"What did you tell them?" Mirabel asked.
"What was I supposed to tell them? Mariano asked. Mirabel and Mariano were at his house, so they were far enough away from the Casita that Dolores would have to try and hear out for them. "Señora Madrigal was about to create a hurricane. I couldn't tell them the last thing they have our their son was a lie."
"I still can't believe he's gone," Mirabel said. Mariano was shocked by the lack of emotion in her voice.
"Hey, I'm sorry for your loss," Mariano said. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I don't talk about my issues," Mirabel said. "I don't talk about myself. It makes me sad. I will have my breakdown when I'm alone while everyone else is asleep. I'd rather deal with your crap. It's a lot less depressing and more interesting."
"I need to tell them the truth," Mariano said.
"Yes," Mirabel responded.
"You and I both know I suck at coming up with things on the spot," Mariano said.
"Not just on the spot," Mirabel corrected. "Just talking to a group. Remember your presentation on The Scarlet Letter where you kept saying ugh and didn't finish. That was a trainwreck."
"Yeah," Mariano said. "How do you know about that? We weren't in the same graduating class!"
"It was all over social media," Mirabel laughed.
"Great," Mariano sighed.
"No one thinks about it now," Mirabel said. "People only cared about it for like two weeks. We're getting off track. You must end this lie as soon as possible, especially before this gets out."
There was a knock on the door. "I'll get it," Mariano said. "You think everyone in town will find out?"
"Knowing my family?" Mirabel asked. "Yes."
Mariano opened the door anxiously. Isabela, Mirabel's older sister, was on the other side. Her light purple dress was now a lot more colorful. "I came over as soon as I heard," Isabela said. "Is it true you and Camilo were friends?"
"I uh," Mariano said. Right before Mariona could finish his thought, Isabela through her arms around him.
"I am so sorry," Isabela whispered.
"Wait," Mirabel said. "How did you hear that?"
"Everyone in town knows," Isabela said. "Abuela included it in the death announcement."