Enchanted feelings

Amble

Isabela's throat felt dry and she feared that her words might come out hoarse if she dared to speak

But to her luck Elena had plenty of stories to tell and Isabela was more than happy to listen to all of them

For most of the walk Elena was the one doing the talking

"I'm not boring you right?" Elena asked once she finished her tale

"What? Of course not!" Isabela hastily replied, her voice was surprisingly clear 

"I'm glad" Elena let out a relieved chuckle

Isabela smiled trying to come up with something to say "Um...So do you like it here?"

"I do, but I still haven't seen much of it" Elena frowned "My brothers are not the most enthusiastic adventurers and my parents worry if I go explore by myself"

"Maybe...I can show you around?" Isabela asked as she glanced nervously at the ground

"Really?" Elena looked at her with hopeful eyes and oh were her eyes hypnotizing there was no way anyone could deny her anything

"I mean if you'd like"

"Totally! Thank you" Elena smiled "I'm sure you're going to amaze me with the places"

Isabela grinned and before she could think twice she blurted out "I have to show you my favorite place in Encanto"

Her favorite place was special, that's where she would go when she wanted to be alone and apart from the world. She had never taken or told anyone about it  for that matter.

So she didn't know why exactly she was feeling eager to take a stranger there.

"I'm looking forward to that" Elena quickly brushed her hand against her arm with a smile making Isabela stiffen a little

"Uh...Me too"

"I'm glad we crashed that day" Elena laughed softly "Charming stranger"

Isabela blushed furiously "I'm sure people who trash your things aren't charming"

"Well they somehow manage to be" She smiled

Isabela's face felt warm

"And it was a fun distraction from all the stress of moving" Elena added

"Then I'll try to do it again...I mean not the messing up your things part" Isabela began to ramble

"You can do that. Just don't throw a cactus at me" Elena chuckled

"I'll keep my plants away from you" Isabela sheepishly looked away

Elena shook her head with a smile "But I love plants. You know what? Actually throw me a cactus whenever you want just give me a heads up first"

"I'll keep that in mind" Isabela laughed warmly

They walked a little further until they reached the fruit stand where Elena's parents were putting up banners

Elena lead Isabela closer

"Hey sweetie" Her mother called out and then looked at her companion smiling

"Mamá y papá this is Isabela, Isabela these are my parents" Elena happily introduced them

"Oh! You must be Alma's granddaughter" Mr.Gomez greeted her with amusement "Alma told us all about her nietos"

"Hi, yes. Nice to meet you sir" She glanced at Elena's mother "And ma'am"

She grinned with a pleased expression "Elena deberías aprender de ella, she's so polite"

Elena rolled her eyes and smiled at her mother "Maybe if I spend all day out with her I can learn"

It was clearly a joke but it wouldn't be a bad idea if it wasn't, at least that's what Isabela thought.

"We know what you're trying to do but no amount of learning will change your curfew" Her father chuckled

"Now Isabela mija pick out whatever you need" Mrs.Gomez kindly pointed at the fresher produce "Elena help with what she needs we're going to get more banners from the house"

"Of course"

"Isabela it was good seeing you, tell your grandma we say hi" They excused themselves with a smile and a wave before they took off

"Okay what can I help you with miss?" Elena playfully raised an eyebrow

Isabela snickered and shared the list of fruits she had to buy

Together they filled up a basket "So how much do I owe you?" Isabela smiled

"Nothing"

"What?"

"Yeah nothing, it's on me"

"Elena I can't let you do that"

"I insist"

"Besides your parents are not going to be happy about you giving their produce for nothing in exchange"

"Okay. You're going to be my guide remember? This is the exchange" Elena grinned reassuringly

"But Elena I'm not expecting something in return"

"But you can accept a gift"

"But-" Isabela began

"Also my parents always say -Es de mala educación rechazar un regalo- So..." Elena chuckled teasingly

"Está bien" Isabela coyly accepted "Thank you Elena" And gratefully smiled

"No problem"

"...I should get going" Isabela hid a frown

Elena hesitated for a moment before she spoke "Can I walk you back home?"

Isabela found herself nodding before she could talk but her chest felt a bit funny

"Then lead the way señorita" Elena gently took the basket from her hands "I'll carry this"