervously cleared your throat, hoping your agitation wasn't visibly apparent despite your being ready to flee. You let out a deep breath, looked up toward the still, blue sky, and said a very necessary prayer.

Please, please don't let me get hit with the volleyball.

There was, as usual, a game of volleyball taking place about twenty feet away from you (too close, in your opinion) between the Barbies and... the Barbies, with the Kens being their cheerleaders. It was a familiar sight on the beach of Barbieland, and one that brought your terror with it. You were certain someone had gotten hit with the volleyball in the past, and it had been a very long ten seconds of terror. You weren't sure why you were so affected by it when no one else was but hadn't told anyone but Allan and Midge about it. Not that anyone else would care.

You shook your head to clear the thought and your fear, instead choosing to focus on your surroundings as a distraction. Barbieland was pretty, but sometimes, it felt too still. Literally. You sometimes wished the waves of the ocean would, like, move, but no one else seemed too worried. Why ruin their fun? You weren't sure if you were being genuine or cynical anymore with your bouts of despair and ever-growing loneliness. You didn't want to be with the crowd, who were oblivious to anything real and ridiculously happy all the time, but it was unbearably lonely without someone to talk to or laugh with, and you didn't want to intrude on Allan and Midge's marriage. It had taken a lot of convincing for you to even stay at their home, instead seeing the beach as a viable area to stay. If even the Kens could do it, anyone could.

You were full of doubts most of the time, whether it was wondering if anyone questioned the things you questioned or if anyone else noticed how surfing was absolutely impossible in the Barbieland ocean. That was one doubt you were not letting go. But you had found solace in the hope that one day you'd find someone like you. In the meantime, you were left with... everyone else. Joy.

Now that you had efficiently ruined your own mood, you stood up from your spot on the beach, sighing. Your toes immediately curled into the grainy sand, and you winced as the sun's heat beat down on you. You quickly walked toward the grassier part of the beach, squinting your eyes to once again examine the beach scene. It was the same as before. And the same as yesterday. And the same as the day before yesterday, the day before that, and all of the days before that. The only thing different was you.

You turned away, not wanting to look unhappy in front of the Barbies and Kens, but not before getting a glimpse at the man you adored. Ken was, as usual, trying to outdo the other Kens, and you wish you didn't adore his—albeit silly—bravery, or his perfect hair or washboard abs or—

Yeah, alright, that's enough of that, you told yourself, straightening up. You'd never get a guy like him, much less the man himself. It was useless, pining after him because he was caring, thoughtful, wonderful Ken and you were barely even a Barbie. Reality once again crashed into, knocking your mind off course, and disappointing you. Just as you thought it couldn't get any worse, as you were turning around to go back home, Ken himself glanced up, and both of your gazes locked on each other.

Holy crap.

✥✥✥

Holy crap!

Ken mentally panicked, not knowing if he should look away or stay still or what until he saw you raise a hesitant hand in a shy wave. There was a part of him that couldn't believe this was happening; you were waving at him! He of all people! Ken blinked before coolly waving in return, flashing you a casual grin, of which you gave a small smile in return. After a few moments of slightly awkward yet absolutely joyful waving and smiling, you gave him one last glance before turning around and heading back to the more residential area of Barbieland.

Ken stared at your shrinking figure as you left; a grin stuck on his face. When you were out of sight, he smiled to himself while looking at the pale sand, still astonished that you had noticed him. He couldn't wait until the day he could officially meet you, talk to you, laugh with you. Until then, he was just a friend of a friend, left with sneaking longing glances and pining after you. Even though no one in Barbieland acknowledged you much or appreciated you, you still paid mind to them, and that was as wondrous as an act to Ken more than anything. You even treated him with respect, when no one else did. He hoped that one day you would learn that he appreciated you and cared about everything you did, no matter how big or small. He hoped that day would come soon.

He sighed, shaking his head, looking up at the sky. The sun was starting to set, and it would have been beautiful with its long stripes of pink and yellow and orange, the light colors being soothing and pleasant, except it was the same as every day before. That's the one thing Ken disliked about Barbieland. It never changed. The waves didn't even move! The Kens were useless, everything looked the same, and he was stuck admiring you from afar. After all, you were pretty, kind, wonderful you, and he... he was just Ken.

1,057 WORDS

DATE PUBLISHED: 08-14-2023 (MM/DD/YYYY)