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It was supposed to be a good day.
There was supposed to be a lovely quinceañera with her blue and pink butterfly dress stunning everyone in attendance. Casita should have been adorned with pink carnations and blue ribbon. Every balcony and tiny crevice should have had some type of indication of what the event was. Not one villager should have been home, her own booming with well wishes and lovely gifts and impressed exclamations of how much she looked like a fairy tale princess.
It was her 15th birthday.
So where was everyone?
Mirabel scanned the courtyard of Casita, barefoot and in her nightgown. The intense disappointment of seeing Casita just as it always was swam through her like poison before she could even try to stop it.
This was fine.
Dolores and Pepa didn’t have quinceañeras. Neither did Abuela. Granted that was because of their gifts and income respectively, but it wasn’t like she was the only one who didn’t have a big party for their 15th birthday.
This was fine.
After all, she’d still receive gifts… right?
Of course!
…But then again, she thought they’d throw her a quinceañera in spite of everyone callamoring around about Tia Pepa’s recent health issues. Mirabel suspected it had something to do with her recent pregnancy, but she couldn’t be sure. Perhaps it just wasn’t the right time for a party?
This was fine.
She made the dress. Her parents talked to her about it months ago, not really bringing it up since for whatever reason. That was somewhat normal. She tended to blend in with whatever plaster that Casita was made out of when it came to the rest of the extraordinary family. Some matters where more important, she understood that much. Afterall, childhood and immature reasoning was behind her now.
This was fine.
Blowing out a sharp breath, she closed her eyes and balled her fists.
This was fine.
Usually in times like these she’d put on her best face for the family and village. Being a disappointment was no easy feat, especially when she was constantly reminded of it verbally or physically. But, covering up her feelings or trying to convince herself nothing was wrong made her feel like she was suffocating. She didn’t have the typical Madrigal pressure, but she also didn’t have the privileges… It didn’t matter. She and her insecurities could wait.
Nothing was wrong.
“This is fine.”
“‘Morning.”
Mirabel jumped, nearly falling over at the new voice behind her.
Camilo.
He was also in his pajamas, barefoot, and usually tame curls wild. If his hair was anything like hers, he was in for a battle to get it to behave. It was strange in general to see him this early in the morning, but especially so holding… a present.
The little green box was about the size of his palm, wrapped with white ribbon. She stared at the small object, noting that the bow was tied meticulously.
This was… unexpected.
They were not as close as they were before, but recently something of a shift had occurred. Small glances at dinner, walking from school together instead of separating for other activities, and more words being exchanged showed this much. It wasn’t truly indicative of anything, but it was nice to have something of a friend.
She hoped that there would be some sort of catalyst to truly revive their friendship.
Maybe this was the start?
“... For me?”
He gave a tired, crooked smile. “Nah, the other birthday girl… Uh, I know your parents said you didn’t want a big party-”
When did she say that?
“-but, I figured I’d get you something. Well ‘made’. I made you something,” he said while holding the box out to her. There was a tiny waver in his voice that she’d normally clock as nervousness. However, this was Camilo. He didn’t get nervous in any situation no matter how odd or intense.
“Oh… thanks. You didn’t have to, you know,” she muttered, shakily taking the present with both hands.
“No, I did.”
Mirabel tried to not let her hurt show, but she knew it did on her face. He immediately backtracked.
“That’s not what I meant! I just meant that I wanted to do it because you just… deserve it? So, of course I had to. I mean like ‘had to’ as in it was necessary, not-”
“Camilo, hey, it’s alright,” she laughed at his rambles. “Thank you.”
She deserved it?
A part of her was a bit too taken aback to ask what he meant by that. Not to mention…
Mirabel started to thumb the soft ribbon
Hand stitched.
“You made the ribbon too?”
Her smile was too much to hold in.
“I know it’s kinda rough but, yeah.”
She didn’t waste any more time, untying the ribbon and opening the box. A gasp escaped her at the two fuzzy indigo earrings.
Mirabel didn’t wear jewelry like her Isabela and Dolores or even her mother and tía. It always felt like she was a bit too young to indulge. The other insecurities weren’t something she’d like to readily admit to.
But these two small puffed earrings weren’t the fancy ones the rest of her female relatives wore. Instead, they were youthful. Colorful. They showed her entrance into adulthood without giving up her identity.
They were perfect.
Well, not perfect. There was still some evidence of the inexperienced craftsmanship to her keen eye. Regardless, they fit her perfectly.
It was beyond hard to believe.
“You made these? For me?”
“Again, no. The other birthday girl,” he said coyly.
There was the confident Camilo she knew.
With a scoff, she rolled her eyes. “Well I hope she doesn’t mind me taking these off of her hands.”
“Me too.”
His voice was warm, much warmer than she could have ever anticipated.
Now, what brought this on?
She could ask, but this was already a lot to take in. Instead, she put the earrings on, Camilo taking the box so she could do it more freely. When she had them on, he smiled, “Beauitful.”
Her cheeks warmed up.
Had she missed this so sorely?
The looks he gave her, the growing bond?
…It was a bit intimidating to say the least. Not to mention this could be in her head. He was just being a sweet cousin! Nothing more.
“Hey, I know you probably have plans this evening.”
Yeah, right.
“So, do you want lunch together? It can be a picnic or something.”
Was he asking her on a date?
Again, not possible.
They were just two cousins reuniting.
That was all.
“Sure… Yeah, I’d like that a lot. And just so you know, I’ve got no plans for the evening either.”
“I’m sure you’ll rethink that later.”
“Wait, what?” Her eyes widened. “What’s happening this evening?”
“Aw man,” he slammed a palm on his face.
Oh… so he was distracting her from a surprise party. At least she wasn’t forgotten by her family like she thought. Though her lovely dress would go to waste, at least she wasn’t the afterthought she thought herself to be.
Well, even if he was just being nice to her, that was enough for now. “Hey, I’ll pretend to be shocked to not spill.”
“With your acting skills?” he laughed.
“They’re not that bad.”
Camilo shifted into her form and turned away from her. After a step or two he spun around with a horribly faked shocked expression. “For me?”
“Says the guy who just spoiled an entire birthday part-”
“Nooooo, I didn’t know anything about a birthday party. Why…. Why would you say that?”
It was still a little surreal to see her own form do things without her own volition. But he wasn’t totally wrong; her lying was comically horrible. Plus, she’d make a note to not look as ridiculous when the actual party was revealed. “Oh, stop it,” she giggled.
He shifted back, laughing just as heartily. “Well… we both look like the walking dead. I’ll see you at breakfast?”
“Of course.” Mirabel felt a surge of confidence. Closing the space between them, she leaned up slightly to peck his cheek. “I appreciate it, Camilo.
He slouched even further as she pulled away, hand subconsciously flying to the now warm cheek. “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m happy to- I mean I’m glad to like-”
Mirabel still didn’t quite understand the reason for him being so on edge. Maybe he had a long day ahead of him. He did look adorable stuttering through his acceptance of her thanks. Wanting to quell his worries, she placed a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, chill out, alright?” She tugged on one of his stray curls and watched as it cutely sprung back into place. “Now, go tame your mane. Good luck by the way. I know I’m in for a battle too.”
He pursed his lips and nodded, apparently not trusting himself to not stumble through another disjointed sentence. Instead, he darted forward to hug her arms around her shoulders, careful to not crush the little box. “Happy birthday, Mirabel.”
She didn’t even get a chance to reciprocate before he moved away and waved as he entered his room.
Mirabel blinked, surprised at the sudden exit.
It was probably nothing.
So, she walked back to the nursery. Antonio was still slumbering heavily, snores filling the room. After retrying the box and placing it into her drawer of special trinkets, she approached the small mirror on the wall.
Oh, they were perfect.
For a moment she posed with her hand daintily placed on her shoulder. Then again with a sultry look. Another with a seductive air kiss. Ah! It was amazing how much it matured her.
With a squeal and jump, she turned to start to get ready.
There was a chance her family wasn’t going to do any of the evening quinceñera traditions.
That was fine.
This was enough for now.