𝐡𝐞𝐫 | dolores x oc (wlw)

04

The sun woke you up that morning, the warm light hit your eyes as you opened them. You groaned slightly as you tossed in your bed with a hand rubbing over your face, finally deciding to get up.

Casita moved your shoes up to the bed and you got dressed, did your hair and your bracelets, anklets and earrings jingled as you walked, per usual, and put on your smoky kohl on your waterline.

You decided today was the day that you would venture out into the market once more.

"Time for breakfast!" tía Pepa's voice could be heard ringing throughout the house just as you opened your teal painted door.

The family settled at the table and began eating and those big doe eyes met yours again.

You slowly looked back at your food and bit into it. You had to give Julieta the credit she deserved, the food was absolutely delicious.

Soon enough, the Madrigals finished up with their food and left their plates for tío Agustín and Felíx to wash up.

Deciding to put yourself to some use, you helped out, which they were thankful for.

"Oh thank you, nobody really helps us around here, it's always 'sorry we're too busy'," the shorter one in the yellow shirt said in a mocking voice.

"Yeeeahh but we cope, we have our own fun," grinned the taller one in blue with a moustache.

"Of course, no worries," you grinned back.

A comfortable silence fell with only the pouring water from the tap and the occasional clatter of a plate.

Once the work was finished, and your two new favourite tíos thanked you, you grabbed your bag and made your way out towards the colourful streets.

Your feet in the sandals touched the warm cobblestone ground as you made your way around the various corners.

People's heads turned as you jingled your way down the road until you reached the lively market.

You clutched onto your bag, walking up to a man to listen closer. He was playing his guitar and there were other people next to him playing various other instruments in a melody.

Closing your eyes, you let yourself get carried away with the music, swaying with the air with the soft jingle in the background.

You were snapped out of your trance when a small hand tugged on your arm and your eyes shot down to where the weight was coming from, gaining a giggle from the child.

"Hey! You look so cool!" one of the girls shouted pointing right at your face with a wide, teethy smile.

You bent down, hands on your knees, to her eye level, "Well thank you, beautiful."

"You hair is so soooftttt!" another little girl squealed as she touched and tugged on your hair, braiding it without asking.

Small knots began to form and you cringed and the thought of having to detangle them later. Her braids were smooth, which made you assume either her mother or sister did them for her.

Gently pushing her hand away, you thanked her for her compliment when another one grabbed your hand and examined your gold bracelets and the intricate patterns stained on your hands.

She started playing around with your skirt, "spin around!"

"Ay, pasensya(patience), por favor!" you chuckled and picked up your skirt spinning with your feet hitting the ground to the rhythm of the musicians.

Soon enough, to your surprise, a boy around your age, who you had never met before, took your hands and started swaying with you to the music, pulling you around.

A smile started to form as it reminded you of old times in your village in the mountains.

The upbeat music took you to your happy place where nothing else mattered, it was just you and the beating and thrumming of your heart and the blood pumping through you.

Familiar sounds of home gave you a rush that nothing else could.

As the song finished with the last couple notes, you noticed the boy was still holding your hand and looking at you.

"Hi, I'm Andres," he spoke, his eyes sparkling.

"Oh, hi, I'm Esther," you replied smiling softly as he nodded.

"Are you new around here? I haven't seen you here before."

"Ah, yes, I arrived here a few days ago, haven't had he opportunity to introduce myself to many people yet," you replied as you look at the sky where the birds were flying overhead and then your feet, then back at him.

"Well, new girl, I think you should let me show you around this place then?" he said, which sounded more like a question, hopeful that you would accept his request.

"Sure, why not," you smiled and his features brightened at the answer.

"Great, see you around then?"

"Yep," you turned on your soles and began to walk back to the casita, skipping every few steps.

Your mind started to wander as you kicked some stray pebbles in your way.

Did a guy just ask you out? Like on a date? Or like a causal I-wanna-be-friends-with-you type hangout? How do I tell him I like women? No girlie, your ego is too high, thinking everyone who talks to you has a crush on you. He just wants to be friends.

But what if he doesn't. What if he's thinking this is some sort of way of you accepting a date request. STOP OVERTHINKING. But what if-

Your train of thought was cut short when you bumped into someone, "Crap, sorry," you looked up to see Dolores, eyes wide, holding a laundry basket at her hip, walking out to hang it out to dry.

Feeling your cheeks flush bright red, you tried not to look her way.

"Don't worry about it," she squeaked as she turned her head and carried on walking in the direction she was headed.

Casita beckoned you in with its open door and you walked straight in and sat down on the bed.

'See you around'?