Peculiar; C. Madrigal

nine;

-Strings that bounds people in relation-

Another sleepless night that made (Y/N) so tired, what could possibly keep her from having a goodnight's rest. Perhaps, it was something that she dreamt. No, that couldn't be possible. The girl has no nightmares that she remembered so why on earth would she jump from her bed with a sharp breath in?

It has been a few days since she's been in Encanto and (Y/N) was getting annoyed with her dreamless nightmares. The girl wanted to stay in bed and sleep for a while but unfortunately, she cannot stay in bed for too long, not with Camilo on her tails. As she got ready for breakfast, she wore her dress and made her way to the kitchen to see Mariano happily singing to himself while flipping eggs which made (Y/N)'s tense shoulder fall down in ease to finally have something that reminded her of where she used to live.

As she sat down, Mariano greeted her good morning and placed a plate in front of her with two eggs and an arepa with two slices of cheese on top. "Where is Señora? She usually makes breakfast" Mariano hummed and smiled before shaking his head in disagreement "Oh no, I usually make breakfast for her to show her how much I appreciate her." Mariano answered.

"She's off to do errands around town, she told me to tell you to be back before sundown but before that you can play and run around the sun" Mariano seems like a good guy but he just seems to be in cloudnine all day which irritates the girl because she knows for a fact that everything isn't going to be cupcakes and rainbows but she hesitantly ignored it and ate her breakfast.

"Here, I made you a sandwich!" Mariano called, handing (Y/N) a small slingbag with a small tupperware inside.

The girl stayed still as Mariano placed the slingbag on her, she was very confused but didn't question "I've noticed that, most of the time you're not home for lunch so I made you in case you're hungry" (Y/N) looked down and stared at the small slingbag Mariano has given her. The girl clearly has no experience with siblings because she clearly has none, but she's starting to warm up to the guy.

With a small nod, the girl walked up to the front door and went outside. The girl walked around town, which she was still getting used to, only to bump into someone. The weak girl stumbled to the ground and the other person only yelped. "Ay! Ah! I apologize but you should really watch..." (Y/N) ignored the person and just looked up to see Abuela that Camilo's been talking about "oh, you're (Y/N)" The girl already knew who she was so she stated back "Abuela Alma" Abuela cleared her throat and patted her sleeves "I guess, Mirabel sang about it?" Questioned Abuela Alma.

(Y/N) was not surprised "Camilo loves to brag about his family" Abuela Alma pursed her lips and nodded "ouh, uhm...Would you like to walk with me? Camilo has a lot of chores and I would love to welcome you again" Abuela Alma trailed, waiting for her answer which she surprisingly agreed.

(Y/N) does not care if it really was Camilo or not, she's been warming up to everyday things which was different for her back then "you're coming to Antonio's gifting ceremony, right?" The girl nodded, not like she has a choice, everyone is going to be there so she might as well follow them.

Speaking of follow, The girl shared small talks with Abuela and followed wherever Abuela Alma wandered. It wasn't new to her that she needed to follow someone but this time, it was her choice.

"So, Hija...Camilo told me lots about you" (Y/N)'s head snapped towards the girl who was looking at her with a smile, A part of (Y/N) wanted to tell Abuela Alma to mind her own business but if she does then Camilo would probably stop talking to her. Question, since when did the Mistress like conversations and care about what other people think? Author can answer that question...Since the day she appreciated Camilo's company.

They stayed silent for a while before Abuela Alma asked a question "were you afraid?" the girl answered "the fire?" Abuela Alma looked at the girl with a surprised expression plastered across her face "The fire." the girl continued and fluttered her eyes in thought. Abuela Alma thought about something that tore her apart years ago, she wouldn't claim it again but the more she thinks about it the more it made her worried.

"I'm sorry about your parents, they're in a better place now" Abuela Alma pitied the girl with a much smaller figure than her. (Y/N) hated that someone pitied her parents, what is there to pity about? The fact that they had fortune. Why even pity someone when they certainly can't do anything about it, why do they care what she went through, (Y/N) wanted to walk away from Abuela Alma and talk to the trees instead.

"Don't be. They're barely in my life, I've grown not much of an attraction to them" (Y/N) replied, looking around the stands to see different types of fruits like berries and citruses. Abuela Alma's breath hitched, it was because of the girl's response "but they're your family!" The girl's breath hitched and snapped her head towards the elder "family is just someone who's bound to you," Abuela's eyes widen at such words, she placed a hand on her chest in disbelief but continued to listen "Once you're born into a family, The red strings instantly ties everyone in relation. Ever since birth, you're bound to them and you can never escape it no matter how little they care about you" It seems that she's having a hard time getting over her own family more than she thought "And so no matter how little they mean to me, I will never escape the fact that I'm bound in relation with them" (Y/N) stated.

"they've provided life and food for you, even a place to live in. How can you not appreciate them?" Abuela Alma questioned, she's never heard such words from a youngin.

"How can such words come out from your mouth? have you realized their struggles to provide you?" The elder ranted. The girl had no idea why Abuela was acting this way, Camilo described her as a calm elder and helps people in town, why was she overthinking about what (Y/N) should appreciate and what's not?

"You cannot tell me what to appreciate" (Y/N) stomped her foot and pointed a finger at the elder "Their struggles are my burden."
The elder's eyes widen as she stared at the girl, she wanted to know more "what do you mean?"
"what they've gone through and what they've left behind, is now my burden to carry"
with that, the girl took one last glance towards the elder before running away. Where will she go? does she remember the way back to the Belonged? Was there any place she could go?
None of that mattered, she was already in the woods.
...