The Chameleon's Grin ll Camilo Madrigal

Chapter 27 : Happy

Carmen's pov:

The man glanced at Camilo and I's intertwined hands "So... the Madrigals are here to help us now?"

"Yes, but only if you're willing to take it." I answered, and I rose my voice slightly so everyone could hear me. "The Cortes's and the Madrigals are collaborating to help all of Encanto now, not just the center of it. We will have dinner made for all of you tonight, and anyone who wants it can bring their own bowls and utensils and take what they'd like. Over the course of the day we are doing as much community service as possible. You are no longer being ignored, so please, tell us what you need."

***

Dinner was finally ready at the gazebo, so Mirabel, Camilo, Dolores, and I served everyone who brought their bowls for the massive amount of potato soup I had made.

This was the happiest I had seen my community in a long while.

Children were running around and laughing with Diana and Antonio who were accompanied by his leopard.

Adults talked merrily, finally not having to stress over the next meal.

The colorful flowers and plants Isabela created only added to the atmosphere, along with the candle-lit street full of people.

This is how Encanto was supposed to be.

They were happy.

Camilo's pov:

Carmen's wonderfully lit brown eyes glittered at the result of her idea.

She smiled from ear to ear, and I forced myself to look away.

Her joy was contagious, enough to make my cheeks redden. I had never seen her this truly happy.

In fact, this was the most genuinely cheery I had felt in a while as well.

I had missed the bubbly feeling in your stomach, and the urge to laugh even though there was nothing actually funny, you just couldn't contain the elated emotion.

I linked arms with Carmen, slowly taking a hold of her hand.

For a moment she looked ready to throat punch me, but then seeing my expression, her features softened, and she settled with the contact.

"You've outdone yourself, bonita."

"Thank you for helping. I couldn't have done this without you all."

"You brought an important problem to the Madrigals, so naturally we had to solve it."

A comfortable silence passed between us, and we stayed that way, watching the world grow brighter around us.

After a while, Mirabel swept Carmen up, dragging her away to dance with her to the band that had just began to play.

That left me alone with my thoughts, but not for long.

"Well that was romantic." Isabela nudged me playfully.

"Isa, you need a love life. I mean, c'mon. You're matchmaking 16 year olds in your free time." I pointed out.

She shrugged. "This is more amusing- I mean important."

I rolled my eyes at her relentless teasing. "Whatever, just don't cramp my style."

"You got it, chico amante (lover boy)."

Carmen's pov:

We all got home exhausted, but fulfilled.

The Tias and Tios looked proud of what we did today.

"How'd it go, kid?" Tio Bruno asked first addressing me.

I nodded enthusiastically. "It went amazing, only one day in and we already hosted a successful gathering. Almost everyone was there."

"Oh, who wasn't?"

"The Perez, Gonzales, and Ruiz families." I paused for a moment, swallowing hard. "...And Mamá."

Tia Julieta pulled me into a hug. "I know this was hard on you." She said, and I recalled taking a detour so I wouldn't have to see our old house. "But I'm so proud of you for doing it anyways. You're shaping into a marvelous young woman, Carmen."

I tried hard to not sob in the woman's embrace, but a few tears leaked out.

"Thank you Tia." I whispered, and let her go.

"Por supesto (of course)."

***

I sat on my bed, feeling the weight of the day leave as soon as I sunk into the mattress.

Letting myself get frustrated that I couldn't yet ask someone to retrieve Mamá's body, I felt myself and a few plants rise into the air. I was unbothered, though, because there was something more important on my mind.

I was too scared of the truth.

I wasn't ready to admit that Mamá had left Diana and I so soon.

Tomorrow. I thought decidedly, snapping myself out of my fear for a mere second. Tomorrow I find someone to retrieve Mamá so we can give her a proper burial. One that she deserves.

Slowly, some of the weight toppled off of my shoulders.

I floated back down to the ground along with the plants. I suppose my power was based on my emotions, even deep rooted ones.

I had just changed into my sleepwear when I heard a knock on the door, but it wasn't like Camilo's.

This was still hushed, but more demanding.

"Uh- come in." I said, and the door flung open.

Isabela walked in, and closed the door behind herself. "Sorry for the later hour, I just want to talk for a short while, is that okay?"

I nodded, and slowly, two of the larger pillows from my bed drifted to the ground for us to sit on.

"Was that you or..." She trailed off.

"Maybe my room knows what I need," I guessed. "because I can't do that yet."

We both cautiously sat down, and Isabela began her interrogation.

"So, about your type..."