Chapter 4:
(Pepa POV)
- 2 months later -
I made my way into town alone because I was running late today. I saw Felix and smiled as I made my way over, "Hi." He nodded his head, "Hello Pepa." Something was off with him. "Felix?" He sighed, "I have to go to work. I'll see you around." That was weird. I watched as he walked off and I wanted to say something but I didn't know what to do.
(Felix POV)
I didn't want to have to go through town today but, I had no choice. I ran out of pretty much everything and I wanted to pick them up before work. All of my friends would already be at work so I figured I could sneak in and out giving a few smiles and waves to people in town. That was until I ran into Pepa Madrigal, "Hi." She gave me this big, bright smile and I wished I could have given her one too but, I just couldn't today, "Hello Pepa." She looked at me confused, "Felix?" I really didn't want to do this today, "I have to go to work. I'll see you around."
I went off to work going through the overgrown path just to get to the fields. I put my head down and was trying to just get through it as quickly as possible. I just wanted to go to bed and for this day to be over with. "It's just one day a year," I reminded myself as I continued to get to work.
(Pepa POV)
I then saw Augustin, "Hey Augustin." He turned to face me, "Hey Pepa. What's up?" I looked over in Felix's direction as he was walking towards the fields, "Do you know what's going on with Felix?" He sighed, "Um it's a rough day for Felix. Um you know about his family right?" I nodded my head. Everyone in town knew what they did, "Well today is his birthday. It's one of the few things that he knows from them. It's just not a good day for him."
"Oh, I didn't know. I mean I knew he was a few months older than all of us but," I started but he nodded his head, "He didn't even what day it was until two years ago and that was mostly because... well let's just say he had to tell me." I wasn't sure I wanted to know that story but I just shook it off, "Well are we going do anything for him?" Augustin shook his head, "Pepa. He really hates today. I mean he doesn't hate it, it's just really complicated. Best thing to do is to give him some space. He'll be back to himself tomorrow." I sighed nodding my head, "Ok. See you around." He nodded his head and walked away.
I still felt bad. Oh no, I felt bad. I looked up at the sky as clouds started rolling in. "Clear skies. Clear skies. Clear skies." I kept repeating but the weather wasn't changing. I looked around and hid in an alleyway. If the weather wasn't going to change maybe I could contain it so that it was only with me. As I kept taking deep breaths I felt bad for Felix. I knew what Augustin and he probably knew better than me about this but then I thought about the gift Felix gave me last year on my birthday.
(Felix POV)
I sighed as I looked at my finished work. It had taken my mind off of things for a few hours. I had to go through town to pick up the stuff I ordered this morning. I smiled at the shopkeepers and kept that smile on my face when I handed them the money. I looked at all my bags and nodded my head as I made my way back to my shack.
That was when I saw Pepa sitting on my doorstep, "Pepa what are you doing here?" She smiled, "Well I mean you did give me a gift on my birthday." Dang it Augustin. I was going to have to kill him later. "Look today is really not a good day to be around me Pepa," she just smiled though. "That's never stopped you from hanging out with me before," she said. Why was she making good points right now. I let out a long breath, "Alright come in."
We walked into the shack and I went into the kitchen area, "So how did you find out where I live?" I asked her. She sat down on the couch, "I asked around town. They said you moved in here after living with the Gomez's." I nodded my head, "Yeah I moved in here 2 years ago today." She looked at me, "You moved out on your Birthday?" I sighed, "Can we stop talking about my birthday please?" She nodded her head, "Ok. Well would you mind opening this gift that is in no way related to today?" I let out an amused breath, "Fine."
I began pulling back the wrapping paper and saw a dozen cupcakes. I knew that I couldn't give it back to her without offending her, especially after I gave her a gift last year. "You have to at least take one," I said as I placed it in her hand. She looked up at me, "Fine but I'm not eating alone." I nodded my head and took a cupcake sitting down next to her.
She then looked up at me, "Why don't you celebrate?" I looked at her, "You aren't going to let this go right?" She nodded her head. I let out a breath, "Well. Every year today the family I would stay with would decide if they would keep me around for another year or if I was going to live with someone else. I honestly don't even know if its my actual birthday or not it is just the closest thing I have to one. I never stayed with a family for more than 2 years. The Gomez's were a special case they only had me for 7 months. There was a problem in the house I was in before. After that I asked if there was anywhere that I can stay on my own. I had already for Enrique for a while, started to work full time and the town gave me this place."
(Pepa POV)
I never knew about that. I watched as he took another bite of the cupcake, "I mean it's not all bad. I'm saving up. I want to be able to afford a home in town one day, actually be a part of town." I shoved his arm, "Are you kidding me? You are already a part of town. I don't think I can name a person who doesn't like you." He had a strange look on his face before shaking his head, "Everyone here has family around." I shrugged, "Well Augustin is basically your brother. He had Julieta are definitely going to end up together one day so she is going to be your sister," I said and he laughed a little, "which means that Bruno and I will always be around. You don't have a traditional family but, you do have one in town. Some of whom would love to spend your birthday with you."
He rolled his eyes but he was smiling, "Well between you and Augustin I doubt my birthday will be a secret next year." I nodded my head, "I'm glad you've accepted your fate." He was laughing a little bit before looking over at me, "Of right do you want some water or something?" I shook my head, "I'm fine. I probably should head back before the town sends out a search party." He nodded his head before looking back at me, "You know I noticed a few clouds today at work, were you ok?" I nodded my head, "Yeah I had it under control." He gave me this look before nodding his head, "Happy Birthday Felix."
(Felix POV)
I waited a little while longer and I heard a knock on the door. "Hey Augustin what are you doing here today?" I said not even looking to see who it was. He came in, "Yeah, yeah I know. You don't want to celebrate but I couldn't not come over and... why are there cupcakes here?" He turned to face me, "Did you tell anyone what do it is today." He looked up to the sky, "Why are you trying to get me killed Pepa? I'm sorry she was just worried about you and I was trying to explain... but that wasn't my place. Sorry." I nodded my head, "Alright I forgive you."
"Wait what?" He said as I was walking into the kitchen, "Do you want one of these she gave me a dozen?" He followed me, "When I found out today was your birthday you threatened me with bodily harm if I told anyone and now that Pepa knows thats it?" I nodded my head, "Look I don't like celebrating today and you know why I don't, but it's out there now" I sighed "I"m done trying to fight it." He looked at me and smirked, "You like her, don't you." I shook my head, "Look I know who I am, and I know who she is, and I know that I have no chance so let's not start with the false hope." "That wasn't a no," He said. I glared at him, "Do you want a cupcake or not?" He took one and we talked for a little while longer.