METAMORPHOSIS. / c.madrigal

(1) A Gifting Celebration

Look, when you met Camilo Madrigal, you knew he was trouble. A fifteen year old middle child who shapeshifts and flirts like no other - I mean, c'mon!

Your name is (y/n). You're fifteen years old and you live in Encanto, Colombia. You don't have a gift, obviously. But you've always wanted one and been jealous of the Madrigal family. Look at them - they're perfect. They get along together and work hard and have great family chemistry. Who wouldn't be jealous?

You're the village's artist. You run a booth in our farmer's market where you sell your paintings. You get good business, seeing as you're the youngest painter in our humble village and that people just automatically love you. Something about your "charm" or whatever. You really don't mind.

The day of Antonio's gift ceremony approached and you recalled your father's bet; "If you can successfully guess Antonio's gift the day of the ceremony, I will give you fifty dollars." Sounded fair enough to you, you didn't have anything to lose. Besides, your father was a wealthy man, he had fifty dollars to spare.

You sat calmly at my booth, ready to sell any one of my paintings. Our village's fruit vendor, Señora Castillo, walked up to your little stall and glanced over your paintings. Her eyes widened when she saw a painting of the Madrigal family. You pretended not to notice and continued reading your book. She stared at the painting and mumbled, "My nose is not that big."

"Pardon?" you asked. What did she mean, her nose?

"Oh! Nothing. I would like to buy this painting please. How much?" Bingo. Your paintings of the Madrigal family always sold out quickly, mostly because of their popularity in our small village.

"Well, I'd sell it to the others for fifty, but for you, I'll sell it for thirty-five." This always worked.

Señora Castillo narrowed her eyes. "Alright. I'm flattered you'd make a deal for me." She handed me a wad of cash and you happily accepted. "I understand you'd make a deal for me but would you make a deal-" Señora Castillo narrowed her eyes and revealed her true form - Camilo! "-for me?"

"Jesus, Camilo! What the hell are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at the casita? Your mother must be going crazy!"

"Hey, hey. Calm down. What's your name, hermosa?" Camilo asked with a sly smirk.

"Why would I tell you? Get away from my shop, you crazy man!" you whisper-yelled.

"Will you be at the gift ceremony, hermosa?" Camilo gazed at you like a hurt puppy. He really wanted me to be there, you guessed.

"We'll find out." you reply, crossing your arms. Camilo whisked away down the street and blew you a kiss. What a flirt! There is no way you would be talking to him again. Not in a million years.

You walked into the crowded entry of the Madrigal house, the casita. It was the house of miracles, so they say. The energy of the room was one of joy and celebration, everyone excited for the events to come. The smell of spirits floated through the air, and you caught eyes with the one person you didn't want to see - Camilo Madrigal. He was talking to his older sister Dolores when you caught him looking your way. He sure was a flirt. He walked over in your direction as soon as he caught your gaze.

"Hey! Look, this is who I've been talking about, Dolores. It would be easier if I knew your name, hermosa." He side-eyed you with those last words, begging you to tell him your name.

"It's (y/n), thank you very much. Dolores, you look gorgeous as ever." you say, trying to change topics. You didn't want anything to do with this troublemaker.