𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 | Isabela x Reader

Force To Be Reckoned With

"Why are you looking at her like that?" Mirabel asks you despite already finding the answer as clear as day from the way the two of you looked at one another.

Something clearly happened, and no matter how much she pushed to hear it come out of your lips, you just wouldn't admit it.

There was a touch of affection in your eyes that wasn't there before. One that wasn't as strong as when you looked at Mirabel or Abuelita, but somehow still kind of unique on its own.

Silence remains as you try to think of a way to excuse what you were feeling. There was no way in hell you were going to tell her the truth even if it was obvious. You could only hope that Mirabel would just buy it and let the topic go.

Isabela was different around you, and you liked it. You liked when she had a sharp tongue and made sassy remarks that not everyone was blessed to be amused by. You liked that she put her persona down around you and Mirabel, even if it became annoying sometimes.

But you also liked when she cared for you. You liked the fact that she used her personal handkerchief to wipe the blood on your chin that night. You liked that she actually enjoyed your presence. You liked the little actions she made to portray it.

You liked seeing the vulnerability in her eyes because it showed just how much she could feel in a single moment. You liked it when you could make her laugh and smile.

You liked how happy she was around the children, and how she treated them like family. You liked her kindness and wit. You only wished you could have seen all these things about her earlier.

The more you thought about it, the more you realized she had done so much for Mirabel and you behind the scenes. Things that not many people would pay attention to with how discreet it was. But it was her way of saying both of you mattered to her, even if she couldn't say it directly. But it was beautiful nevertheless.

"Why aren't you answering?" Mirabel asks with annoyance in her tone. She wasn't really one to be affected by the things around her any longer thanks to you. But because she felt like you were slipping through her fingers, the anxiousness slowly started to creep in.

Swallowing the lump that started to form in your throat, you let out a breath before speaking. Maybe admitting it won't be too bad anymore. "I've had an epiphany, Mira."

She scoffs, Isabela watching in silence at the interaction between you. She didn't want to ruin your friendship, but she was aware her little sister probably wouldn't have been too pleased to find out something was blossoming between you. "What, you're taking her side now?"

"I'm not taking any sides. I admit Isabela treated you wrongly, that much I'm aware. I just thought maybe... she isn't as bad as we had thought." You whisper, still kind of scared to say it knowing Mirabel was the one who truly went through the mental abuse brought to her by her familia.

But she wasn't the only victim. You could see the pressure in Isabela's eyes clearly now, the need for validation and the need to be perfect was always there. You finally acknowledge it seriously, not using it as a way to tease her for once. The only wrong thing she did was that she vented all that stress and frustration toward Mirabel.

"Please, can't you see what she's trying to do? She's just trying to win you over so I have nothing again!" Mirabel shouts, her knuckles turning white in her fists. It was rare for the two of you to ever be in a real argument. You couldn't help but wonder if this was really worth it.

Isabela looked offended as she stared down at her little sister. "Wow, how nice of you to say. I'll have you know that I have nothing but pure intentions." She responds, crossing her arms as her brows meet in frustration. "You speak like you've been the perfect sister when really, all you ever did all these years is treat me just as poorly."

Isabela still speaks with an air that shows she was higher than anyone else. It was her way of convincing herself she was so much more than the way Mirabel spoke of her.

"You're not part of this conversation," Mirabel replies to her and turns back to look at you, trying to butt Isabela out, adjusting her glasses while doing so in a habit. "Besides, who do you think started all this mess? Who do you think felt like such a perfect granddaughter to Abuela, she treated her own little sister like she was nothing just because she didn't get a gift."

Isabela scoffs, leaning on the frame of her door, her pride slowly shattering as she looks at Mirabel. "I had to." She whispers, just loud enough for you to hear since you were the one beside her. From those words, a ton of things run through your mind just wondering what it meant exactly.

"I thought so..." Mirabel whispers sadly, not knowing what happened all those years ago that caused everything to go wrong. How the beautiful bond between them shattered that one fateful night and changed everything in their lives.

But the one thing that lingered on your mind was that it was a chain reaction caused by the decisions and attitude of their Abuela. They wanted each other's lives without knowing just how messed up it really was.

"I really just came here to apologize to her Mira. Don't get angry at her." You state, standing your ground and taking her hands in yours. You rub them soothingly with your thumb, just like she'd usually want. "I made a few mistakes and said things I shouldn't have. I promise after this, things will be just like before."

The last sentence struck a chord in Isabela, already knowing what it meant. You would put Mirabel first over anything, and if staying away from her was what your best friend had wanted to ease her mind, you would do it.

"If things were just like before, you wouldn't be here apologizing to her with that look on your face." She says before pulling you into a tight hug, whispering her next few words into your ear. "You like her, don't you?"

The way she said it was completely serious, making your cheeks heat up in embarrassment. Pushing her gently by the shoulders, your hands grip her blouse.

"What-?! No!" You whisper-yell quite harshly, a defensive tone in your voice as you try to feign ignorance. "You know if I would like anyone, it would be-"

"Yes, I know. But the eyes never lie." She says, feeling like she somehow lost once again to her eldest sister. She was able to get you to have some kind of affection for her, which was the most unexpected thing to happen knowing you disliked her more than even Mirabel before. "Just... promise me I mean more to you than her."

You turn to look back at Isabela, who was pretending like she wasn't listening despite doing her hardest to try and hear what you were saying.

"I promise." You say, assuring your best friend without question. She will always be more important than anyone, outside of your abuelita. "You'll always be number one, Mira."

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A/N: I JUST WANNA STATE: This is not written in a way that makes it look like Mirabel and the reader have something going on.

It's familial love. Mira is young, and only a best friend to the reader. The two have been through so much together and only feel like they have each other to trust. It's a normal feeling to want to keep the reader to herself since Mirabel feels like she's all she had. I just wanted to clarify.

Please vote <3 it motivates me a lot!