Throughout the night, one of the biggest fears within all the adults was leaving Camilo and Mirabel alone. As babies, all the Madrigal nietos slept in their padres' rooms or had an adult spend the night in the nursery. Alma was set on the younger nietos being watched twenty four seven. Even if they lived in a harmonious, peaceful Encanto and Casita was a helpful nanny. Alma still lived with the fear of something happening to their own familia. The complete watch at night was stopped once the children turned four. Camilo and Mirabel were a different story. They were always causing trouble. All nighters, sneaking off or being much too loud.
There was fear that Camilo would be in a rush to cut his hair. Mirabel would find the scissors. Perhaps even a knife. Camilo's hair would be a mess once they enter the bedroom in the morning. The worst was the idea of a few cuts on both ends. The mirror maze was another worry due to the glass. They were unsure how strong the glass was. There was talk of making it off limits.
The only reason the primos were left alone was the need to give Camilo a better night after the stress of what happened. The padres would enter first thing in the morning.
As soon as morning came, Pepa and Félix entered Camilo's room with light footsteps. A silent act to catch whatever trouble the primos were up too. They were greeted by an opposite site. Both Mirabel and Camilo were in a deep trance of sleep. Drool hung from their mouths. The gigantic, round canopy bed had enough space for them to be spread around. Camilo's foot was practically on Mirabel's face. While Mirabel hogged the galaxy red blanket. The pattern on the wall was dim, peaceful, dark.
Pepa wished to have the photograph camera to capture the moment. Non magical photographs were rare to have but Pepa was set on a photo. There was no time to grab the camera as the lights on the room began to brighten. Both children stirred. Camilo took the blanket Mirabel hogged and covered them both.
"I guess you don't want your new haircut." Félix smirked.
Camilo jumped out of bed in an instant. His foot kicked Mirabel's face. Mirabel tumbled out of the bed. She fell with a thud. Mirabel wasn't hurt but she whined at the action.
"Hey! Just because you have a new room doesn't mean you have to be a jerk!" Mirabel rubbed the side of her head. Breakfast would solve any small injury that formed.
Camilo took little mind to Mirabel's comment. He ran out the room towards the front door. Félix lifted his son off the floor and held him in the air.
"First you need to get dressed and have breakfast." Pepa said.
Camilo was still in his nightgown and barefoot.
"Abuela has a gift." Dolores appeared from thin air. Her footsteps were always light and breathing low. Her sudden presence was a known habit that still spooked them in simple moments. This was one of those very moments.
Camilo ran to the cocina. Alma, with the excitement of having her first neito, gathered a collection of ponchos, pants, shirts, alpargatas and chanclas. Camilo was in a hurry to try on the clothes. Camilo was given a bath and brushed his teeth very well. He usually had bad morning breath. Camilo noticed the poncho he decided to try on looked similar to the one from Félix teenage pictures. Abuelita Antonia gave it to The Madrigals when she recalled the conversation with Camilo prior to his ceremony. The poncho practically swallowed the small boy's frame. Alma felt upset as she gathered clothing just to see it covered by a years old, withered poncho.
With breakfast Alma took every opportunity to say 'neito.' A jealousy grew in the neitas with realization that Camilo was now the obvious favorite. Mirabel especially was jealous because she usually sat next to Alma.
"What's so special about being an icky boy?" Mirabel said as she bit her eggs. Luckily, the chewing muffled the words.
Camilo ate breakfast in a hurry. He really wanted his haircut. The fast eating would cause a stomach ache later but Camilo felt like it would be worth it. Pepa unbraided Camilo's hair. An activity that took a good amount of time. Antonia felt the shiver of her hard work being undone from across the village.
The walk to the best hair stylist in The Encanto was a frantic one. Camilo felt the need to shapeshift into every person his eyes landed on. Some villagers found it amusing, while most felt unease at seeing their own reflection. Sometimes Camilo would mess up his shapeshifting as he was still getting used to it. A scare to many. Félix, who accompanied Camilo, lifted his son and placed him on his shoulders. Félix was happy that Camilo loved his gift so much but he was aware that his son's mischievous nature was proving to double with the gift. With Camilo on his shoulders meant Camilo wasn't going to run off.
The hair stylist was Senor Camilo Murillo. An older man with cooper brown skin and a straw sombrero he seemed to always wear. His usual attire was red and his home was full of red decorations. He had multiple times if it were his favorite color. He would never answer.
Camilo only ever got his haircut at home before. The split ends of his long curly hair. Even if Camilo wasn't trans, the padres would have let Camilo cut his hair if they knew it caused him so much unease. A question in their own parenting as their son kept the unease a secret only because how much they loved his hair as much as Dolores.
There were a small number of villagers in the line. Two kids from the ceremony were there. One who Camilo transformed back to the long hair and dress in front of. The friends chatted among each other. One was explaining what happened to the other. Why Camilo was now dressed differently once more. Camilo couldn't help but think the giggle they gave were jokes on what happened. The kids simply giggled at the weird stain from breakfast in Camilo poncho he was unaware of. Camilo grew noticeably silent. Félix found strangeness in it but he was okay for a moment of silence. Senor Murillo finished each haircut in a fast pace. Everyone was happy with their haircuts.
One of the kids tapped Camilo on the shoulder to get his attention.
"So you're a boy now? You can just do that?" The kid asked.
"Yes! I have new clothes and I'm getting my haircut and-"
Before Camilo could explain more, the kid walked away in a hum. Camilo words spun in the kids head. Unaware why the words did until four years would pass. To discoverey that she was always a girl.
Camilo felt disappointed at the sudden cut of conversation. Perhaps the girl thought he was still playing a prank. Camilo ran to the seat.
Time passed. With a constant question from Camilo of "Are we done yet? Are we done yet? Tell me we're done!"
"Stay still!" Senor Murillo would reply. A similarity to Antonia when she would braided hair.
More time passed. It had become obvious Senor Murillo was taking more time with Camilo hair then he did with others. Senor Murillo was puzzled as to why. Camilo kept him distracted from the work. With talks of his ceremony, his shapeshifting (presenting it at random times), stories he made up and small things like the tiny spider he noticed in the corner of the room. Camilo fidgeted way too much for Murillo liking too. Senor Murillo told himself he was careful because Camilo's hair was very long. Not that he somehow grew fond of the annoying boy. Especially not because the annoying boy reminded him somewhat of his talkative, fidgety lost daughter. Senor Murillo shook off the last thought. He finished the haircut faster. Once done, Camilo was allowed to look in the mirror. Camilo fluffed his hair. A huge smile on his face as he gave Senor Murillo a bear hug. Senor Murillo pushed Camilo away.
"How can we repay you?" Félix asked. He was aware of the hassle Camilo could be at times.
Senor Murillo just wanted them out as fast as possible. The shop closed early.
The sun set into an afternoon blaze, Camilo felt the need to showcase the new haircut to everyone he passed by. Along with a presentation of his new gift once more. The person Camilo wanted to show the haircut to the most was Marco. Camilo ran off once more to look for his best friend. Félix wished he brought Pepa with him. Camilo tended to listen to his Mami more often. It was as if Camilo caused trouble for Félix on purpose.
There was an answer of where Marco was. Marco was in the escuela. Senora Osma, la maestra, was grading math papers for the older children she taught. Marco was next to her. She allowed Marco to doodle little happy fish faces on the ones who did good. Sad fish faces on the ones who did bad. Marco loved doing this. He kicked his feet as he drew a rather detailed one. Senora Osma couldn't help but stop ever so often to simply watch her son.
For some strange reason, Marco tended to hide the fact she was his Mama from Camilo and Mirabel. It made her feel unloved at times but she knew it was perhaps something he would grow out of. Most likely un hijo who was embarrassed by his affectionate Mama at an early age.
Senora Osma snapped out of her thoughts when the door was kicked open. It was Camilo Madrigal. Camilo wanted to make his presence known as always. Marco gulped. There was no more hiding from his best friend that his Mama was The Madrigal's worst enemy. Senora Puezmuerto.
Camilo took little interest in Senora Osma. They never interacted much for Camilo to pay much attention to her. She was the maestra for the older kids. Camilo still did not know about the fish thing too. All Camilo undivided attention was on his best friend.
Marco lit up at the new appearance. Unaware of what to say at the sudden turn of appearance overnight. Camilo looked like any other boy their age in the village. Which Camilo would always be to Marco even if Camilo was still wore the dresses and long hair.
"Guess what! I still have my gift too! It didn't go away because I tried to blow the candle!" Camilo shapeshifted into Marco.
Camilo shapeshifted to Senora Osma in a flash. Camilo, in the form of Senora Osma, ran to the class fish to turn into it. Senora Osma pushed Camilo away. After Bruno, Senora Osma would not let a Madrigal near her fishes.
Félix rolled his eyes at the action. The incident of the replaced fish was still fresh between them.
Camilo could not turn into a fish. Perhaps a good thing as he would need water to breathe. A bad thing as Camilo could not turn into an animal.
"You still have a cool gift…I wish I had one." Marco frowned.
There was unsaid envy in the village of the Madrigals who got gifts and a magic house. Especially among the children.
"It's okay because you're the most awesome person I know." Camilo replied to Marco's comment.
It still didn't make up for the frustration of wanting your own gift. Mirabel's ceremony was to come and now two of Marco's best friends would be all magical. The boys began to chat among themselves. Camilo helped make his own little grading doodles too.
Camilo drew chameleons while Marco continued with the fishes.
It was soon time to go home. Camilo gave Marco a big hug.
"Don't forget about the final showdown." Camilo remembered the deal he made with the other boys in the village. Marco and Camilo would challenge them in a football match. If Camilo and Marco won, they were the new leaders of the boys.
Marco nodded. He wasn't exactly ready to face his fears. He knew he could do it with Camilo cheering him on.
Camilo could not wait to get home and showcase his new haircut. Especially to Alma. Camilo loved the attention he was getting.
"So what. My hair is short too." Mirabel crossed her arms when she noticed Alma's wide smile. A small laugh from Julieta and Agustín who needed to sit their hija down and explain why Camilo was being treated with such care over an action that wasn't so simple.
Pepa hugged her son and spun him around. A cloud over her head that began to drizzle.
"Pepa! The cloud." Alma said as the drizzle spread.
"Let her have her moment." Félix defended his wife's joy.
Alma did not appreciate the tone of the remark but she let it go for the moment.
Alma felt joy herself. There was still a question in mind in the back of her mind since the Camilo gift ceremony. A question that could not be avoided as others may have questioned it too.
"I have a question. Can you turn into your hermana and primas. Try to use their gifts?" Alma requested as the aura of excitement simmered down.
Even if Camilo could, Alma would not have him do heavy work at the age of five. Luisa, even with her strength, was not going to do too much heavy work until she was perhaps fifteen. Still, it was good to know for future reference.
Camilo shapeshifted into a perfect replica of Luisa. He tried to lift a heavy boulder near Casita. Sweat builds from the effort. Camilo could not manage to lift it. He could use Luisa's current natural strength when he was asked to lift some other things. Camilo discovered he could also add some muscles. Make himself taller or smaller. It was noticeable it left Camilo strained if done for too long.
Isabela was next. Isabela's gift was simple. To make The Encanto beautiful and crops into stems. The community would take care of the crops. Harvesting was a simple skill all the Madrigals learned themselves.
Camilo imagined many types of plants. Even cacti. He waved hands the way Isabela did. Nothing. He stomped his feet in the mini dance Isabela did when she was near the soil of the crop gardens. No stems formed.
Camilo tested Julieta's gift. He helped bake a simple snack. Then handed it to Agustín who, by unfortunate luck, got injured seconds ago. Agustín's injury remained the same. Julieta gave Agustín some of the food she made herself and it healed him. Bruno's gift was off limits. Pepa's gift did not need to be tested. Camilo's eyes were teary but no clouds or winds formed.
Camilo could tell Alma was disappointed at the limits to his gift.
At the moment, shapeshifting would be good when needing something too high or low. Lift a thing or two that wasn't too heavy. Camilo could replace someone for a moment if they needed to leave their trade stand. Camilo was only five. No one would want to leave a five year old pretending to be them or someone else.
A role in the community would come over time. Even as simple as Dolores keeping an ear out or Pepa controlled the weather mood. With that thought, Alma couldn't help but question Pepa's side of the family gifts.
Camilo went to the cocina. He sat and placed his head down. A headache formed from trying to test everyone's gift.
There was the sound of thunder and winds. Alma, Pepa and Félix in a mini conflict over Alma curiosity. All which ended in Camilo's complete change in mood.
Julieta handed Camilo a cookie. A snack she usually did not give out in fear of someone developing a sweet tooth.
The rest of the neitos were given one too. Camilo was upset over not being able to use their gifts. Dolores, Isabela and Luisa felt hidden joy he could not. Isabela and Luisa worried about Camilo being a better replacement. Alma was already favoring him
Dolores worried about her energetic hermano facing similar struggles she had because of her gift.
Everyone knew better than to voice that. Especially at this moment.
There was something else that needed to be voiced.
"I wonder where Mama keeps the jars with the candy." Luisa asked. The usual rule follower for once a mischievous thought.
The girls turned to Camilo who was on his fourth cookie.
"What?" Camilo said as he chewed.
"Can you turn into Papa and find out where it is when you get the chance?" Isabela asked. Everyone and even herself was shocked she suggested such a plan.
Camilo swallowed. He smiled wide. He agreed to do it. An early sign to the mischief his gift was to bring.
Night fell with the usual Te Amos and Te Quiero and Buenos Noches. The nightly tradition was finished much earlier than usual as there was tension that hung in the air over what happened.
Mirabel, once again, was in Camilo's room. Their padres wished them one last goodnight. Their plan for an all nighter was crumbled as soon as they laid in the much too comfortable bed.
"When I get to my room, I hope it looks like this." Mirabel whispered as the lights dimmed to a peaceful dark.
Both had yet to explore the rest of the room. They had all the time in the world to do it. Soon would be the best time.
"Stop being a copycat!" Camilo replied. Mirabel sometimes liked to copy what Camilo said or did to annoy him.
"You're the copycat!" Mirabel became upset. Mirabel's statement wasn't to annoy Camilo. Rather something she actually wished for.
Both primos became upset with one another. They turned their backs to each other and fell to sleep instantly. Mirabel stole the blanket the whole night.
The showdown finally came the next afternoon. It was to be between Camilo, Marco and whichever two boys chose to go against them. There had been a two day break due to the gift ceremony and haircut. Camilo still felt very ready. Marco, on the other hand, felt nervous. Camilo's buzzing excitement spread to Marco. Marco couldn't help but buzz in his own excitement. Senora Osma and José were surprised by the sudden hyperactive energy. A question of what was behind it. Marco told his padres about the football game challenge in jumbled words. The jumbled words were hard to understand but Marco continued to happily stuff his mouth with breakfast to ask more. He was ready to head out.
Camilo, who was originally excited, became a bit upset. A week back, Camilo made a plan with the girls his age. They were going head to the woods to search for La Madre Monte. An action that they planned carefully. As they would get in big trouble for going into the woods alone. They planned what excuse they would use to meet up at the same time, how long they would be gone, where they would explore, who would split with who, and when they would come back. More importantly, what to do when they did find La Madre Monte.
Camilo was unsure if he would be allowed to as he wasn't a leader anymore.
"Mirabel. Good luck and stay strong. Make sure to be brave. Tell La Madre Monte about me." Camilo told Mirabel who became second in command. The oldest girl of seven was now in charge. With a salute, the primos parted ways.
At the Village Square, Marco and Camilo practiced for thirty minutes as José watched close by. There were a couple of missed kicks and falls. Camilo still improved since playing with Marco and Casita.
The practice came to a finish. Marco told his Papa José he and Camilo were going to play with the other boys their age. Over the last fifty years since The Encanto formed, peace was known in the village. The children wondered about while the adults watched over as if they were their own kids. The padres still had to take care of their own kids. Especially in case of danger. José trusted Marco to keep out of trouble as always. When José finished chatting with Osvaldo, he would head straight to them. Osvaldo had no plan on finishing the conversation any time soon. José would try his best to finish it himself without appearing to be rude.
With the girls gone to the woods, the boys stole their spot on the tiny hill with the trees leaving a cool shade. The boys had planned to go to the river due to the heat. Many adults wanted to stay indoors as the Colombian sun was hotter than usual. All due to natural weather rather than Pepa's mood. Staying indoors was somehow cooler than being outside. The plan was canceled
The few boys laid down on the cool grass.
Camilo became frustrated as soon as he noticed the stolen spot.
"What's up?" Joshua, age five, said as Camilo shadow hovered over him.
"Its time for the showdown!" Camilo showcased the badly beat up football. Marco didn't want to get a new one.
"What showdown?" Joshua replied with confusion.
"The one where me and Marco win and we are your new leaders!" Camilo recalled the deal.
No one got up. Camilo kicked Joshua.
"Hey!" Joshua yelled out in pain. He clutched the arm Camilo kicked.
"I said its time for the showdown." Camilo hopped over the spaces between all the boys. They rolled out the way. Camilo needed them to stop being lazy and get up! Marco and Camilo spent -a long time practicing. It could not be for nothing. Marco joined in hopping between the spaces. Marco kicked some of them too.
"We never promised anything. You just announced you were going to be a boy. Stomped around saying you're going to be the new leader." Miguel, oldest at seven, stood up.
Camilo flushed in embarrassment. He hated to admit that was true. Camilo was not giving up.
"Well, I'm a Madrigal. So you have to do what I say." Camilo pulled at the straws.
"Just because you're a Madrigal doesnt mean youre so special. Besides, You were just joking around back then." Fabian, the leader, said. The memory of what happened during the ceremony was still fresh to those who witnessed. Most of them didn't see Camilo again till now. A sudden new appearance that could just be the use of magic once more.
"He wasn't playing around. You're going to let us both in your group!" Marco's voice grew louder. His fear of them was fading away. He would stick with Camilo with whatever happened. Even if they weren't in the group.
"We will if you go through the tradition." Miguel said.
All the boys turned to him in confusion. There was no joining tradition. Miguel huddled them in to explain. They still wanted to go to the river. If Camilo came along they could blame that he told them to because he was a Madrigal. There was no harm in simply throwing Camilo and Marco in the river. Camilo wasn't the worse person to be around. He had a really cool gift. He also knew most of the girls secrets. He would be a really fun random addition to the group. Marco, when not shy or scared, was a question why they never hanged out with him to begin with.
Camilo and Marco agreed to be thrown in the river. The boys sneaked past everyone to get to it. Camilo led the way.
There was confusion in the village on where the younger kids went. A worry spread. The Encanto was a peaceful village. Nothing bad could be happening?
Trouble was brewing. All behind their backs. The younger girls sneaked in the deep, dangerous woods. While some of the younger boys who agreed to the plan went to the river. Unaware of how deep the river went.
Camilo was thrown into the river. He felt his body freeze in shock from the unexpected cold water.
Marco was to be thrown in next. It was put on hold with a sudden stillness in the air. Camilo still had not come back up!
When Camilo did, he was drowning!
Panic spread. Someone needed to get him! The river was deep! The boys who decided to come were not the best swimmers. Marco decided that he was going to jump no matter what.
Just as Marco was about to, someone pulled him out of the way. One of the girls who was close by searching for La Madre Monte. Daniela, who spent most times at the river with her Mama.
Others went to get an adult.
"What happened?" The villager they found fishing was pulled away from his spot by the frantic children.
Before the boys could explain what happned. Even by Marco himself. Daniela came out of the river with Camilo.
"The boys threw Camilo in the river! He was drowning and I saved him because they can't swim" Daniela said between huffs of air.
Camilo was still conscious. It was just very cold and hard to breathe. He coughed up water. Daniela too. More adults came by. A towel was wrapped around Camilo and Daniela. The younger children were dragged back to the village. Dolores already at the outskirts of the village with the rest of The Madrigals she dragged behind her.
Camilo was pulled to his family. Senora Osma took Marco. José in shock of the trouble Marco got into from letting his guard down as a padre. Franticness, anger, confusion, panic, shifts of weathers, growing spiky plants, and questions filled The Encanto. Why the younger girls were in the woods to begin with? Why didn't Dolores hear what was happening the very second it came to motion? Alma was to find out more of what happened. A village meeting was to be held.
Camilo's head buzzed. All the noise made him overstimulated. A feeling he had times before.
Before the Madrigals even entered the front door of Casita, Camilo hopped from Félix's tight hold and ran to his room.
Camilo buried himself in the blankets. Knowing very well he needed to change his wet clothes and the need for a warm bath after being in such a cold river. The door creaked open. Camilo expected his padres words but was greeted by a younger voice.
"You dont need those meanies. You can still hang out with us. Even if you're annoying and stupid sometimes. You can't be the leader because you're a boy and I'm the new leader. They took away our hang out spot on the hill. You can choose the new spots they gave us though." Daniela, the meanest girl in the group, who also saved Camilo said. Camilo looked up to see her. All he saw was a wisp of her wavy brown hair leaving the room. The family were gathered in the room. Unknowing on how to react to what Daniela said. She had saved Camilo's life.
Camilo never wanted to stop hanging out with his female best friends. He was happy to know he never had to. Yet, being friends with only the girls made Camilo feel like some stupid girl using his gift to play pretend. He wanted more male best friends his age.
Friends would come in the future. Better friends than any of those boys who went along with the false 'tradition.'
There would be friends like him too. Villagers too.
There already were in La Casa Madrigal who would understand the struggles to come as Camilo grew. Pepa. Félix. Isabela.
All Camilo would learn more about.
Yet, in the present, a five year old Camilo felt very, very alone.
For now, Camilo just needed his Mami Pepa hugs, Papi Félix words, and hermana Dolores singing to bring him into a calmer peace.