New magic

Chapter 1-A new gift

I sat on my bed in the nursery, looking out the window. I saw the people in town walking towards our house, all chattering, laughing, and smiling. That happiness didn't come to my mind. Just nervousness. I pulled my feet up on the bed and rested my head on my knees. I sighed shortly and looked at the sky. The sun was starting to set, coloring the sky and clouds in the colours pink, yellow, orange, and purple.

My mind drifted to my conversation with Abuela earlier that evening. She had told me the story of our magical candle. I asked what she thought my gift could be, and she said it would be just as special as me. But that got me thinking. I mean, of course, I would get a gift, but what if it wasn't that helpful? What if it could not help our community the way Abuela wanted?

"Elena!" I heard a voice call but I didn't answer. I heard footsteps and a creak in the green door as it was opened but I didn't take my gaze away from the sky.

"Hey, Elena." A soft voice spoke and I turned to see my older brother, Antonio standing in the doorway with his friend toucan, Pico, on the shoulder.

"Hey." I whispered softly and looked at him with my brown eyes. He sat down beside me and I moved my long brown hair from my face.

"You don't need to be nervous." Antonio said and lay his hand on my shoulder. "There is no pressure. Just go up there and enjoy."

"I know, I know." I said and moved my head so it lay on his shoulder. "I'm just scared if my gift won't be really helpful."

Antonio chuckled a bit. "Not helpful? Think about me. I talk to animals, that doesn't help much." He said and Pico squawked. "Sorry, Pico. You know I love my gift and you." Antonio said and stroked Pico's wings.

I got up and stood in front of my brother. Normally I was a very calm and collected girl, but where I stood facing my brother, I felt like I was four years older than him, not the other way around.

"But your gift does help! You talked to the donkeys so now we know why they escaped the barn and people fixed it, so now Luisa can do other things, you talked to the rats at the barn so we could solve their hunger problems, you grew new trees and berries for the birds so they didn't take corn from our field, and those birds told you that a rockslide was coming down on two houses so people were able to leave in time." I took a moment to catch my breath before I continued.

"So, yes, Antonio, your gift does help. A lot!" I huffed and sat back down.

Antonio didn't say a word, but I knew he was rather thinking about what to say.

"Sorry." I mumbled and looked back outside.

"Hey, it's alright. I get it. I remember my gift ceremony. I was so nervous that I made Mirabel walk with me up the stairs to my door." He giggled and I couldn't help but laugh a bit with him. "Whatever happens, I know that this gift will be awesome, and you will help us a lot." Antonio put his hand reassuringly on my arm.

"Thanks Antonio." I said and hugged my brother tightly.

"That's more like you." He chuckled and hugged me back.

"What do you mean?" I said and pulled away, giving him a questioning and fun stare.

"Well, it's more like you to be calm and hug me instead of standing in front of me, giving me a big speech about gifts and how helpful I am." Antonio burst out into laughter and I did too.

Pico got very excited of our sudden outburst and flew of Antonio's shoulder and in circles around the nursery.

The door opened and there stood our mother, Pepa. "Come on. Abuela says we should get ready."