It's been fourteen years since you were named Penita Sanchez. You've lived in Encanto for exactly fourteen years of your life.
"Morning, Señor Jose!" you called cheerfully as you passed him.
"Buenos dias," he replied, sipping from a cup of coffee.
You giggled at the sight of three children playing tag with each other and rushing through town. Like every other day, you were heading for the trading market, where you normally went to go meet your best friend, Paloma Garcia. She was sitting in the wooden jewelry stand, looking bored as ever, and brightened when she saw you.
"Peni!" she called, hopping over to meet you. The two of you exchanged hugs, then initiated your usual complicated handshake that everyone always seemed surprised that you both remembered by heart.
Fist bump
Shake hands by grabbing each other's wrists
Take turns spinning each other around
Twirl in circles with one foot against the other's and the separate foot sticking out
Slap her on the back
Get slapped back
Raise your fists like you're about to fight
Pretend to punch each other and both begin to fall with feign groans of pain
Get back up and lock hands as if about to arm wrestle and growl at each other
Then laugh the whole thing off
This long and absolutely ridiculous handshake took less than a full minute of banter, but it got some weird and/or amused looks that both of you ignored and went on about your day.
"So, how're things at home?" you asked.
"Oh, just the same as usual." Paloma rolled her eyes, dropping her tone to a less enthusiastic one. "Tía Sara still wants to move out, Mamá still won't tell me anything about mi padre, mi padrastro is still strange and quirky as ever, and mi abuelos are just their typical kooky selves." Brightening her tone a bit, she added, "What about you?"
"Well, Mamá thinks that I'm growing up too fast and Papá just wants me to enjoy life while I have it. Gotta say, it's pretty boring."
"Wow, wish we could switch places." Paloma looked away enviously. "Never a dull moment with me, meanwhile, your life's nothing but dull."
You placed a hand on your chest, gasping softly. "Owww," you whined, brows creasing with hurt.
Paloma bumped her hip into yours. "Quit," she muttered, earning a giggle.
"Paloma! Peni!"
The two of you turned at a new voice and you perked up as you recognized it. Meanwhile, Paloma crossed her arms and smiled, shaking her head a bit at you.
"Mira!" you cried, rushing over to Mirabel Madrigal for a hug, who was happily copying your movements. When you pulled away, you asked, "How's the family? Is Antonio doing okay? I haven't seen him in a few years now. And what about your sisters? Isa isn't still being a showoff, is she? And does Dolores still complain about hearing everything? And how does your mom make all those foods? And your Tía Pepa must have something going on, because the sky's been dreary lately, you know what I mean? And is your Abuela-"
"Too many questions!" Mirabel spluttered. "Peni, you're going too fast; I can't keep up."
You covered your mouth. "Ooh! Sorry."
She smiled. "It's alright. The family's fine. After all, we are thee amazing Madrigals."
You chuckled a bit at her slightly sarcastic, dramatic tone.
"Just checking," you murmured. "Wouldn't want to have to rally the whole town again to rebuild Casita 'cause you guys can't stop bickering."
You were half joking, but your words had a ring of truth. It was you that had to struggle to convince the town to help the Madrigals last year rebuild Casita. They'd only been reluctant to help though because of what'd happened when they last saw them before Casita's crumbling, which was the whole situation with Isabella and the Guzmans, but at least it was over now, especially since Mariano ended up with Dolores instead.
"Wanna come hang out and check on Casita now?" Mirabel offered.
"Oh, sure!" you exclaimed, then added with a glance in Paloma's direction, "But only if Paloma can come too."
You yanked her by the arm into a side hug, but she stiffened and pulled away. "Oh, no," she mumbled. "I'm good."
After giving her a questioning look, you shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Mirabel then led you to Casita, who you happily greeted.
"Morning, Casita!" you called, earning a constant rattle of the tiles going up and down in response.
Smiling, you followed Mirabel inside, nearly crashing into Luisa, who was helping her father Augustín move some furniture around.
"Oh! Sorry, Señor. Sorry, Luisa."
"You're alright," Augustín assured, then they continued on.
You stared at all the doors you passed, then paused in front of one with a face you didn't recognize. At the top, the name read "Camilo".
"Hey. . ." you mumbled, reaching to touch the door.
Mirabel turned to look at you. "Hm?"
"I don't. . .remember who this is. . ."
"Oh, him? He's one of my primos. His name's Camilo."
"Oh. . ."
Confused as to why you didn't know the name, you continued to follow Mirabel until you reached the nursery, which you liked to think of as her own special door.
You plopped onto the bed as Mirabel walked over to the table, setting her bag on it and taking out anything she didn't need in it.
"Wonder why I'm not familiar with his name," you began, half to yourself. Mirabel gave you a half smile over her shoulder. "I mean, I can list every other Madrigal by heart, watch." You listed them on your fingers. "Abuela Alma, Abuelo Pedro, Juieta, Bruno, Pepa, Isabella, Luisa, you, Antonio, Felíx, Augustín, Samantha, Dolores, Luna/Lunar if Bruno's child ends up a boy or girl, but not once do I ever remember the name Camilo. . ."
"Maybe it's just 'cause you guys don't talk," Mirabel suggested, shrugging with one shoulder as she placed her bag in her closet.
You shrugged as well. "Maybe. . ." Suddenly, you had an idea. "Hey, can you get me to talk to him sometime? I wanna get to know him better."
Mirabel grinned at you. "Sure."
1217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlTiCeY0JA
A/N: Yes, I gave Bruno a wife named Samantha and she's pregnant with his child who'll either be named Luna or Lunar based on biological gender, flippin' sue me.
Anywho, it'll be explained why your name is Penita Sanchez later on, but you gotta get to know Camilo before that happens, so, stay tuned if you're genuinely curious for some reason-
ns 15.158.61.20da2
