Summary:

Gabriela accidentally spills her secret to Julieta and Pepa when they invite her to Feria de las Flores.

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Written in Gabriela's POV.

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"Hey, Gabriela. Do you have plans for Feria de las Flores?" Pepa asks me while we're busy shaping the masarepa for the arepas. It's already been a few months since Julián dragged me over to Casa Madrigal to visit in an attempt for me to make friends, which amazingly, worked. I became close with two of the Madrigal triplets, save for their brother, who I'm not sure if I could call a friend. Most of the time Bruno is busy or away whenever I'm around.

I shake my head. "Oh, no. I don't do festivals." Pepa gasps, the cloud above her head becoming overcast.

"What? But it's so fun! And, since mi amor Félix is the one in charge of the festival, it's sure to be a big hit."

"Any reason why you're not a fan, Gabriela?" Julieta says as she takes our completed arepas to the grill. "I think your family's been tapped to prepare the music."

I sigh. I haven't exactly told any of them my secret, so they don't know that Mamá and Papá have already agreed for me to stay behind at home. I try to avoid the question. "It's…complicated." I shrug, hoping they drop the subject. They don't.

"What's so complicated?" Pepa eyes me. "You're not allergic to flowers like Bruno."

"Pollen." I correct her, remembering that he has mentioned it before. "He's allergic to pollen." Pepa shrugs. "Same thing, and yet he's going. Come on, Gabriela! It wouldn't be 100% fun without you there! There's dancing, there's food…"

"I'm not a fan of the noise."

Julieta raises an eyebrow. "The noise? That's a bit odd coming from you. You work at a music store."

"Oh, that's different. I'm already used to that. I mean I don't do well with large crowds because everyone's thoughts mesh together, and it gives me a headache."

I turn to look at both Julieta and Pepa. They both have a shocked look on their face. There's a very long silence that settles as they process what I've just said. The only sound in the room is the arepas that are sizzling on the hot grill.

Mierda. I realize I accidentally slipped and spilled my secret.

"Everyone's…thoughts…mesh?" Pepa blinks at me. I chuckle nervously. "Heh. Um, forget I even said that. Maybe I should go…"

Casita blocks my exit, preventing me from leaving. Ay, I forgot the Madrigals live in a magical house. I frown at the china cabinet that's blocking my way.

"What do you mean by what you said, Gabriela?" Julieta says, her voice soothing, trying to get me comfortable enough to talk. My eyes dart back and forth between her and Pepa.

"We're waiting," Pepa says a little bit impatiently. Julieta shakes her head at her sister and Pepa pouts, and sighs. The cloud above her head disappears.

I take a deep breath to calm myself down. "Fine. I'll tell you. But you must swear not to tell anyone. Not Félix, or Agustín or even Bruno…but most especially, not Señora Alma."

Pepa's eyebrow raises. "I swear."

"I'm serious, Pepa."

"Ugh, fine." She throws her hands up in defeat. "I'll keep quiet! So why do everyone's thoughts mesh together?"

I scratch the back of my head. "Well…how do I put this? I…also have a gift. I can read minds, and when there are so many people, it gets very…messy."

"Wait. Is this for real?" Pepa stares at me. "What am I thinking about, then?" She's testing me. Classic.

I crinkle my nose. "What the hell, Pepa?"

Julieta looks confused. "Pepa, what are you thinking about that's getting Gabriela all worked up?" Pepa cackles, seemingly pleased with herself. "I was thinking how Gabriela seemed all cozy with Bruno that one afternoon at the plaza."

"Oh, I remember that. They did look so cute!" Julieta grins. I feel my cheeks heat. "It's not like that…" I try to explain myself before they can even start their teasing. I've already seen firsthand how they badger Bruno. "I saw what's on the townfolks' minds, and I felt bad for Bruno…so I tried to make him feel…safe…being there."

Understanding flickers on their faces. "I mean…Bruno and I are not the same, but I know what it's like to have a gift that's like a double-edged sword. I just…" I'm rambling at this point when Pepa hugs me and starts to bawl. "You're such a good person, Gabriela! What will we ever do without you?"

It starts to drizzle. "Pepa, you're drizzling. You're making Gabriela's dress wet." Julieta shakes her head but joins in the hug. "Thanks for being completely honest with us, Gabriela. We promise we won't tell your secret to anyone."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you both sooner. It's just…I didn't want it to affect our friendship…because…"

Julieta shushes me as Pepa breaks off the hug. "You don't need to explain yourself to us. We understand what it's like to have people be a bit wary of us for being different."

"But…"

Pepa shakes her head. "No buts." She grins, and the room becomes brighter. "You're one of us now, Gabriela. We're sisters from another mother!"

I laugh at that. "I've always wanted older sisters."

"Well, since the secret is out…does that mean you'll come with us on the day of the festival then?"

I roll my eyes. She really won't stop until I say yes. "Ay, Pepa. You really won't take no for an answer, hm? Fine, I'll go with you guys. Where should we meet up?"

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I adjust the flower crown on my head for the umpteenth time. I've been waiting at our meetup point for about an hour now.

"Gabriela!" I hear someone call out to me. I turn around to see Pepa waving at me with her free hand, the other holding Dolores to make sure she doesn't get lost in the crowd. Behind her are Julieta and Agustín with Isabela, and Bruno. I walk over to them, my annoyance dissipating when I see the two little girls.

"Have you been waiting long, Gabriela? Lo siento," Julieta says, motioning to the girls. "They were making a little bit of a fuss at home."

"It's fine, Julieta. I understand." I smile at Isabela and Dolores, who look so adorable in their Sunday best. "Hello, mis niñas adorables. I'm so glad to see you two again!" Isabela brightens up immediately.

"Señorita, I like your flower crown. It's so pretty!" Isabela looks at me in awe. "Are they real flowers?" I shake my head. "Oh, no, they're not real flowers. I made them from fabric, so they'll always look beautiful."

Isabela looks amazed. "Wow. They look so real." She gets excited as a little girl would. "Did you know my Papá studies flowers? When I grow up I want to be just like him." I turn to Agustín and laugh. "That explains why you're always being stung by bees."

Agustín shrugs. "Comes with the profession. I don't mind it though. It's how I met Julieta after all." Julieta rolls her eyes at her husband. "Ay, such a flirt."

"Where's Félix and Señora Alma?" I turn to Pepa. Before she could even respond, Dolores pipes up. "Abuela and Papá are over by the stage for the pageant." She turns to her mamá. "I want to walk with Señorita Gabriela!"

"Me too, me too!" Isabela says, trying to scramble off Agustín's arms.

I look at their parents. "I don't think I can handle two little girls in this crowd."

"I'll go with you."

We all turn to look at Bruno, who's rubbing his arm. "Are you sure, Bruno?" Julieta asks. I know what she means by that. He nods. "If Gabriela is okay with me accompanying her, I don't mind."

I give both Julieta and Pepa an assuring smile. "I don't. I'd be happy to have Bruno with me." Isabela and Dolores immediately squeal in excitement. I look at Julieta questioningly, and she shrugs. "The girls adore their Tío Bruno because he spoils them so much."

Pepa shakes her head disapprovingly. "Make sure to keep them away from sweets, please?"

"I don't spoil them!" Bruno says, shaking his head. He picks up Dolores and lifts her to sit on his shoulders. She squeals in delight. "I can see everything from here!" She yells. I open my arms to take Isabela from Agustín. "I'll keep an eye on these three," I assure Pepa. "You guys enjoy yourselves. We'll meet up with you later."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Bruno says before Dolores pulls on his hair. "¡Ay! Don't pull on Tío's hair, Dolores."

Dolores swings her feet, clearly getting impatient. I laugh at Bruno. "Come on, let's go see the festival."

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Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):

Feria de las Flores - The Flowers Festival. It takes place in Medellín, Antioquía and happens every year during the first two weeks of August. In this story they have a similar celebration in Encanto, though it doesn't run the same length as Medellín.
Masarepa - a precooked, ground corn flour that is used to prepare arepas
Mis niñas adorables- my adorable girls