Sunflower | C.M

I

Time flew so fast after one of the youngest Madrigal's gift ceremony failed.

Encanto is now buzzed with people preparing for the gift ceremony for the youngest Madrigal today. Excitement is an understatement, as they too were nervous, memories of Mirabel's ceremony flash backed in their minds. They helped decorating, helped cooking food, and also making gifts.

For the first time, Karlos Castro was making a toy leopard that moves with his mother and the head of the family, Juana, and her knowledgeable mind when it comes to toys. They have been working since dawn and the toy haven't moved yet.

Karlos' children was also as busy as their father and abuela. 12 year old Pablo was known as lazy, always slacking off and sometimes not doing his chores. But earlier , he observed what his father and abuela doing and even pointed out the mistakes, which make Karlos flushed in embarrassment while Juana giggled at his side. Later on, he joined them.

Meanwhile, the oldest child, Francesca, gently picked yellow roses on her ongoing mini flower garden, located at the backyard of their house. With the sight of her lovely flowers and plants made her day brighter, and her day went even brighter as she prepared her yellow roses to be gifted.

Receiving flowers from Francesca was a big privilege. Only a few people have actually received her precious flowers as a gift, whom she planted with love and care. Everything changed when an ex-friend of hers destroyed her flowers, plucking each petals, throw them to the ground, and insulting it. Ever since that day, Francesca swore to herself to be more careful about giving people flowers.

That ex-friend of hers also told her to stop planting since there's Isabela Madrigal, the girl who grows flowers in no time. Isabela was there in that incident, and defended Francesca. The two became friends, although she didn't mind Isabela being 7 years older than her.

After picking the yellow roses while shaking her head, she went back to her house and witnessed Pablo embarrassed Karlos for the 5th time.

___________

"You really think the toy will move?"

"Trust me! It'll work."

The Castro family were getting nearer at the La Casa Madrigal, now more brighter as lights were around the house filled with decorations and of course, flowers.

Aside from Isabela, Francesca also saw some of the Madrigals in the town, including Mirabel who was sometimes strolling in the town, Luisa who moved buildings and getting the escaped donkeys, Julieta who gave broken people her food, and Camilo who shapeshifts into different people to entertain the children. Since Isabela was the only one who talked to her and a friend, Francesca was more nervous. She carefully clutched the boquet as they were getting nearer on the said shapeshifter, who was greeting the people.

"Señorito Castro!" Camilo then shapeshifts into Karlos and give them a hug. "Hola, Señorita!", he shapeshifts into Juana and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Pablo!", He grinned and then shapeshifts into Pablo. The two of them fist bumped. 'Pablo' noticed the girl holding a boquet and then shapeshifts him into himself.

Francesca was too stunned to speak as she observed  the boy. Curly hair, cute freckles, cute nose, cute ruana with little chameleons-

Wait cute?

Not sure what to say, she waved at him then dashed to the inside. The girl felt her cheeks getting hotter, feeling embarrassed of what happened earlier.

What a good impression, Francesca.

__________

Both Pablo and Francesca were too busy to stare at the glowing door until Antonio received his gift and forgot to give him their gifts.

Antonio's room is massive, with a huge tree in the middle and some animals in it. All of the people were awed and eyes were as big as saucers. In the middle, the said boy and his parents were dancing along with other people.

Pablo called and nudged her sister at her side, but she was staring at a tree, got fascinated and mumbling herself on what kind of tree was in Antonio's room. He rolled his eyes and walked to the middle, with the gift in his hands.

After debating herself, Francesca tore her eyes from the tree and noticed Pablo wasn't on her side. Sweats started to form in her hands while her eyes started scanning. After she found him in the middle, Pablo giving the gift to Antonio while the boy was in shock, she never left her eyes from her brother while walking towards the middle.

A loud thud was heard and before she knew it, Francesca was in the floor, groaning from the impact from the bump. As she opened her eyes, she saw Camilo, also groaning. "My reserved arepas!"

Francesca immediately stood up and held her hand out. "Lo siento, Camilo!" Camilo stared at her before taking her hand. "Never knew the bump could be this strong, it's ok—"

It was totally not okay.

Camilo didn't finished his sentence as he noticed Francesca staring at his feet. Confused, he looked down and saw the boquet under his left foot, petals all over the place. He looked up and saw her visibly shaking.

"Señori—"

Tears appeared in her eyes. With one last look of the boy, Francesca turned around and leaved.

__________

Hey!! Thanks to everyone who stumbled to my story :))) Have a nice day!!!

Some information of the characters:

Francesca Castro
- The oldest daughter of Karlos Castro. Loves flowers and plants. Part of her inspiration was Isabela herself.

Pablo Castro
- Francesca's brother. Although he's known as slacker and lazy, he's knowledgeable and loves to read. He likes teasing his father.

Karlos Castro
- Francesca's and Pablo's father. He's a carpenter in the town. Got easily embarrassed, and that's the reason why Pablo always teased him.

Juana Castro
- The head of the Castro family. Thanks to her mother, she has a lot of knowledge. She sometimes teaches the children in the town.