Mi Corazón Book 2 (Camilo Madrigal and y/n story)

Chapter 8-"Not cool Isa"

After a few minutes of running through the village and towards the edge of the Encanto, I realise where we're going. His favourite spot in the entire Encanto... I think as we begin climbing the small hill. "Taadaa! Welcome, mi vida, to the completely Gracie-free paradise!" He exclaims dramatically. I laugh and he flops down onto the grass. I crouch down on my knees by his head, leaning over him. His hazel eyes gaze up at me, and I lower my face to meet his, kissing him softly on the lips. He smiles, a smile that gives me butterflies. The light breeze rustles the plants around us, and I can hear the faint sound of insects. I crawl around to lie down next to Camilo, and gaze up into the sky. Fluffy white clouds float across the sky. "That one looks like a dog!" Camilo exclaims excitedly, pointing up at the sky. " I laugh and we begin spotting shapes in the sky. "Look, it's a dragon eating a cupcake!" I point to a large cloud. Camilo gives me a sceptical look; "Chica, I think you're going blind, it's obviously a hummingbird collecting honey from a flower!"

The next hour flies by, as we point out various configurations of clouds. As it gets warmer, I take off Camilo's ruana, and Camilo takes off his sweater. We lie on the grass, bathing in the sunlight. "This is perfect, mi vida," I say, sighing. "You're perfect." He replies. I turn to him, and burst out laughing. "Sorry, I had to," He says, also laughing, but I see the blush rising in his freckled cheeks. "Well thank you," I say, sitting up. "Tu es mucho guapo, indeed." I add with a smile. After a few more minutes I look up at the sun, which has risen considerably. "We should go back, it's probably time for lunch." I say, looking out at Casita. "Aye, no mi vida, don't make me go back there!" Camilo exclaims dramatically, curling up into a ball on the grass. "Aren't you hungry?" I ask, knowing he can't resist food. He looks at his stomach, which gives a faint grumble, and hops up abruptly. "On second thought, let's go back." He has a goofy smile on his face as he extends a hand for me. "Vamos, mi vida, vamos." I laugh as we run back towards Casita.

Later that evening...

Camilo and I are sitting on the couch, drinking hot chocolate that Julieta made. Camilo is stretched out comfortably, his legs across my lap. We hadn't seen Gracie since the morning, which meant my mood was significantly improved by the evening. Camilo sips his hot drink slowly, concentrating on not spilling it. Suddenly, Isabella and Mirabel burst into the room. "AGH!" Camilo gasps as he jumps, spilling his drink all over himself. He shapeshifts into Agustine, then Pepa, then Luisa, fanning his chest. I stand up, put down my drink, and look for something to clean up the mess with. I grab a small handkerchief from a stool. "Miercoles," He says, taking the handkerchief from me and dabbing at the stain on his shirt to try to absorb the excess liquid. "Thanks Y/n." I look back at Isa and Mirabel, who don't even look apologetic. "Uh, hey guys, what's up?" I ask casually. They stare me down. Wtf did I do now... I think as they continue to glare at me. "Isa, Mira, what's wrong?" Cami asks, standing up, a prominent brown stain on his white shirt. "How dare you accuse Gracie of being a thief?" Isa blurts out. "I thought you were better than that Y/n," Mirabel adds. I gape at them. "What? Are you guys serious?" "Gracie told us everything, she was on the brink of tears!" Mirabel says, looking at me with an expression of disappointment. Isabella looks furious; "Why would she even think about stealing the candle?" SHe shrieks. "You're just scared she's going to steal Camilo from you!"

Her words reawaken the deep insecurity buried inside me. "I- I-," I have no words. My chest tightens and my cheeks flush red. She's right, but why is she defending Gracie? I don't say anything, I just stare at Isabella. "Not cool Isa," I hear Camilo say. "Gracie has done nothing to you, she only moved here a few days ago and all she's done is be nice!" Isabella continues to go off, more to me than Camilo. "Y/n, she already told us she was just looking, why do you insist she was going to steal it?" Mirabel asks me, more calm than her sister. "I- well, um-" I stammer. Because she's a little lying bitch that's why. I can't say that obviously. "Why else would she be here in the middle of the frickin night?" I finally blurt out. "She told us she just couldn't wait! Is that such a crime?" Isabella snaps back. I can't believe what I'm hearing. "Can't you see she's been sucking up to all of you, you're all wrapped around her finger!" I yell in desperation. "That's ridiculous Y/n, she only just moved here, she just wants to make friends, you're the one who's throwing around accusations..." Mirabel sighs. "Y/n, if you don't leave her alone, we are going to have a problem. Maybe she would be better for Camilo anyways!" Isabella yells, piercing me with a fixed glare. The room goes quiet "Isa! Why would you say that?" Camilo exclaims, breaking the silence, an expression of hurt and anger on his face. But the damage is already done. I can feel the tears stinging my eyes. Her words hit me, like a slap in the face. I can see a small amount of regret on Isabella's face, as she realises she went too far. Without another word, I run out of the room, tears streaming down my face.

Camilo's POV...

I stare at my cousin. Ok I would expect Isabella to overreact like this but Mirabel? She and Y/n got along so well. "How dare you say that to Y/n." I say, anger rising inside me. "You actually believe her?" Isa asks, rolling her eyes. "Of course I do! She's the one who saw Gracie last night!" I know nothing I say will change their minds. How can they believe Gracie so easily? "Well, you probably only believe her because she's your girlfriend!" Isa remarks. My mouth falls open and I gape at her. "Are you serious? This has nothing to do with Y/n being my girlfriend. What you said to her was way out of line, prima, Gracie es maleducada y inaguantable (rude and unbearable), and she treats Y/n like trash." I try to calm myself down, but Isa's words infuriate me. "Camilo, I think you should talk too Y/n, show her that it's unreasonable to keep up this accusation without proof..." Mirabel suggests timidly. "No! I'm not gonna fall for her act like you two!" I say, and before either of them can respond I storm out of the room.

Y/n's POV...

My tears fall down my cheeks as I run to my room. I thought Mirabel would believe me at least... I slam the door shut behind me, and run across the stepping stones, past the spiral stairs and towards the wall of falling water at the end of my room. Waving my hands, I part the water. Behind the waterfall is a small cave that I discovered a bit after getting my gift. The dark rocks are covered in moss and glowing fungi. At the far end of the cave is a pond, with a giant lilypad taking up most of its surface. Frogs croak and glowing fireflies sprinkle the air. Only Camilo knows about this place... I think, remembering when I showed it to him the day after I found it. I sit down in the middle of the lilypad, hugging my knees to my chest. Camilo's poncho is stained with tears. Why can't they see Gracie for who she is? My breath is shaky and my body is trembling. Maybe Isa's right... I sit for a few moments, crying silently, before I hear my name being called. "Y/n?" Camilo... I raise my head, and a small opening unfolds in the wall of water hiding the cave's entrance. "Y/n, mi vida!" Camilo rushes towards me, hopping onto the lilypad and kneeling beside me. "Mi amor, I'm so sorry, what Isa said, it's horrible I-" "It's fine, Cami," I cut him off, sniffling as I wipe my nose with the back of my hand. "Gracie's just really convincing." Camilo wraps his arms around me, holding my head to his chest. He strokes my hair, and kisses my forehead. "Mi amor, please, don't listen to Isabella, I don't know why she's acting like this." I let out a long exhale. "I would expect Isa to believe Gracie, but Mirabel? The way she looked at me, she looked so disappointed..." Remembering Mirabel's face brings tears back to my eyes. "Lo siento, mi amor, I don't know what to say." Camilo hugs me tightly, and I think back to just this morning, when we were lying on the grass surrounded by beautiful plants, just laughing and staring at clouds. I really thought they would believe me...