One week ago

Carla bit her lip as she waited outside her own house. She could quite literally feel her mama's stare from the front window, but she wouldn't turn around. All that would do is embarrass her again and she would panic and back out. She couldn't let that happen, not again.

So she stood there, and kept her eyes wandering around at the people who passed by. She offered friendly smiles to most of them, and some of them returned a smile, some ignored her, and a few outright sneered at her. It wasn't something new, people in this town didn't always approve of her 'choices' but her mama loved her, and Isa always encouraged her so she didn't care… much.

She looked down at herself and sighed. She had put her hair up into a bun, which wasn't perfect but it was still put up! And she was wearing a new baby blue wrap dress that had small white flowers on it along with some white flats too. She looked nice in her own opinion but she knew what those who sneered at her were thinking.

'No matter how much you dress up you'll always be la chica embarrada.'

She didn't need those thoughts today, what she needed was encouragement and as much luck as she could get to steady her own heart.

With that in mind she nodded and went back to smiling and waiting.

Though only after a few seconds she felt a tap on her shoulder. She tilted her head to see a small bouquet of blue delphiniums right next to her being held up by some vines.

"Isa?" She called softly with a smile before turning to her other side and seeing the older girl staring at her a few feet away with a playful smirk. Carla rolled her eyes before carefully taking the bouquet away from the vines and gently pulling them towards her chest.

"Do you like them?" Isabela asked once she was standing next to her best friend. Carla nodded and held them a bit closer, hoping the other girl wouldn't bring up her blush.

"They're beautiful."

"I would hope so, I wanted them to match you." Isabela said it softly and Carla felt herself shiver before she finally raised her eyes to see the soft look that was aimed at her. Sadly, all it did was make her blush more.

"Isa!" She laughed and playfully shoved the other girl which hopefully played off the way she practically melted inside. "Whatever, let's just go in the house." The two walked inside and as soon as Carla closed the door Isabela gave a small cough to get her attention.

"Something wrong?" She asked while turning around, but the flower girl simply shook her head while stepping closer. Carla just watched as Isabela reached towards her face and tucked a few stray curls behind her ear that were simply hanging out of the bun.

"My Carla, it's always your hair." She chuckled and the 18 year old quickly found herself embarrassed.

"Shut up you!" She pouted for a second before she started laughing.

They probably would've moved on if there wasn't a sudden flash next to them, and they both turned to see Carla's mother behind the camera. She peaked up with a smile and Carla groaned while Isa's eyes went wide.

"Mama, you and your random pictures." She couldn't help but mumble, and her mom rolled her eyes before walking over to pat her cheeks.

"You're gonna love this one mija." She gave a small chuckle before turning back to the camera.

"I'm gonna develop this and then head to the shop, you girls have fun."

Carla nodded though her mama already was too distracted to notice before she turned back to Isa who seemed distracted as well.

"You okay Isa?" She asked softly, and that seemed to snap the other girl out of it as she quickly nodded before she took her hand and started to walk to her room.

"Don't worry about me."

"If you say so."

Once they were both in Carla's room the flower girl calmed down a bit before going over to lay on her best friends bed. Carla paid her no mind as she just went over to her small cupboard and pulled out an empty vase. Her cupboard was filled with everything related to Isabela. Whether it was empty vases in case she suddenly gave her some flowers, old presents that she received, or even outfits that stayed here for her if she spent the night. Isabela had a similar space in her room, though she used a small chest.

The cupboard actually wasn't that big though, it was only about the size of her upper body and was only as deep as her arm. Her papa made it at her request when she was around 10 and she wanted more room for her many flowers. Most of its space now was filled up with vases of different shapes and sizes.

She set the vase on her dresser before placing her new bouquet in it, making plans to add some water later as she then went over to join her best friend on the bed.

"So blue delphiniums?"

"You know what they mean," She did know, her and Isabela went over the meaning of lots of flowers when they were younger. Blue delphiniums typically were used to show cheerfulness. It made her feel nice knowing that Isabela was happy just seeing her.

"Besides, they match your dress, which is beautiful by the way. I saw you and I knew you deserved something just as pretty." Isa made another small one and then placed it softly in Carla's hair.

Carla's face turned red as she tried to turn away without being obvious.

"Thank you." She mumbled. She knew Isa would notice, in all honesty, she wanted her to. She wanted the eldest Madrigal grandchild to look at her and think she was pretty, to look at her and only her, to look at her and want her… the same way she always did.

"You're beautiful too, but you already know that." Carla chuckled and laid back so that her head rested on Isabela's shoulder.

"Yeah, but I really like hearing you say it."

At that, Carla tilted her head so she could look at the other girl who was also looking at her. Though her skin was darker and it was harder to tell she could almost see a very light blush, but her voice also gave away her embarrassment.

"You, mi encantadora Isabela, are the most beautiful girl in the entire Encanto." She spoke softly and neither girl looked away. Isa seemed to be stuck and Carla couldn't help but laugh at her face.

"You're also extremely cute, you don't need to look so surprised."

Isabela suddenly placed her hand on Carla's cheek which got her to be quiet.

"I was just surprised because I always thought the most beautiful girl in the Encanto was you." Carla felt her heart almost give out. Isabela could always get her to stop functioning so easily and she did not find it fair. She couldn't even find room to deny it with how genuine Isabela looked, so she couldn't laugh it off either. Instead she finally broke their eye contact to duck her head back down to hide her really red face.

"Oh." Was all she got out.

They then laid in silence for a few minutes, Carla's blush had calmed down by then, and they were just enjoying each other's presence and being so close to one another. They don't get too many chances to be like this. In reality Isabela only gets a few hours a week off, and that was only after she was 16 and she begged her mama to talk to Abuela so she could still spend some time with Carla. It's not much but they take any time they can get.

"Hey Isa?" Carla finally spoke, breaking the silence. She received a small hum in response and she decided to steel her nerves. She had to do this now. If not she would just keep pushing it off. They were both adults now and she's been holding it in forever, she had to make her feelings clear.

"Isabela…I…" she stopped herself. How was she supposed to confess actually? She didn't think this through. Her heart was racing and if she wasn't already laying down she would be forcing herself to sit down. Though laying down wasn't helping either so she suddenly sat up.

Isabela sat up too with a more confused expression as she rested her hand on her best friend's shoulder. "Carla?" She asked and the other girl bit her lip before they both turned their bodies so they were facing each other.

Isa's eyebrows furrowed at the obviously anxious face the other girl was making. "Is everything alright?"

"I… I don't know… I guess that depends? On you?" She asked slowly and suddenly the flower girl's eyes widened as she appeared to be drawing her own conclusions. Her body slowly started to tense up the same way Carla felt her own body doing and suddenly the two best friends were facing each other, both looking really nervous.

Carla sighed. This wasn't working, and now both of them were tense. She just needed to admit it, besides, even if she didn't feel the same they would still be friends she assumed. Carla wouldn't let Isabela walk out of her life, that wasn't an option at all.

She took a deep breath and bowed her head so she didn't have to look at the other girl during her confession.

"Isabela Madrigal, I'm in love with you." She watched as flowers suddenly popped into her vision and she looked back up only to see multiple pink and red flowers all over her bed. She took a closer look and it was easy to see that they were all pink and red roses. Seeing them eased Carla's fears of rejection a bit, knowing they meant love and happiness.

She finally lifted her head to see the expression on her best friend's face, but she looked at her in a mix of pure awe and shock. Carla bit her lip nervously and simply waited for the other girl to say something.

After a minute she ducked her head down again, unable to take the silence.

"Isa please, say something…" she begged softly and after a few more tense seconds Isabela reached over and grabbed her hands. Carla looked back up at the happy expression she had and allowed herself to relax completely, though she couldn't help but take notice of the conflict that kept flashing through her eyes, as if she was still unsure of herself. She didn't seem to let her uncertainties control her as she then placed a kiss on each of her hands making the 18 year old blush at the action.

"I'm… in love with you too." She spoke softly and it was all Carla needed before she suddenly threw herself at Isa in a hug.

Isabela laughed loudly and Carla would've joined if she wasn't so focused on pushing herself as close as possible to the other girl, who easily wrapped her arms around her in return.

"I should've expected that." She obviously didn't mind at all, honestly the familiar action of Carla jumping or tackling her whenever she got over excited was extremely endearing to her.

"I can't believe that you feel the same way! Well I mean, I thought you did, or well, I hoped that you did! There were a lot of signs, but it's always hard to make assumptions, and when it comes to you I never want to assume, you know? And I was worried too because if you didn't feel the same we might not be as close as before, and you would pull away from me and I would feel so lonely and heartbroken and…" Carla's rambles were slightly muffled into Isabela's shoulder but the other girl still heard and understood her perfectly, and while she was over thinking Isa couldn't help but smile.

"You know I also love your long rambles." As soon as she said that Carla stopped talking and lifted her head to show her surprise.

"And your adorable expressions, especially your little pout." Her eyes started going wide as she realized what was happening.

"And your wild but beautiful curls. And you small but blinding smile, and your small but worn hands, that somehow always fit in mine. I love everything about you, and I have since we were kids. You never needed to worry about us not being close. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself for leaving you." Isabela had called Carla's smile blinding, but the younger girl felt as though she didn't know that hers was just heart stopping.

Isabela giggled lightly at her best friend who appeared to be stunned, but she couldn't help but poke one of her red cheeks. She knew Carla hated how obvious it was when she was nervous or embarrassed because of her skin and how easy it was to see when she blushed, but Isa was grateful, it always let her know that she wasn't the only one who felt nervous or panicked whenever they were really close or were teasing each other.

Her giggle was cut short when Carla placed a hand on her cheek and then quickly pecked the other one. This time Isa was left stunned and Carla laughed before pulling away.

"Good, cause I wouldn't be able to forgive you for leaving me either."

After that she stood up and offered her hand to the flower girl. "Come on, let's go somewhere, or do something! Like a date! I know! Let's go tree climbing! You still have at least another 2 hours, and we can have some fun!"

Isabela both loved and hated how easily distracted Carla could get, but seeing the pure excitement and happiness on the other girl's face was enough to convince her.

"Alright, but we have to be careful and sneak around the back. If I ruin this dress Abuela will kill me." While she was making a joke Carla's face twisted for a second, before she went right back to smiling and nodded.

"Let's go!"