Coco fanfic-To Be Forgotten

Panic

Hi, it's been a while. I hope you like this next chapter, it's one of my longer ones:) Please vote and comment, I love reading your comments soooo much!!! They're very motivating;)

Miguel's POV

'Where do I even begin?'

I gulped, and speed-walked over to the only open chair in the corner of the room. It was one of the older ones we had, and while it may have been rather beautiful at one time, was rather faded and worn out at this point. Even the springs in it kind of dug into you if you didn't sit on it just right.

I licked my lips as I picked at the small tear in the fabric of the seat. "I'm—I'm not quite sure where to start..." I trailed off, shooting a glance at my family, before quickly averting my eyes. I stared at my hands folded neatly together in my lap, focusing on the little scars I'd gotten over the years through playing outside and making shoes.

"Maybe the beginning?" Rosa suggested sarcastically. I heard a thump, followed by a muttered ouch and an apology.

I chuckled humorlessly, finding a strange comfort in the way Rosa at least was still mostly acting the same as she always did. "That's easier said than done." I said, my fingers clenching again. "Though...I guess it all started a long time ago, when I was around eight years old." I took a deep breath, trying to relax as I searched for the right words.

"I was at school, and I was doing my schoolwork quietly, when I heard someone outside the door singing a catchy song about goodbyes and sad guitars. I hadn't heard much music up to that point, as I was banned from music class and wasn't allowed in the plaza." I paused, adding, "I'd heard a few songs, sure, but nothing that sounded that amazing, or made me want to risk breaking the 'no-music' rule."

I shrugged, finding it hard to remember what my life was like before I'd found my calling. It was like everything pre-music was dimmer, and I just didn't know any better, isolated as I was. But once I'd really found music, once I'd played my first chord on a borrowed guitar... I was hooked.

"I'd heard a few songs, sure, but nothing that really interested me, or made me ever question disobeying the music law. Yet, when I heard that song..." I shook my head, smiling softly. "It spoke to me. I didn't know why, and I'm still not quite sure now, though I wonder if maybe..." I trailed off, realizing that maybe that wasn't the first time I'd heard the legendary song. 'Perhaps...Mamá Coco sang it to me when I was very little. It would explain why the song seemed kind of familiar, even though I didn't remember hearing it before.'

"It doesn't matter now," I blinked hard, trying to clear my thoughts. "In the few seconds I'd heard the tune, I'd fallen in love with it, and wanted to hear it again and again. I searched every day for the song, trying to figure out who had written it, and how I could listen to it whenever I wanted." I bit back a laugh, remembering all the favors I'd given out just to hear someone play it or to borrow a recording of the song.

"I found the song eventually, but in the process I'd found dozens of other wonderful songs; songs that made me really happy, and songs that were painful and sad. Ones that made me want to dance, and ones meant to be calming lullabies.

"And I realized I couldn't bring myself to give up my new love!" I looked up at Abuela cautiously, trying to gauge how angry she was. I was surprised when I found her gazing at the wall, her eyes dazed and unfocused. She didn't seem mad, more...disappointed, or resigned. A moment passed in silence, before she pursed her lips, facing me.

She must have seen the apprehension on my face, because she quickly gave me a small smile. "I'm not mad at you, Miguel; well, not for that anymore, at least. You were young, and I can't blame you for being curious. I never even told you the reason for the music ban until you were ten, so to you, it must have seemed like a pointless rule."