It had been another week, and Claudia was honestly getting pretty settled in. Even so, she didn't expect to get attacked and pulled into Julieta's room by Pepa. Julieta's room kinda felt like how she imagined home would feel. It was warm and smelled like fresh bread. It seemed normal except for the gigantic kitchen in the corner.
"Target acquired! Now let's get her ready."
"Umm, ready for what?" Claudia was so very confused.
"The festival today? In the village? We've been talking about it all week," Pepa sighed, "Anyways, we thought it'd be fun to get ready together, and since Julieta's room is the most normal we chose hers."
Claudia nodded, still a bit confused. Pepa then turned to Julieta.
"Now personally, I think she'd look good with a small braided crown but the rest of her hair down. She needs to show off her curls."
Julieta nodded. "I think you may be right, but what if we braided an emerald green ribbon into her hair. It would really pop and would match her dress."
"What dress?" Claudia asked, but the girls ignored her.
"It would look amazing. I'll braid but first I gotta grab a ribbon, I'll be back." Pepa hurried out of the room.
Claudia turned to Julieta.
"I can get ready on my own. You guys don't have to spend so much time on me."
Julieta gave her a patient smile. "See, we want to though. Don't worry we'll make you absolutely stunning," she lead her over to a bench by a vanity, "Now just sit and relax."
So Claudia did, though she was still a bit nervous. Soon enough, Pepa was back with a ribbon. She brushed out the little areas that she would be braiding and then got to work. Meanwhile, Julieta got out some makeup and began working on Claudia's face.
"Sooooooo Claudia, I saw you were getting a bit close to my brother at the grove. Don't worry, I'll make sure you two get even closer tonight," Pepa winked.
Claudia grew bright red. "What does that even mean? I guess we have been a bit closer, but uh….yea."
She wasn't sure about how worried she should be about Pepa's plan, but got distracted by chatter soon enough. After Pepa had finished her hair, she insisted that Claudia braid hers.
"Your braids are always so intricate and I feel like something different."
"More likely, she wants to look good for Felix tonight, those two spin and twirl on the dance floor like they're dancing on air."
Pepa smiled and a white fluffy cloud appeared over her head.
"Yea, he is pretty great," she said dreamily,"he's so understanding and sweet. He doesn't even mind when I form a twister."
The girls fell back into chatter and soon enough-
"And we are done! Well almost, we got you a surprise." Pepa reached into Julieta's wardrobe and pulled something out. "We saw this and thought it would suit you."
She unfolded the clothing to show a beautiful emerald dress with three ruffles and X stitching around the edges. It was beaded on the neckline, which looked shorter then Claudia was used to, and it was prettier than anything she had ever owned.
"I can't accept this, it's...it's-"
Julieta smiled at her. "It's beautiful just like you. We got it as a thank you. Bruno has seemed so much brighter since you're around and we appreciate having another girl to hang out with."
Claudia's eyes teared up.
"Well? Try it on!" Pepa excitedly said, pushing the dress into Claudia's hands, and pushed her into a bathroom.
The dress was so beautiful, but as she pulled off her shirt she saw her scars in the mirror. Did she even deserve something this pretty? Probably not, she thought as she slipped it on.
It fit like a glove. Claudia felt like she looked unrecognizable. Her hair fell in curls, and the braided emerald ribbon matched the dress perfectly. The only thing that made her uncomfy was the neckline. She kept trying to pull it up. She would just have to get used to it. Meanwhile, the other two girls had also gotten dressed, and were chatting excitedly. That was until they caught her staring at her reflection.
"Look at you. You look absolutely beautiful, " Julieta said as she approached on one side.
"You clean up amazingly," Pepa said on the other side.
Claudia turned and smiled at the two before pulling them into a big hug.
"You two are the best sister-in-laws I could ever have!"
"Careful or you'll make Pepa sprinkle," Julieta teased when she pulled back.
"I will not," said Pepa who was trying to shoo a cloud that was attempting to do exactly that, "anyways, we've got to get going."
Bruno was waiting in the courtyard. Pepa had said the girls would be done around this time and that she had a surprise for him. The last Pepa Surprise had been a blind date with the milkmaid he had a crush on, and that went horribly, so honestly he was worried. And then he saw her. She glowed the same emerald green as he had seen so much before, but this time it made him happy instead of bringing anxiety. It made her look like his, not that she belonged to anyone, especially him but- God, he couldn't think straight. She was just stunning, and all he had done was put his hair in a bun and wear an emerald shirt and brown slacks. He quickly fixed his bun, if she looked like that then he had to look just as good.
"Hi," she said shyly as she got to him.
"Woah."
"What?" Claudia seemed confused.
"Nothing!" He said quickly, "Just uh, you look good. I mean great. I mean good."
"Thanks," she said looking at the floor, " You don't think it's….umm too much for me?"
"Too much," he questioned.
"It's just I'm not used to dresses like this, and….nevermind it's stupid."
He couldn't say that he wasn't worried when she did that. Bruno had begun to pick up on Claudia's nervous habits and if her self doubt stemmed like his, well then he really wished he could help her. So he did the one thing he could think of, he offered her his arm. When she looked at him strangely, he gave her a sheepish smile.
"I figured, you know, since we're married in all, I could uh maybe escort you. Heh."
"Oh," she said looking at his arm before slowly taking it, "Thanks."
"Aw look at you two," Pepa started, "So adorable!"
The two turned bright red and quickly separated to the dismay of Pepa, who immediately pushed them back together.
"Now, none of that Pepa," Julieta tisked, "You're embarrassing them."
But despite Pepa's pushing, when the two girls began to walk to leave the house, Claudia retook Bruno's arm shyly and they began to walk with the girls.
"Have you ever been to a festival Claudia? I don't remember ever seeing you in the past." Julieta asked as they walked.
"Oh no, I'm not too good with big crowds," lied Claudia.
In reality, the Rojas had refused every time. They didn't want her associating with them, well except when it helped them. So, she stayed at home cleaning and doing housework. She could hear the festivals and had always wanted to see one in the least.
Bruno could tell she was lying, but he couldn't call her on it. Not yet anyways. He just knew that something was wrong with the Rojas, but he had no definite proof. He promised himself he would soon enough. He knew his sisters didn't believe her either, but luckily Pepa kept her mouth shut.
"Oh well they're amazing. There's music, dancing, and food." Pepa said. "In fact some men from the village picked up some food Julieta cooked this morning, so you know it's good."
Julieta smiled. "You're too kind, but I'm sure Senora Moreno made her famous polvorosas and I know you love those more than anything I could ever make."
As they approached Claudia could hear the faint music of the village and could see the colorful decorations. Women were dressed in bright colorful dresses and everyone seemed to be having a grand old time. It was like a dream she had had in the past, except this time it was real.
"Aye, Pepa, mi vida, I'm so glad you're here. I missed you so much. You look radiant mi cielo."
Felix popped up behind the group as they watched the festivities. He took Pepa's hand and laid a kiss on it. A sunset colored cloud appeared over her head and she seemed to melt a little.
"Well I'm here now. And I missed you too."
Felix lay another kiss on her hand before pulling her to the dance floor.
"Now my dear, let's dance!"
He pulled Pepa onto the dance floor as the two began twirling and stepping like they were dancing on air.
"Well, I'd better go find Augustin. He told me he'd wait for me at the dress shop." Julieta said before she walked away leaving Bruno and Claudia alone.
They stood there for a bit taking in the swirling dancers and the beautiful music. Bruno seemed nervous.
"Hey, Claudia?"
"Yes?"
"Would you...uh…like something to drink?" It seemed like he had changed what he was going to say in the middle of his sentence.
"Um, sure," and with that he was off.
A few minutes after he left an older man who was clearly intoxicated wandered up to Claudia.
"Hey bebé, want to dance?"
She could smell the alcohol on his breath.
"No thank you," she said as she backed up a step. The man quickly grabbed her hand causing her to flinch.
"Oh come on, just one little dance it won't hurt ya."
Claudia began to breathe quicker. She didn't like people she didn't trust touching her. Why was he touching her? Why couldn't he just-
"I would prefer it if you took your hands off my wife," Bruno appeared over her shoulder, drinks in his hands,"I'm sure she'd prefer it too."
The man blanched. "She's your wife!? I heard some poor soul had-" Claudia took her hand away and glared at him.
"Had what?" she asked.
"Nothing, I'm just gonna-" and the man quickly walked away.
Claudia took a deep breath. "Thanks" she said, turning to Bruno and taking one of the drinks from him.
Bruno flushed. "It was uh no problem. Sorry about umm….nevermind. I'm just gonna- well um. Yea."
She smiled at him and the two stood there for a while, just enjoying the festival in silence.
