Chapter 3:
- 18 months later -
(Felix POV)
Fire. All I knew was fire. Crying out for someone I knew would never come. I knew everything that was going to happen as the heat filled my lungs. This singular memory on repeat. Fire. Crying. Fire. Crying. Fire. Suddenly I was placed in the back of a wagon and being pulled away. I kicked and screamed the entire way until the fire and heat were gone.
I took a sharp inhale as I woke up. I hated that dream. I had it most nights and it usually meant that I wasn't going back to sleep anytime soon. I looked out the window and it was pitch black outside. A cool breeze was flowing and I appreciated the cool feel across my face. I nodded my head to myself as I rubbed the scar I had on the back of my neck.
My family didn't live in Encanto with me, granted I didn't know if they were alive or not anymore or where they lived before. The only thing they ever gave me was my first name and the scar I have had since before anyone here could remember. It was usually covered by my shirt but after this nightmare I always, involuntarily, brushed my fingers across it. No one knew who my family was and no one knew my last name. All they knew was that they helped guide them to this oasis before the mountain rose. At least that was all anyone would tell me about them.
I let out a long breath shaking my head, there was no point in focusing on any of this. I went to the kitchen and pulled out a glass and poured some water. I took a long sip when I noticed the winds were shifting slightly. It was probably all in my head, but my mind went to Pepa. I sighed as the cool breeze was blowing a little bit harder. I hope that she is alright?
We had teamed up to give Augustin and Julieta more alone time together whenever we could. Thing was that I actually really liked spending time with her, more than I probably should have. I knew that she was never going to see me that way I was just one of her friends, maybe even just her brother's friend. I took a sip as I continued to look out the window. In the distance I could see Casa Madrigal behind all the trees and some building in Encanto.
I looked up at the sky, at town, at Casa Madrigal. I don't know why but it made me feel less alone.
(Pepa POV)
I was watching as they all played. It looked like a lot of fun. I went over to ask them if I could play as well. I was really excited to join in on the fun and maybe make a few more friends. "Can I play?" I asked them. I could see from the look on their face that they weren't sure what to say, "We just don't want another game to be rained out." "Can you control your gift?" "It wouldn't be fair to whatever team you are on." Excuse after excuse came out.
I nodded my head and walked away a cloud was forming over my head and raining down on me as I sat down burying my head in my arms. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I looked up and saw a little boy smiling down at me, "Hey do you want to play?" "Are you sure? I don't want to ruin your fun," I said. He just smiled at me, "You know I never really minded the rain." He rolled a ball over to me and I smiled as he gave me a hand to stand up. Maybe I made a friend after all?
I don't know why I woke up. I just felt myself stirring and needed to get out of bed. Mama told Julieta and I today that she was starting to plan our Quinceñera. It was 6 months away but, she reminded me that there was still so much work that had to be done. She told us that we had to start thinking about our court and who would be our escorts.
Julieta already knew that she wanted Augustin, Felix and Bruno in our court and I had no objections to any of that. It just made me realize the look of friends that are girls we had or I had. Many of them were worried that because the weather often changes around me and I was going to ruin their clothes or hair or something else. It didn't bother me thinking about it until moments like this. I'm sure Mama will strong arm some families in town with daughters to be a part of our court.
I don't know why all of this was stirring in my mind as I went to look at the window. It was so calm at night in Encanto. A gentle breeze was flowing, and I'd like to imagine I wasn't the cause for a while. My room overlooked the fields and from the distance I saw a tiny speck that was separated from the rest of town. I wonder who lived there?
(Felix POV)
I didn't end up sleeping much the rest of the night but as the sun was starting to rise I took the opportunity to go to work early. Señor Enrique didn't mind what time I came as long as I got my word done. I was seeding the front fields today as the sun was beating down on my back. I couldn't complain, it meant Pepa was happy today. As I worked I heard someone coming over, "Felix?" I looked up and saw Pepa standing there. I put down my work, "Good morning Pepa." She gave me this look, "Felix it is 3 in the afternoon." No wonder I was almost done, I thought to myself, "What can I do to help you?"
She looked down at her feet before looking back up at me and I swear it got a few degrees hotter as I wiped the sweat from my brown, "Well Julieta and I are having our quinces this year..." she started. I nodded my head, "I know we have to figure out how to get Augustin and Julieta partnered up for the night." She smiled, "Yeah we do. You know what might make it easier?" I shrugged, "What?" "If you were a part of the court." I smiled up at her, "Pepa Madrigal are you asking me to be a part of your court of honor?" She bit her bottom lip, "Julieta and I would both like it if you would consider it." I smiled at her, "Of course." I would do anything for them.
I felt a breeze brush across my face and I smiled. She was relieved. A part of me liked the fact that the cooler weather came from when she was happy and relieved like this. "Thanks, Julieta and I had a deal. I would ask you if she would ask Augustin," she said with a smile. "The Augustin-Julieta task force strikes again," I said and she started laughing and I did too. "So who else is going to be in the court?" I asked.
She sighed, "Mama is going to ask some girls in town because it is a bit more on the boy side." "Myself, Augustin and Bruno, right?" I asked and she nodded her head. "Yeah and then it is just a matter of picking our escorts." "Oh," I said. She nodded her head, "Yeah I have someone I want to ask but, I'm not sure." I smiled at her, "You should go for it. I'm sure he will say yes." She smirked at me and shrugged, "Maybe." I wanted to say something else but she then straightened herself out, "I have to go. I'm helping out in town today. I'll see you around." I smiled as she waved off.
(Pepa POV)
I don't know why I was so nervous to ask Felix. I knew that he was going to say yes. Still I'm glad I talked to him. Now I just needed to figure out my escort. I knew who I wanted to ask. I knew that Mama would approve. I also knew that Julieta and Bruno would have... opinions after I asked.
I was walking into town when I saw Mama, "Pepa have you thought more about your escort?" I nodded my head, "Yeah I have. How about Hernando Santiago?" She smiled, "The Santiagos. That's a good choice. I will talk to their family." I smiled at her. I had a crush on Hernando for a long time now and maybe he would like me too. At least if he didn't I wouldn't be there when he rejected me.
I walked over to Julieta's stand and I could see the look on her face, "Did you talk to Felix?" I nodded my head, "Yes he will be a member of our court." She smiled, "Good. Augustin is going to as well." "Perfect," I said. She nodded her head, "Yeah now we just need to figure out our escorts." "Um, I already talked to Mama about that." "Really?" I nodded my head, "Who?" "Hernando Sanchez," I said. I saw the frown on Julieta's face and I rolled my eyes, "Julieta." "I'm not saying anything I just thought you would've asked someone else," she said. "Who?" She opened and closed her mouth, "Never mind." I hated when she did that. Still I was excited to see what was going to happen the night of our quinces.
(Felix POV)
I made my way into town after I finished up work. A few guys couldn't come in today and I was able to cover there plots which meant that I was going to get a little more money for the day. Good thing to because I wasn't sure how else I would be able to afford the suit and presents I will have to give for the Quinceñera and getting Bruno a gift too, it was still his birthday also.
I was walking through town in a very good mood. That was when I saw Hernando Santiago and his friends walking by, "Felix?" I stopped and turned to face them, "Hello Hernando." "Hernando Santiago, I thought we covered this Felix. If I am going to call you by your full name you are going to call me by mine," I suppressed an eye roll, "To what do I owe this pleasure." He looked down at me, "Well. I don't know if you heard but I was just invited to be in the Madrigal Quinceñera court." I chocked back my annoyance. It was probably just because he was a part of a respected family in Encanto, "Yeah I will be escorting Pepa Madrigal."
Pepa Madrigal. Pepa Madrigal. Pepa Madrigal. My heart dropped as he said that. I knew that I wasn't the guy she was talking about today. I never assumed I was, but Hernando Santiago. Seriously. "Congratulations. I'm also in their court," I said trying to seem unaffected. He scoffed at me, "Wow. You know jealousy really doesn't become you." I wasn't going to argue with him, he would find out soon enough. I went to walk away, "I mean you are just an unwanted house guest you are barely a part of Encanto." I looked back over at him, "I haven't lived with you for 3 years now Hernando let it go."
I shook him off as I continued to walk and had a smile on my face as I talked to people in town and helped where I could. I wasn't going to change my public image because of Hernando. Still he got to me. He always knew how to get to me. I guess that is what happens when you live with someone for 17 months. The wind was dying down as the sun continued to shine. I kind of wished the winds would have stayed.