My Favorite Chameleon

Felicity

Camilos POV:

        Felicity. My brain recites her name over and over like a prayer. Such a beautiful name for such a gorgeous girl.  I've only known this girl for about forty-five minutes, what is wrong with me. 'Just be yourself' I keep telling myself, although its kinda hard when all everyone needs to you be is someone else. I try to be cool around her but sometimes I don't think before I say something to her. 'Theres plenty of room in my bed'? What the hell was I thinking. She probably hates me. 

      I watch as she continues to walk down the hallway. I can tell Antonio already adores her. His eyes glimmer when he looks at her and when she smiles I get butterflies. I can't believe how stupid I sound right now. 'She's just a girl' I keep trying to remind myself but something deep in my gut tells me she's more. She turns around to face me, a smile spreads across her face and she crosses her eyes at me. Something deep in my chest explodes. I just stare at her for a second, trying to burn this image in my mind. This picture; Felicity smiling at me. Just me. Not someone I shifted into, but me. 

       "You wanna play this game? 'Cause I can tell you something right now princesa, I'm gonna win" I say cracking my neck before I point both my pupils in different directions. I focus my eyes back on her and she is smiling that stunning smile of hers. 

      "How'd you do that?" she giggles leaning on the banister behind her. 

       "How do I do this?" I ask before shifting into her. Felicity's eyes widen as she looks me up and down. I spin in a small circle and hit a ridiculous pose causing her to laugh. Her laugh is so full of joy and life. I would do anything in the world to hear that laugh. 

       "I still can't wrap my head around the fact you guys are actually magic here," she says still gazing at me in awe. "in my old town you would be burned at the stake for something like that!" I feel my smile drop and she laughs again. I feel a small grin grow on my face and I shift back walking down the stairs. I hear the small patter of her right behind me. I find her backpack lying in the same spot she left it. Hoisting it over my shoulder I start to climb back up the stairs. 

      "Wait!" she calls and I immediately freeze every muscle in my body tensing. She runs up and opens the backpack. She sees my rigid posture and says "at ease solider" saluting, a small grin remaining on her lips. I chuckle and do actually relax. She rummages around the bag for a few seconds before she pulls out a small box. It is painted in gold with jewels all over it, however I doubt the were real. "Carry on, commander Madrigal," she jokes rubbing the box in her hands. 

     "Whats that?" I ask succumbing to my curiosity. She seemed both surprised and delighted to answer. 

       "Oh it's the music box my mother gave to me before she died." I think of my mother, who I love more than anything, dying. Pain tears at my heart and It hurts even more to think of Felicity having to feel that pain. 

      "Im so sorry I had no idea," I say quietly looking into her mesmerizing blue eyes. 

       "Oh pft," she says swatting at the air, "I barely knew her, I was like one." she giggles slightly, but I still can't get the image of my mother dying out of my head. She must realize this because she quickly adds, "Thats really nice of you though, thank you." she gives me a small smile and I shrug off the feeling and refocus all my attention on Felicity. 

      I stare at her as we both climb the stair. I probably should've been watching where I was going because I tripped on the last step. I topple over on the landing and Felicity immediately bursts out laughing. She gasps for air as she doubles over cackling. I try to suppress laughter myself as I regain my feet. 

      "Im sorry," she says trying to stop herself from laughing. 

      "Hardy-har-har," I say sarcastically nudging her with my elbow. She continues to snicker until we reach my door. I drop her backpack in her hand and open my door for her. 

      "How kind of you," she giggles while stepping inside. I'm about to close the door before she calls out. "Camilo?" immediately I'm standing back in the doorway. "Thanks a lot for letting me stay here and helping me." 

       "Oh no problem, us Madrigals like to help," I say brushing off her thanks. 

       "No I'm serious," she says placing her hand on mine which still stays planted on the door. "My father and I have had a rough past days, weeks really and I haven't laughed that hard since... I actually can't remember when. Thank you, really." All I can do is stare at her. I try my best to memorize every part of her face. Her words were so kind and they hurt because I know they are true. Fumbling for words I manage to stutter out, 

      "Oh, I- I mean its, uh fine. No big deal honestly, ha." I chuckle awkwardly rubbing the back of my neck. I don't think I could have said that any worse. She simply grins, takes her hand off mine, turns around and walks deeper into my room. I watch her for a second before closing the door and just stare into space. 

     I hear a door open, and who else peaks out their head? Dolores. She has the scariest smirk on her face and she places her hand on the back of her neck like I had just done. 

        "Oh uhm er, I- I- I- I mean its, uh uh uh fine," she teases. 

         "Oh shut up" I push past here hitting her with my shoulder on my way by. 

       "Oh don't worry Felicity, I'll carry your bag for you 'cause I'm so strong." Dolores continues. I shift into her and retort,

       "Oh Mariano, I listened to you breath all night long," I mock trying to replicate her high quiet voice. She punches my shoulder, causing me to shift back into myself, and she crosses her arms across her chest. "Touchy subject?" I tease. She just rolls her eyes and waits at the top of the stairs and watches Casita build a set of stairs straight up to where she stands, pouting. "Don't throw the punches if you can't take them, princesa Dolores,"

       "Isn't that you nickname for your girlfriend," she sneers starting to decent the stairs. 

        "No actually," I say nonchalantly. She shoots an 'oh really' glance at me and I simply reply, "Her name isn't Dolores."

         Dolores chuckles shaking her head. "Ok Chameleon." she walks away, my chest rises and falls with a long angry sigh. 'She doesn't have gift,' I tell myself 'she's got a curse.' I think before walking into the kitchen.