Dark Barbie
In the mood for some bleak aesthetics and social-norms-rejecting behavior
Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve run out of black clothes?
As Andy was getting ready for a “Millennium Pink Barbie” party, she realized there wasn’t a single black item in sight.
Why wear black to the pink party, you ask? Many reasons, actually! Rebellion, individuality, a hatred of all things pink…
Her wardrobe certainly leaned towards the darker side of the spectrum, but little did she realize that pairing a black top with her black skirt was out of the question, as the said top was not clean.
There was just that one gray top she had. But, come on, who wears gray to parties?! Not even sceptics and pessimists would ruin their reputation like that.
Staring at her clothes scattered all over the floor in a chaotic manner, Andy immediately got on the phone with her best friend, Darcy.
“Hey girl! You’re still coming to the thing? I need a favor…”
After 40 minutes, Darcy was at the door. She held a baby-doll dress with a big bow around the waistline. To be fair, it was fully black.
“Could that bow be any bigger?” Andy exclaimed, furious, as she opened the door. “I asked you for something classic, stylish…”
Darcy rolled her eyes and walked in.
“You know what my clothes are like. This is the only dark aesthetic outfit I have.”
It was true. Andy’s polar opposite, Darcy, loved colorful outfits. She herself was wearing a pink top with huge “Barbie” letters on it and a blue skirt that reached the floor.
“You couldn’t just buy me a black top?”
“You know, you don’t always have to try to piss off everyone. You can just play along sometimes,” Darcy said, letting out a snickering laugh.
“Ugh, just give it to me!” Andy snatched the dress out of her friend’s hands.
At last, they were on their way to the party. It took them a bus and then an Uber ride to get there. But all the cool people they knew were going, so they couldn’t miss it if they wanted to matter in this town.
Before entering, Andy started having regrets about her outfit—and even about going in the first place…
But once they were inside, they did feel a sense of relief—mostly because it was exactly what they were expecting. Pink letters that spelled out “BARBIE” were plastered over the walls, with pink balloons covered in glitter floating around the room, and actual Barbie dolls sitting on the tables near drinks and food. Most of the participants did wear pink (with the exception of some opting for red, white, or blue); some of them even committed all the way to the theme, wearing blonde wigs.
The hostess, Arya, who welcomed them with a brief hug and two customary kisses on the cheek, wore something close to a pink ballroom gown—to ensure no one overshadowed her, the main doll at this party.
“So happy you made it, besties! Darcy, you look stunning as always! And, Andy, oh my god! We all thought you were gonna wear some cheap clothes like you always do, but you actually look adorable in this dress!”
Arya squeezed Andy tight in her embrace, making her feel like one of those chunky cats trapped in their owner’s arms, unable to escape.
“Oh, girl! You know who you are?..
…You’re our Dark Barbie!”