Barbara DuPont

Barbie is a character found at Thirlcrest Academy. She's a cheerleader under the varsity program. The character is played by emilyhasfeet.
==Appearance==
Barbie stands petite at 4'11", she has a slender yet strong frame. At 112 lbs, she embodies and agility required of an athletic flyer. Every muscle toned and defined beneath her smooth, fair skin. Despite her stature, there's an undeniable presence to her, exuding confidence wherever she goes. 
Her natural golden blonde hair falls in soft waves along her shoulders, catching the light with it's shine and texture. It frames her face, complimenting the glow of her complexion. She typically wears it up in a half-up hairstyle, but is pretty versatile in case Coach Patel decides to spring a nightmare practice on the lady-knights. Barbie's features are really delicate looking, but also striking and catch the eyes of many-- high cheekbones and a pert nose adding to her allure.
It's really her eyes that captivate the most, a mesmerizing blend of green with a touch of blue towards the pupil. She tends to hold eye-contact with those she intends to charm, knowing full well the depth and intensity her stare may carry. Still, there's a softness to her appearance, a gentle warmth that draws people to her effortlessly. Yet, she keeps the unmistakable aura of strength, proof of the countless hours she's spent perfecting her craft.
==Characteristics==
Barbie is a generally friendly person, her warm demeanor and infectious smile lights up any room she enters. As one of the nicer cheerleaders on the team, she exudes positivity, goodwill, and is always willing to lend a helping hand or offer a word of encouragement to her teammates. She genuinely enjoys the sister-hood of cheerleader, more than the actual sport. Barbie can be described by many as an optimist, and an idealist. These parts of her make her endearing, but can also be her fatal flaw. Her innate belief in the goodness of people leads her to view the world through rose-colored glasses, which blind her from the potential dangers and deceitful intentions of those around her. In her eagerness to see the best in everyone, she tends to.. overlook warning signs and dismisses instincts that suggest someone may not have her best interest at heart. She extends trust too easily, assuming that others share her genuine intentions and integrity. This leaves her vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation of those who want to take advantage of her kidness. It clouds her judgement and she rationalizes any bad behavior of those she wants to see as good. She refuses to let cynicism tarnish her outlook on life any further, realizing she can choose to look at the world in a more positive way than she previously has.
There are also different layers to Barbie's character, beneath her friendly exterior lies extreme loyalty and a formidable temper. While she may be kind and compassionate, she is not one to be crossed lightly. If someone wrongs her, or especially her friends-- Barbie's demeanor can shift in an instant. Her gentle nature can sometimes transform due to her need to get justice for those who are wronged. She has never been one to be afraid to stand up for what she believes in, even if it means getting into fights for her friends. While she is a lady, and a classy one at that-- she understands the need for violence to be necessary in a school like Thirlcrest. She aims to respect the customs of the lady-knights but believes there are some special circumstances when it comes to fighting. Her clash with Tove, the HR bruiser, serves as an example of her extreme loyalty and her protective instincts that she just can't force down. When Tove threatened one of Barbie's best friends, Lacey, Barbie didn't hesitate for a second to confront her. 
Barbie truly is willing to defend a friend at any cost. She tends to push her own feelings aside to prioritize others. The selflessness can be seen as admirable, but also means she neglects her own needs and emotions. This has caused some internal struggles, and resentment for others in her life. It also severely impacts and impairs her decision making, not really thinking about how a choice would affect her in the long run.
Barbie also has an extreme competitive streak that sometimes takes over all else completely. Whether it's cheerleading, or any aspect of her life, she's always striving to be the best, However, this drive for excellence can sometimes create rifts in her relationships, especially with fellow cheerleaders who may feel overshadowed or threatened by her ambitions. She tends to equate her self-worth with her performance, which can be emotionally taxing. When she feels she's not performing her best or when she faces defeat, she becomes easily upset and frustrated. This perfectionist and high-achiever attitude takes tolls on her mental state, and she refuses to accept anything less than perfection from herself.
Regardless of Barbie's seemingly perfect exterior, she really is covering up her struggle with vulnerability-- finding it challenging to open up and reveal her personal thoughts and feelings to others. This really stems from her childhood, and her emotionally unavailible father. She has an intense fear of others rejecting her feelings and judging her, putting so much pressure on herself to maintain a flawless image. Her reluctance to be vulnerable often leads to surface-level connections with most people, hindering any depth in her relationships. While she puts trust into people easily, she still tries to keep people at arm's length when it comes to her own feelings. She doesn't want to let her guard down or expose her true self-- with the fear of being seen as flawed or inadequate. 
Overall, Barbie is someone with good intentions all around-- and prioritizes her relationships above all else. Despite her flaws and internal struggles, she's a cherished friend to others. 
==Character Background==
Barbie's journey begins in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, where she was born into a family that consisted of two loving parents. Her childhood was filled with warmth and love, her two parents doting on their only child. Despite her father's preoccupation with work, Barbie found solace and unconditional love in the bond she shared with her mother. The two were insperable, with Barbie's mom being her guiding light and only source of support.
However, tragedy struck when Barbie was just twelve years old, shattering her world irreparably. Her mother, her rock, lost her battle with breast cancer. Barbie didn't know too much about it, because her mom was so good at hiding it.. until the last few weeks when she watched her mother change completely. Her father really left her to death with her grief all alone. The loss of her mother left Barbie feeling adrift, and completely and utterly alone. Her father was so consumed by his own grief he was unable to offer the support she so desperately needed.
In the aftermath of her mother's death, Barbie's father remarried quickly, seeking support from an entirely new family. But for Barbie, the arrival of a step-mother and later down the road.. half-siblings, only served to deepen her sense of isolation. Her step-mother wasn't too taken by her, when Barbie's younger siblings arrived Barbie wasn't allowed to have visits with her dad altogether. Most will hear from Barbie that she is an only child. But, that's not true. With her father increasingly absent from her life, now living full time in France with his new family-- Barbie found herself wildly neglected. 
Feeling abandoned, Barbie's once bright spirit dimmed as she struggled to cope with her grief and the sudden upheaval of her life. She rebelled against any authority she found, seeking attention and validation in all the wrong places. Her behavior grew increasingly erratic, leading to clashes with peers and authority figures. She was constantly getting into fights and surrounding herself with the stereotypical "wrong crowd."
Barbie's downward spiral continued as she was shuttled betweeen different schools, her father desperately trying to find a solution to her mountain of behavioral issues. Doing anything he could except parent her, he just wanted to get rid of her. It wasn't until she arrived at Thirlcrest that Barbie found a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Despite her initial misgivings, Thirlcrest became something for Barbie to be excited about. It offered her a chance at redemption and a fresh start. She started to love things about life again, and more importantly with herself. And that started with her love for cheerleading.
Since her arrival at Thirlcrest, Barbie has defied expectations, completely blossoming and transforming herself. She's more than halfway through her sophomore year, and she has finally found a sense of belonging and purpose amongst more appropriate peers. 
==Relationships==
===Braden Laurence===
Barbie and Braden share a close-knit bond that goes past the typical high school romance. Being a cheerleader for the varsity program, and being so new to the academy-- her goals were set on advancing on the team and focusing on cheer. She really didn't have time for a serious relationship, and quite honestly she didn't want one. However, when she met Braden, the new starting running back from Fairview her mindset completely changed. Their connection was pretty instant, but it didn't surface past anything but a friendship at first for Barbie. Before she met Braden, she had really sworn off serious relationships.. having a fear of commitment herself. But his presence became something she needed. She'd had made plenty of good quality friends, even with the little time she was at school, but there was something really different about him for her. Their friendship slowly blossomed into more of a relationship, Barbie was constantly worried about things outside of just them-- but he did a really good job of bringing her back in. What set their relationship apart at first-- was the ease with which they navigate challenges together, and the simplicity of their time. The success of it for a long time really was that they're more than just boyfriend and girlfriend-- they're best friends. Barbie knows she has found something really special to her, and holds him close to her heart. Though, as time has gone on their issues have become more severe and complex.. and Barbie knows it's completely her fault. 
It has turned into a deeply unhealthy attachment that the two can't seem to shake. Barbie's relationship with Braden growing so much, and becoming so serious-- has started to scare her. She's afraid of how attached she has gotten and seems to be self-destructing within the relationship. Braden, being the saint he is still sees something in her, but she knows there's only so many times a person can mess up before it's over. And that's.. the last thing she wants. As Barbie’s attachment to Braden deepens, her fear of losing him becomes more intense. This fear manifests in ways that are slowly eroding the foundation of their relationship. She finds herself questioning her worth and ability to maintain the relationship, leading to moments of irrational behavior and self-sabotage. The pressure of living up to Braden's expectations, and her own, becomes overwhelming. Barbie’s anxiety causes her to withdraw emotionally, creating a distance between them that Braden struggles to deal with on his own. She begins to second-guess everything she says and does, afraid that one wrong move could be the end. The stress of this constant self-monitoring takes a toll on her, making her feel trapped. Barbie's internal issues affect Braden more than anyone else in her life, and she hates herself for it. She can see the hurt she is causing him, but her want and love for him makes it almost impossible to let him go free. Despite all this, Braden remains patient and understanding. He tries to reassure Barbie, offering support and love, but she can see the strain in his efforts. Braden’s unwavering support sometimes feels like a reminder of her own failures, intensifying her fear that she might not be worthy of his love. Each time Braden forgives her, she feels a mix of relief and guilt, knowing that she is running out of chances. 
===Colette Calloway===
Barbie's friendship with Colette is a bond forged from the cheer team, like Barbie's many other friendships. Their shared passion and dedication for the sport brings them together. From the moment Barbie stepped into the clubhouse, she knew Colette was someone she wanted by her side. Colette was someone who offered her guidance, support, and friendship all throughtout her recruitment process. She always had Colette to turn to when she needed help, and Colette to this day continues to take on a guiding role for Barbie. Their connection was instant, their friendship moving past just being teammates. They eventually decided to become dormmates, now sharing constant late-night chats, and becoming even more inseperable. Barbie is constantly teasing Colette, and vice versa. Their friendship is really funny, they're not afraid to be themselves around each other. Barbie really thrives in the presence of Colette. Barbie loves to complain about Colette's attachment to her, to Braden, but deep down she wouldn't have it any other way. She loves how much love Colette has for her. She wasn't a teammate but someone who understood her in a way few could. Barbie found a cheer-sister and true friend in one. She loves her more than words can express.
===Lacey Campbell===
Lacey Campbell in Barbie's eyes, is a force to be reckoned with. Both.. on and off the mats of the gym. Renowed for her skill, grace and leadership, she commands respect from Barbie, and anyone else. Beyond her prowess as one of the campus' favorite cheerleader, she plays a pivotal role in Barbie's cheer journey. She serves a mentor, role-model, and sometimes fills the role of a maternal figure. Their relationship can be seen as something of mother and daughter. Lacey takes Barbie under her wing, guiding her and teaching her the ropes of what it means to be a lady-knight. Though lacey's aapproach may sometimes be tough and demanding-- Barbie understands that it stems from a place of love and care. It only makes her work harder, and better. She respects Lacey deeply and values her opinion above all others. Barbie strives to impress and make Lacey proud, knowing that her approval means more to her than that of anyone else, even including the cheer captain, Taylor Vaughn.
=== Jessica Anderson ===
Barbie's relationship with Jessica is what what many would have consider.. sisterly-love. While their relationship had its fair share of ups and downs, there was no denying the bond that existed between them. At times, Barbie and Jess would butt heads, both having two very strong personalities-- that clashed in the heat of the moment. But beneath all of that, there was a profound love and understanding there that overruled any disagreements. At the end of the day, their friendship mattered more than silly little disputes. They fought like sisters, and were fiercly protective of each other's well-being. This also went along with loving like sisters, always being there for one another when it counted. Barbie considered Jess to be one of her closest friends, and someone she could rely on no matter what. Jess, in turn, takes on the role of a protective older sister for Barbie, defending Barbie against anyone who might cross her. Jess was someone Barbie always saw as looking out for her best interest, sometimes more than anyone else she knew. 
However, due to recent events-- their relationship has developed into something that gives Barbie a strong sense of anxiety. These days, being around Jess makes Barbie anxious; she feels drained whenever they are together. Every conversation with Jess leaves Barbie feeling worse about herself. Jessica has become someone Barbie no longer trusts-- someone she once thought would always look out for her and take her side. Now, Barbie finds herself questioning everything Jess says and does. The bond that once felt unbreakable, replaced by a feeling of unease and mistrust. Whenever Barbie sees Jess around-- which is quite often.. she can't help the knot she feels forming in her stomach. She truly dreads any interaction. The once supportive, protective friend has vanished.. and left behind someone who often criticizes her. Barbie can't shake the mean girl image of Jessica left in her mind. Every encounter after Jessica's blow up reinforcing the feeling that Jess is no longer the friend she once was to Barbie. Barbie who once stood by Jess through anything, is only left feeling isolated and betrayed. She does miss the days when she could rely on Jess without hesitation, but has come to a sick realization that their bond might never be mended. 
=== Brooke Tasker ===
While Barbie and Brooke were unsure of each other during Barbie's tryout process, they had a long journey to get to the standing of their friendship now. Initially, Barbie found it challenging to warm up to Brooke, but once she made the team her friendship with her slowly flourished. She came to see her as more than a teammate she just looked up to and respected, she became a close friend. When Brooke faced personal struggles, including difficulties with her brother Mason, and her boyfriend Vance, she turned to Barbie for support. In moments of vulnerability, Brooke confided in Barbie. This is something she will always hold close to her heart, being someone Brooke sees as comforting. Being trusted with her deepest fears and insecurities, Barbie in turn, embraced her role as one of Brooke's supports. She offers her a listening ear and shoulder to cry on if need be. Her sense of protectiveness over Brooke runs deep, fueled by the genuine love she has for her friend. She is willing to go to great lengths to ensure Brooke's well-being and happiness, wanting to be by her through thick and thin.
=== Jennifer Cho ===
Jenny and Barbie's friendship really began late one night-- as they finally got a chance alone in the clubhouse. Barbie who.. usually keeps to herself and her usual close friends-- finds herself drawn to Jenny. It wasn't long before she began talking to her more, Barbie noticed some of Jenny's qualities reminded her of her boyfriend. Regardless if those qualities are alcoholism or the ability to find humor in almost any situation, it's something she likes about Jenny regardless. She admires Jenny's ability to be so unapologetically herself, never holding back on her opinions. "No filter" is an understatement for a girl like Jenny. It's really a refreshing change from the facade Barbie keeps up so tirelessly, and a lot of the other girls. Barbie would seriously go to bat for her, even if their friendship is so new. Lately, Barbie has been dealing with some confusion about her sense of sexuality and feelings. She finds herself feeling attraction towards Jenny that's a little more than friendly. Jenny's presence makes her feel a certain way.. that she has a hard time ignoring. There's an undeniable tension between the two that neither will address. 
=== Duke Holloway ===
From the moment Barbie and Duke met, she had felt a strange pull toward him. Duke was known by many as someone easy on the eyes and easy to talk to. Barbie didn’t look at him any differently, but she knew better than to let her guard down. Throughout their complicated relationship, Barbie had tried to make it a point to deflect or avoid him, knowing how she could be when it came to guys like Duke. Barbie had had a deep-seated fear of commitment for as long as she could remember, and Duke reminded her of every bad guy from her past. He was the epitome of every charmer that had hurt her before. Barbie used Duke and their complex relationship as a way to try and run from those fears rather than face them head-on with Braden. Every time she felt herself getting too close to Braden, she would retreat, moving straight into Duke's orbit. She told herself that she was protecting her heart, but deep down she was just scared. Being hurt by someone like Duke made sense to her, but being hurt by someone like Braden was something she wouldn’t have been able to handle.
The two were caught in a vicious cycle of avoiding each other, and this only making them want more-- right up until Braden hit his breaking point with the two. Duke had officially cut Barbie off after a run-in with Braden, seemingly ending any of the drama between the 3. The events only made Barbie realize who she'd always choose. Braden.
==Gallery==
Cheersideline.jpeg
Category:Characters
Category:Varsity