Barbie was in the studio late at night, the soft glow of the overhead lights casting long shadows as she practiced tirelessly for the gig happening tomorrow. She had been at it for hours, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't seem to get the routine right. Every time she attempted to hold the pole and transition into the move, she lost her balance, falling once again to the floor with a frustrated groan.
"Why do I keep falling down?" Barbie muttered, rubbing her sore arms. She pushed herself up once more, determined to perfect the move, but just as before, she miscalculated her grip and crashed down again.
As she lay there, catching her breath, her phone suddenly started ringing, startling her. Hoping it was Mark calling to check in, Barbie scrambled to her phone, her heart skipping a beat. But when she looked at the screen, her stomach dropped—an unknown number.
Without thinking, she answered, her voice breathless and annoyed. "Hello? Who is this?"
