Short story
The little boy found himself lost in the girls' toys section. He squatted in front of the makeup kits, cooking tools, and tea party supplies, reaching his hand to feel the edges of each box. He didn’t have a big decision to make, like the other little girls who walked past him. Simply, his parents would not let him have it because he is a boy. Something he didn’t understand.
The boy has no interest in the newest audition of Hot Wheel race cars that his brother had begged their parents to buy. There was something unappealing about how bulky they are or how obnoxious red and yellow looked together—the kind of look that hurts if he stares at it for too long. Sometimes, he thought, he would love to suggest a new color choice, like pastels: purple of lavender, light yellow of banana ice cream; especially, pink of the summer fair cotton candy that he sometimes craves during fall.
That one day, during their routine grocery trip, the boy stumbled upon a 2004 Birthday Barbie; as he recalled, it was the most beautiful doll ever. The doll’s dress was fitted at the top, accentuating the curves of her figure, before flaring out into a voluminous skirt that flowed elegantly to the ground. It was all decorated with a swirling pattern of gemstones, creating a dazzling effect as she spun and twirled. It was a dress fit for a princess, and the little boy co uldn't help but imagine how it would feel to wear such a beautiful gown himself.
She was so gorgeous that he couldn’t help but hold her in his hands for a few seconds longer.
Still, the boy didn’t want the other dolls to get jealous. With each occasion he could find, he would pay her a short visit. Often, the boy would think of her before falling asleep, waking up, or playing with his friends on the playground. He sometimes hope that she would still be there for his next visit.
The day finally came as his grandfather took him to the store for his fifth birthday. His grandfather always has a soft spot for him so the boy was so glad to hear that he could choose any toy he wanted. The little boy's heart was pounding with excitement as he led his grandfather to the Barbie section. But when they arrived, the beautiful doll that he had been dreaming of was already sold to someone else.
The boy was heartbroken, but he decided to make the best of it. He saw a princess outfit that was just as beautiful as the doll's dress. It was a fluffy pink gown with layers of tulle and sparkles. He knew that he would look amazing in it like she was. Without hesitation, he grabbed the dress and ran to show his grandfather. There was a slight change of expression on the old man’s face but it wasn’t concern or annoyance that the boy can easily read. His grandfather patted his head and then encouraged the little boy to wear it through their remaining trip. And the boy did; he has never been happier with his choice. It was like the best day ever.
But when the boy arrived home, his father's face twisted in anger and disgust at the sight of his son in a pink princess dress. His father yelled and punished him, calling him an abomination for wanting to wear something that was meant for girls. The little boy was confused because he didn't understand why something that made him so happy was causing so much pain.
Despite the disappointment, the boy couldn't shake the feeling of how beautiful he felt in that dress. The next day, he put the dress on again, and this time, he twirled around the house, feeling the layers sparkle flow around him. He couldn't stop smiling, even though he knew his father would be angry if he found out. The boy realized that if he couldn't have the doll, he would become the doll himself.
