The Day I Died

The Day I Met Barbie

Chapter 4

The Day I Met Barbie

When morning finally comes, I have accepted that I am dead and I am ready to get my life back.

The remaining pancakes lie cold and discarded on the tray by my feet, I am just about to stand when a young woman appears beside me, another golden clipboard in her hand. She doesn't look at me, doesn't smile, she just keeps writing in what seems to be Spanish calligraphy.

After a few seconds of me awkwardly coughing to get her attention and, as a last resort, snapping my fingers in front of her face; I roll my eyes and stand up.

"No." a quiet voice says.

I look at the woman.

Did she just say-

"No, sit down."

I blink and sit down, the woman is still not looking at me.

"So you must be Diane?" I ask, trying to break the ice.

"Dee-Anne not Dianne!" She snaps and I flinch.

"Uhm" I struggle to find words "Can you.. Uh.. take me to Steph please?" I ask timidly, this woman reminds me of my elder sister: bored and always slightly annoyed.

She rolls her eyes "No." she says again, how is this woman still not moving?

I glance down at my hands and start to pick off my nail varnish. This is like talking to a brick wall.

"So... Now?" I ask impatiently. I have been locked in this room for what seems like weeks, I just want to get out and get my life back.

She glares at me and I withhold a gasp. Her eyes are black. Her eyes are completely black. Like REALLY black. She must sense my shock as she looks down again.

She stands up and I do too. As soon as my feet hit the solid ground the world turns gold and I hear her mutter something along the lines of "Impatient youths" but by then I am gone.

12 seconds later my head crashes onto a rock and a cold hand grabs my arm.

"Jesus Christ Deane." a soft voice mutters and I find myself being pulled up. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust and when they do, I find myself in a hotel foyer. At least I think Its a hotel foyer. The walls are gold and red, small chairs occupy the room as well as tables and in the centre of it all, a huge gold desk.

The small hand on my arm belongs to a woman who looks exactly like Deane but with pale, baby blue eyes and a softer face.

"Hey Scarlett, I am Diane and we need to hurry." she says quickly, pulling me towards the elevator.

"Hi.. Do you have a twin?" I ask, looking up at her as we enter the elevator.

"Yes, I suppose so..." She says, checking her watch and pressing a golden button marked 2L.

"Where are we going?" I ask her, hating the silence that seems to be following me. I've never been much of a conversationalist.

"You are going to meet Steph. I am going to grab a coffee because I haven't slept in seventy-" She glances at her watch "Four hours." I smile awkwardly and so does she.

"Steph is great, everyone likes her. Plus, I think that she will treat you especially nicely." she smiles at me mischievously and then it's to late to ask any more questions because the doors are open and she's pushing me out.

"Byeeee!" She waves and her mouth goes wide. "Beware of the re-"

Then the doors closes.

I turn around and sitting at a small, opaque desk is the most barbie like woman I have ever seen. Fake blonde hair, short skirt, the shortest top I have ever seen and a face of makeup. Don't judge me and tell me that she could be beautiful on the inside because due to these 3 reasons, I'm pretty sure that she is not.

Firstly, she is chewing gum. I'm not against gum but when you are eating it and opening your mouth so that I can see it; get out. Also, she is chewing bubble gum so the whole area smells like cheap gum and there are several splotches of gum all over the desk.

Secondly, she has her feet on the desk. Can I point out that she has no socks on. Or shoes. And that she is painting her toenails. Now it smells like gum and feet.

Thirdly, and finally, I have been stood here for a few minutes and she has not acknowledged my presence yet.

Oh, wait.

Now she is rearranging her bra. Lovely. Oh my god. What is she-

"I'm Scarlett." I blurt out, needing her to stop whatever she was about to do and realise that there is another person here.

She continues to chew gum and begins to file her nails. "And...?"

I step forwards "I am here to see Steph."

"And...?"

"It's really important."

"And...?"

"Can you stop chewing gum? It's annoying."

She blows a bubble and smirks.

"And...?"

I am just about to scream or swear.. Or possibly slap her when a loud, no nonsense voice rings out.

"WHITNEY! What have I told you about chewing gum! Feet off the desk! What is that god awful smell and for the love of all that is holy will you wear a blouse that covers more that 2% of your chest!"

"Whitney" looks terrified and I can't help but laugh as her mouth opens and the gum falls out of it.

"But.." She protests, her feet falling to the ground.

"You know what, you're fired.." The same voice says and my eyes flick to the speaker.

A small women in a clean, channel suit is stood there, tapping her foot against the floor, her arms crossed.

She moves her arm and points one perfectly manicured hand towards the elevator. "Now!" She says slowly, as if talking to an infant.

Whitney gathers her stuff and rushes out the doors, dropping a pack of gum on the way out.

The woman rolls her eyes and gestures to a door marked Steph.

She smiles warmly as I walk through the door and closes it behind me.

The room is bare apart from a small desk and two comfy chairs. We both take a chair and she leans forward, a glint in her eye.

"Now then, lets have a little chat Scarlett, I think it's about time I thanked you for saving my daughter."