Before I could convince myself to go back inside, I shut the door quickly and started to walk along a foot path that Carmelita's and I daily trips to the town square had made. As I walked I twiddled with the hem of my shirt, glancing around every so often to the townspeople. Occasionally giving them a soft smile and exchanging a few hellos and how are you's. I know Victor and Carmelita said they'd be going to the market first, and I definitely don't want to look like I'm following them. I stopped in place for a moment, thinking about where I should go first.
While I was lost in thought I was suddenly off my feet and falling to the ground. I didn't react at all except for a small yelp before a hand had grabbed me and set me back on my feet.
I grasped the arm of Luisa's hand, putting my other hand on my forehead. "Aye yai yai Luisa! I thought I was a goner!" I smiled at her, putting my arms back to my sides.
She chuckled shyly, "Sorry Y/N! I didn't see you.." Luisa said, giving me an apologetic smile.
I patted her shoulder, "It's okay!" I looked at what she was carrying, a bunch of wood. "Are you guys still rebuilding casita?" I asked.
"Oh no no! Your tios and a bunch of other townspeople helped to rebuild it! I'm just delivering these" She smiled warmly at me.
I couldn't help but to return the same smile, "That's great! You think Abuela would mind if I stopped by to see? I haven't seen her or the rest of your family in a while" I asked, looking at her with patient eyes.
She nodded, "Of course! Her, Mirabel, Dolores, and tio Bruno are all placing decorations and last minute things around la casita"
Eh? Bruno? I tilted my head at her, "Bruno?" I inquired.
Luisa bit her lip, "Umm, it's a bit of a long story. It'd be better if you just went and met him! Bye Y/N!" she said before quickly scurrying away, not leaving me the chance to ask anything further.
I thought about the family again, Félix and Pepa, and Julieta and Agustin. Where did Bruno come from? Was he a Madrigal? And if so, where in the hell had he been since Carmelita and I had moved here? I pondered these thoughts as I walked to a local store. I bought a vase and went to the forest to pick up some flowers as a gift, but still was lost in thought.
As I continued to think of the possibilities, I was suddenly on the ground but this time no hand was there to pull me up. I snapped out of my thoughts and looked infront of me to see who I had ran into.
A tall man with dark curls surrounding his face looked at me with worried hazel eyes. Without realizing it, I was full on staring at him. My face became flustered as I hurriedly stood up from the ground, dusting off my clothing. "I-I'm sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going" I spoke nervously, extending my hand out to help him off the ground.
He became flustered as well, "I-It's okay! I wasn't either..." He said softly, not taking my hand and getting up himself.
I awkwardly put my hand back to my side, getting ready to take my leave before I glanced down and saw a rat sitting by his side. My eyes widened, "Sir there's a... um...rat by you" I said, cautiously pointing at the little creature.
His eyes followed where I was pointing and it seemed his face had become even darker, "Y-Yeah they're like...my pets" he admitted.
I nodded slowly, taking another glance at the rat who, I guess, was kind of cute. I looked back up to the man, "Um okay! Sorry!" I said before quickly walking away from him.
I took a deep breath, clutching the vase in my hand as I tried to occupy my mind by looking for flowers. I had really ran into two people today! In the span of an hour! Carmelita won't let go of this when I tell her, that I know for sure.
I sighed, gathering different flowers into the vase for the Madrigals. As I grabbed the flowers, I thought back to the man I had bumped into. All I could really notice was his eyes, that had matched his clothing pretty well and also had looked like they weren't getting much sleep. I had never seen him before, but he was probably a visitor. I grabbed a couple more flowers before I was satisfied, and made my way to the Madrigal house. I kept thinking back on the man, about the way his hair fell and the sunlight glazed over his eyes. I blinked hard, trying to get all of these weird thoughts out of my head. I mean, he was attractive but I had spoken two sentences to the guy, no need for me to already feel poetic and lovey about him.
I smiled at the thought, but only relished in it for so long. Chances are he was just a visitor and I would only see him like one more time
before he was gone. And even then, I wouldn't exchange any other words to him.
I sighed and walked up to la casita, looking at the updated exterior. The colors were more vibrant and the whole house had a new glow to it. It really looked beautiful.
I smiled and slowly knocked on the door, stepping back as the door opened and Abuela was standing there to greet me.
She cupped her face in her hands, "Hello Y/N! It is so nice to see you" she gave me a soft smile before gesturing for me to come inside, causing casita to slowly ripple me inside.
I smiled back at her and at the floor tiles, "Hello Abuela Alma! La casita looks gorgeous!" I said, glancing around the inside as well. I extended my gift out to her, "I brought these for you guys" I said shyly.
Abuela grabbed them from my hands, "Oh these are just beautiful Y/N! Thank you so much! I'll go put these by the window right now!" She said before walking away with the vase in her hands.
"Y/N?" A small voice called. I looked to where the voice came from and saw Mirabel and Dolores already rushing towards me.
I smiled at them, "Hello! It's nice to see you guys" I said, giving them both a quick hug. I'm sure it came with being the magical family of the town, but the Madrigals welcomed Carmelita and I to Encanto with open arms. They were the first to greet us when we arrived and have extended their help to us whenever we needed. Carmelita and I quickly befriended the whole family, becoming acquainted with all of them.
Before any other words could be exchanged, a voice echoed through, "Mirabel? Dolores? Hellooo?" The owner of the voice peeked around the corner and I swear you probably could've heard my heart stop beating.
"We didn't even go that far Tio Bruno" Mirabel shook her head at the man, and went back to looking at me. "We wanted to say hi to Y/N!" she said gleefully, giving me a smile before she and Dolores both realized the situation we had found ourselves in. They exchanged a wide eyed look at each other.
I looked back to the man behind them and held my breath as I saw his hazel, worried eyes stare back at me.
