·4·

"Words of Comfort"

"The house is in danger!"

"The tiles were falling and there were cracks everywhere. And the candle almost went out." Mirabel informed them, her breathing heavy. The panic and worry inside her voice put Estella at unease.

She saw Camilo act strange for a moment and Dolores who was clutching her ears, and she looked as if she were in pain earlier.

There's definitely something off.

She thought to herself, before leaving Camilo's side to take a look, not knowing he was trailing behind her, also wanting to see if something bad had happened but as they got out, nothing was there.

Everything was fine; no cracks, no fallen tiles, and the candle's fire was still burning like it always has.

The people looked at Mirabel with either pity or disappointment in their eyes. Some even started murmuring to each other, seeing as there was nothing really wrong and that they worried over nothing.

Alma ensured everyone that there was nothing wrong, saying that their magic was strong and calling for some music as Mirabel's Father started playing the piano her sister, Luisa was carrying.

As everyone was retreating, Estella hesitated to come with them. She wanted to tell Mirabel what she noticed from Camilo and Dolores, thinking that it may have something to do with what Mirabel saw. But before anything, she needed to find her parents first.

"Mama, Papa." She called, walking up to them. "Is something wrong with the candle?" Her mother asked, her eyes looking straight at Estella's with concern. "No, no. Everything is fine. It was probably just a misunderstanding." She assured her parents, holding on to her Mother's hands and rubbing them with her thumbs to calm her down.

The last thing she wants is for her Mama to get worried, not wanting the baby to end up being a worrier like her. One worrywart of a daughter is enough for their family.

"Can I go outside for a bit?" Estella asked after a little while, her hands fidgeting behind her back. "I just wanted to talk to Mirabel." She explains, getting permission from her parents and getting an understanding nod as a response.

Estella exited Antonio's room and went down the stairs to look for Mirabel. Whom she found in the kitchen with her mother, Julieta. They seemed to be having a conversation with each other, but from afar, she couldn't really hear what they were saying. Though, as she slowly got closer, their voices started to get more clear.

"Mira, my brother, Bruno lost his way in the family." She heard Julieta say, adding, "I don't want that to happen to you too."

"Get some sleep, you'll feel better tomorrow."

Estella stood there awkwardly, not knowing if she should even be there, listening to them as they talk privately or if she should just step out of the shadows and stop looking like an eavesdropping creep.

She took in a deep breath and exhaled, urging herself to get on with it. Slowly, she showed herself to the two who were standing in the kitchen, eating her throat.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to snoop." She immediately apologized, cold sweat dripping down her neck. "I was just wondering if I could talk with Mirabel." She explained, her body stiff and nervous like always.

The only Madrigal she could really ever talk to comfortably without having the fear of embarrassing herself was with Camilo. Too bad her feelings are slowly taking that luxury away.

Julieta left the two girls, giving them privacy and going back to Antonio's room to help with whatever she can. "Estella," Mirabel started, fixing her glasses. "What's up?" She awkwardly smiled, involuntary shooting her finger guns making Estella crack up a short laugh, lightening up the mood.

"Right, uhm," Estella says, "About the candle," She mentioned, piquing Mirabel's interest. "Yeah?" Mirabel urged her full attention to the girl.

"When you saw the cracks, I may have noticed Dolores and Camilo acting strange," Estella confessed, her voice in a whisper. "Strange? H-how strange?" Mirabel whispered back, curiously looking at her.

"Well, I saw Dolores covering her ears at the party. Which I know seems kind of normal since she could've just found the music a little too loud but she was also wincing like she was in pain." Estella explains, doing all sorts of hand gestures as Mirabel silently listened to every word she was rambling nervously about.

"And then there was also Camilo. One second, he was just goofing around but when I turned to look at him he was just staring at his hands like," Estella cuts herself off, trying to mimic how Camilo looked like. Forgetting about the fact that she could be looking like a complete weirdo as she does so.

"I don't know if it could help or anything but I just found it strange," Estella admitted, looking at Mirabel with sympathetic eyes. Their small town inside Encanto is like a family. They have the Madrigals to thank for that.

This is why Estella treasures them like family – which is why she treasures everyone, really.

Mirabel places her hands on Estella's shoulders, "Gracias, Estella." Mirabel says in her normal voice, grateful for the information.

"And don't worry, I'll find out if there's anything wrong with the candle," Mirabel says with determination, pointing at herself with a reassuring smile drawn on her face, helping Estella feel a sense of relief.

"You should go back and enjoy the party, I'll be fine," Mirabel suggested as Estella nods in response. "Right," She muttered, flashing Mirabel a smile before turning around.

Estella stops in her tracks, realizing that all throughout the party, she hasn't really seen Mirabel. Today was probably hard for her and Estella felt guilty for not noticing these things sooner.

"Mirabel," She calls out, causing the Madrigal to turn her head back at Estella, her hair bouncing along even with such simple movement.

Mirabel's eyes widen in surprise, feeling the girl's arms wrap around her, trapping her in a warm embrace. "Estella, is something wrong?" Mirabel asked, but the girl shook her head.

"No, nothing's wrong." She replied, "I just thought you could use one."

The both of them stayed silent as Mirabel's arms hesitantly made their way up to Estella's back, returning the hug as she closed her eyes and sniffed, feeling the girl's gentle pats as she cried in her arms.

"You're special just the way you are," Estella said softly in Mirabel's ear, feeling tears drip down from Mirabel's cheeks to her skin and clothes.

"Thank you."