One could say Señor Tomas was a prideful old man. He would call it passionate. His family was known for being the best guitar makers around. His music shop was his pride and joy. Not just anyone could handle a guitar or any of his instruments, for that matter. So, it came as no surprise he was quite picky on who he hired to handle these pieces of art. His most prized creation was a magnificent white guitar, encrusted with pearl details and a black skull. It had sat in his store window for years waiting for just the right owner.

And Héctor couldn't stop staring. His dream guitar was mere inches from his grasp.

Señor Tomas had heard about the young musicians who had left Santa Cecilia to pursue a music career. He admired their passion because it was very comparable to his own. It came as no shock he was the first person they went to for a job. He couldn't pay them much, but he was getting older and his arthritis was almost unbearable at this point. He couldn't lift or do the normal duties that came with owning a music store anymore. They were two musicians who cared about the instruments that carried their dreams. Why not take a chance and see what they could do.

Héctor felt a lump forming in his throat. All he wanted to do since his first day at the shop was play this guitar. Ernesto was in the back unloading boxes, and Señor Tomas had gone out for the day. It was just him.

He reached out his hand to touch the tightly wound strings. One strum was all he wanted.

"Don't even think about it, muchacho!"

The stern voice startled Héctor making him bump into the display stand nearly knocking it to the floor. He would have gladly taken the impact of the fall had it to been to make sure the precious guitar never touched the ground.

"Señor Tomas..ehhh back so soon?" Héctor fumbled with the guitar trying to fit it back on the stand.

"I forgot I had a huge order being delivered today. I wanted to make sure it was here. And why are you out on the main floor, you should be in the back!" His eyes bouncing back and forth from the guitar to Héctor.

Ernesto had heard the ruckus and came out to see what was going on. He had sent Héctor to get some more oil and rags, of course, he should have known he couldn't be trusted to go alone. Not as long as a certain instrument was accessible.

Ernesto intervened before the elderly man could do more to discouraged his friend.

"Lo siento, Señor Tomas. I sent Héctor to do a favor. The boxes you ordered are here. I am opening them now," Ernesto said leaning across the counter.

Señor Tomas was visibly annoyed, but didn't have time to argue.

"Fine-tune each piece, and carefully, and I mean carefully bring them out on the floor. Do that and call it a day. I am heading home. Can I trust that everything will be ready for me when I get back in the morning?"

Héctor gave a thumbs up, and hopped up on the counter. "You have nothing to worry about." Giving an exaggerated smile in the process hoping to satisfy his boss.

"And NO touching the guitar. Unless you are buying it, Héctor!" Then the door slammed shut slightly jarring the bell that sat just above the door.

Some day he would buy it. It deserved to be in a real musician's hands, not wasting away in a window.

Ernesto was already at work cleaning each piece that was delivered. Héctor walked past him collapsing in a chair grabbing a guitar to tune.

"So, what was Señor Tomas fussing about? Catch you looking at the guitar again?"

"More like about to play it…" Héctor tried to give off an innocent grin, but Ernesto knew better. Héctor had had his heart set on that guitar since before they left.

"Idiota! We need this job! What were you thinking? This job wasn't easy to get, you know. Señor Tomas is so picky over who works here. Don't ruin it."

"Ernesto…Its not just any guitar. Its my guitar! It's still out there for a reason."

"It's way over priced, it will be there forever. No one in Santa Cecilia will ever be able to afford it. It will just stay there collecting dust."

"I am saving to buy it."

"You know how long it will take you to save for that thing? Besides, we have other things to save for. And you have a perfectly good guitar right now."

"Ay, I know, Ernesto. Hey! Maybe we should start winning more competitions and I could afford a nice guitar like that!" Héctor playfully threw a crumbled up ball of receipt paper Ernesto's way.

Ernesto caught the ball and tossed it back to Héctor, "Get to writing more songs and we can sign up!"

They finished cleaning up and started bringing everything out to the main floor. Ernesto kept seeing an eager Héctor inching his way closer to the window with each trip.

Héctor couldn't resist. This guitar was calling out to him. He started to play a few notes when Ernesto brought him back to reality.

"Come on, amigo, don't tease yourself."

"What do you mean, I am just tuning it. Isn't that what we are payed for?"

Héctor had a point. He technically wasn't doing anything wrong. Ernesto just prayed his friend's clumsiness could be contained while the guitar was in his possession. If anything happened while Señor Tomas was out, they would have to leave Santa Cecilia forever.

It took no time for Héctor to have the guitar singing beautiful melodies. He was a natural.

"See Ernesto, I did my job."

"Great, now hurry and put it back before anyone sees you!" Héctor couldn't help but laugh at his amigo's nervousness. He should know he would never let anything happen to it.

"A real guitar for a real musician! You would certainly turn a few heads with that one!"

An older man, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, waltzed around the corner making his way over to the counter where they stood.

They were both too busy to notice someone had walked in. No wonder Señor Tomas wanted them working in the back. They were awful salesmen.

"Come again?"

The man pointed to the instrument. "If you played that guitar at that dance club outside town, you would be the most popular musicians there! Señoritas be falling all over you."

Ernesto and Héctor looked completely lost. They had been back home for three weeks, and had no idea what this man was talking about. But, the thought of ladies falling at their feet sounded like a great idea.

"We are musicians, but tell us more about this place? Is it well known, or just a local hot spot?"

Ernesto was intrigued, but he had gotten use to playing on real stages. He wasn't going to waste his time playing just anywhere. In his mind, they were already wasting time working in the music shop when they should be planning their next venture.

The man laughed scratching at his mustache. "It's been around a while. And is gaining a reputation for giving a boost young musicians need to get their name out there. People come from different towns to play, try out their music. See what the young folks like these days. And you never know who will be there. But, yes, most of the teens in Santa Cecilia go there to dance every Saturday. You claim to be musicians, you should check into it."

Ernesto's smile was growing more and more with each word the customer said. This was just the break he was looking for, and it fell right into his lap. And the thought of having his choice of ladies was a great perk. And his bed could use the warmth of a woman every now and then.

"So, what do you say, Héctor? Let's go see what all the fuss is about. See if they are worthy to hear us play!"

Imelda was wearing her absolute favorite outfit to dance in. It was also her most scandalous. An off the shoulder button up top that showed just enough cleavage to tease her onlookers, and her favorite bright orange ruffled skirt. She fixed her hair in a loose braid over her bare shoulder. Before walking out her bedroom door, she adjusted her top down just a smidge more. "There, that ought to do it." If the boys were going to talk, she would make sure to give them something to talk about.

She skipped down the stairs, already imagining which bands were going to be playing tonight. As she neared the bottom step, Oscar and Felipe met her standing arms crossed, stern faces, like two soldiers holding guard.

Each weekend they posed as the head of the house. Giving her rules and a curfew to follow. To question her, make her think they were really in charge. It wouldn't hurt to give them a little satisfaction. They had just better not get use to it.

"Okay, ask away."

"Where are you going?"

"Dancing."

"When will you be home?"

"Late."

"Who will be there?"

"Everyone."

"Imelda! You aren't answering right! You promised!"

Imelda couldn't hold a straight face, any longer. "You know where, when and who! Don't be so serious!" She bumped Felipe with her hip, shifting pass them to the door. "I promise I won't be late. We cannot afford to miss morning mass again."

They looked her up and down.

"You're wearing that?" Oscar said unamused with her outfit of choice. She was just asking for trouble.

"Oh stop! Don't even start!"

She did admire their determination and their boldness. She gave them both a quick hug and pointed to her boots for reassurance as she walked out the door. "Don't wait up for me!"

The sun was just starting to set, and Imelda could feel her energy ready to explode. It was going to be another glorious night.

The music could be heard from a mile away. The old rustic building was lit up with dozens of colorful lights. A large stage stretched along the back wall filled with instruments both real and homemade, and a large dance floor filled to the brim with young dancers all dressed to impress using all their best moves. It was as if the dance floor was holding its own competition. People would single themselves out, making sure the room was watching only them as they gave it their all. It reminded Héctor and Ernesto of all the best parts of Mexico City, the lights, the music, the fun. The adrenaline. This place began to refuel their excitement and they were very accepting of the invitation.

"Are you here to play?" A young man, about their age, tapped Héctor on the shoulder. He was holding some loose paper in his hands that had the list of musicians that had signed up to play that night. Since Hector had his guitar with him, just in case, he assumed that's why this guy was asking.

"Not tonight, amigo. This is our first time here, just wanted to check it out. But we would like to play here one day. I'm Héctor. " He sat his guitar down at a table and he and Ernesto joined the rest of the band members.

"I'm Jorge, I am in charge of all sign ups. But I would hurry if I were you. Slots are filling up fast since the annual Dia de los Muertos music competition is coming up. Everyone is using this place to practice to get ready."

"Put us down now! Ernesto de la Cruz and Héctor Rivera," Ernesto tapped at the sheet the young man was holding. "And, tell me more about this music competition, amigo."

Héctor knew Ernesto would take care of everything. He wouldn't let a good opportunity pass if he could help it. A competition was just what they both needed. It had been a while and Héctor knew the pressure of an upcoming competition would get is mind focused on songwriting again. And it made perfect sense to use this place to throw out ideas for songs. If they didn't get a good response, they had plenty of time to change it.

Héctor knew he had been distracted lately and, thankfully, Ernesto wasn't giving him too hard of a time. He still couldn't get that girl out of his mind. Not that he was interested in a serious relationship, or any relationship for that matter, he just couldn't stop trying to figure out who she was. He knew her from somewhere. Or, at least, thought he did. He and Ernesto had asked around and no one knew. Granted he had a very vague description, but he had not a single lead. Ernesto had encouraged him to give it time and assured him once he stopped looking, is when she would probably show up. He knew Ernesto secretly liked that he had given up the search and shifted his focus back on music. He was itching to get back into the music scene too.

They crowd never seemed to stop moving. It was like constant waves of color swirling all around the room. All the band members were to the side making small talk, bouncing ideas off the other, and some prepping to take the stage. Ernesto was taking inventory of his competition.

"So, what do you think? Think we could take these musicians on in a competition."

"Already thinking about that? It is still a month away!"

"I am always thinking about the music, Héctor."

He just laughed and started to make a smart comment back when he noticed the crowd take a step back. Héctor put down his drink and tried to get a better look. Through the masses of color, he saw a young woman. She was like a flame in the night. Her bright orange skirt pinched between her fingers, twirling the shimmering fabric up as her feet explored the arena as she slid across with poise.

Her arms left her body as the music grew louder. Her eyes rich with intensity and her lips kissed the threshold of liberty as she danced her cares away.

Her fingers clicked to the right and clicked to the left. Her elbows gracefully tore through the air, in perfect rhyme with her feet. She stopped at the end of the dance floor near the band and gazed at them all, the mass of onlookers.

Then Héctor's eyes met hers. Out of breath, she smiled a quick smile at him and disappeared back into the crowd.

Ernesto gave a laugh. He had been waving his hand in front of Hector's face, and he never noticed. He had been completely lost in the graceful movements of the dancer.

"It's her!" Héctor could barely get the words out. One band member crossed his arms and chuckled.

"Imelda? She hasn't missed a weekend since this place opened." Others joined in his laughter.

Héctor stood trying to find her again, but the crowd was getting more rowdy by the minute.

"Is she a friend of yours?" He inquired. Ernesto was finally paying attention to what was happening and started to listen in.

"I just know of her."

"Tell me you're not talking about Imelda?" Another voice called out. And without an invitation, a guy walked over to sit with them.

"Listen here, muchacho, that girl is too stubborn for her own good. Don't waste your time. She has a bad reputation round these parts."

Héctor looked at Ernesto, who now was equally intrigued. "What do you mean bad reputation?"

"He means he is still bitter about Imelda turning him down three months ago, making it publicly known she wanted nothing to do with him."

This sent everyone within earshot into a gut bursting laugh. Most had the pleasure to witness his let down.

"Wouldn't you be! I am a catch!" He wiped away the tequila dripping off his chin. "I was doing her a favor, making sure she didn't end up alone. At this rate, she will die an old maid.

Things got quiet.

"Isn't that something. The most desired woman in Santa Cecilia ending up alone."

The man grumbled and walked off with his bottle tucked under his arm. Everyone around tried to ease the tension he brought.

"Pay him no attention. He is just an old drunk who likes to hit on young girls. He just picked the wrong one when he tried to go after Imelda."

Héctor couldn't believe what he was hearing. An unattainable woman. What was her story.

"Just to be clear, I am not interested in courting her," Hector reassured the group raising his hands. "I just want to get to know her, is all."

"Well, he was right about one thing, she is a tough one to get to. If you want to meet her, I hear she goes to the plaza every Sunday. You could start there."

Ernesto had lost interest in the conversation until he saw Héctor's eyes light up again. He had just gotten him refocused on songwriting, and now a competition. Here he goes again with trying to find a girl. Maybe it was his bed that needed satisfying.

Deep down he hoped she lived up to her reputation of being harsh so Héctor could move on.

Héctor didn't have to say anything. Ernesto knew where this was going. He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose, "We will ask around tomorrow, my friend. Now, sit back and let's just enjoy the show."

It was another normal Sunday afternoon. Imelda had assigned Oscar and Felipe their tasks and they were racing to finish first. They thoroughly enjoyed when they were able to out do their sister and see her do their share of the chores for the week. It gave them more time to work on their inventions. It was also rare when she lost, so they had to enjoy it while they could.

They could see Imelda across the plaza being stopped by different people to chat. This was the perfect opportunity to indulge in a treat they had snuck on to the list.

As they divulged in the sweets, they couldn't help but overhear Imelda's name. They turned to see a group of musicians pointing in the direction she was standing.

"She may be over that way, you're sure to see here somewhere. Good luck, Héctor! Don't forget you are the frontrunner next weekend!"

Héctor and Ernesto shook the band leader's hand and headed off to search though the crowd.

Oscar and Felipe had ducked down by a wall making sure not to be noticed.

"Look, Oscar, another musician interested in Imelda." They gave each other a mischievous smile.

"Si, what kind of men would we be if we didn't help him out."

"Should you start? Or should I?"

"Please, let me do the honors, hermano."

"Be my guest."

Felipe ran and hid behind a barrel waiting for the signal from Oscar. It was a game they had played since they were little. It was always so fun to trick folks into thinking one was the other and vice versa. Especially strangers. They were as identical as identical could be. Even family couldn't tell them apart some days. This was their best trick of all. The old switch-a-roo.

"Hola!"

Héctor turned to face the innocent child staring his way. "Sorry to bother you, señor, but I overheard you asking about Imelda? She is my sister."

"Your sister!?" Héctor grabbed at Ernesto's arm. "Aaha! I saw her last night and I wanted to introduce myself! Can you take me to her? Is she here?

"Why do you want to meet her?" The bold little boy wasn't going to help just any musician out. His intentions had to be in the right place.

"He has been on the road a while, niño, and she has caught his attention!" Ernesto interrupted, slapping Héctor on the back. Oscar raised his eyebrows clearly not amused at Ernesto's jab. He wasn't exactly sure what he meant, but he had a pretty good guess.

Héctor laughed nervously, annoyed Ernesto was ruining his chance at finally meeting this girl. Evidently, Ernesto didn't know what he just insinuated of the young boys' sister.

"Oh I see. Well, I will tell you now, amiiiiigo…she will not be interested." Oscar turned to walk away. Héctor quickly grabbed a handful of Oscar's shirt.

"Wait wait wait, no, I mean yes! Ehhh..yes, I have been on the road, but, no, I do not want to do anything with your sister. I simply want to meet her." He let go of Oscar, and punched Ernesto whose face was red from laughter.

Beads of sweat starting to form on his brow. He usually was more poised than this, but for some reason, he kept fumbling his words.

Something told Oscar that Héctor was being honest. But he couldn't let him get away that easy.

"I guess I believe you. And you seem nice enough…" Héctor gave a relieved, yet still nervous grin. "Follow me, she is across the plaza. Hope you can keep up!"

"Keep up?"

Suddenly, the boy disappeared into the crowd, Héctor following close behind.

He thought given the boys height, he would be easy to catch. He couldn't be more wrong, the boy was so swift, weaving in and out of the crowd, Héctor easily lost sight of him.

Stopping to scan over the mass, Héctor scratched at his head. Where could he have gone. The plaza isn't that big.

"Hey! Over here!"

A boy called for him in the opposite direction. Wait, how did he get over there?

He had no time to think before the boy was off again.

Héctor pushed his way through in the opposite direction. "What is going on? He was right ther-"

"Where are you going! What's the matter? Can't keep up!?" Then the boy ducked into the crowd heading toward the fountain.

I must be going loco…it is like there is two of them. Héctor could have sworn the child was just in front of him. Getting aggravated Héctor bolted as fast as he could determined not to lose track of this kid again.

He started to run faster, making his way toward the fountain. He was almost there, and suddenly-

"Héctor!"

Two voices called out his name. He turned and saw the identical twins waving at him, grins as big as the sky.

"Wait!? Two?!"

Oscar and Felipe laughed wholeheartedly at the unfortunate young man's confusion. This had to be their best work yet!

Having been completely thrown for a loop, Héctor lost his footing and tripped over a lift in the cobblestone. The next thing he knew he was soaked, and whatever tried to stop the fall was soaking wet, as well.

Oscar and Felipes' grins quickly changed into pure horror. Héctor had ran right into Imelda taking her into the fountain with him. The twins didn't know whether to run away, or stay to watch the glorious show that was about to unfold in front of them.

Héctor quickly realized he was on top of someone, not something. As he began to try to help the poor soul he had just gotten drenched in front of the whole plaza, he took notice of the growing crowd who were coming to see what all the commotion was about.

Completely soaked from head to toe, the young woman stood throwing her wet her hair out of her face.

Héctor couldn't save himself even if he wanted to.

"Oh no, no no no I'm sorry, It was an accide-"

WHACK

Héctor felt a sharp stabbing pain go across his cheek rattling his skull. And everything went black.