☀Light and Darkness - Luz y Sombra ☀ Encanto

Chapter 8

Camilo and I spent the rest of the day in my bed, just enjoying the silence together and giving a minute squeeze of support with our interlocked hands.

Honestly, I could understand why people would think we're dating. We have always been so close, holding hands, kisses on the cheek, stuff like that. Although I did love Camilo, it was more like a friend, closer to a kindred spirit. We understood each other, being able to glance to the other and be on the same page.

Once the sun began to set, Camilo stood up, kissed my cheek, and quietly left my house. I wish I could've done more. Why have these powers in my hands if I couldn't help my dearest friend?

You're cursed! No eres mi hija! You're a mistake!

No lloras. Your tears only show how truly ugly you are.

You will only cause misery to those around you. Just look at your great-grandfather.

The tears slowly slipped down my cheeks. Even though I know it was okay to cry, it was okay to express myself, it was okay; My mind still couldn't accept it. To think after all these years, their words would still haunt me. I guess words truly cut deep.

Before I could truly delve into my self-pity there was a knock on my door. Slowly getting up, I prayed to the lord above that it wasn't Alma or there would be a massacre.

I opened the door, my hand clenched into a fist and ready for a beating, before realizing that Dolores was at my door. I lowered my fist and squinted my eyes at her.

I barely talk to Dolores so there was no reason for her to be here. Looking at her more closely, I noticed her fidgeting and her face seemed to be scrunched up a bit.

"Would you like to come in?" I whispered, gesturing for her to enter. I did feel for her, I won't lie. Having enhance hearing with no control of it sounds like a pain.

She tensed up a bit before slowly walking inside. I made sure to gently close the door behind her before pulling out a chair for her, which she sat in before sitting across from her at the table.

I could tell she wanted to say something, perhaps even apologize, but she was much to stiff, her fiddling with her fingers. I shook my head and got up to get some more jugo de mansana. Once I set the cup in front of her, I sat back down and took a sip, trying my best to keep the noise to a minimum as to not overwhelm her.

I think she noticed my efforts since her shoulders seemed to lose a bit of tension before she took a sip of her jugo. We both sat there, me waiting for her to talk and her just taking tentative sips of jugo.

Finally, she set the cup down. Taking a deep breath, she slowly bowed her head to me. I tilted my own as I barely registered the words she whispers.

"I'm sorry..."

I just stared at her, her keeping her head down. Was she expecting me to yell at her? Blame her for what happened? That's when it hit me. She probably got blamed a lot by others since she could hear everything.

It's not like it was her fault, that just happened to be her gift. I'm sure she'd turn it off if she could, but that's not how the gifts worked. I reached over the table and patted her head gently, a small, sad smile on my face.

I mean, Jesucristo, the more I spent time near the Madrigals, the more I realize just how human they are.

Dolores flinched when she felt my hand, but then tensed a bit once she felt what I was doing. Once I removed my hand from her head, she looked up at me, confused but hopeful. Gosh, that look is breaking my heart and before I knew it, I was walking around the table and pulling her in for a hug.

God, Alma truly doesn't know what she is doing to these kids, I mean just look at Dolores! The way she is clutching on to me, shaking as her tears began to soak into my dress.

I rubbed gentle circle into her back and whispers, lower than I have but I knew she'd hear it, "It's not your fault. I understand what happened so you don't need to explain yourself nor feel guilty. Just because you hear everything doesn't equal everything being on you, we make our own choices, but we can also regret them. You are a person before you are the title given. Just live and decide the best way for you and I'll do that for me, okay?"

She began to shake harder, her sobs growing a bit louder. Oh goodness, please don't tell me I was the first person to say it wasn't her fault? How could anyone blame her? She has no obligation to solve everybody's problems just because she heard about it. At that point, the people directly involved should be ashamed that they can't fix it themselves and have to rely on people younger than them to do it.

The best thing I could do was just hold her, rubbing her back, and silently supporting her. There wasn't much I could do unless I took away her gift, but alas, I cannot so I'll just try to let her know that I am on her side.

We stayed this way for a bit, the sun slowly descending until it was dusk. Dolores, once she calmed her shaking, pulled away from the hug, her eyes red and nose a bit runny. I smiled softly at her and pulled out a cloth from my pocket, handing it to her. SHe gratefully accepted it, gently dabbing at her eyes before wiping her nose; she seemed embarrased, but I busied myself with putting away the cups and jugo so she could have a semblance of privacy.

She cleared her throat, and I walked back in front of her as she handed the cloth back, quietly thanking me. I just nodded and returned the cloth back into my pocket, making a note to wash it later.

"I wanted to apologize to you for...telling my Abuela about you and Camilo's private conversation and...tell you that Abuela wants you to come for dinner tommorow at the same time the Guzman's arrive." She whispered, loud enough for me to hear.

I sat back across from her and nodded. I knew that much since the dinner was supposed to be today, but since the annoucement, everybody has been busy with celebrating the good news so the dinner was pushed back. To think she wants me there too, I bet it's just to rub in my face that I lost.

I smiled at Dolores, "Thank you for telling me, Dolores." I whispered back. She simply nodded, a small smile on her face. You adorable girl.

I suddenly remembered that I haven't spoken to Mirabel at all today. I decided to ask Dolores since she was here if she had seen or heard where Mirabel was.

"Well, this morning she ran off to follow Luisa after Abuela announced the engagement. She seemed...upset but also determined to save the candle." I nodded at her words, signaling for her to continue.

"Well after confronting Luisa, she headed towards Bruno's tower and had been there most of the day. She actually just got out when I left my room to come here and saw her clutching her bag, walking to her room. Mommy walked in and warned her about Bruno when Mirabel asked about his visions, even Papí appeared and warned her before they both.She hasn't left since."

I nodded and sighed. I'm definitely gonna have to talk to her. I smiled and thanked Dolores again as she nodded and quietly left my house. I continued to sit and think. What can I do to get this engagement canceled? Could I find a way to convince Alma? Maybe Camilo's parents. Most importantly, how will I explain this to Mirabel?