Worth The Shot

Felix's Family Tradition (i)

"Don't take it too seriously," Mirabel ominously advised the next morning. "Dolores' first boyfriend was scared away by Tio Felix." She wordlessly shoved running shoes into your hands. "If you want him to like you, you'll need to do it. He adores his family tradition."

You nervously adjusted your hair in the nursery mirror. What was Felix's tradition? Would he throw eggs at you? Make you kiss Camilo in public? "And you aren't allowed to tell me anything else?" 

"Nope," She giggled, enthusiastically pushing open the nursery door. "Come on, you'll miss breakfast."

Downstairs, Julieta had prepared a steaming buffet of rolls and breakfast arepas. She smiled kindly as you and Mirabel filled your plates. Her smile was genuine but tinged with grief. 

Luisa's disappearance hung over the breakfast table like a glum, heavy fog. According to Dolores, she had left the Encanto. But how? Nobody could fully climb the craggy peaks protecting the village. Maybe Luisa's super-strength had enabled her to cross. You wished there was a way to follow her. 

When everyone had gathered around the table, Camilo discreetly whispered something to his father. Felix's eyes grew round and excited, gazing at you like a spotlight. Camilo vehemently shook his head, and he quietly begged, "Please don't make a big deal out of it, Papi."

"Madrigals!" Felix declared, abruptly vaulting to his feet and clapping his hands. Camilo, blushing from embarrassment,  mouthed "sorry" from across the table. 

"(Y/n)," Felix pointed to you theatrically, "Is dating our dear Camilo." Camilo groaned and rubbed his eyebrows with the palms of his hands. 

Julieta effusively beamed at you. Agustin clapped politely. A ray of sunshine danced in your hair, and Pepa hesitantly smiled. But Alma's carefully aloof expression turned sour. 

"No," Alma lifted a hand to silence the family. "He is not dating (y/n). He is 15. Far too young." 

"Abue-LA," Felix jovially protested, emphasizing the final syllable of her name with twinkling eyes. "We could all use some good news. Besides, I met the sunshine of my life at 16." Felix enthusiastically kissed Pepa on the cheek. 

Alma sighed reluctantly, but even she couldn't help but give into Felix's earnest grin. She stoically nodded her consent. 

Felix cheered, then lumbered into casita. At the end of breakfast, he reemerged, his thick arms full of half-folded papers. He gleefully distributed the instructions around the table.

When only Felix remained seated, he cheerfully shoved a crumpled message into your hand. His dark brown eyes glowed as he conspiratorially whispered, "Your first clue, Senorita. You have until nightfall to finish." 

Clue? Oh no. Despite yourself, you felt a shiver of excitement as you delicately unfolded the note. 

Where flowers bloom and melons grow, the belle of the ball, the star of the show. You grinned. It was a scavenger hunt. And you knew where to go. 

As expected, you found Isabella gracefully sat on the front fence of her Flower Farm, ankles neatly crossed, hands primly folded. Though you'd been to the farm many times, your gaze wandered around the entrance terrace. Vines crisscrossed overhead, draping flowers and twinkle lights above the cobblestone. Neat rows of cream roses and sunny forsythias lined the walkway. 

"Hey," Isabella boredly flicked a flower petal at your face. "Pay attention. You need to answer a question before you get the next clue. If you were an animal, which one would you be?"

"Oh... Maybe an eagle?" You giggled, confused. "Why? Is that part of Felix's tradition?"

"Yes. This is why I'm glad that I'm not his daughter," Isabella snorted, twisting her wrist to blossom a pink flower in her palm. "His family has passed down this weird list of compatibility questions for generations. They're kind of crazy. I guarantee my Tio will psychoanalyze your responses tonight to see if you're right for Camilo." A vine elegantly twirled toward your hands, the next clue attached. 

Don't upset her, or you'll get wet. Wooden boards and a dead, finned pet. You laughed at Felix rhyming poke at the fish lady. You'd find Pepa at Valeria's wood stand. 

You hadn't even needed the clue. A dark, morose cloud wafted above the wood stand like a rainy beacon for the weather-summoning Madrigal. Pepa scowled, crossing her arms tightly as she glared at Valeria. 

"...my fish. Did he mean nothing to him?" Luckily, you only caught the end of Valeria's destitute wail. No wonder Pepa was thundering from the verbal abuse of her brother. 

Suspicion crept into Pepa's squinted eyes as she noticed you awkwardly hovering. "Camilo never told me about you. If you're dating my son, we need to have a serious conversation."