Camilo Madrigal

Chapter 1

Madrigal Dresses

When I finally open my eyes, I am blinded by the sunlight pouring in my room.
I didn't know the sun would beat so harshly here in Colombia.
I don't even know what time it is.
Back home, I could tell what time it was by looking outside my window, but here it could either be nearly sunset time or right past sunrise.
I get off my bed and walk downstairs.
Nina is eating cereal while watching outside the window. She's only 19, but her manners make her seem 30, and most people think she's my mom.
We moved to Madrigal three days ago, and our living room is still filled with unopened boxes containing our past life.
Nina used to work in a bakery in France, but her dream was to live here in Colombia. When she learned about this small and traditional town, she told Mom that she would leave. I begged her to take me with her, and now we live in this small house.
Our mom raised us alone, and I feel bad when I think about how we abandoned her. But both Nina and I needed this change.
When she sees me, she hands me the cereal box.
« You can finish these. I'll try to make muffins tomorrow morning. »
She found a job at a local bakery and I feel like she's been getting better these past few days.
« We'll need to get blinds too. The sun hits really hard in my room » I say.
She nods and goes back to staring at the window.
I have to say that our neighborhood is adorable.
All the houses are surrounded by huge flower bushes and the red tiled streets are really cute and heartwarming.
Our neighbors even came to welcome us the other day. They said they would have shown us the town, but it was the Madrigal family's job.
Apparently the Madrigals are the protectors and the leaders of this community. There's a mosaic on a wall in town, representing their family. I heard they have powers.
In fact, an old lady with a low grey bun knocked on our door yesterday and talked with Nina for a while. She told me that her name was Alma, and that we were invited to their house tonight, for a welcoming party in our honor.
« What are you wearing tonight? » I ask Nina.
She turns around and thinks for a moment.
« I have no idea. I don't even think I have anything adapted for the situation. »
She looks outside and offers :
« We could go get dresses or something if you want? »
I smile and say I'll go get ready.
I quickly put on a white long shirt and a long dark blue skirt. I wanted to do braids, but I forgot I cut my hair short before coming here.
I wear it half-up half-down instead, and put on my gold hoops.
When I go downstairs, Nina smiles and tells me I look nice.
We look pretty much alike. We both used to have long black hair, before I cut mine.
Hers is still waist-length, and mine goes right above my shoulders.
We both have really dark brown eyes and a couple of freckles on the sides of our cheeks.
She grabs me by the arm and we go outside.
The air is soft, the sky is clear, and we hear some music in town.
We walk past the bakery and Nina smiles and waves her hand at the owner, who smiles back.
There's a small clothing shop in front of the town fountain, and we look at their dresses from outside.
There's a stunning dark blue crocheted dress that catches my eye. It's revealing in the back and goes all the way down to the floor.
Nina points at it and says : "You would look divine in that"
I smile and go inside to get a closer look.
"Which one do you want?" I ask her.
She's looking at a long orange skirt that would look nice with a yellow crop top.
"Probably that one" she says.
I get them both, and start thinking about what jewelry I could wear with that.
When we go outside, we see Alma talking to a lady.
She sees us too and excuses herself to the woman, before walking towards us.
"Good morning! Were you visiting the town?"
"We were actually getting something to wear for tonight." Nina answers smiling.
"Oh perfect! We can't wait to welcome you. There's a lot of people you have to meet." She then looks at me and says:
"Two of my grandkids are your age, you could befriend them!"
I smile and nod.
Then she excuses herself again and goes back to the other lady.
We go back home and I see Nina starting to get ready for tonight.
She tries on her dress and looks at her reflection in the mirror.
I can see the way she stares at it, and I sigh.
I go upstairs, and start getting anxious about tonight.
I have absolutely no idea about what to expect, and that totally terrifies me.