𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦

v

"Oh yay, danger exists in the home itself."

Elena twirled around the dance floor, the surrounding people clapping for her and Camilo who performed a rather impressive Latino dance, their feet moving in unison to the rhythm of the music and their bodies gracefully dancing, their hands intertwined.

"The house is in danger! The house is in danger!!" The music came to an abrupt stop, all heads snapping to the spectacled Madrigal girl who came speeding into the area with a pant. "The tiles were falling, and there were cracks everywhere. And the candle almost went out." She rambled, Elena and everyone else's eyes widening in shock and panic.

"Show me." Abuela said in a Grace tone, following Mirabel down the stairs. Camilo squeezed himself and Elena out the crowd, all raising a brow at the seemingly alright house along with the candle that continued to burn brightly.

"What? No, that's......" Mirabel mumbled in disbelief, "The cracks were there. They were everywhere. The house was in trouble, the candle was......." She trailed off, eyes watering at Isabel's loud scoff and Abuela's disappointed face. "Abuela, I promise...—"

Abuela put her hand up in a dismissal manner, "That's enough." She sternly whispered and turned around with a flashy grin. "There is nothing wrong with La Casa Madrigal. The magic is strong." She announced, putting emphasis on the last word. "And so are the drinks." She joked at the end, a few chuckles falling off of everyone, "Please! Music!"

Elena giggled at Mirabel's father who, without wasting a second, begun playing the keys of the piano held by the nervously grinning Luisa. The band begun the upbeat music once again and the party continued as if nothing had happened. Camilo dragged his girlfriend off back to the dance floor, the two laughing as they resumed their dance routine leaving behind the speechless and confused Mirabel.

.

The silence that blanketed the powerless Madrigal's room was torture to both girls there. It was completely opposite from their sleepover the previous night and they even questioned how Abuela allowed Elena to remain an extra night in their Casa. After all, the grandmother was still slightly wary of her eldest grandson, Camilo dating at a young age. Not that it bothered anyone else since she respected their boundaries.

"So....." Elena cleared her throat, breaking the silence, "I believe you, you know." She turned her head to the girl beside her, Mirabel's eyes wandering into space recalling what she had seen.

"You do?"

Elena frowned at her friend's whisper. It was so hopeful. And yet so sad. "Yeah. I mean, you were the one who revealed that Camilo liked me even when everyone believed he was in love with that Mia in our class." The two giggled at the memory. "I think you have a knack of seeing things others easily don't or prefer to ignore."