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The first time it happens, you're so caught off guard.
You had been walking, looking at your feet, a bit absent-minded. Suddenly, you hit someone and fall, scraping your arm against some rocks.
You wince in pain and embarrassment.
It hurts, of course it does, but you hardly pay any attention to the sting, making sure to apologize to whoever you hit. It was your fault after all, walking around with your head in the clouds was a bad habit of yours, everyone in town knew. That didn't make it less humiliating though.
You look up to meet eyes with- woah
Dolores Madrigal
She's hunching over you, with an arm outstretched and concern written all over her face.
Just like that, a fountain of fireworks? erupt in your stomach. Your whole body burns and suddenly your mouth is dry. You're rooted in place, as though stuck under a spell.
What the fuck was that?
You take a close look at her face, trying to memorize all her features. This was the first time you had been in close to her, as you opted to keep away from people in general, with the exception of a few close friends.
To say she was pretty was an understatement. You knew how good she looked, of course. You saw her often, from a distance, helping in town, carrying out her chores. Up this close though, she was breathtaking. You wouldn't be surprised if you were told you were sitting before a goddess. She was absolutely beautiful.
"Are you okay?", she asks, voice full of concern.
That's when you remember what's happening. You can feel eyes on you, something you'd never get used to, no matter how many times you get into minor accidents.
You sheepishly take her hand, failing to ignore how soft and smooth it is, and stand up.
"Ah yeah, sorry about that. I guess my mind was in the clouds again", you rub the back of your neck, seemingly unable to stay still. The crowd surrounding you has gone, but for some reason, you're still really nervous
"It's alright but", she pauses to grab your left arm and points out a huge wound, "you're hurt"
"Ah- no I'm alright, it's just a wound after all", you try to laugh it off awkwardly as your right arm reaches for the handkerchief in your pocket. You try to wipe away at the sweat on your face
When did I get so sweaty
"But it's bleeding", she frowns
You look at your wound and she is indeed correct. There's blood slowly trickling down your arm and the pain finally sets in.
You frown, "Hm, it appears so"
Dolores chuckles lightly, and you look up at her. Her face is stunning. The way her lips turn up and her eyes soften, you find it all fascinating. Suddenly she looks at you and your eyes meet.
Again, your throat is dry. The breath from your lungs is non-existent. Your stomach leaps and your heart beats painfully at your chest. Your body burns and is filled with chills at the same time.
What in the fucking fuck is this
"How can you be so nonchalant over a wound?", she asks amused
"Uh-", your voice sounds hoarse as you struggle to talk at first
You clear your throat, "I get into accidents like these a lot", you awkwardly laugh, "for some reason my head is always in the skies"
Dolores nods in understanding, still with a light smile, "Well then, let’s get you to my tia to get healed"
You nod with a curious smile as she leads the way, still hanging on to your left arm. As you walk you start to get familiar with the way your heart thumps and how your stomach jumps.
Maybe I'm sick? It's a good thing I'm meeting Julieta then
You let yourself get lightly dragged across town. You finally see Julieta with a basket full of food, feeding people left and right.
When she spots you walking towards her, she sighs, smiles, and rolls her eyes. "Ay, y/n"
Dolores raises her brow in question. You can only laugh awkwardly in response.
"Head in the clouds again?", Julieta asks in amusement and feeds you an arepa
"Bumped into me while walking", Dolores explains and Julieta nods in response, as though that was expected
You thank Julieta and she can only smile and nod at you lightly, quickly having to heal a man with a broken leg.
You then look at Dolores, "Thanks and uh sorry about the whole bumping into you thing"
"It's fine", she smiles sincerely.
"So, y/n right?", she asks and you nod in response, curious to see where this is going
She extends her hand again, and you take it. Your hands shake lightly.
Your body burns once again. You start to sweat and you feel your stomach jump. So I'm not sick?
"I'm Dolores but I get the feeling you know that already", you smile and nod to confirm her suspicions
She smiles in return, "I'll see you around then. Do take care of yourself", she says and gently lets go of your hand.
Your hand feels empty and you can't help but frown a bit. You catch yourself though, and you smile, waving as she starts to walk away, probably off to do her chores.
She smiles one more time at you and again your stomach leaps
What the fuck is this
For the next few days you find yourself making excuses to see Dolores in town. Every time you do, your heart bursts and longs.
On the days she notices you, she waves with a small smile. Each time, your skin burns and heats up.
By the end of the weak you've reached a conclusion:
"I'm dying", you cry out dramatically
You had just finished explaining to your best friend Zo what had happened. The fall, the wound, the fireworks, the burning, everything.
You're sitting on the grass looking at your hands deep in thought.
You and Zo hang around in the forest a lot. It's far from town, allowing
you two to have privacy. You weren't fans of social interaction so a small haven in the woods helped a lot, especially when you guys tried to catch a break from all your chores and responsibilities.
You look up at Zo, leaning on a tree, staring at you full of judgement
"What- why are you looking at me like that?"
"Surely you must be joking?", when you don't reply they let out a sigh
"Those are butterflies you idiot", they explain
What?
Your face must've perfectly reflected your confusion, as Zo burst out laughing. "Oh my god, you have a crush on Dolores"
"What", you state more than ask. Zo just watches you, waiting for you to catch up and process what they said.
A moment passes
Crushing on Dolores wasn't that surprising. You were a sucker for pretty people. If anything, you thought you always had a crush on Dolores.
So what did the fireworks in your stomach mean? Why did you suddenly get a fever when she was around? Why did your breath disappear and your throat dry up? Why did you lose your voice whenever she looked at you? Is this witchcraft? Perhaps a side effect of her gift? Butterflies?? You don't recall flying things being part of your diet
"Butterflies? That thing in stories?", you ask confused, eyebrows furrowed
"Yep", Zo nods, glad to see you had finally caught up
You frown. You knew about the butterflies in stories. The way people's stomachs would leap around the person they like. Now that you think of it, they did fit the description.
"But.. I've never felt like this for the people I used to like?", you argue in thought
Zo shrugs, "I only got butterflies for Eli", you roll your eyes at the mention of your best friend's lover. You were happy for them, of course, but Zo turned into a disgusting lovesick puppy at the mere mention of Eli.
"So this is normal?", you ask
"Yep", Zo nods, popping the 'p' at the end
"This isn't food poisoning?"
"Nope", Zo shakes their head, popping the 'p' once again
"Or witchcraft? A spell? I'm not dying?"
"No to all of those", they stand up straight and walk towards you, "You like her, congrats!", they clasp their hands together "Now we figure out how to set you up with her", Zo wiggles their eyebrows suggestively
You laugh in response, you had no idea where this was gonna go