Maya Madrigal

Chapter 1

"Maya. Since you have recieved a gift we are going to need to think about how you can help out around town. Maybe-"

"Mami," Julietta said cutting Abuela off. "Remember what we agreed on. No pressuring. She is only 16. She just got her gift. Give her some time to adjust."

"You're right. Sorry Maya."

"Its fine. OH! If we wanna make it to school on time we need to go. NOW!" Maya yelled jumping out of her seat.

"Have fun." Abuela said as Maya, Camilo, Mirabel and Antonio ran to the village.

"They grow up so fast." Pepa sniffed.

The four children raced through the streets delighted that they'd tricked their family.

"Ha ha!"

"Woo!

"They're so trusting."

"If only they knew school was cancelled today!"

"Okay, we need to get to the river." Mirabel said.

"We gotta beat them." Maya added with a determined look in her eyes.

"Sí." Camilo agreed.

They ran between the mountains surrounding their home managing to arrive at the river only a couple of seconds before Isabella, Dolores and Luisa. They'd been planning this day for a while, and Maya's surprise gift yesterday wasn't going to throw them off. Every so often they gathered by the river to talk by themselves. It happened a lot more often now that Isabella and Mirabel weren't constantly at each others throats. 

"CAMILO!" Dolores yelled.

"What is it?" Antonio asked.

Dolores looked at him without replying. She was absolutely soaked. Camilo must've splashed her.  And he was laughing so hard he'd fallen over and was crying. 

"ARGH!" Camilo screamed.

"Heh heh heh."

"Maya, what did you do? Oh yeah, yesterday."

That was it. It was everyone vs. Maya. Who wouldn't want to beat the girl who could control water in a splashing fight? All to soon it was over. Dolores heard the town bell ring and they needed to go home now to avoid wondering.

They walked off: the four school children together, Dolores & Isabella, with Luisa by herself. 

"Hey Antonio, Camilo, you two go ahead I wanna talk to Maya."

"Okay cuz, see ya!"

The second the two boys walked out of sight, Mirabel whirled around to face her friend.

"Woah Mira! Calm down."

"There was a girl yesterday, I didn't get to tell you about her. She was talking on and on about Camilo, it was gross. Oh Camilo this, oh Camilo that. We cannot have this!"

"What are you talking about?" Maya said sounding nervous.

"You know what I mean. EVERYONE knows you like him."

"WHAT! No, I don't."

"Maya, don't lie to me."

"Fine, lets say I do, WHICH I DON'T! Why would you tell me this?"

"Well, both Camilo and this girl are 16. To young to get married or engaged but not to young to be in a relationship. And she is going to try to get together with him AND I CANNOT ALLOW IT!"

"You do realise this is none of your business."

"Eh."

"Even if I did like him he doesn't like me."

"That's the biggest lie I've ever heard."

"Huh?"

"YOU DON'T KNOW?!"

"Know what?"

"Oh my gosh. You don't know."

"Know what?!"

"Camilo likes you."

Maya stared at her, her big brown eyes full of shock. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me."

"Oh."

"And you finally realise it. Its been driving me crazy. Everybody knows and now that you know hopefully we can help speed things along."

"Oh, you don't have too."

"It is my duty."

"No. No. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO! Why don't we... pretend this conversation never happened!"

"No."

"UGH."

"You'll thank me for it on day."

"Will I?"

"Yes."

"You are acting very out of character."

"When I ship things, I ship 'em hard."

"True."

"So."

"So what?"

"Operation: Get Camilo and Maya to realise how much they like each other and get together Phase 3 is a go."

"Phase 3?! How long have you been doing this and who is in on this?"

"Umm, 2 years ago, and Dolores, Antonio, Luisa, Isabella- OH Mariano joined the ranks a couple of months ago."

"Mirabel! Are you kidding me?!"

"No."