Waiting on a Miracle

Auditions

The next morning, Margarita was really excited—today was the audition for the school play. She got dressed up for the audition, and she grabbed her stuff and went downstairs, where her family was excitedly waiting for her. "Buen día," she smiled.

"Buen día, mija," Elena smiled. "Ready to audition for the school play?"

"Oh, sí," Margarita beamed. "I've been looking forward to this day all week. I just hope auditions happen before I died of boredom."

The entire family laughed at that last part. Then Rafa took a good look at her little sister.

"It's good to know you're excited to audition, but it doesn't look like you're ready just yet," Rafa smirked.

"Why not?" Margarita asked.

"We have a little surprise for you," Olga said.

"I'm ready for it," Margarita said.

"Close your eyes," Jesus smiled.

Margarita closed her eyes, and two seconds later, she heard her mother say, "Okay, you can open your eyes now."

Margarita opened her eyes to find a box with the Encanto logo on it right in front of her. "¿Que es esto?" she asked.

"See for yourself," Olga told her.

Margarita opened the box to find a charm necklace—there was a little flower, a rectangle with eight different gemstones, and a circle with the words "Family is everything" engraved on it. "Wow, you got me this?" she gaped, taking the necklace out. "I had no idea they made this."

"We didn't either, but when we saw this in the mall early in the week, we decided to get it for you for good luck—not that you'll need it," Jesus smiled, putting the necklace on his daughter.

"Oh, gracias, familia," Margarita smiled.

"De nada," Rafa smiled as she and Olga hugged their sister.

"Okay, you'd better eat," Elena told her daughters. "You won't do well at the audition if you don't."

"Okay, Mamá," Olga said.

After breakfast, the sisters went off to school—and pretty much every student was dressed up for the audition.

"Wow, looks like everyone thought to dress up for the audition," Rafa gaped.

"With everyone in school auditioning, I have the feeling auditions will last all day," Margarita remarked.

"It looks that way, mija," Olga said.

Suddenly, Amber came over and butted in between Margarita and Rafa. "Yes, Margarita, everyone will be auditioning, but don't be sad when I get the lead and you don't," she teased.

"Gracias, Amber," Margarita said, slipping away. "Well, good luck with your audition." Then she went off to her locker.

Amber was disgusted. "Ugh, did you hear that?" she sneered.

"It sounded like she was being nice to you," Charlotte said.

"Exactly, because she knows that'll get under my skin more than anything else," Amber said. "She's insidious! Good luck—why would I need luck when I know I'm going to play Mirabel Madrigal?"

The morning went by, and after lunch, it was time for auditions. The students were in the auditorium for auditions, and Margarita was really excited. Amber was sitting right next to her, and she was quite jealous of Margarita's new necklace.