All words left Mirabel as she watched everyone leave her alone.
Why won't they believe her?
She saw Isabela roll her eyes, probably thinking the worst of her once again. She saw the disappointment in her abuela's eye, probably coming to the conclusion that she's just looking for attention to ruin her beloved cousin's ceremony.
She knows what she saw, she felt the rumblings as she watched Casita shudder from the numerous cracks that surrounded it. She saw their miraculous candle dim.
But of course, none of them would believe her.
Who would believe the defective Madrigal when the special ones, the gifted ones didn't even feel a thing?
She sees her mother descend the stairs, but she doesn't need her comforting right now. Choosing to ignore her mother, Mirabel went ahead and passed her, determined to just lock herself in her room. Not heeding her mother's calling, she slammed the door of the nursery and proceeded to barricade it with whatever trinket she can find, she knows that no amount of locks can prevent Julieta from reaching her children .
Feeling satisfied with her makeshift barricade, she sat down on her bed and cuddled with her pillows, trying to keep her tears from falling just until her mother's knocking ceased. It was only when she heard her mother's steps fade in the distance that she let loose, sobbing hysterically as she tried to muffle her sounds with her pillow, she'd rather not have to deal with a concerned Dolores afterwards.
Hours passed when she finally noticed the silence surrounding the house. Looking out, she saw that the lights are out and the guests already went home. Feeling drained, she laid down on her bed, trying to catch some sleep; trying to forget what she saw earlier that evening... but she couldn't. She can still see Casita crumbling every time she closed her eyes, she can still hear the murmurings of the townsfolk as they watch her humiliate herself in front of them and her abuela.
No matter what she did, the sounds and the images won't stop. They all culminated, layers of crumbling concrete, whispers of the people, and the warning voice of her abuela, they all pierced her eardrums in a deafening chorus. It was all too much.
She needed to clear her head, to silence the voices that keep disturbing her.
And so to the rooftop she went, carrying a blanket and her embroidery kit. She hid on the other side of the tiled roof, not wanting to be seen by anyone if they happen to wake up in the middle of the night. She wrapped her blanket around her to keep away the chill and proceeded to do her needlework.
The night was silent, apart from the sounds of the wildlife surrounding them, the moon was bright, and the stars illuminated the whole of the sky. It was just what she needed to calm herself down.
She stayed there, embroidering on a handkerchief she got as a gift when she turned 15. It wasn't much, not like the grand banquets that abuela hosted for Isabela, nor the Quiet Day they assigned for Dolores, nor any other members of her family really.
She got an embroidery kit from her mama, a stylish pair of glasses from her papa, and a handkerchief from the village children that excitedly told her they bought it with their allowance. It may have been simple but it warmed her heart to think that she managed to endear herself enough to the children for them to give her a present.
As for the rest of her family... well they're busy preparing for Antonio's ceremony, they couldn't possible spare some time for the "problem child" of the Madrigals.
Chuckling darkly to herself, she continued embroidering, careful not to prick herself as she continues to add on the intricate design she's creating.
Working kept the voices away.
