Encanto: Mirabel's Nightmare

Chapter 1

Mirabel and Camilo were born just a few months apart and have been inseparable ever since. They are cousins but shared a sibling like bond that could never be broken. When Camilo turned 5, he received his gift. Everyone cheered with excitement as he demonstrated his new ability to shape shift but of course, Mirabel cheered the loudest. A couple months later it was her turn to receive her special gift. Everyone waited with anticipation, dying to know what cool new thing she'd be able to do but when she went to open her door, it vanished. She looked up at her Abuela, waiting for an answer but to Mirabels surprise, she didn't have one to give.

Ever since that day, Mirabel grew distant from most of her family. Especially her abuela. They never really thought much of her since she wasn't super strong like her sister Luisa or effortlessly perfect like Isabella. Nobody believed in her apart from her cousin and best friend, Camilo. He was always trying to cheer her up by shape shifting and acting like various different people. She really loved when he shape shifted into her older sister Isabella and mocked her. Isabella was always especially horrible to Mirabel no matter how hard she tried to be a good sister so seeing Camilo making her look like a fool always brought a smile to her face. Not only was he always there to cheer her up, but he also always had her back when Abuela would constantly compare her to her siblings and cousins or when Isabella would make rude comments about her looks. He was also comforting her the day his younger brother, Antonio, received his gift as he knew this would be a hard day for her. After all, it was the first gift ceremony after hers. So, he was truly the best cousin she could ever ask for.

Mirabel closed her eyes and slowly dozed off to sleep, knowing exactly what was in store for her as soon as she did. The house started cracking and caving in, there were strange apparitions floating around and staring deep into her soul, occasionally letting out an ear piercing shriek, and worst of all, the candle slowly burnt out, leaving her family powerless. Then..she woke up.

"Ah! There you are Mirab- woah..what happened to you?" Her mother asked, staring at her clearly exhausted daughter. All the sleepless nights were finally catching up to Mirabel. "Uh..nothing! Just..tired, that's all" She responded. "Okaaaay then..do you mind helping me set the table for breakfast?" She asked. Without hesitation, Mirabel grabbed some plates from the counter and started laying them out in the desiccated spots on the dining table. One by one, everyone came flooding in to the kitchen, ready to eat. Her tía Pepa, tío Felix and 3 cousins, Dolores, Camilo and Antonio sat down at the left hand side while her mother, father and 2 sisters, Luisa and Isabella, sat with her at the right. Shortly after, her Abuela entered the room and of course she had to sit at the top of the table as if she was the Queen. "Okay, I have some news." Announced Abuela. "Tomorrow we will be hosting our annual fiesta!" Every year the family hosts a huge party for the whole town. Abuela says it's to "catch up with people" but we all know she just wants to show off the house. "Is that not a bit short notice?" Asked Pepa. "No. Everyone has known for a couple weeks." Abuela explained. "Ah yes. You tell everyone but the people who live in said house where said party is being held." Answered Camilo, sarcastically. Abuela rolled her eyes. "It's gonna be a all hands on deck to get this place ready!" She paused for a second and looked over at Mirabel. "Or at least...almost all."

Soon after that, everyone started filling out the room until Camilo and Mirabel were the last two remaining. "Hey, are you okay?" Camilo said, looking over at his cousin with a concerned look. "Uhm..yeah.. I'm fine. Why?" The main reason Camilo asked is because she looked exhausted. It was as if someone had drained every last drop of life out of her. But he swore to himself he would never comment on her looks. After all, she might eventually tell him herself. "You were just pretty quiet the whole time. I mean, I know you don't talk much during meals anyway but you barely said 2 words." Though it wasn't what he wanted to say, it was true. She hadn't even acknowledged any of her families "subtle" rude comments towards her. Usually she'd look somewhat sad (though she was used to it by now) but this time she was just..numb. "I just..didn't feel like talking." She answered. "Well that doesn't sound like the Mirabel I know." He smiled and she smiled back. "Everything's fine." She said. "Okay. You know you can talk to me though, right?" He added. "Of course." She smiled once again.