Outside the Encanto

Battles Lost

Your family began the march to the Madrigal home, an uncomfortable array of sadistic expressions, which you admit is a bit over dramatic. You didn't really even want to come, but maybe you could sneak away and investigate the problems with the casita. You'd even get Mirabels help if you had to.

"So who's going to knock?" Andrés says, and nobody volunteers.

"I will." You say, nervous but truly excited. You're not entirely sure how smoothly- no.. how rough this dinner will be, but you can tell when things are wrong.

And boy, things were wrong.

You knock twice, then step back. You wonder who will open the door. Maybe Señor Felix, since he invited us. Or possibly Señora Alma, the head of the family. But you did not expect.. him.. to open the door.

Camilo Madrigal.

He looked just as surprised to see you as you were to see him. You'll be honest, you'd forgotten all about him. Now his presence really hit you, as if you'd landed flat on your chest.

"Uhm.. Your parents invited us for dinner." You manage to say. You study his face carefully. He has the same nose as Antonio.. and freckles. In his eyes was the slightest bit of green among a sea of chocolate brown.

"Welcome." He opens the doors widely and holds it as your family troop inside.

"Y/n!" Antonio cries out, and you open your arms as he charges into a full force hug. You pat his head and let go.

"Hey buddy." You look up to see most of the family there in shock. Only Señor Felix, Señoras Pepa and Julieta, and Dolores don't look surprised to see you. Mirabel looks excited at least. Señora Alma has a surprised and disgusted look on her face. There's one other girl too.. one you remember vaguely from school.

Lilith. The bratty, rich girl who's skirt you'd set on fire. Still accidentally! She crosses over to Camilo in few, simple strides. She's graceful and may even be beautiful, but the way her mouth and nose sticks out of her face makes her look like a horse. Fitting for a girl like her.

"I didn't realize there would be other.. guests." She places an arm around Camilo and her other hand on his chest. Lilith looked proud, Camilo looked uncomfortable.

"Welcome to La Casa Madrigal. Such a pleasure." Señora Alma says, snapping out of her trance.

"We are honored to be here, you have such a beautiful family, Alma." Abuela says. You look at her in surprise. Did she just.. call her Alma? Nobody has ever been on a first name basis with Señora Alma.

Casita shuffles the piano near the center of the room. Augustine quickly hops over and begins playing some classic tunes. You quietly thank casita for this, you don't know what else to do. Dancing begins. One by one guests shuffle out onto the dance floor, Señora Pepa and Señor Felix together, Tia Sophia and Tio Pablo, and eventually the Madrigal kids. The twins go perform an identical dance, a grim one. Your eldest brothers and Eduardo are tossed by the piano, and given instruments from Casita. Joshua sings in his deep, baritone voice, while the other two play gracefully with their strings. Marco, on the other hand, offers his hand to Luisa, who is standing still on the dance floor. She looks surprised, but then accepts his hand. Each Abuela dances with their youngest grandchild, which is a sweet gesture. Eventually only you, Camilo, and Lilith are left standing. He catches your eye, but is quickly taken over by Lilith.

"Let's dance, mi amor." She says to him, smiling- no.. smirking.

"Oh I don't-" he is cut off as she drags him onto the dance floor. His eyes looked so.. defeated. Insanely defeated. Not like the Camilo you see roaming the Encanto.

Mirabel quickly takes your hand, and you dance.

"Tonight, nursery window." She whispers. The message could not be clearer. Maybe this will be easier than you thought. Papa volunteers to take over the piano, so Señor Augustine could dance with Señora Julieta. The music changes to a passing dance, approximately two minutes with each person.

"Get a rope. It'll be louder any other way." You say, before you're cast off and land in Isabella's arms.

"Hello." Isabella says, kinder than usual.

"Hello." You say. You don't trust her.

We dance in silence until you are passed off again, this time to Andrés. He always has a woodsy smell to him, mixed with a bit of smoke. You find comfort in your older brother. You know Joshua is his favorite, but you look up to him.  Just as you hope Maria looks up to you.

It's finally time, and you're passed down to Camilo. You don't have much time.

"Sorry about yesterday. I don't usually punch people." You say, desperately trying to make conversation.

"My fault. I can be quite scary sometimes." His lips twitch, as if he was going to smile. You know you're on the right track.

"In fact I don't find you scary at all." You tease. He spins you, then dips you down low.

"What do you think of me then?" He cocks his head as a smirk creeps onto his face.

"Mm.. hard to tell with a shapeshifter. So many different people." You admit. It must've been the wrong thing to say. His smile fades away. You have to save it.

"The person I prefer though.. his name is Camilo. Camilo Madrigal. I'd like to get to know him." You choose every word carefully. Very carefully.

You don't get a chance to see his face before you're passed again, back into Mirabels arms. You don't speak much, but you know three things for sure.

      1. You had a crush on Camilo Madrigal. You aren't sure why, or even if it's logical, but you do.
      2. Camilo had a girlfriend, one who is your rival. He doesn't seem too happy to be with her though..
      3. You were going to do everything you could to make Camilo yours.