This was the original version of "It has to be perfect", but I opted to publish the Abuela version because it has more prevalence with the movie.

This mini is still cannon in my story and the events helped to shape Isabella's view of perfection and how badly her family wants it.

Isa would help make clothes even after she got her gift because it's not needed every day like Luisa's.

"It has to be Perfect"

Isabella loved Tia Pepa. She was fun and bubbly and would play dress-up with her. Together, they'd make clothes for the rest of the family. They'd hide little designs in the clothing, adding a little 'magic touch' as Pepa called it. Isabella would draw the designs on paper, Pepa would perfect them and sew them into the clothes.

The weather always reflected what Pepa was thinking. A thundercloud would appear when she made a mistake or pricked herself. Snow would appear with a deadline. Sunshine with a pleasant conversation. And, the most elusive; a rainbow when things go perfectly.

Isabella loved the rainbows. The pride that filled Tia's face. The accomplishment they felt together. Isa wanted to earn a rainbow for herself. She worked every sewing day, trying to draw something that would be perfect. She came close, multiple times. But there was always something that needed to be fixed.

Tia Pepa would smile at her, the sun would shine, "that's so pretty". She would take the paper… and erase. She'd erase the imperfections, bolden the best lines, and change the rest.

So close, yet so far.

But one day, it happened.

They were preparing for Dolores's 4th birthday. Tia Pepa's gift to her would be a new dress, but none of her designs were good enough. Isabella would watch day after day as her aunt drew and tore apart her plans, as the rain puddles formed and as they were frozen over by Pepa's stress. Isabella knew it was her time.

She came into the sewing room, sheepishly holding a piece of paper. "Tia Pepa?"

"What?!" Tia thundered, turning to the door. All hostility left her face as she realized who it is. "Oh- sorry Isa. Just kinda stressed about Dolores's dress... It has to be perfect." Pepa turned to the sewing machine, determined.

'Perfect'. That's a hard standard to live up to; but Pepa was determined to reach it. Just like Isabella was determined to see a rainbow.

"Actually, I have an idea." Isabella held out her design with confidence. A bright rose red skirt with a yellow blouse, both with orange flower designs. "It'll have yellow like your dress, orange like Tio's clothes, and a lot of red. To match with her favorite bow. And some flowers from me... Do you like it?"

Tia Pepa looked onto the paper, happy tears and rainclouds forming. She looked at Isabella, pride and gratitude in her eyes. "I love it. Thank you." The clouds cleared, to reveal

A rainbow.

After a hug, Pepa turned to the sewing machine and started working. She didn't need to change anything because Isabella's design was perfect.

It was perfect.

Isa made something perfect.

She enjoyed that feeling for quite a while.

She couldn't wait to get that feeling again.