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The stupid metal bucket wouldn't leave him alone.

Bruno stared at it from across his bedroom, watching it as the inanimate object taunted him. His rats seemed confused at Bruno's misdirected attention, but Bruno didn't care. All he cared about was the bucket.

It had been days. Bruno hadn't been required to go out to the village ever since he saw Cassidy, and he didn't want to. He knew that as soon as he stepped out of the Casita door he would have to return the bucket. And, when doing so, he would see her.

Bruno had mixed feelings. He liked her. Cassidy seemed to enjoy being around him, which Bruno really appreciated, and he would love to see her again. Her joy was so contagious, he felt so safe around her. But, he knew that she wasn't safe around him.

From what he heard about Cassidy and her relationship with her family, it wasn't a good idea for her and Bruno to hang out. He was a curse, everyone knew it, and if she was seen with him…Bruno didn't want to think about what it could mean for her. All he knew was that her life would be just as bad as his. Maybe even worse.

It was one thing to be a curse. But it was another thing when someone chooses to be around a curse.

Bruno didn't want her to get hurt. But he knew that he needed to return the bucket. He didn't know what to do.

A part of him believed that he should go and return the bucket when he knew that Cassidy wasn't home. Yet, apparently she was at home all the time. So that was a no. He could try to sneak it into their yard or their house when no one was home, but his mama would not be pleased. And Bruno could already hear what everyone else would say.

So there he was, staring at a bucket that was filled with more questions than anything else.

Bruno jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder, Julieta standing over him.

"Are you okay, Bruno? I didn't mean to scare you."

He nodded, a blush creeping on his face. "Yes…yes, I'm fine."

Julieta glanced at the bucket with a frown. "What's that?"

"Umm..nothing! It's nothing!"

His sister sighed. "You're a horrible liar. What is it?"

"A bucket."

"Okay, but why do you have it?"

Bruno frowned, crossing his arms defensively over his chest. "It's stupid."

Julieta seemed to notice his shift in attitude, and sat beside him. "It's probably not stupid."

Bruno took a deep breath. "It's Cassidy's, you know, Abigail's sister?" His sister nodded and he continued. "We talked for a bit near the stream, and she forgot it there. I need to give it back, but I don't really want to see her."

"Why don't you want to see her? She seems nice enough."

"That's the problem!" Bruno exclaimed, getting to his feet and grabbing the bucket, turning back to Julieta with wide eyes. "She's nice to me!"

"And…that's an issue?" Julieta asked, also getting to her feet, taking the bucket out of trembling hands and setting it down.

"Yes…no…I don't…" He ran his fingers through his hair, frustration blooming in his chest. His voice was wavering, and he felt one of his rats run across his feet, trying to understand why Bruno was so upset.

Julieta gave an understanding smile, no stranger to Bruno's uncertain and jumpy behavior.

"Why don't you start from the beginning?"

Bruno nodded. "I was sitting by the small stream outside of town and she came up to me. We talked for a bit, she was being really nice and I…I enjoyed being around her. She even liked my rats. But, soon her papa called her home, and she forgot the bucket."

"So, you liked hanging out with her." Julieta's eyes reflected a knowing look at Bruno's words, but he didn't realize it.

"Yes, I loved being around her. But…what if she finds out who I am and hates me? Or, what if she becomes hated in the village for even being around me, Bruno, the curse?"

"I don't think you're a curse, Bruno." Bruno huffed at her response, but Julieta kept on going. "But, no matter what, it's her decision. Just see what she wants."

Bruno knocked his knuckles on the edge of his bed frame, holding his breath for a couple of seconds. Julieta waited patiently as he crossed his fingers and closed his eyes. When he let the air out, he nodded hesitantly.

"You're right. I should just talk to her."

Despite this claim, Bruno made no move to walk out of his room or pick up the bucket, much to her dismay.

It was as if a wall in Julieta's kind strength broke when she saw him stay still, making no move to talk to Cassidy. Bruno liked a girl, and he was going to talk to her, no matter what. Julieta would make sure of it. His hesitations and worry would not get in the way of this.

Julieta took him by the hand and picked up the bucket with her other hand. Bruno gasped as she pulled him away from where he stood and guided him into the main hallway. Bruno stumbled over his feet at the mere urgency that his sister moved, but Julieta was more determined than ever.

Pepa watched as her brother was being dragged around by Julieta, a rainbow forming over her head at the sight.

"What in the world are you two doing?"

Julieta smirked. "Bruno's going to go talk to a girl!"

Pepa's jaw dropped. "What? Are you serious?"

"It's not like that!" Bruno exclaimed, whining, and he tried to force himself out of her grip, resisting Julieta's pull. But, she has always been stronger than him, it didn't help that Bruno was naturally small and thin in stature.

"Come on, Bruno! You literally told me that you enjoyed being around her! And, you won't make any move to return the bucket so I'll help you!"

"Yes, but I don't love her!"

Pepa scoffed. "Like I'll believe that. Give it time, Bruno."

Julieta had managed to drag Bruno out of the house and into the village, beaming. Pepa followed quickly, the brightness around her growing more prominent.

Bruno gave up fighting her, and chose to accept his fate, letting the gawking villagers stare as the Madrigal triplets bolted through the town.

He had no clue as to how Julieta knew where Cassidy lived, but it didn't take long for the three of them to come to an abrupt stop in front of the shoemaker's home.

Oh, right. Cassidy is the daughter of the shoemaker. Bruno should've remembered that.

After giving Bruno a quick glance that screamed go anywhere and you'll regret it, Julieta knocked on the door and backed away, giving Bruno the bucket. Pepa followed her sister, frowning when she realized where she was.

"Is it Abigail?" She hissed, but Julieta shushed her.

"No, her sister, Cassidy. They hung out a bit and he likes her."

Pepa let out a sigh of relief. "Good. At least it's not Princess Abigail, the perfect know-it-all."

They heard the door creak open, and their eyes turned back to Bruno, who was quaking like a leaf in front of the open door, bucket in hand.

Mr. Lopez opened the door, a smile on his face, the smile faltering a bit when he saw that it was Bruno. The man was much taller than the young Madrigal, and Bruno was like a child compared to him.

"Hello…Mr…Mr Lopez." Bruno managed to say, his voice wavering. "Can…can I talk to Cassidy?"

"Why, of course! Is your mother around?" Mr. Lopez exclaimed, joy clearly hands gestured around Bruno, as if searching for Alma.

Bruno shook his head. "No…I just wanted to see Cassidy. I…I need to give her something."

Mr. Lopez accepted this response. "Alright, just wait one second."

Bruno stood by the door awkwardly as it closed on him once again. Julieta shot him a thumbs up, but all he did was pale.

It didn't take very long for Cassidy to step out, her eyes filled with a bit of sadness but also curiosity. When she saw Bruno she lit up, a smile growing on her face.

"Hey…Cass...Cassidy." He muttered, and she closed the door behind her.

"Hey, Bruno! What's up?"

Without another word, he held the bucket out to her, Cassidy taking it, beaming.

"I completely forgot that I left this behind, thank you!"

Bruno gave a shy smile. "It wasn't a problem."

Yeah, right. Julieta mouthed, and Pepa stifled a laugh.

Cassidy studied the bucket in her hands, as if she had never seen it before, and looked back up at him.

"Really. Thank you."

Bruno nodded. "Of course." He gripped his ruana in his fists and looked to the ground. Cassidy seemed to notice his nervousness and spoke up.

"Do you maybe want to hang out sometime?"

His wide eyes snapped back at her at the words, mouth opening in shock. He tried to speak for a couple of moments, and forced out what he could

"Um…maybe? But…I'm a…"

"Curse?" she asked, and he nodded. "I don't think you are."

Pepa covered her heart with her hand at the words from where they were hiding, and Julieta smiled.

"But…if you're seen around me…"

"I don't care. You're a great guy, it would be a pity if we didn't become friends. And, I don't care how everyone else sees you, they're stupid, wrong opinions will never change what I think of you." Cassidy replied with a shrug, and Bruno was certain that she would be shining as bright as the sun if she had magical powers. His chest swelled with hope, and he stood up a bit taller.

"Really?"

"Absolutely." She held her hand out to his, a welcoming gesture. "Friends?"

Bruno took her hand, a big smile on his face that felt foreign. He did his best to ignore the shivers that went through his skin at the touch.

"Friends."

Thank you so much for reading! I'm hoping to update within a week.

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