Mi amor ~ Camilo Madrigal x oc~

5

Most of the party I kept to my self mainly keeping my eyes on Abuela. Something just felt off. She was actively socializing with the people of the Encanto. Abuela was not a social person, in all the years we had lived in the small home with her she had only ever went out for grocery's and the occasional fabric or thread. Not once had I seen her do more then grimace at a waving neighbor. Of course she was kind to the people that came to the door to ask where we got this or how they thought we would love some of what ever they made. But she was also short and made sure they didn't stay long. My dear reader I must tell you that Abuela has lived a life of hardship that I would not wish upon my greatest enemy.

She smiled yes but never more then a small up turn of the corners of her lips. Throughout her long life she had faced hatred and ill fated draws of the deck. Like most all of our close nit family she has seen the backlash of the views on those from the out side. She knows why some of the men in the village offer to come and help with the 'chores that need to be done'. She has seen the pity in the eyes of the women when they gossip about my Papa's leaving. We are a house full of women. A house full of closed off and secret driven women. Although Encanto is yes beautiful it too holds it's fair share of whispers and ignorant murmur's.

It seems when ever Abuela and Señora Alma where about to interact the two parted ways. No one in the small community knew about out family's personal curse. A curse that lay deep inside the pits of my stomach that I couldn't seem to place my hands on. That no matter how much I denied it and wished it was a lie I could feel. But not touch even though I so deeply tried too. Sometimes I did wonder if Señora Alma knew. If Abuela placed her trust in her at some point confided in her about how it all started. A story not even I knew.

I stood alone above the railing in front of one of the infamous doors I had heard about. Ana and Maria ran around playing with the other children who had attended. A few times they would come up to me and ask if I would join. Or be the monster in one of their games. I lost track of Mami and Sofia shortly after we came inside. By now I was just guessing that mami had found a back wall to smoke behind or met a few tíos to cut up with. Sofia was a different breed in her own. She had most likely wheezed her way into some form of trouble. She was a beautiful person with a kind heart indeed but a taste for trouble still danced within her soul. Something about watching people made me smile.

The way they sang and danced. How they smiled so warmly at each other. How easy conversation could come to them. I hadn't interacted with any of them yet but even being around the people I felt welcomed. The Garcia family where used to being outcasts. We did it to our selves of course. Have you ever been extremely happy and then it all come crashing down into a fit of go fuck your self you dirty rat.

The young boy spoke up from behind me, "You seem to be enjoying your self Mami." I ran my hands down my face, "What is it about you ruining my mood that makes you so happy Camilo?" He started to laugh. Laugh, like an idiot. His laugh was soft and warm. Felt comforting like it was something that I wanted to get used to. That I wanted to constantly hear. That I longed for. Collecting him self he mustered out the words, "You act like you hate me but every time I see you, your smiling." I hate him. Especially when he's not completely wrong.

Scoffing I turned around quickly, "It's called pity." He smirked poking my forehead, "Is that why your smiling right now. Why you don't tell me to go away. Why instead of ignoring me you speak to me. Pity? Sounds a lot more like friendship too me."  Glaring at him I was at a loss for words. I had never told him to piss off because I never wanted to be rude. And I spoke to him because I have human decency.

Starting to walk off I said, " What ever you say Camilo." Why was I so nice to him? Why did I act like I hated him so much? Why am I so closed off to someone who only ever wanted to be nice to me. How come I can't except someone who is so kinds friendship? The same questions that ran through my mind so often now.

With every step I took he took one behind me, "Yes it is what ever I say." Stepping in front of me he started to walk backwards. Within seconds he no longer looked like him self rather he looked like me. Everything from my current out fit to my grey eyes. He laughed threw his words," Or better yet what ever you say." I stopped short staring blankly into his eyes...into my eyes. It was like staring into a mirror but the movements weren't my own. Sighing I looked away from him muttering, "Why are you so annoying." He leaned what I was glad to be his face in front of mine, "Because you have a very pretty smile, and 'annoying' you is fun."