Shunned (Bruno's Kid)

Getting ready (Pt. 3)

        I follow Mirabel inside Casita, Camilo waves at me. "Camilo, we need another Jose." Abuela instructs, Camilo smiles. "JOSE!" He says, shifting into the tall man and assisting him. I quicken my pace to keep up with Mirabel, almost bumping into Luisa. "Careful, cuz." She says, expertly dodging me, I give her an awkward smile. Suddenly the wind picks up, I look for my Tia. "My baby's night has to be perfect, and it's not perfect. And people are going to be coming. And nothing's ready." She stresses, I look to see if she has someone to comfort her, Felix is standing next to her. "Pepa, you're tornado-ing the flowers! The flowers!"

        "Did someone say flowers?" My older cousin, Isabela says, she swings gracefully down on a vine. Flowers bloom, decorating Casita, everyone praises her. Shit, she's walking my way. "You should really do something about that." She says gesturing to my hair, I roll my eyes. "And you should do something about your attitude." I shoot back, she scoffs and walks to Mirabel. "A little sisterly advice, if you weren't always trying too hard, you wouldn't be in the way." She tells Mirabel, who gives her the same eye roll I did. "Actually, Isa, this is called helping." She says walking off, "And I'm not in the way. You are." Mirabel isn't paying attention to where she is going, I use my gift to stop her from crashing. She gives me a smile and walks into the kitchen. Suddenly there are two hands on my shoulders, I jump a little. "Hey! You help me clean my room and I'll help you clean yours." It's only Camilo, I nod and he drags me off. 

         "WHAT THE HELL CAMILO!" I yell as soon as I see his room, it's a complete pigsty. "You already agreed, no going back!" He says picking up stray clothes, I join in. "Fine but you have to do my kitchen chores for a week, my room is nowhere near this bad." I reply, Camilo groans, but agrees. "Soo..." He says after a minute of silence, I look at him. "Soo..." I repeat, he sighs and motions for me to sit on the newly cleaned bed. "I know you've been stressing, Alex." He points out, I look down. "Not nearly as much as Pepa." I reply, he lets out a chuckle. "No, I don't think anyone is stressing as much as my mom." He says, I think I might be off the hook. "But, I know you're upset, just like before Mirabel's gift ceremony." He says, I didn't think he'd noticed that I was worried back then. "I wasn't upset, just worried. I... I didn't want Mira to end up with.." I stop for a moment, Camilo puts his hand on my shoulder. "With a gift like yours?" Camilo finishes, I nod. "I didn't want people to be afraid to touch her or something like that."

       "And you're worried about Antonio now?" Camilo asks, I sigh. "No, well, yes a little. But no." I hit my forehead with the palm of my hand. "Words are hard." I say causing Camilo to laugh. "Take a couple breaths, then try." He says rubbing my back like he does for tia Pepa. I breath a little, "I'm worried Maribel feels the same way I did all those years ago." I say, Camilo nods and pulls me into a hug. "If she does, I'm sure she will come to realize that whatever happens tonight isn't her fault." He says breaking the hug and giving me a meaningful look. I smile softly and we go clean my room.

        After we're done Abuela finds me. "Ah, Alexandria-" I cringe at the use of my deadname. "Just Alex." I correct , she gives an empty nod. "Right.... Alex, I would appreciate it if you would stay out of the way. It's just that..." She stops, I force a smile. "I get it, I belong in the shadows." I reply, Abuela flashes an empty smile. "Good g-... uh kid." She says ruffling my hair a little before walking off. I cant help being hurt by her words, I don't exactly enjoy being in the spotlight, but being included would be nice too. I go get dressed, I put on a green ruana with black eyes, my best pair of pants and my dress shoes. I pull a gift out of my wardrobe, for Antonio.

        "Casita, would you happen to know where Antonio is?" As soon as I'm done speaking, Casita's tiles drag me into Mirabel's room. I look around and see no one, then I hear a giggle from under the bed. Gotcha. I use my gift to lift the bed, Antonio and Mirabel look up and giggle at me. "You're gonna be late to your own ceremony Toni." I said, he smiles at me eying the wrapped box in my hand. "No I'm not!" He said giggling, Mirabel smiles more. "He had a case of the pre-ceremony jitters." She informs me, I give Antonio a reassuring smile while thrusting the gift at him. "Well maybe this will help." He takes it with excitement, he unwraps it slowly. "Wow this is so cool!" Antonio says, he holds up the painting I made him. Its a painting of some toucans in a tree. "I love it, thanks Alex." He says giving me a hug, I give him a squeeze. "I know you love animals so I made this for you." Antonio holds out a stuffed leopard, "Mira made me something too." "And she did a good job." I respond giving Mirabel a thumbs up. 

"Alright hombrecito, you ready?" Mirabel asks, Antonio gives a nod. Mirabel pulls both me and Antonio into an embrace. "Sorry, just had to get one more squeeze." She says. We all head out of the room. Pepa grabs Antonio almost immediately, I turn to Mirabel. "How you feeling?" I ask, she looks at me. "Honestly? A little nervous, but really excited." She says, I feel relieved to hear her say that. "If you need to talk I'm always here." I say, she smiles at me. "Thanks, now lets go." She says dragging me to the party.