This was how you first met Isabela. Camilo brought you home from school one afternoon and there she was. In a rare occurrence for Isabela, you didn't even notice her at first. You were too busy watching Luisa pick up a bunch of donkeys and that was far too much for your small brain to handle. Isabela noticed this and frowned, usually everyone stared when they met her, amazed at how beautiful and graceful she was but you hadn’t even noticed she was there. Annoyed she hung around and eventually Camilo spotted her. “Ow hey Isabela, y/n this is my cousin Isabela”. “Hey how are you?” you asked barely glancing at her before turning back to the donkey spectacle. Isabela was not impressed and she decided then and there that she hated you. Every time Camilo brought you around she'd be there to make quips or snarky comments, the annoying thing was you were impossible to offend! You were always so cheerful anytime she made a comment you'd either not hear her to you'd laugh heartily.
This continued for many years, Isabela putting all her focus into tormenting you just for you to be as nice to her as ever until Camilo started to pay attention. He watched one day as you were sat outside, peacefully waiting for him when Isabela saw you. Isabela was practising her gift in the garden and as she conjured her gift she'd look over at you every few seconds, checking if you were watching her. You weren't, so engrossed in a book Dolores had given you and this seemed to make Isabela frustrated. She kept making more and more flowers appear until eventually they sprouted all around you spraying you with pollen and petals. "Oops!" Isabela called "hope I didn't ruin your white dress" but in reply you just laughed. "Isabela that was so cool! Your gift is seriously so impressive and powerful, can you do it again?". Isabela was thrown by your compliment and with a shrug did it again. You laughed loudly twirling in the petals and Isabela stared at you. Camilo watched the scene confused why Isabela was staring at you like that, it was the same way he looked at leftover food....that's when it clicked. Isabela liked you!
After you'd given Isabela too many compliments for her to handle she returned inside and fanned herself with her hand. "Flustered?" Camilo asked and Isabela jumped "Jesus Camilo we need to get you a bell". Camilo smirked "why are you blushing?". "I'm not! It's just warm outside" Isabela replied. Camilo smiled "really, so the fact y/n is out there twirling around in a pretty white dress calling you powerful and cool had nothing to do with it?". Isabela turned a colour Camilo had never seen on his cousin before and he burst into laughter. "What!" she cried still bright pink "you're crazy" and she rushed away.
Camilo stumbled outside still laughing and called out to you "hey y/n, guess who has a crush on you". You frowned "on me? I have no idea". It's hilarious, you're going to be on the floor are you ready? It's...Isabela!" he cried. You did not react how Camilo expected. He thought you'd gasp and laugh, instead you blushed and looked down "what? how do you know?". In response Camilo was the one who gasped "YOU LIKE ISABELA TOO!". You turned pink and looked anywhere but at Camilo "can you just answer the question please?". "I can't believe this" Camilo grinned "I'm going to have so much fun messing with the two of you".
Camilo was true to his word. He teased the two of you constantly and as you and Isabela became closer and bolder around one another he was always there to smirk and joke but secretly he was thrilled. He thought the two of you would make an amazing couple, you just needed to hurry up and ask one another out!
You always had dinner at Camilo's on Sunday night and so you walked into his room late Sunday afternoon to find him waiting for you. Camilo smirked when he saw you letting you know he was in a playful mood. “Out with Isabella again?” he asked. You shrugged but couldn’t stop the smile from filling your face “maybe, we found the flower she needed”. You and Isabela also had a Sunday tradition, you'd wander the woods behind casita in search of new flowers and plants for her to try, “You know this whole I need to see more flowers to broaden my range is a farce right?” Camilo asked interrupting your thoughts “she can create anything she wants, she just wants to get you alone”. You blushed and felt your heart hammer at Camilo’s words. You’d suspected it might all be an act but Camilo telling you as much filled you with joy. “I thought it might be” you admitted and Camilo grinned “so you’re just going along with it? I never knew you were so smart”. You threw a flower at him and Camilo just laughed before going serious. “Isabela does like you y/n a lot”. You sighed “we do get along but we don’t even know if she’s...into girls”. “Well she likes you so she must be!” Camilo cried. You shrugged “even if she is, do you really think she’d come out? Your grandmother dotes on her as the perfect heternormative grandaughter, that’s a lot of pressure for a gay kid”. Camilo frowned “yeah that may be a bit more difficult” and you nodded, not able to hide your disappointment. Camilo noticed and flopped down beside you “don’t worry though, with how much you’re driving her crazy I bet that’s all the motivation she needs to be brave”. You sighed “I hope so” before Casita shook the clock telling you it was time for dinner.
You walked into the kitchen and bumped straight into Isabella going the opposite way. She was carrying a tray which you sent flying as you knocked her backwards. Isabella let out a yelp and you caught her hand pulling her back upright and somehow she kept the tray too. “Phew...close one” she said struggling to look you in the eye so close together. “Yeah...” you nodded “sorry for bumping into you”. “It’s fine” she said and you let go of her. Isabella tucked her hair behind her ear before she disappeared with a smile to you. “I knocked her foot the other day at dinner and she called her a nitwit” Mirabel said appearing from behind Isabela where she’d seen the whole thing “how is that fair?”. Camilo laughed “I guess there’s just something about y/n that Isabella can’t stay mad at”. You elbowed him and Mirabel “I have no idea what’s going on but I like it”.
You and Camilo grabbed some cutlery like everyone else and went outside to find everyone already seated. You both took a seat on the end and began dishing up the food. Then you all looked to the head of the table where Abuela would usually spread any daily news. She didn't disappoint, this evening she had big news. “Isabella, as you know we have always had close ties with the Guzman family and you’ve been friends with Mariano since you were children”. “Yeah he was always a nice guy, why do you bring him up?” Isabela asked taking a dainty bite of food. “Because we’ve been talking and thought the two of you would be a perfect match”. Isabella abruptly swallowed what little food she was eating and coughed. She kept coughing until Luisa hit her on the back and that cleared it. Isabela took a large drink of water before she finally turned back to her grandmother “what?”. “Well the two of you are the same age, from good families and you just admitted you liked him”. “Well yeah...” she agreed and her Grandmother smiled “so you agree it would be a good match?”. “Possibly, but aren’t we a bit young?”. “I was your age when I got married and your mother was around your age too, you don’t have to agree to marriage yet but will you atleast meet him? Have dinner with him and see how you feel?”. “I think we can all guess how she’d feel considering he’s a guy” Camilo muttered and Delores looked over in shock. You elbowed Camilo to keep him quiet and Isabela noticed the movement. She looked over and her eyes met yours, you could see how scared she was but you couldn’t come out for her. As much as you wanted to save her from this only she could. Isabela looked conflicted but you knew she could do this, she could tell them why she couldn’t marry Mariano and everything would be sorted. You tried to convey all that in a look to her and were on the edge of your seat at what she’d say next. “Isabela can you be open to Mariano's proposal?” her grandmother persisted and Isabella looked away from you and down at her hands. “Yes grandmother, I will meet with Mariano”. Ahh perfect!” her grandmother cried “we need to celebrate!” apparently deciding this was as good as an agreement of marriage. While Abuela and his parents were serving drinks Camilo turned to you “Are you okay? You’ve gone pale”. You paused “I...I thought she’d say no”. Camilo took your arm and led you from the room. Everyone had left their food, now distracted by the proposals nobody noticed you go expect one person. Isabella. She stared after you a mix of emotions bubbling in her chest but she didn’t follow. What could she say or do? She sighed and took the glass Abuela held out to her.
Camilo gave you a pep talk, he told you it wasn't over until Isabela said I do and even then you were a great girl and you'd find another great girl to love too. He was a great friend and despite everything you were pleased you met the Madrigals because of your best friend. After that you largely avoided the house and Camilo came to yours instead. This meant you had no idea the magic was fading or that Mirabel was on a magical quest to fix it. You had no idea what was happening until the house collapsed and you rushed up the hill. "Camilo!" you screamed seeing the rubble and when nobody replied you began to panic. You heard movement and turned to see a flash of purple, and yellow, and black and well a lot of colours you never associated with Isabela but you didn't have time to take that in. You were hit with an overwhelming relief to see her alive and well but the look on her face killed you. Isabela looked so lost and scared, she saw you and her eyes widened "y/n?" she asked and her voice cracked. You rushed towards one another and threw your arms around her. Isabela buried her face against you and held onto you so tightly as if she had Luisa's gift. "Are you hurt?" you asked "where are the others?". "I'm fine and casita got them out...y/n it was so horrible". "What happened?" you asked and she shook her head "the candle...the magic is gone, I don't have my gift anymore". Tears spilt down her cheeks and you wiped them away. "So?" you asked and Isabela's eyeshot up to yours "so?" she asked. "Yeah so what? Your gift isn't the best thing about you, you're smart and funny and quick-witted. You're so much more than your gift and you'll be just fine without it. You're Isabela freakin Madrigal" you cried "you don't need a gift to make you special, you already are". Isabela blinked looking at you "do you really believe that?" she asked quietly and you nodded "I do...". Isabela stared at you and went to speak when you heard voices and turned to see her parents. "Isabela!" they cried and rushed to hug her. You watched before you noticed Camilo and with a cry you ran to him. Camilo grunted as you squeezed him tightly and he chuckled "I'm okay y/n I promise". "I was so worried about you!" you cried scolding him "are you okay?". He nodded "I'm fine, fell from the first floor but I'm okay". You sighed "I'm so glad you're not hurt, all of you" you said realising Isabela's parents were nearby. Julieta smiled at you and squeezed your hand when the first shouts for Mirabel went up, she was missing.
Of course, you all rushed to start searching for her and due to your morning walks you and Isabela got given the forest path. Despite your initial outburst at seeing Isabela, the shock had faded and you wandered the path in silence.
"You're mad at me aren't you?" Isabella asked after you'd been walking for half an hour dodging her questions. You sighed shaking your head "I can't be mad at you right now. Your home just got destroyed and your sister is missing". Isabella grunted, "so what you mean is you're not brave enough to admit you're mad at me". "Sure whatever makes you feel better" you shrugged and kept walking. Isabella groaned "y/n just stop and listen to me! I never meant to hurt you okay. I'm sorry". You blinked "it's okay...I know you didn't mean to". "But I did and for that I'm sorry". You looked down unsure what to say. "Thanks for apologising but we really should get looking for Mirabel". "I've been thinking" isabella said "and I'm telling my family I won't marry Mariano. I'm going to tell them i'm gay". You paused taken back by the words you'd always longed to hear but you wanted to make sure it wasn't for the wrong reasons. "isabela don't do this for me. Please don't feel forced to tell them to appease me". "I'm not doing it for you” Isabela said with a smile “yes you are a part of it but it's for me. Mirabel made me realise I shouldn't do things just to make other people happy, like marrying men i'm not attracted to. I need to stop living my life for other people and instead make room for the life I want...and the people I want in it" she said taking a step closer "y/n I like you. More than I've ever liked anyone, you're one of the few people who didn't just see my beauty or pigeonhole me as perfect. You see me, not my gift and I love that. Being around you makes me feel so empowered and I think you're the smartest, funniest, hottest person I know. I want to tell my family because I want to know...if I haven't messed things up too badly...if you'd consider going on a date with me?". You were speechless "you're being serious?". "Deadly" she said smiling "I like you y/n, I want to be with you and I want everyone to know it". You blushed and nodded "that's all I've ever wanted "to hear you say those six words". "I want everyone to know it? Wow you're vain" Isabela teased and you rolled your eyes "no the other bit". "I want to be with you?" Isabela asked pretending not to know and you nodded "exactly". "Well good because I meant every syllable" isabela smiled taking your hand. You went to move closer when shouts rang up. "Mirabel!" Isabela cried and you ran back to the house. Mirabel had returned and everyone had a moment. When everyone had apologised and Bruno had been reintroduced Isabela stepped forwards. "I do not want to marry Marino". Her grandmother nodded "that's okay". "I won't ever want to marry a man" isabela continued "because I'm gay". Her parents rushed to hug her and assure her it was great news. Her grandmother hesitated and you saw isabella notice but then she smiled. "I'm so proud of you" she said joining the hug and Isabella burst into tears.
After the house had been built you were sat outside on the steps when you felt a breeze and smelled a light sweet scent. Isabella sat down beside you and scooched closer to you. "So..." she said and you smiled turning to her "that was really brave. Well done for doing that". She blushed "it wasn't really that hard when I thought of everything I could gain from it...like that date for instance". You smiled "yeah I recall something about that". Isabella bumped your shoulder and you laughed making her laugh. "You, in this moment right now are the most beautiful I've ever seen you and not because of your looks but because of you. You look happy" you smiled and Isabela blushed "because I am happy" and she finally kissed you. It wasn't elegant or sweet like the old isabella. It was like the real her, a bit messier and nervous which made it even better. It was real and passionate. You loved it and when you pulled away Isabela blushed and leant against you. You wrapped your arms around her and leant back against the steps watching the sunset together.
