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Lucas was sure about one thing, is that it was not easy as it seems. The minute he walked up to the house, his family were given pair of rollerskates and was rushed inside, seeing as they were the last ones there, they were quickly, if not pushed, through the door by Marillas grandmother before he could even utter a hello.
He didn't even get the chance to look at her properly, without his mother pulling him and apologizing for being late. In all honesty they weren't even late in his mind, if anything the grandmother needs to get over herself. But he but his tongue and walked in. As he looked around he couldn't help but look in awe at the family working around and showing their 'gifts'. He wasn't the only one, he looked around and saw everyone having the same reaction.
"Welcome to our Encato, this is where we live, in Casita." As if it had a mind of it's own, a tile on the floor moved them around as if to greet them before setting them down on a bench.
"You should probably put the ice skates otherwise you'll slip and fall. Wait, i haven't introduce myself, I'm Mirabel, older sister of Marilla, and I welcome you to her birthday." Said Mirabel looking at the door with a thoughtful look. We do as she says before we get pulled away to another Madrigal.
"Hola I'm Luisa, and this is my sister Isabela- we welcome you to our little sisters 16 birthday- so skate, eat, talk and enjoy yourself." They both said, Luisa lifting a heavy pot plant and Isabela showering us in beautiful petals of hydrangeas, bell flowers and irises.
We skate over to the food area where we were greeted of an exact replica of myself. Alongside a little boy around the twins age, and a girl staring at a boy walking past.
"Ah you made it, don't we look good." 'I' said winking and flexing my muscles, "I heard you do bull fighting... do you really kill those poor bulls." The little boy said with tears in his eyes, before I could answer my brothers step in, "Well duh? What else is he supposed to do- sing to it- that's weird- really weird." Slapping my forehead the little boy runs of, my brothers following.
"Hey I really didn't mean to-." I got cut off, "It's okay, my name is Camilo and that was my little brother Antonio, the girl over there talking to your parents is my older sister Dolores." He said shifting back into himself before going back to stuffing his face up with Arepas.
I turn around to see my parents talking to what seems to be the mothers of all these Madrigals that I have been seeing. I walk over to them.
"Hijo meet Pepa and Julieta. Julieta is that kind girl Marilla mother and Pepa here is the mother of the twins new friend Antonio." Smiling, I walk over and give the both of them a hug, introducing myself.
"Hola senorita Pepa, senorita Julieta. It's a pleasure meeting you, I hope Antonio is okay, I may have frightened him a little." Awed by the gesture they both greet Lucas.
"Oh Antonio is fine now, and thank you for being so considerate." Senorita Pepa said, while Julieta started talking to my mother.
"Your son is very polite, and Marilla you say. I hope she treated you well." Feeling concerned if she treated us badly, "oh no she was very kind and helpful and as much as my son denies, he is quite smitten by her." My mum said embarrassing me.
Seeing as they're giggling at the thought I quietly as possible, skate away from the mothers and look around for my father. I spot him talking with the a short man, who resembles Antonio alot. I skate over faster, face a blaze. I reach him and catch a bit of their conversation.
"Yes, yes. I know- I hope I can see the fight- I CAN?! I mean I can- oh wow thank you- yeah Marilla is the gem of the family as you can see- she's very helpful at soothing mi Vida Pepa- yes Augústin is out there right now, giving her the family present alongside abuela- and OH who is this?!." It seems I have been spotted, I walk over and introduce myself and my dad brings back the conversation before I interrupted except this time they include me.
(What's happening outside)
"Mi lirio you have to go inside, it's your party and everyone is waiting for you." Papa said trying to encourage his little girl.
"What if I fall and get hurt- what if I hurt others- what if something happens and everything goes wrong- WHAT IF-." I said starting to feel uncomfortable and wanting nothing more than to hide away.
"Marilla! Calm down, you're making the water in the ground shake."
Abuela said rolling her eyes, she steps up to me, pushing papa out of the way. She picks at my hair, fixes my clothes for any dust or any specs of dirt.
"The family came together to get you a gift, we have all costumed designed for you. It was Pepa idea for everyone to get you a gift, all in one to show how much you mean to us." She says opening a box, pulling a a clip.
(In like different shade of blue, a bit of purple, pink and dots of yellow and green)
I was in awe, it looked really beautiful. I teared up at the thought of my family getting this for me, I hugged abuela who in shock, froze but hugged me afterwards. Abuela pulled away smiling at me one more time before walking in to announce me and papa in. I turn to look at the door once it closed, hearing abuelas voice. I turn to papa who looked like he was on the verge of crying as well.
Papa helps me put it on. "You look beautiful mi lirio." Giving me a kiss on the forehead before we walk through the doors.
We walked in and everyone was singing happy birthday as we skated towards the center where the rest of my family was, I couldn't help but gasp. Everything was so pretty, I couldn't help but think, 'All of this... for me?' I knew I shouldn't think like this on my birthday but when you're surrounded by good looking family members, with wonderful gifts and a sister to look up and follow in her footsteps it gets to you, especially when your grandmother pushes you to get married to random boys you just met.
I shook my head reminding me this is about me, nothing else but me. We reached the cake and I closed my eyes to make a wish, 'I wish for my family to be one again.' And with that I blew out my candles. Yelling of congratulations and shouts of joy were around me.
I hugged everyone of my family members, and enjoyed my night. Iaughed, skated, talked and ate with everyone who was special to me. This was the best day of my life. If only I was greeted by someone...
(Time skip)
People started to leave and little by little Casita took all the gifts I received into my room for me, i had gathered up the water that was on the floor and put it back where it came from, 'where did they get so much water from?' Then I remembered, 'Tia Pepa.' I was too busy in my head to notice that Lucas was still here.
"Hey I was wondering if you wanna, go for a walk. You don't have to of course." He quickly stated after asking me.
"Sure, let's go then. I'm done cleaning my part anyway." And with that I looped my arm around his and he lead me away to walk outside around the pond we had.
"Happy birthday by tye way, sorry I didn't get the chance to say it during the party. It's just that people kept asking if I was making my debut here and so I sorta well... hid myself away." Lucas said, apologizing for not being there around me.
"It's fine. I know how it get's to be huddled around and gawked at like some animal in a cage and it's fine, I barely noticed anyway." Which was a lie but he didn't need to know that.
We talked for a little while getting to know more about each other than the day before but this time there was this feeling in my chest each time we touched. I had noticed he pulled something out.
"I got this for you, it was very last minute and I hope you like it." He said surprising me.
"You didn't have too, I mean it you just got here." I said, taking the box gingerly. I opened it to see an otter? An otter!!!
"An otter?!! Are you crazy." I yelled in disbelief but all I got was a laugh as a reply.
I notice he leaned forward a little to look inside while talking to me, the pounding in my chest more prominent. Yes we met just a day ago but I can't seem to help it, I leaned closer. As he was distracted I took the chance to kiss him.
Lucas was stunned. The girl he was destined with, had kissed him and he felt his heart explode. Too busy freaking out he hadn't noticed she pulled away, embarrassed if she over stepped.
As she was muttering an apology, he kissed her back, she paused before finally letting the feeling in her body envelope her, greeting him half way her lips moved in sync with his. Like a a piece of a puzzle, fitting with each other. This continues on for a while before the otter starts waking up, and both Lucas and Marilla get called back with family.
Feeling happy they whispered goodbye, and walked of to their respective houses. Marilla hums a tune all to familiar with her, putting the otter into a river in her room, giving it a couple of oysters to Crack open.
She walks back out to family, they were down at the door of the kitchen walking in when Marilla felt a little dizzy, stumbling on the stairs. She grabs the railing to balance herself. She walks all the way to the end before letting the banister go, when she falls forward, blacking out. Worried her family call out, her father catching her before she hits the ground, her mum rushing to get some medical care, the others freaking out. Except for two people hanging of a bar in the wall, with rats....
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