Chapter 4

Mirabel's Dream

Being twelve years old sucked.

Mirabel had still been sleeping in the nursery, and with a two-year-old who was constantly asking "What's this? What's this?"

Antonio was curious, and always asking what Mirabel had in her hands. She had to make sure her sewing supplies were stored up high, so Antonio would prick or cut himself by accident. Despite feeling irritated at times, she had to admit, it was endearing. He was the only family member who kept her hopes up.

But still, it hurt to still be stuck in the nursery. She sometimes felt as though she had been forgotten about. But leaving her room was just as bad. She was surrounded by family, and constantly being reminded that she had no gift like the rest of them.

Outside was even worse. Mirabel felt awkward around everyone-including everyone her age, and her friends. Julieta kept reassuring her that everyone feels like that at her age.

But everyone my age doesn't come from a family who all have magic gifts. Mirabel would think stubbornly as she rolled her eyes.

Worst of all, Camilo suddenly stopped talking to her. It started one morning, when she woke up early as always and slid down the stairs. "Morning, Abuelo!" She cheered, then began to help Casita set the table.

She was surprised to see Camilo walking into the kitchen.

"You're up early!" Mirabel said.

Camilo shrugged in response. He sat down at the table.

"Do you have somewhere to be this morning?" Mirabel asked.

"Babysitting." Camilo replied.

"Oh, do you need help?" Mirabel asked.

"No."

"Okay…do you want to hang out later?"

"Can't. I'll probably be busy." Camilo said.

He didn't speak to her throughout breakfast. It wasn't too out of the ordinary, but Mirabel still had a strange feeling in her stomach.

As the day went on, Mirabel helped Luisa by bringing her water, helped Dolores find a lost child, and even helped her mother hand out arepas.

She met up with Diego and Valentina. The three of them would sit outside Casita. Mirabel and Valentina would work on sewing projects, while Diego would practice the guitar.

They spotted Camilo walking back toward the Casita.

"Hola, Camilo!" Diego called out. "You should hang out with us!"

Camilo turned and began to walk over to the group, but when he looked at Mirabel, his expression sank.

"Um…I'd love to, but I can't…" Camilo said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I have things to do…"

"Just say you don't like us already!" Valentina snapped, shocking the other three.

"What? No!" Camilo defended. "It's not that…it's just, I…"

"Have other things to do?" Valentina accused. "We're not stupid Camilo! It's obvious you've been avoiding us lately. Are we not good enough for you?"

"Am…I not good enough for you?" Mirabel asked, slowly standing up. "You've been acting like this towards me all day… what's going on?"

Camilo sighed in frustration. "Look, I have chores and responsibilities. I have to help like the rest of the family. I just don't think I should sit and do nothing."

"Nothing…" Mirabel repeated. "I can't help but feel it's because I don't have a gift…"

"What are you talking about?" Camilo asked.

"Let's face it; you barely say hi to me-let alone talk to me. You never sit by me during meals like you used to. You avoid me. You act like I'm invisible, or like I have some contagious disease… You wouldn't be caught dead hanging around the cursed Madrigal." Mirabel's eyes began to tear up. "You…you…" She wiped the tears from her eyes, but more began to fall. "You hate me too…just like everyone else…"

"What?" Camilo was shocked at this. "N-no! That's not it at all…I just…I…" Camilo stammered.

"Then what else is it?" Mirabel asked.

Camilo didn't answer, which only caused more tears to fall down Mirabel's face. Valentina stood and embraced her friend, glaring daggers at Camilo.

"You should just go." Valentina said. Even Diego set his guitar aside, and standing to console his friend.

Camilo walked away from the trio.

Mirabel heard a sound. It was early in the morning, and the light was trickling into the room. She stretched and opened her eyes, almost forgetting she had a new room. She sat up in excitement, seeing Abuela's bed across from hers. The red-violet blankets and been made, and Abuela had just walked out of her new closet, dressed and ready for the day.

"Are you all right?" Abuela asked.

"Oh yeah…just had a bad dream." Mirabel admitted.

"About what?"

Mirabel hesitated. She wasn't sure how to tell Abuela about her fall out with Camilo when they were twelve. "Well, let's just say…I'm worried about Camilo."

"We all are." Abuela said.

"There's gotta be something I can do." Mirabel said to herself.

"Well…I know you, and I know you'll figure something out. But not until you have breakfast!"