Worth The Shot

Meet Me in the Market?

Is it a date? It feels like a date. 

You tried to shake away the butterflies of nervous excitement, adjusting your hair in the front mirror of your house. You didn't want to be disappointed. He'll say hi, I'll say hi, we'll make small talk, I'll go home, you determinedly thought. That's all this is. 

When your father had asked, you quickly had volunteered to collect a shipment of wood from the market. And maybe the elusive sandpaper you'd forgotten last time, thanks to a specific curly-haired shapeshifter. 

You swung open the door. The air felt damp against your cheek, and dark grey rainclouds held their breath, threatening to spill over. Camilo's mother. Why is she nervous?

You hoped the Madrigals were okay. Breathing in the humid, sweet smell of the air, you walked down to the market. 

"Pepa's angry today," The sandpaper shopkeeper grumbled, crossing her thick arms against the morning chill. 

"Mmhmm." You hesitantly agreed. Last time this same shopkeeper had been Camilo in disguise. He would not fool you twice. You dumped a handful of coins onto her counter and deposited the sandpaper into your basket. 

"Camilo?" You suspiciously burst. 

"No. Pepa," The shopkeeper grumpily muttered, eyeing you confusedly. "Camilo's the shapeshifting boy."

"Of course," You apologetically laughed, feeling ridiculous. "Have a great day." 

"Too late." 

You reluctantly started toward the wood vendor's stall. Valeria. She was weird. Apparently, Bruno Madrigal had predicted the death of her beloved goldfish. She had never forgiven him. 

"Hey, Valeria." You politely greeted. 

"I don't trust that Madrigal family." She immediately whispered, her eyes darting shiftily around the marketplace. "The prophecy man told me my fish would die, the next day," She slammed her fist on the counter with a glint of insanity. "DEAD." 

"I'm sorry about your goldfish, Valeria." You routinely consoled. "Uh, about the wood...?"

"Ready for pickup," She nodded, proudly slapping a block of wood to her left. Your eyes wandered behind her as she dramatically retold the tragic calamity of her goldfish's death. 

You suddenly sucked in a breath. 

There he is. 

Camilo.

He was surrounded by a giggling herd of kids, bent over with his long hands resting on his knees. Camilo lopsidedly grinned as he wildly gestured his arms, telling a story. He abruptly shifted into Bruno and jokingly lunged at the kids, chasing them in a circle. They delightedly shrieked. He caught your gaze and his face exploded into a bright smile. 

Aw. You melted a little, giving a small wave back. "Hey, Valeria, can I pick this up later?" You excused yourself. 

"Watch out for Madrigals!" She fervently warned. You did the exact opposite and wove between the stands, straight toward Camilo. 

"Hey, (Y/n), Hi," He beamed, trailed by his young paparazzi as he walked over to meet you. You smiled. He seemed different. Breathing hard, radiating charisma, swept up in the adrenaline of putting on a show. He seemed genuinely happy. You liked it. 

"Hey," You smiled, giving him a loose side hug. "Can I watch?" Camilo morphed back into Bruno, grinning, and flung his arms out in a theatrical shrug. 

"Is that your girlfriend?" A little girl with braided hair eagerly howled. He flowed back to his normal form. 

"Hmm," Camilo teasingly pretended to think, tilting his dark eyes up to the sky. 

"Tell us!" A short boy demanded.

 He locked eyes with you. "I don't know, is she my girlfriend?" He said it hopefully, like an invitation. 

The kids leaned toward you and anxiously held their breath. 

"Yeah, I am," You bravely declared, laughing as the hyper kids cheered and clapped. 

"Yeah?" Camilo half-smiled at you, surprised and excited. "She's my girl." He announced proudly to the kids, locking his hand into your hand. 

When the kids begged, Camilo continued his story about Bruno, eyes wide and movements enthusiastic. The life of the party. Everyone loved him. 

But his warm fingers stayed closed tightly between yours. Because he wanted you.