𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦

viii

"Have I committed a crime?"

Elena panted heavily and followed Mirabel who had her bag of green prophesy rocks clutched tight within her arms. Their eyes never remained in one spot, the nerves too fidgeting. Mirabel stumbled back against Elena on the sudden bump with her Abuela who raised a brow at their exhausted states.

"Where are you both coming from in such a hurry?" She inquired, both girls stuttering and struggling to find an excuse. "What is in your hair?" She added, pointing to the tiny pieces of sand that lay on their hair which Mirable quickly shook off.

Before Abuela could interrogate their suspicious behavior any further, a cry echoed. "My gift!" A frantic Luisa ascended the stairs with puffy eyes. "I'm losing my gift!" She exclaimed loudly.

"What?"

"Mirabel, Elena and I were having this little talk about me carrying too much. So, I tried not to carry so much, but I realized it was putting me behind." Luisa begun rambling at full speed, her hands fumbling in the air as she did so.

Abuela's gaze turned to the two younger teenagers who pursed their lips and avoided eye contact.

"And I knew I was gonna let everyone down. And I felt really bad so I was grabbing all the donkeys but then when I went to throw the donkeys in the barn, they were......" she took a dramatic pause, "Heavy!" And with that, she heavily sobbed and ran off to her room with a slam of the door.

"What did you do to her?" Abuela sighed in disappointment, "What did you you say to her?"

"Nothing... w-we...I....."

Abuela did not permit them to reveal anything. "Mirabel, Elena." The distant ringing of the bells from the church saved them from the lecture. "I have to go get the Guzmáns for Isabela's engagement. Stay away from Luisa until I can talk to her." She sternly chastised, "Tonight, we can't have any more problems and Elena, you're supposed to keep Mirabel away from all her plans."

Elena narrowed her eyes at Abuela and Mirabel hung her head low. The old grandma went to descend the stairs and reminded once again, "And whatever you're doing, stop doing it." She glared and left.

Elena took notice of the blinking glow from Luisa's room but she quickly snapped off when she heard a familiar call to her. "Mi Princesa! There you are!" Camilo caught up to them, unaware of the down mood. Elena's lips tugged upwards at his peck to her cheeks. "Mama is looking for you. The Guzmáns are expecting a delicious Postre de Natas!"

Elena nodded and looked to Mirabel who gestured her to go do the required cooking. Patting her friend's back, she held Camilo's hand and the two descended down to the kitchen leaving the spectacled Madrigal behind to stare at the stones, puzzled.