Chapter 4: Head Pats

55 years before Encanto

Alma quietly braided her hair in the dark, the moon providing just enough light to get ready while her sister slept beside her.

She glanced up at her reflection, liking to pretend their other sister was looking back at her in the mirror. Alma kissed her finger, then gently placed it to the reflection's cheek.

"I love you." Alma reminded her, then smiled and whispered. "Ready to have some fun?"

She tied the last red bow into her hair before getting up.

Alma tiptoed past sleeping Ramona, carefully sliding the window open and climbing out. There's been a time that Mona would've come too, but nowadays she rarely broke the rules. Most of the time Mona spent studying, and reminding Alma that as soon as she got the chance she was leaving.

Alma watched the bright moon and smiled, the fresh breeze on her face making her feel free. She jumped off the ledge and disappeared into the night.

Town was busier than usual. There was a large group of travellers who were passing through, and had stopped to join in on the dia de las velitas festivities.

A townswoman handed Alma a candle with a knowing smile and Alma smiled back. Everyone knew Alma wasn't meant to be here, but she didn't care. She loved this festival. The town lit up with golden lights of candles that danced through the night like the butterflies. She looked around in wonder, taking it all in.

With all the extra people here it was crowded, so Alma grabbed onto a pillar and climbed up, lifting herself high above the crowd. She felt proud to have found this spot, but was surprised to see someone else had done the same.

A single butterfly fluttered past, flying over to a man whose dark eyes sparkled against his candle as he smiled, waving to her from across the crowd.

Alma didn't think she was being awkward until she waved back with the same hand she'd been using to hold herself up, and she almost fell off the edge.

The man chuckled while Alma shrugged it off with a grin, then laughed too. The man looked into her eyes for a moment, then seemed to recognise something. He tilted his head in invitation, climbing higher up the pole and over the side of a casita, lifting himself effortlessly up onto the roof.

Alma raised an eyebrow as she watched him.

The man's face re-emerged over the side of the roof to check if she was following. Alma shook her head to see what would happen, and he made a dramatic sad face, pretending to sob as he fell back out of sight.

Alma laughed, waiting until he showed his face again. When he did she grinned.

"Come on." He mouthed the words, rolling his eyes and dropping his shoulders in exaggerated impatience. She playfully shook her head again and he made a big sigh, pretending to fall asleep this time.

Alma watched, finding him funny. He opened one eye, and in seeing Alma laughing he grinned too. He beckoned with his eyes, disappearing once more, and this time Alma followed.

Dios, he was fast. Once the man knew Alma was chasing he ran along the rooftops, jumping between buildings without losing speed.

Alma pursued, a little offended to find someone who might just be faster and better at climbing than she was. It felt imperative that she caught up to this man, just to prove that she could, if nothing else.

He glanced over his shoulder and grinned, darting suddenly to the right and leaving Alma skidding across tiles as she struggled to turn. She grabbed for him but missed, laughing as they continued to chase.

The man jumped a particularly wide gap between casitas, barely making it as he rolled forward to break his fall. Alma slid to a stop, breath catching because she wasn't quite sure if she'd make it.

He turned back, his demeanour different now. His face was soft with concern, as if he realised he'd just made a mistake.

Alma took a step forward and he shook his head, his hands up and eyes pleading. Alma hesitated, his kindness taking her by surprise.

"Too far." He mouthed the words, and Alma scoffed, turning away in disbelief.

Great. Now she had to jump, just to prove him wrong.

She took a few steps back and his expression relaxed, but then his mouth dropped as she sprinted forward and jumped.

Alma leapt from the roof and over the gap, the wind whistling through her hair. She held out her arms and trilled because for a second, Alma was flying.

She reached the other side and her foot scraped the edge of the roof and slipped, then steadied. She smiled to herself, proud that she did it, even if she was teetering on the edge.

The man put a hand out to help her and Alma scowled, her pride being the death of her as swung her hand away, causing herself to slip and fall down.

Alma's stomach bashed into the ledge and she toppled backwards out of sight. She landed on a windowsill, then rolled down to the road, landing with a smack.

People came over, but Alma pushed them off, embarrassed that they had all seen her fall. Alma never fell.

"You okay?"

"Fine." She groaned, shooing them away with her hand as she lay on the ground moaning and trying to catch her breath. Stupid.

She exhaled slowly, wincing as she rolled to her back.

"You alive?"

Alma opened her eyes, and there he was again, smiling down at her. He crouched and rested his arms on his knees.

The man didn't make a fuss over her. He didn't ridicule her or take over. He just sat and waited to see what she needed.

"Im alive." Alma managed to say. "On the outside, at least."

The man grinned.

"Where does it hurt the most?" He asked.

"My pride." She muttered, then her expression softened and she couldn't help but laugh.

The man laughed too. "I bet."

"And my head, I suppose." Alma sighed.

He offered a hand, bringing it to her hair. "Can I look?"

Alma considered, then nodded. There wasn't any lower her pride could sink, Alma had literally hit rock bottom. She might as well let him check she wasn't concussed. Besides, something about his energy told Alma this wasn't a bad person.

His fingers were gentle as they ran through her hair and across her scalp, carefully checking Alma over for injury. Alma closed her eyes and sighed, because the feel of his hands rubbing her head felt good.

"Hm." He carefully checked through her hair, fingers running along her temple, then down her cheek. "Looks okay to me."

She opened her eyes, seeing his face again, closer this time.

"You hungry?" He suggested, the warmth of his smile meeting his eyes.

Later

They sat at the fountain together eating buñuelos and talking. Alma enjoyed the conversation, because it felt like he actually cared about what she was saying, not just waiting for his turn to speak.

Alma hadn't realised how lonely she had become until she started talking, and couldn't stop.

"Their whole body rearranges?" The man asked, genuine interest in his eyes.

"Yes! It's called chrysalis, and they become an entirely new animal." Alma put her hands on his, food still chewing in her mouth. She made big gestures to the sky because she was so excited. "And after that, they fly away, all the way up to the sun."

"Like how you flew off the roof?" He asked with a laugh, hands on Alma's knees.

Alma laughed too, then nodded.

She noticed him touching her, but for some reason it didn't bother her like it normally would. It didn't feel like he was holding her to claim her, it was more he wanted to be close. And truth be told, so did Alma.

"You gonna tell me your name?" He asked, leaning casually against the fountain now.

Alma's smile dropped. Oh. Right. That was something she was meant to do.

"Can I guess?" He asked, and Alma's eyes lit up as she nodded.

He made a show of thinking it over, then smiled.

"Is it Mariposa?"

Alma laughed again. Something about him made her feel like she didn't have to act tough. He was just so genuine.

"I wish." Alma sighed, then felt him watching her. She looked up, eyes meeting his.

"I can call you that, if you like."

Alma's expression softened.

"Would you like that?" He asked.

She nodded, admiring the way the light reflected in his dark eyes.

"Okay, Mariposa." He smiled. "I'm Pedro."

"Hi Pedro."

Alma groaned, embarrassed because that was the best she had come up with.

He chuckled, hand carefully reaching to her face. He paused, and Alma realised he was waiting to see if she was okay with it. She smiled, the fact that he'd checked first making her want it. She leaned into his hand and felt his thumb stroke along her cheek.

The man gave her a gentle smile. "Hey, Mariposa."

Alma realised she still hadn't swallowed her food yet, so she did, and it was loud and obvious. Alma frowned at herself.

Pedro laughed. "You're really cute."

Alma felt thrown off. She wasn't used to people calling her that. She stroked her braid with a frown.

She could feel Pedro quietly watching. It was like he was really looking at her, noticing all the little details under the surface. Alma groaned, unsure if she wanted him to see.

He seemed to notice, because then his energy shifted and he looked out at the crowd instead.

Alma waited a moment, until her body relaxed and she felt comfortable again. He was still watching the crowd, chuckling in amusement as a couple kids ran past.

She shuffled closer, then cautiously reached out and touched his arm. Pedro smiled, turning back to her with a warm expression.

"Want to go for a walk?" Pedro offered, eyes gesturing to the festivities.

Alma smiled nodded, taking his hand in hers.

Later

"Well, this is it." Alma glanced over at her casita, then back to Pedro.

"There's a butterfly on your door." He noticed the carved shape in the wood.

"Yes, I did that." Alma shrugged. "With a knife."

"Dios!" Pedro laughed. "Don't let me get on your bad side."

Alma felt saddened by that, but made an effort not to let it show.

"Can I kiss you goodnight?" He asked, eyes searching hers.

Alma smiled knowingly. "You mean good morning?"

They'd spent the entire night together, up on the rooftops watching the candlelit town glitter below.

He had played with her hair and they'd held eachother, talking until the sun rose, casting golden light. Then he'd shown her his guitar, playing and singing for her while Alma had watched with bright eyes.

Alma smiled, her heart still glowing from the memories.

"Right." Pedro chuckled. "Morning. Can I kiss you good morning?"

Alma nodded, holding her breath. Something about kissing Pedro made her feel awkward, but not in a bad way. It was as if butterflies were inside her, fluttering around in her stomach.

She leaned in, his warm breath on her face and hands on her back. Alma closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of Pedro's soft touch and his gentle kiss.