The Second Encanto

13. The Picture Frame

Andres POV

Yes it was true that my family had moved to Encanto to seek refuge. When I learned that we were moving I was overjoyed. I hated our village. Everyone there was very judgmental. I looked out my window across the street and saw Merella sitting on her bed. My brows furrowed as I realized that Camilo was with her. I turned away from my window to keep unloading boxes. I pulled out my favorite thing I owned. It was a simple picture frame and in it was a picture of my childhood best friend and me. We're facing the camera beaming with squinted eyes. I hugged the frame close to my heart.

"Andres! Come downstairs!"My mother yelled up the stairs. I walked down the stairs and saw my mom holding a plate of food. "We are going to return the kind favor that the Gomez's showed us, ok?" I nodded and pulled on my jacket. We walked across the road. I felt my heart start to pound against my chest. My mother knocked on their door and my heart knocked against my ribs.

"Yes?" Her mother said as we opened the door. The smell of arepas floated out the door.

"Hello Mrs. Gomez," my mother started with a smile. "We thought we should return the favor and bring you some food." Merella's mom smiled and took the plate gratefully.

"Why don't you and your family come join us for dinner?" My mother accepted her offer and we walked into her house. "Merella! We have guests come down!" Her mother shouted. I heard the sudden thump of a pair of feet upstairs. I glanced outside and saw Camilo running waving goodbye to someone. A few seconds later Merella came down the stairs in a nice dark blue dress. I smiled lightly at her and she gave a quick smile back. Her hair shone in the light. She went into the back room and came out with a stack of plates, quickly setting up the table. Her mother came out as well with a plate full of food. We all sat at the table and ate the delicious meal, but all I could do was look at Merella. Something about her caught my attention. Maybe it was the way that when she smiled her eyes squinted when she smiled, or maybe it was the way that she nervously played with the tips of her hair. But something about her captivated me. My mother thanked her family for meal and hugged Merella's mom. Then we head back over to our house. It was pretty empty and quiet.

"Mom I'm gonna go to bed." I tell her with a quick hug. I head up the stairs and unpack a couple boxes. Then I sigh as I flop on to my bed. I lift my head to look at the picture frame and suddenly everything clicks. The girl in the picture, the girl that I used to dream about marrying, was Merella.