Chapter 9: Ernesto's Plan

As weeks went by, Gabby was turning into quite the dancer with lessons from her grandma. Everyday after school, and on weekends she and Miguel traveled to the Land of the Dead. There were times when Miguel sat in on Gabby's lessons.

He though she looked really graceful as she danced. And usually Gabby got nervous when people were looking at her, but when Miguel was looking she didn't feel nervous at all. She actually felt special, and happy.

They also grew closer, they talked more about their families, hopes, dreams, and pasts. The growing relationship didn't go unnoticed by their families, both alive and dead. Miguel's family noticed how much time he spent with Gabby, and how he always wanted to help her.

Gabby's family noticed how happy she was to be with Miguel, and how most of her time was spent with her.


When Gabby had finished her lesson on afternoon, Esperanza had news. "Mija, you've become quite the dancer, I'm tan orgulloso." she said. "Gracias, Abuelita." said Gabby. "And I think it's time for a real performance."

"Que?" asked Gabby. "We're going to be having a little show tomorrow night. And it'd be the perfect chance for you to show off your skills before the talent show." Esperanza explained. That's when Gabby got nervous.

"But Abuelita, I don't think I can do that. Everyone will be looking at me, and when there's lots of people staring I get nervous, and when I get nervous I get klutzy." said Gabby. "Calmese, Gabby. I know you can do it, you wanna know how I know?" said Esperanza.

"Como?" asked Gabby. "Because you have the talent to dance, you just have to believe in yourself." said Esperanza, putting her hand on Gabby's shoulder. Gabby looked up at her abuelita, who had an encouraging look on her face.

Gabby thought about it, if she could perform in front of a bunch of dead people, then performing in front of a lot of live people wouldn't be that big a deal. "Lo hare." she said. "Bueno." said Esperanza.

After Miguel and Gabby went back home, De La Cruz had figured out a way to get revenge on Miguel Rivera. He had heard about the show, and had been watching him and Gabby. He could tell her really liked her, and he thought of the perfect way to exact his revenge.

He was just going to need a good disguise, access to the show, and some special liquids.


Back in the Land of the Living, Gabby told Miguel about her performance tomorrow. "That's great, Gabby." said Miguel. "Gracias, you'll be there right?" asked Gabby. "Well...do you want me there?" asked Miguel, rubbing behind his head.

"Sure...I mean you are the reason I'm doing this in the first place." said Gabby, quietly. "Then si, I'm sure the rest of my family will want to come." said Miguel. "Bueno. Then, I'll see you manana." said Gabby, as she went in the direction of her house.

"Adios." said Miguel, and he went home as well. At Miguel's house he was in his room practicing his guitar for the school's talent show. As he strummed his guitar, he heard a knock at his door. "Adelante." he said.

The door opened to reveal his parents, and his mama was holding Socorro. "Mama, Papa." he said. "Hola, Miguel. You've been really busy lately, we've hardly seen you." said Enrique. "Gabby and I have just been getting ready for the talent show together." Miguel explained.

"You've been spending lots of time with Gabby lately." said Luisa. "Is that un problema?" asked Miguel. "No, we were just noticing." said Enrique. "Anything you want to tell us about her?" asked Luisa.

Miguel looked up at his parents, who both had a look of curiosity on their faces. Miguel knew they were trying to find out what was going on with him and Gabby. Embarrassed, he just sighed. "Gabby and I are two good amigos." he said.

"Oh, well that's fine, we were just wondering." said Enrique. "We'll leave you to your practicing now." said Luisa, and they left. "(Sighs), padres." he whispered. Then he realized he forgot to tell his family about the show.

So he used his talisman to summon his Papa Hector, and told him. He accepted the invitation, and would pass the news onto the other. At Gabby's house, she had just walked through the door.

When Carina, who was lying on the floor in the living room, recognized her owner's scent, and hurried to her. "Hola, Carina." said Gabby, bending down, and petting her dog. Carina barked happily. "Hola, Senorita Gabriella." said Maria, who was cleaning the kitchen.

"Hola." said Gabby, going to her room with Carina following her. She spent the rest of her time practicing her steps, then she was called to dinner. She went to the dinner table, and sat down, and Carina went to her dog bowl.

"La cena esta servida." said Sebastian. He set some tamales, re-fried beans, and rice on the table. "So Gabriella, how goes the practice for the talent show?" asked Jorge, as they ate. "Beuno, Papa. I'm getting the hang of dancing." said Gabby.

"Just try not to trip over your own feet." joked Antonio. "Antonio!" Maya said sternly. But Gabby just ignored her older brother. "So Gabriella, how's Miguel?" asked Alberto. "He's fine, Abuelito." Gabby answered.

"He's treating you good I assume?" Gabby nearly chocked on her beans. "We're not dating." she protested. "No le se, Gabby. You've been spending a lot of time with him." Susanne pointed out.

"We've been helping each other get ready for the talent show. Y eso es eso." said Gabby firmly, and continued eating.


The next day Gabby and Miguel couldn't wait for school to be over, so they could go to the Land of the Dead. Time seem to drag on forever, but when Dona Rodriguez dismissed them, Gabby and Miguel were two of the first people out the door.

Then they ducked into an ally. "Ready to go, Gabby?" asked Miguel, taking out his talisman. "Ready." Gabby answered. But before he could make the wish, they heard barking. They saw Dante and Carina running up to them.

"Dante?" asked Miguel. "Carina?" asked Gabby. The two dogs just stood there. "I guess they want to come too." said Gabby. Miguel chucked, and said, "I wish we could go to the Land of the Dead."

The talisman glowed bright green, and in a flash they were gone. And in another, they were in the Land of the Dead. They went to Riveras' house, and knocked on the door. Mama Coco answered it, and smiled at them.

"Miguel, you're here, and Gabby." she said. "Hola, Mama Coco." said Miguel. "Hola, Dona Coco." said Gabby. "Todo el mundo, they're here." she called. The deceased Riveras all came out, and were ready to go to the show.

"So Gabby..." started Tio Felipe. "...are you nervous?" finished Tio Oscar, as they all made their way to the theater. "A little." Gabby admitted. "No te preocupes. I'm sure you'll be great." said Imelda.

When they got there, Gabby went backstage with Carina, while Miguel and his family got their tickets. In the dressing room, Gabby changed into the folk dancing dress her abuelita had picked out.

She looked at herself in the mirror, and she couldn't believe it. The dress was yellow that was rainbow colored at the ends. Then there was a knock at the door. "Adelante." she said. Esperanza walked in.

"Almost ready, mija?" she asked. "Almost." Gabby answered. "You look absolutely bonita. You're just missing something." said Esperanza. "Que?" asked Gabby. Esperanza then placed a headband with an orange flower on it, on Gabby's head.

"There now we can see your face." Gabby looked back at the mirror, and saw that her long black hair was out of her face. "What do you think, Carina?" Gabby asked her dog. Carina barked happily.

"Now that you're ready, let's get you on that stage." said Esperanza. The two and Carina left the room, and headed to the stage.


Meanwhile out in the lobby, a skeleton man who was working as an usher had just sat down some people, and as he was walking back to his post, someone grabbed him, and dragged him outside.

In an ally, the usher had been bound, gagged, and stripe of his uniform. "Gracias, for the uniform amigo." said the man who had done the deed. He went back into the theater, just in time to see the Rivera family coming in.

"Right this way, por favor." said the skeleton. He led the family into the theater, and sat them in the middle. "Gracias." said Miguel. "Enjoy the show." he said, leaving. "It'll be your last." De La Cruz whispered to himself.

That's chapter 9, plz review