The Forgotten...? ••• 𝐂.𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐥

(27) 𝐄motions or facade's?

Mirabel's POV:

I was just kicking my legs, aimlessly and fiddling with the hem of my satchel when I felt a small tug on my skirt. When I saw who it was I grinned, letting my mind ease—as much as it could, putting up the perfect facade— and pulling him up to sit beside me. I managed to move over a little to give him as much room as possible and when we looked at one another I could just feel the anxiousness rolling off of him.

"Tonito? You alright, bud? Where's the smile vanished to, huh?" I pulled him closer, tickling him as much as I could without making him scream out for help. I want him to be happy and smile but we can't disturb anyone else whilst we do, they need to figure out our next step. Getting out of here. Safe...
"I—uh, I don't know." He whispered, he curled in on himself as one of his little animal friends joined us, crawling into his cupped hands in his lap. I looked to the little rat and then to Antonio, I scooched over and wrapped my arms around him in a side hug, it was the best I could do from the angle we were sitting at. We stayed like that for a while, no one moving, no talking, just nothing. I was looking around the room, from one face to another, thinking it'd bring me comfort knowing my family were all in one room, but it didn't. Not even the slightest bit of calm came to me. It just reminded me of the situation, we were trapped and we were struggling to get out.

When I felt Antonio shuffle slightly, my grip on him lessened and I moved my head so I could see his face. The side of my forehead rested on his hairline and we looked into one another's eyes. Seeing him vulnerable and upset was something I always dreaded to see, but today it struck something and no matter how much I hate to admit it but it made everything seem worse.

"Where's yours?"

I flinched.
I reeled back. 
I swallowed my last breath and held it.

I could feel it, there was that sense of shock and horrid terror all over again. I don't see— I don't understand— how a small question could pull such a strong feeling out from within me. But whatever this was I hope it didn't show on my face, well, for long before I quickly snapped back. I tried to push out a chuckle, laugh, breathe... but everything seemed to be drowning out. That's when my thoughts took over. I can't be another problem and when Tonito is with me I have to be strong, we have to be strong for each other.

"Your real smile. I don't like this one as much." He pushed, I couldn't help but sputter the simplest and fastest excuse I could muster up. Even though my brain was working on a short and speedy excuse it managed to be the truth, even if I didn't want it to be. But I hated it when people lied to me because they thought I couldn't handle it, there's no need to lie in this situation.
"I'm just a little scared is all, Tonito. And when my little bud is sad, I'd do anything to cheer him up." I smiled, it felt real and I believed it was real. I hoped he did as well. I could still feel this weighing pain in the back of my throat any second now I would start to scream and cry and bawl until all of this solved itself, but it wouldn't and I knew that. I just really didn't want to believe that whatever was happening would somehow change everything, and take things away from me. It's the simple thoughts of an overthinking brain that can make one crumble and I was trying my damn hardest to not let them get to me.

"I'm not sad. I'm... I'm scared, Mira." He admitted. I didn't believe it at first, I was hoping he was too young to know what sort of danger we were in. I understand anyone would be scared because everyone mostly is, but I just assumed he would be a little frightened, and intimidated.
"There's no need to be scared, Tonito. Everyone is here and safe, when we're all together nothing can hurt us. Remember, we're the Madrigals, nothing can hurt us when we're together." Shooting one of those short, toothy grins I tried to maintain a light and free-spirited sort of aura. As long as he thought I was happy. Alright—ish...

"Where the most powerful family in the world. Nothing will harm us. And you wanna know how I know?" I smirked, providing at his little hands as they gingerly stoked his little friend.
"How?" He did seem sort of intrigued—like genuinely intrigued, hopeful, even— but then again I was stressed and somehow felt incredibly tired. I'm not sure where it blossomed from or when I really, even began to notice but it's hanging over my head now.

"Because of our Encanto." I gestured to the candle—that was still in Abuela's hold— it was glowing brighter but I think in actuality it was just the dark and dreary clouds that had dimmed the day, so any spark of light seemed to glow and break through the darkness like a ray of sun.
"This family is magical. The only magical family that anyone's ever known. And we're the best. Aren't we?" I tried to tussle his hair but my hands seemed to clench around the edge of the piano more, letting go seemed harder than just leaning over slightly to catch a glimpse of Antonio's eyes that seemed to drift back to his rat friend. He seemed dazed, he was there physically but mentally he was surfing through his thoughts and... well, I'm not sure what else. But I'm guessing it was something to do with what's happening now or what's going to happen after this is somewhat sorted.

I could see him sigh, his shoulders sag and a lazy smile spread on his face and I've never been more comforted by it. The familiarity of it.
More relaxed,
I noted. That's a definite plus in this predicament.

Hearing the faintest whistles and whispering shouts I had the urge to turn to look but decided against it. Picking off my family members who were busy and cowered to themselves or in pairs, I ended up chalking it up to Camilo, I didn't want to entertain his antics whilst I was trying to focus on Antonio. But sometimes peer pressure and pure annoyance can override that stubbornness. I should be used to his overwhelming ability to piss me off but it somehow still shocked, surprised and saddened me.

I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose when I turned to Camilo, he was waving his hand and pointing to where he and Dolores crouched on the ground, behind a pillar. I shook my head giving him the most serious and squinty glare I could muster up without Antonio noticing. Looked away as Antonio started to talk again, giggling and chatting with one of Bruno's rats, which I believe is called Fransisco and can apparently eat anything in a matter of seconds, well that's what Antonio told me. All of the rats have a special talent which I think Bruno either taught them or helped improve on it. Either way though, it's pretty cool in my opinion.

"Hey Mirabel, Antonio~ How are you guys holding up?" I couldn't help the sigh as I rolled my eyes, Camilo managed to snatch Antonio out of my grasp and swing him around before traipsing over to Bruno on the stairs, saying something along the lines of "we should get this little fella to his papa. No?". And I just stared at their backs before lightly shaking my head, finally unclenching my fingers from the piano and moving my hands further to the edge of the closed-lidded piano and gliding my fingers across the sharp curve. Biting my lip I groaned, knowing it was useless just waiting here and ignoring them. Jumping down and making my way over to Dolores who was still waving me over, I could just feel the pulse of a pending headache arise.

When I finally reached her, bending down to her level, hiding behind the pillar as well so the rest of the family would see us. Or think we were doing anything. I guess we could just stand and be normal—or as normal as one can be under this pressure and circumstances— they wouldn't know what we were up to considering the distance between us and that we had Dolores.

"Ok," eyeing her up was doing nothing to ease her flickering eyes or twitching lip but it was the only thing I could muster up enough energy to do. It wasn't much but it was something, might as well conserve energy and strength for when we inevitably have to make a break for it.

"what you got?"

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Word count: 1606
Ok so I was thinking I might edit all the chapters real quick, just add a gif here and there or some like the stupid Cupid chapters if u know what that is.
Sorry, these are taking so long, exams are this week. So yeah, fun.
Sorry, nothing happened In the chapters I like to keep every chapter under 2000 ish words if I can.
SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE!!!