Chapter 5

"i needed to be ready in case something bad happened to you"

my eyes widen and the smile dropped but blood rose to replace it. i jumped at the chance to defend myself, "what! i mean-- yeah! of course i like mira! shes my mejor amiga. come on, tonito, i thought you knew how amigos worked."

I tried to joke with him but he stood strong with his statement. "no! you like her like mama and papa like each other!"

the red on my face got brighter as i waved my arms silly trying to make him forget. But at the worst moment, Mirabel walked through the door. toni rushed back to his hiding place once the doorknob turned but my feet stayed planted. as she entered, i slowly turned while fighting to keep up my cool facade however it was hard to do when my appearance was visibly tense.

she was surprised at my presence, not expecting to still be in the household after my teasing downstairs, flushed and frozen nonetheless. i chuckled with forced confidence and pointed towards her bedside dresser, "got you a couple things, by the way mira. hope you like them. but uhhh- i got to go before padre starts putting together a search party for me."

i walked towards her, gave her a light kiss on the cheek and whispered, "see you tonight, mi querido," before walking backwards to her open window. I gave a small salute with a wink before falling back. I heard her gasp and footsteps grew loud as she moved to my exit, only to see me being caught by casita as it helped me to the ground. I waved as i walked, facing away from her.

but i knew for a fact she waved back.

time jump

(play song above)

I straighten my shirt, dusting off invisible particles. I stared at myself in the mirror, checking for anything that was out of place. i shifted my collar, pulled up my jeans slightly, and ran my hand through the wavy mess of black locks that laid on my head. i sighed before my attention shifted to the door opening, and padre entering. he smirked at my nervousness, before walking over and placing his hands on my shoulders. "you're okay, mijo. you just have to push through. vivas tu vida, muchacho."

i nodded at him, a smile reaching my lips. when the sounds from outside finally reached my ears, i made my way to my window. I leaned out the opening from the church as i watched families move around the darkening streets.

The whole town was ready to party! every single person had lit up candles around their own home before joining the large line to the ceremony center. La Madrigal Casita was open and welcoming all guests who approached, being greeted by camilo, luisa, and casita. every family member was mingling with the people, even the magical house was helping! using the tiles to grill food and arrange hats, and keeping curious chicos away from the newly magical door that sat awaiting upstairs. the entire home was filled with many voices of happiness and laughter as they chatted. the smell of fresh food and sweet petals lingered in the air.

i walked aside padre santiago as we entered the doorway, having greeted the two out front. our eyes trailed across everything, the scents and sights burning into my mind. I was amazed but didn't want abuela to know, as i felt her glaring gaze land on me. i smirked and head back outside to catch up with camilo. "hey amigo, how's trying to win el corazón de mi prima va?"

"callate camaleon" we laughed.

time jump

when it was time for the ceremony to truly begin, everyone headed inside and crowded around the bottom floor, with a clear path leading from the usually open kitchen doorway to the stairs, where pepa and felix were waiting. i watched among the people as alma carefully walked up the stairs, the magical candle burning brightly in her tightly clutched hands. she turned around halfway up to make her speech.

"fifty years ago, in our darkest moment, this candle blessed us with a miracle. and the greatest honor of our family has been to use our blessings to serve this beloved community. tonight, we come together once more as another steps into the light to make us proud."

a drum roll sounded through the air along with cheering as the rows of flowers that once shielded the kitchen entrance opened to reveal a heavily nervous toni, clad in white and gold. yet when he didn't make a move towards to staircase, they quieted down, waiting. he turned to someone out of sight, but i knew it was mira. he reached his hand out in her direction, assuming he was trying to get her to walk with him.

i figured she was hesitant, knowing her past and traumatically failed gift ceremony that she had gone through, but i smiled when she walked out and joined hands with the younger.

as they walked, her eyes nervously searched the crowd. i guessed she was having some kind of flash back, so i moved forward to the front of the mass of townspeople so she could spot me easy. just as she turned to face my area, i cleared my throat to quickly gain her attention.

once our eyes met, i gave her a warm smile and a nod, hoping mira would get the sign that she will be okay. she gave a small smile back and as she turned away to the stairs, i shuffled my way to the kitchen. the party had slowly moved to cover the previously open pathway, making my entering to the specific room unnoticeable.

i walked up the stairway that sat there, passing by the portrait of abuelo pedro, and heading to a hiding spot upstairs. i stood, my back to a pillar, as i kept my eye on the teen girl.

alma held out the glowing candle towards the niño and asked the big question. "will you use your gift to honor our miracle? will you serve this community and strengthen our home?"

he nodded as he gently held the sides of the wax, before turning to the giant sparkling door which was awaiting him. once he reached out to the personalized doorknob, the entryway glowed brighter as a beautiful toucan flew to land on his out-stretched arm. it chattered and squawks and toni gasps. "uh-huh. uh-huh. i understand you. of course they can come!"

he giggles after his invitation to the bird as it calls for its friends. much more birds fly over head and coatimundis, capybaras, a jaguar, and a few tapir came running and climbed up the stairs. the magical door finalized and showed an image of antonio happy while surrounded by animals. alma sighed in relief before turning to the mass of people below. "We have a new gift!"

Everyone below grew excited and started cheering once again, fireworks going off around the house. toni led his parents into his room, watching as it was created for him before his very eyes. I saw mira had hesitated on entering so i quickly jogged over to join her. "hey."

"oh! hey. how did you get up here so fast?" she jumped slightly, as i surprised her. "oh, i came up from the kitchen stairs, after we broke eye contact. i needed to be ready in case something bad happened to you."

she flushed and stood stiff before melting, shuffling towards me with her head down. her hand gripped the sleeve of my shirt as the top of her head softly bumped into my bicep. she muttered her thanks while i went to twist her into my arms. I gave mira a strong warm hug, and for extra reassurance, i placed a longing kiss on her head, the curly strands ticking my cheeks. rubbing the small of her back with my calloused hands, i felt her lean closer into me. it was almost as if she was trying to be one with me, or trying to intake as much comfort as possible.

(Mirabel pov)

I took a deep breath, getting as much of his scent into my lungs to swirl around my brain and body to help calm me. i felt too frustrated and upset with everything around me, but mateo.

...

im discontinuing this book here since im no longer in the fandom and no longer experience any joy writing this, since no one is really reading it. thank you if you have read it. ❤️