Chapter 5: Pranks
55 years before Encanto
Pedro came up to Alma's casita, recognising the carved butterfly on the door. He knocked, shifting his weight a little in nervous energy. Ever since he'd said goodbye, all Pedro could think about was seeing her again.
The door opened and Pedro's face lit up as he saw Alma's grumpy face emerge.
"You mustn't be a morning person." He chuckled.
Alma stared back at him with a dry expression, looking him over, but Pedro wasn't discouraged.
"Buenas dias." He smiled, leaning in to kiss her.
The slap was hard and unexpected. Pedro flinched, wide eyes looking back at her in disbelief as the door slammed in his face.
There was a rustling sound from above and suddenly the real Alma dropped down from a nearby tree, clapping a hand to his shoulder and laughing as Pedro stood wide eyed and in shock.
"Wait," Pedro shook his head, turning to Alma, then the door. "How did you-"
"Magic." Alma shrugged, still chuckling to herself as she put arms around his shoulders and gave him the kiss he'd tried to get from the wrong sister.
Pedro relaxed into the kiss, then pulled away, turning to the door again. He glanced back, his smile bright with realisation.
"You're a twin."
Alma shifted uncomfortably at his words, then put on a brave smile.
"I'm not a twin." She told him, taking his hand in hers and interlocking their fingers. She led him into town, head on his shoulder and bright eyes meeting his. "But I am a morning person."
Later
Pedro greeted almost every person they passed, and Alma found that odd. She was used to doing her own thing, ignoring the rest of the town. They never really understood Alma and Alma didn't care enough to understand them. In school she'd stuck with her sisters and that was that.
"When you're part of a community, you become part of something bigger than yourself." Pedro explained. "You become one. A family, united by love."
Alma shrugged. "Can't relate."
"But everybody has a story." Pedro insisted, gesturing out to the crowd. "Everyone here is the main character of their own journey, and our paths intertwine. When things get hard, there are always people to turn to. Strong hands to lift burdens, kind ears to listen."
Alma followed his hand with her eyes as she tried to see it for herself. Alma had never really considered herself a people person.
"Everybody has both good and bad in them." Pedro continued. "Everybody has something they struggle with. But when we are together as a community, we are never alone."
Alma found herself watching Pedro as he talked. He really seemed passionate about what he was saying. She liked the animated way he described things.
"So you like to see the best in people?" She asked.
Pedro nodded, his eyes bright. "To love at all is to love entirely."
Alma smiled, knowing her sister would've loved that.
"Who said that?" She asked.
Pedro smiled back. "I did."
"You?" Alma raised an eyebrow. "You made that up?Just then?"
"Yes." He grinned. "Well- not just then. But yes." his face glowed a little. "I'm a writer."
Alma smiled, because it suited him.
Pedro watched her, waiting for her to speak. Alma loved that about him, he always seemed interested in what she had to say.
She quickly kissed his cheek.
Pedro grinned. "What's that for?"
Alma kissed him again.
"You."
Pedro seemed to like that a lot. He held his hands out for Alma to hold, and she took them.
"I want to know your story." His eyes shone bright with sincerity.
Alma shifted. She wasn't so sure about that.
"I... Wouldn't know where to start."
He smiled. "How about with your name?"
"You already know that." She shrugged. "Mariposa. Remember?"
He chuckled. "Right."
"Alma!"
Alma scowled at the sound of her sister's voice calling in the distance.
Pedro's face lit up in excitement. "Alma?"
"No, not me." Alma shrugged it off. "Some old lady."
"I can see you, Alma." Ramona called again as she approached.
"Must be some mistake." Alma insisted, still ignoring her sister.
"Dios, Alma!" Ramona came up to her. "Are you deaf?"
"Never seen this woman in my life." Alma insisted, glancing at her identical sister, then she and Pedro both began to laugh.
"You!" Mona's eyes flashed furiously at Pedro, and he held up hands in surrender.
Alma watched with an amused expression, but didn't step in.
"What's your problem?" Mona demanded. "Couldn't stop at one sister, huh?"
Alma watched as the playful demeanour left Pedro's face, and now he wore that same soft caring expression he'd had when Alma had been up on the roof.
"I'm really sorry about that." Pedro said in a genuine voice. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Mona hesitated, because she could see he was being sincere. She glanced suspiciously between Alma and Pedro, and Alma could see the wheels in her sister's head turning as she calculated the situation.
"You wanted something?" Alma sighed, her arms crossed.
Ramona turned to her, but her expression was unexpectedly soft now.
"Mama is looking for you." She said quietly, hand in her pocket but Alma recognised fresh red marks along her wrist.
Alma's eyes met her sister's and she felt a tug at her heart. The last thing she wanted was to leave Pedro and go back home, but she knew she couldn't leave Mona like this.
They hadn't gotten along very well the past couple years, but Alma still felt fiercely protective of Mona. Alma didn't always like her sister, but she would always love her. Nothing could change that.
"I'll see you later, Mariposa." Pedro smiled, seeing Alma struggle and trying to make it easier for her.
"Tomorrow." Alma agreed, putting a hand to his cheek and kissing him while Ramona raised her eyebrows.
They turned and left, Alma avoiding her sister's gaze although it burned through her. She could practically feel her smiling.
"Mariposa?"
"Don't." Alma quickly warned her.
"I said nothing." Mona grinned, throwing an arm around Alma that was promptly swatted off.
"You don't have to say anything." Alma scowled. "Your stupid look says it all."
"So does yours." Mona grinned, leaning in with a playful voice. "Alma's in love."
Alma blew a puff of air at her sister to try and get her out of her face, then she couldn't help but smile.