Fractured Wings - An Encanto Fan Story

fifteen

     Giselle was up and going by next day and she was quite the productive mood too; so much that she woke up earlier than everyone to make breakfast. She wasn't sure why, but she couldn't get a grin of her face as she cooked. She'd felt as if some weight was lifted off her chest. 

     She put an apron on and tied her hair into a high ponytail to ensure no hair fell in the food. 

     "Bandeja paisa, you say..." she looked through some of Julieta's recipes and found this one the most interesting. "Better get to work then." She decided determinedly. 

     First, Giselle rinsed the beans before cooking and then placed them in a pressure cooker half filled with water and added a tablespoon of salt. Then, she cooked the beans for approximately thirty or so minutes. She was careful not to accidentally burn herself. 

     Following, she opened the pressure cooker and placed the rest of the ingredients in with the beans. She'd have to let everything cook for another twenty minutes. As Giselle waited for the bandeja paisa to cook, she hummed and conjured up a brew of coffee. 

   "Buenos días, Mari—I mean Giselle—you're up early...!" It was Mirabel. She seemed a little odd. 

     Giselle almost dropped a teacup in surprise. "Oh, uh, bonjour! Did you sleep well?" She awkwardly chuckled. 

     Rubbing her face, "like a rock!" Mirabel laughed. "So, whatcha cookin'?" She leaned over the counter. 

     Giselle played with her hair as she awkwardly smiled. "It's definitely not as good as how your mother would make it, but I am attempting to make what you would call a Bandeja paisa." 

     Then as Mirabel rubbed her hands together in glee, Giselle thought something seemed off about Mirabel's face. But she assumed it to be a trick of the light. After all, it was still really morning and her eyes were probably still adjusting. 

     "So, how come you're up so early, though? I mean you were like sick just yesterday." Mirabel sat in a chair as Casita served her a cup of coffee. 

     "Ah, don't worry so much about me. I felt a sudden burst of energy one I opened my eyes, so I should be alright." Giselle shrugged and started cleaning some dishes. 

     As Giselle continued to clean, she could feel Mirabel's eyes on her back. But something still felt off. 

     "Random question, Giselle." Mirabel called out. Giselle looked over her shoulder. "What do you see in mi primo, Camilo?"

     Giselle dropped the glossy plate and it shattered on the floor. Her face grew hot. "Mademoiselle, where is this coming from?!" She frantically picked up the broken shards. As she picked one broken piece up, it scratched her hand so she dropped it again. 

     Mirabel kneeled down and helped out. "Well, obviously I care about him. I'd want to know what makes you think he's special as himself." 

     Giselle frowned. "What do you mean 'as himself'?" 

     Mirabel looked away and sighed, then met Giselle's gaze once more. She seemed rather anxious, for some odd reason. "I mean that everyone wants him to shape-shift into someone else; no one asks for him specifically—"

     Giselle cut her off. "Then those people do not understand the blessing that Camilo brings." Mirabel's eyes widened. "He sparks joy everywhere he goes with his jokes and that stupid big grin of his. But—for me specifically—he was like a ray of hope when I thought I'd lost everything."