Where I Belong

Surface Pressure

We all ran back into the party to warn everyone about the house, “The house is in danger!” Mirabel shouted, “The house is in danger!”

Everyone stopped and looked at us. I mean, they were looking at Mirabel, but whatever.

“The tiles were falling and there were cracks everywhere and… the candle almost went out.” She explained. 

When she mentioned the candle, everyone was shocked. Alma became serious and stepped forward, “Show me.”

Everybody left Antonio's room to find… nothing. The cracks were gone from the walls and the candle was burning bright. I looked at Mirabel with wide eyes, not knowing what to say.

“What?” Mirabel turned to the crowd and tried to explain what we saw, but there was no way to convince anyone. The fact that there was nothing at all made us look bad.

Alma cut off Mirabel and addressed the crowd, “There is nothing wrong with La Casa Madrigal. The magic is strong… and so are the drinks! Please – music!” Luisa and Agustín played the piano and the party was back on track.

Manolo, Maria, Paimon, Mirabel and I stayed behind feeling super embarrassed. I couldn't even be mad at them for not believing us because of course they wouldn't.

Julieta took us all to the kitchen to make some arepas to heal Mirabel's hand, “If it was all in my head, how did I cut my hand?” She tried to explain.

“She's telling the truth, señora.” Maria said. 

“I would never ruin Antonio's night. Is that really what you think?”

“What I think is that today was very hard for you-” Julieta said.

“I mean, she's not wrong there.” I mumbled.

“That's – I was looking out for the family.” Mirabel said, “And I might not be super-strong like Luisa, or effortlessly perfect like ‘Señorita Perfecta’ Isabela, who's never even had a bad hair day. But...  Whatever…” 

Julieta looked at the rest of us. We shrugged in response. “I wish you could see yourself the way I do.” She handed Mirabel an arepa, “You are perfect, just like this. You're just as special as anyone else in this family.”

Mirabel looked at her hand after taking a bite of the arepa. The cut was magically healed, “Mm-hm. You just healed my hand with an arepa con queso.”

Julieta playfully messed around with Mirabel as she tried to push her mom away. I smiled to myself. That was an all too familiar situation for me. I saw Manolo and Maria were looking away, trying not to smirk. Of course they knew what it's like.

Mirabel finally pushed Julieta off, “I know what I saw.” She said, seriously.

Julieta sighed, “Mira, my brother Bruno lost his way in this family. I don't want the same for you.”

After Julieta left, the rest of us stayed in the kitchen for a little while before going back to the party.

“Mmmm!” Paimon was eating one of the arepas Julieta made, “This is so yummy!”

“I'll say.” I said, helping myself to one, “Even if your mom's food wasn't magic, this is delicious.”

Despite everything, Mirabel managed to smile, “Where did you guys say you were from again?”

“We're from Mexico.” Manolo said, wrapping his arm around Maria.

“And I'm from America.” I said, “My family's Puerto Rican.”

Mirabel looked at Paimon with a puzzled look, “And you are…?”

“Paimon is from Teyvat.” Paimon said.