Chapter 34

40 years before Encanto


"You're not doing it right!" Bruno exclaimed, attempting to squash Pepa into a box.

Thunder rumbled and flashed from inside the box, followed by the muffled sounds of Pepa shouting.

"You're doing it wrong, Brunito!" She accused, her long legs thrashing as Bruno attempted to fold them in after her. "You didn't build it big enough for me!"

Lightning flashed, but Bruno took no notice.

"That's the point." He insisted. "It's supposed to be a surprise when you appear. It'd be too obvious if it were a big box."

"This is stupid!" The muffled shouting continued. "Why are they gonna enjoy a magic show when we have real magic? Mama will be so bored."

Bruno frowned, taking off his magician's hat and tossing it to the floor in disappointment.

"The show's cancelled, then." Bruno wiped his eyes as he walked away. "You were a mean assistant anyway."

Pepa's legs flailed and the box shook as she struggled to get out.

"Bruno, wait!" Pepa called after him, but was met with silence. Her clouds thundered, but it was no use, she was stuck. Pepa called out again, softer this time. "Bruno... I'm sorry."

There was more silence, then the box sprung open with a click.

Pepa shot up, gasping in relief as she grabbed onto her brother. Bruno helped her out.

"I'm sorry too." He sighed. "You weren't mean, Pepa."

"I was," She admitted. "I was grumpy. But only because I thought I'd be wearing pretty dresses and dancing and making jokes... Not squashing into boxes." She threw an arm to emphasise her point.

"We could rewrite the show?" He suggested.

Pepa smiled, picking up Bruno's magician's hat and putting it on herself.

"Hm. Or you know, Brunito," She grinned, gesturing to the box with her eyes. "You could fit in there."

Bruno turned to Pepa in disbelief as she fitted on the blanket he'd been using as a cape, twirling around and throwing her hand up in a theatrical pose. Bruno frowned, annoyed that his sister did it better.


Later


Julieta and Mama laughed and clapped as Pepa and Bruno performed the magic show together.

They called Julieta up as a special guest, taking her by the hand and leading her offstage. Julieta's hopeful expression changed into one of betrayal as they quickly squashed her into the box, Julieta gasping softly but not calling out as her small body was folded in.

Julieta had played along, keeping quiet as they pulled the box onstage, waiting patiently as the show dragged on, then finally the box opened and she jumped up with a smile as Mama clapped. Julieta continued to smile until Mama left the room, then turned to her siblings with a fierce expression.

Pepa and Bruno's faces dropped as Julieta ran at them. She chased her siblings in circles around the room, taking their magic blanket and throwing it over them. They both shrieked as Julieta pulled the blanket down to the ground, tying it up tight so the two of them were trapped inside.

"You guys better explain yourselves." Julieta huffed at the wrapped up bundle that wobbled and shook in front of her.

"It was Bruno!"

"Aww Cmon, sis! Throw me under the cart!"

Julieta sighed, crossing her arms.

"You know, the worst part is, if you just asked me, I would've done it for you." Julieta told them.

"Julieta!" Mama voice called from downstairs. "Time to go heal."

Julieta headed to the door, turning to take one last look at her siblings. Her tone was matter of fact. "But now, you live with the consequences."

With that she left.

"Julieta!" Bruno called. The darkness of the blanket blocked their vision, but the silence confirmed their sister was gone.

"Great." Pepa muttered. Thunder crashed from outside the blanket. "Of all people to be stuck under."

"Why do you have so much hair?" Bruno spat and sputtered at Pepa's braid over his face, then shoved at the legs on his shoulders. "And how are your legs here?"

"Because I am bent like a smooshed banana under you." Pepa groaned. "Now have a vision and find us a way out."

"You know it doesn't work like that." He muttered. "Why don't you just use your lightning?"

"Ay, don't tempt me." Pepa's tone was dark.

She grunted softly with the effort of rolling them over so she could reach her hand through the small opening, fingers fumbling blindly with the knot.

"Ay Julieta." She hissed. "You are making me so late."

"What if you-"

"Sh." Pepa's brow furrowed in concentration.

Bruno waited patiently, then finally Pepa undid the knot and they tumbled free.

"Let's go get her!" Bruno sat up with a vengeful expression.

He turned to Pepa, but was surprised when he saw his sister fixing her ribbon and checking her hair.

"I can't." Pepa glanced over with an apologetic smile. "I said I'd meet my friends."

"What friends?"

Bruno regretted his careless tone as his sister's smile faded and her eyes lowered to the ground, a grey cloud appearing over her head.

"I wanna know, sis." He quickly added, trying to smooth it over. "Who are they? That's great you have friends!"

Pepa looked back up at Bruno and was met with a supportive smile.

Pepa's face lit up again, her eyes bright and hopeful.

"The girls from the village." She replied, jumping to her feet and heading for the door. "Talk to you later, Brunito!"

Bruno swallowed, watching her go with a worried expression.


Later


"They say if he swims like that it means good luck." One of the girls said to the group, all gathered along the bridge and gazing down at the river as Pepa approached.

"That'd be nice." Another girl laughed. "This village needs all the good luck it can get."

"I wish for no more bad luck." They agreed, tossing bread over the edge.

"Sorry I'm late!" Pepa announced, skipping over to join them. "My sister wrapped me and my brother up in a blanket, and my brother was so heavy and sitting on top of me, and my sister tied the knot too tight. But I got it untied." She smiled proudly. "You know why she was angry? Because we squashed her into a box. For our magic show." Pepa laughed. "I told Bruno we don't need a magic show because we have real magic, hm? But he never listens to me."

She waited to the girls to laugh, but they didn't look away from the water.

Pepa came over and sat beside them, her legs dangling over the edge as she tried to see what had gotten their attention.

They were watching the town fish as it circled the water below. It was a beautiful golden creature that all the villagers adored. People often came to feed it and make wishes.

"Are you feeding Pezito?" Pepa asked, watching the fish circle her feet, eating up food the girls dropped. "Can I help?"

"I wish for a place where people can't find us." One girl spoke to the fish, and the others laughed.

Pepa joined in with their laughter. That would be nice. Sometimes Pepa got scared, and a having place only she and her friends knew about would be comforting.

"Look at the way he swims." One of the girls commented. "So cute."

"We should do our next dance based on his movements." Another spoke up.

"Ay. That'd be so fun. You could do the water movements, and you the fish, and you the swaying reeds."

Pepa smiled, her eyes bright as she waited for someone to ask her. She loved to dance.

When no one did, Pepa spoke up in a hopeful voice.

"I could be the sunshine."

The others glanced at her, then turned back to eachother, continuing their conversation as if Pepa hadn't spoken at all.

Pepa watched in surprise, not understanding why they were ignoring her. She watched as they spoke and laughed together, feeling uncomfortable and wondering what she'd done wrong.

A cloud appeared over Pepa's head and she felt her heart sink, her cheeks burning hot in shame.

It's okay, Pepa tried to comfort herself. Maybe they just didn't hear you. Try again, Pepi.

She look a breath.

"We should start before the rain." One spoke up, glancing up at Pepa's cloud before getting up. The others followed in agreement, heading off together.

"Have fun." Pepa said quietly, hoping if she took it well they might want her to play with them next time.

Pepa hugged her knees, knowing it was probably better this way. She would've ruined it anyway.

She watched the fish swim.

"I wish I didn't ruin everything." She whispered to it.

Pepa saw the surface of the water ripple as rain began to patter over it, and the fish darted under the bridge.

She exhaled slowly, fingers fidgeting with her hair as she stood up.

Pepa went home, a sinking feeling in her chest. She held in the weather, wiping back tears and holding her breath until she got to her room, not wanting the rain to ruin the day for her new friends.