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Julieta hummed, busying her mind as she got lost in her daily cooking. It was an art form she’d learned over the years. Becoming near instinct after receiving her gift at the tender age of 5.
She heard a weary sigh behind her, and turned to see her sister Pepa slumped at the kitchen table, an ominous cloud hanging over her head.
Julieta frowned. Pepa had been in some sort of a slump as of recently, and no matter what she and Bruno tried, nothing could break her dreary demeanor.
Their Mama, not liking to acknowledge any type of weakness, only proclaimed she was being dramatic. And demanded nothing but happiness in her presence.
Bruno didn’t like that, and she had to agree. Pepa was not some sort of dog their Mama could control with a simple command. Emotions were a tender intricate thing, and Alma was acting as if she could switch her emotions on command.
“Hola Hermana.” she ghosted softly, putting an empanada on a plate next to her, and nodding in satisfaction when Casita brought it over.
Pepa murmured something. Probably a greeting of some sorts. She slowly picked at the food in front of her. Not really eating anything.
This concerned Julieta even more, Empanadas we’re her sisters favorite meal. She had made it in the hope that it would help break Pepa out of her funk.
That fact she wouldn’t even take a bite was worrying.
If you asked her, Julieta suspected that Pepa was lonely. And she didn’t exactly blame her. While a social butterfly, people tended to avoid what they labeled as a ‘Tempermental girl’.
It felt unfair. Especially considering the weather was based off her emotions. And the more they avoided her. The worse it got.
She thinks her sister would do good from finding someone, like she’s found Agustiń Who while being the most accident prone boy she’s ever met, had a kind soul. And would willingly do anything for her.
“Pepa?” Julieta questions softly, “You really should eat?”
“Huh? Oh.” The red head took a small bite out of the empanada. Clouds above her only darkening.
She didn’t like seeing her sister like this. It hurt Julie to see something she couldn’t automatically heal with her food.
“Um, me and Bruno we’re gonna take a walk to the market, you should come. Maybe the good weather would cheer you up?”
Pepa didn’t answer, but nodded slowly as she continued to push the empanada around.
Julieta grew increasingly worried, awkwardly shuffling in place before turning back to her cooking. Anything to try and distract herself from her obviously suffering sister.
The silence behind her felt painfully loud, only being broken by depressive sighs, and the rumbling of thunder.
She really needed to help Pepa, needed to do something.
But what could she do? Her hands trembled as she carefully prepped some more Empanadas. Rationing a good portion for the towns daily rounds.
And keeping a couple just in case Pepa wanted some more later.
“Hola Hermanas,” the telltale sound of her brothers voice crowed, “Smells good Juli, what did you make this time?”
“Empanadas,” she hushed, voice wavering slightly, “I-I know Pepa likes them.”
Their was some shuffling, and then a familiar lanky hand gently touched her arm.
“She’s still in a funk?” Bruno questioned, eyes wide with worry.
Julieta jerked, “Bruno! She’s right there she’ll hear you-“
-“I don’t think she will,” he cut off anxiously. She turned, immediately understanding why, “She’s not really here.”
Truth to his word, Pepa was staring straight ahead. Except she wasn’t really looking at anything. Eyes glossed over as her cloud rumbled ominously. A eerie fog hovering around her ears.
“This isn’t good Julieta.” Bruno whispered fervently.
“I know. I’ve invited her for our walk in the town. I’m hoping it will spark some life back into her.”
Her brother averted her gaze, “I don’t think that would work.”
“And why not?”
“It’s Pepa?” He gestured with his hands, “She’s an anxious person. Especially with people who could judge her. Bringing her to town could end disasterously.”
She grimaced, “I understand, b-but Bruno? What other option do I have? Food can’t help her. And obviously staying cooped up in Casita isn’t either.”
“Si, si, Lo siento,” Bruno raised his hands pacifyingly, “It was all you could do with what you were given. I should have assumed so. I just want her to feel better.”
Julieta sighed wearily, “I do too.”
“Because if this walk doesn’t help. We’re still back to square one. And to be honest, I don’t know what to do then.”
Their was no reply. But the resounding silence was more then enough to show Julieta felt the same way.
“Ok then!” She clapped a bit forcefully, “Off to the town we go! Got to make our daily rounds right Pepa? See some people, meet some faces?”
Their sister didn’t even budge. More unfamiliar fog spinning around her ears.
“P-Pepa?” Bruno tried, much more hesitantly.
Julieta clasped her hands together, trembling slightly, “PEPA!”
“-Huh? Wha-“ their sister was thankfully roused from her daze, glancing around sluggishly, “Oh hey guys.”
“We’re going to town now Pepi, ok?” She tried to keep her voice soothing, for her sisters sake. Even though inside she just wanted to throw up.
Her sister wasn’t ok. And as hard as she may try, food couldn’t make it better. And that’s the only times Julieta ever really got scared.
Because if she couldn’t help, who would?
Pepa shrugs, “Ok. Does my hair look ok?”
Their was a subtle sigh of relief from Bruno. At least the middle child had enough will left to wonder about her looks.
In retrospect, her hair was kinda of a mess, the cloud and fog making it frizzy with static.
“It looks great,” julieta lied through her teeth, “Maybe just wet it down a bit, theirs a few stray curls.”
Pepa nodded, and immediately their was a downpour of water, cloud spewing rain like it was in the throws of throwing up.
Bruno jumped in surprise, “Pepa! Jeez, your going to get soaked!”
She stopped, blinking in confusion as water dribbled down her face, “But you said…to wet it down?”
“Aye! Mi Cariño that’s not exactly what we meant,” the eldest hummed sympathetically, already on her way to grab a towel, “Nevertheless, it’s so hot outside you’ll be dry by the time we get their.”
“Sorry Juli.” Pepa whispered. And it’s the smallness in her voice that makes Julieta hide a shudder. She never liked it when her sister got like this. So-so empty. So clueless in a way. So needy.
Not that she was upset with her siblings being needy, lord knows she was forced into a semi parental role since literal birth, but it’s when they genuinely are lost like Pepa is right now. When their desperate for any type of validation, when their minds are practically of children, does it worry her.
It probably isn’t healthy. But their family’s always been like this. It’s own odd little codependent family.
Mama was the true matriarch. But more like a Jefa then a mami if you know what she means. And then their was the triplets.
Bruno was the baby, and henceforth coddled by Alma. But his gift stunted his communication. Making him anxious and comfortable in the lonesome. He loved his sisters company. But often times they’d worry he’d suddenly wake up and mourn the loss of years he could have been making friends.
Not that he didn’t try. Poor Bruno. People tended to only talk to the Madrigals when they needed something from them. Sisters included.
And Pepa was the middle child. The temperamental one as some folks with a death sentence liked to utter.
She was constantly seeking validation. Deprived of it growing up in favor of Julieta. Which she loathed with a passion. Julieta would like nothing more for her to get the love and attention she needs. For someone to finally tell her it’s ok to rain. It’s ok to be sad.
But their mama didn’t believe that. So Pepa was forced to bottle and expel her emotions like she was some kind of Puppet. Moving at the whims of other peoples needs.
And every so often. Like now. She’d buried her feelings too deep. So they snuck up on her. And sent her into long lasting spirals of sadness and depression. Times where all sense of independence was lost. And she needed someone to guide her through the process of life once again.
It didn’t happen commonly. And it had never been for this long. But their was at least some sense of familiarity towards it.
And here was julieta. Left to pick up the pieces of her suffering siblings.
She’d gladly do it. Would take her own life if it mean they could live. It was just so painful, to see them struggle like this.
She could only do so much. She could only heal so many wounds before the magic ran out. Before physical turned emotional and her powers were deemed null.
And then she’d have to figure out what to do. Much like now, as she begs whatever is out their to look after her siblings. To help them because no one else but her will.
They need something else in their corner. They need the love of two parents when they barely have one.
They need validation, and reassuring kisses pressed to foreheads. They needed someone to talk to, without a shred of judgment.
They needed someone they could curl up on, who wouldn’t see them as some cooking machine and rather as a person. With their own thoughts and feelings.
Julieta frowned. She didn’t like the turn her thoughts just made.
“Here you go Pepi.” She whispered, pressing the yellow towel into Pepas open palm.
Pepa paused. Glanced down at the fabric, then slowly tracked them back into Julietas gaze.
Her expression said it all.
“C-can you-“
-“Of course Hermanita.” She’s quick to press a kiss to her soaking hairline. Grabbing the towel and trying to ring her hair in a way that wouldn’t render it frizzy.
It took a couple minutes of Bruno awkwardly shuffling in place for her to finish.
It wasn’t perfect. Her face was dewy and her dress was wet. But she hadn’t been lying about the current weather outside. And hopefully Pepa would be dry by the time they reached the town.
Julieta gulped, that is. If Pepa didn’t spread her depressive clouds outside.
Gosh she couldn’t even think that. Her sister was like a magnet. Attracting all senses of fear and worry. The more nervous her siblings were. The more agitated she was.
“Alright Pepi!” She repeated, voice softer but still with false enthusiasm, “Let’s hit the town. See some sights! Heal some people!”
Bruno stared drily, one eyebrow raised, “Really?”
“Well I don’t see you saying anything?!” The eldest was quick to snap.
Bruno shrugged, “Eh, true. Let’s go now.”
After a few minutes of touch led wheedling, Julieta was able to get her sister to stand up. Keeping a hand placed on her wrist to move her along.
Thankfully, Pepa seemed to have some life come back to her. Drying off as a new cloud formed. This time a much more common irritated puff. Rather then her eerie new ear fog.
That was good. Irritation was normal. Pepa got irritated at everything. It was a sign of her usual self peeking through. And it sparked hope in the siblings chests.
To their utter relief, by the time they got to the center of the town, their sister seemingly had returned to normal. Braid swinging in time with her enthusiastic steps.
“I gotta admit, you called it.” Bruno whispered discreetly in her ear, “A walk in the town, who knew!?”
“I did.” She shot back with a smug grin.
What she didn’t say was how much a shot of the dark it was. How her chest still rattled from the leftover fear that Pepa wasn’t going to bounce back this time. That this seemingly happy sister was only here for a short time. And that desolate aura she had would be returning quickly.
“Keep an eye out for her, ok?” Julieta whispered to her brother.
He shot her an incredulous look, “Where do you think your going?!”
She shrugged, “We’re Madrigals Bruno. I got a job to do.”
“Oh yeah,” his lower lip plopped open slightly, “I Um. I’ll tell you if theirs any clouds in the sky.”
“Don’t pressure her.” She warned with a finger, “The last thing she needs to know is your watching her every move.”
“Well how am I supposed to watch her without showing her I’m watching her?!”
The eldest nudged him with an elbow, “Your an actor right?”
Bruno shrugged, “Yes?”
“Then Act.” Julieta answered with a grin, picking up her basket of empanadas to go share with the town, “Come get me if anything goes wrong.”
Bruno nodded, but the unsure expression he wore as she left didn’t squander any of her risking anxiety.
She knew leaving her sisters mental health in the rest of her brother wasn’t the most safest route, but even if Pepa tended to favor comfort from Julieta, their was a bond between that two that even she didn’t possess. Something forged while they were excluded from the Love Alma so thoroughly lavished julieta in.
It made her sad in a way. She didn’t exactly choose to be singled out. And she wish she could be apart of that special bond.
But their was nothing she could do. It’s not like she had the option of failing just so her mom would get mad.
Because as stable and put together as Julieta looked, one small glare was all it took for her to crumble. To push herself passed her limits in a attempt to right the wrong. To desperately make food until her fingers went numb with unattended burns, and her vision blurry.
It was only after waking up in her sisters bed that her siblings relayed she passed out from exhaustion, and they had to literally drag her weightless body across casita for her to get some sleep.
So yes, chores still needed to be done, and out of everyone, she trusted her sister in the care of no other then her hermano.
She was quick to set up her stand, setting down the empanadas with a huff, and dragging over a chair.
For all the people that seemingly got hurt every day, their was many times where Julieta had nothing to do besides sit and wait.
She had managed to smuggle a book into the basket of food, but doubted she could even read a single word. Her mind was far to busy thinking of all the possible scenarios that could set off her Sister.
Every minute she glanced at the road, half expecting to see Bruno Running towards her, a Storming Pepa in tow.
But time went by, and little by little she wondered if maybe all her worries were overstated. If Pepa really was ok. And all she needed was a walk in town to snap out of her funk. That maybe it was all over.
And just when she had finally let her guard down; it happened.
“JULIETA!” The shrill wail made her jerk, dropping the few Arepas she was holding, blinding looking for the source, “Juli I need you!”
Her eyes landed on Bruno, hand outstretched as he sprinted towards her. Stumbled and stuttering things she could hear.
“Ju-ju, Juli,” Bruno gasped for air once he reached her, back bent and hands on knees, “P-Pepa, I, g-girls, Storm-“
-“Slow down hermano.” She ordered soothingly, reaching a hand out to his shoulder to brace him. Handing out a Arepa out of habit.
Her brother was quick to take the arepa. Shoving it in in two bites. Even though it never showed on his wiry frame.
“Their you go, Now, tell me what happened, slowly.”
Bruno bowed his head slightly in thanks, “Gracias Sis. Uh, where do I start? Heh, heh.”
She could see he was stalling now, which made her all the more nervous.
“Bruno,” Julieta could barely hold back the waver in her voice, “What’s wrong.”
“It’s PEPA!” He broke out in a cry, hands gesturing rapidly, “She was doing fine, I swear Juli I was watching her. B-But then some of those girls, You know them, Rosita and her gang? They started harassing her! Trying to get her to sprout a cloud or something. And now she’s all stormy. But I saw Fèlix approaching her!”
Her eyes widen, understanding settling in, “Has he done it yet?”
“No! But he looked ready to. I came here as fast as I good!”
“I’ll murder those girls later, first we gotta stop Fèlix.” Julieta stated. Bruno nodded. And the two broke into a run
It wasn’t that Fèlix was mean, quite the opposite in fact. He was quite enamored with their sister. And consistently was trying to woo her and ask her out.
However, most attempted just ended up with him soaked out of annoyance. Pepa finding his attempts aggravating to no end.
The two of them didn’t understand it much. Fèlix seemed like an honest guy. But their sister was certain in her refusal to court him, so they just offered empathetic smiles. And quietly prayed he’d get the hint.
However, combined with already having her feelings hurt by those jerks, it was a recipe for a hurricane.
Their footsteps were heavy against the stone road, food stand long forgotten as the two desperately tried to reach their sister before Fèlix did.
Julieta stopped in the middle of the town, panic flooding her veins as she searched around, lungs straining in her search for Pepa.
“W-Where is she?!” She exclaimed.
“I-I don’t know!” Bruno mumbled, “She must have moved since I left!”
They stood their in heart wrangling silence, the sounds of other people making the smallish town feel like an infinite maze. And her eyes strained from trying to find a shock of red hair, or even a puffy cloud.
“ther-THERE!” Her brother shouted, pointing not to far away.
Julietas heart broke slightly at the sight of her poor Hermanita. Her arms stubbornly crossed against her chest, obviously trying; and failing, to appear unaffected by the giggling and smirking of Rosita and her Group. Who were only but a few meters from Pepa.
Instinctively Julietas fists clenched tight, “Those Bastardas!”
She felt Bruno grasp her shoulder; “We don’t have time to focus on them Juli! Look!”
And just as his wide eyes proclaimed, Fèlix was not so subtly creeping closer to Pepa. A flower clenched in hand and a bright smile on his face.
He was either cocky, an idiota, or foolishly brave, to approach Pepa. Especially now!
Julieta was gonna go with all three.
“Oh no! We’re too late!”
“Not Yet Hermana!”
With a heroic roar, Bruno sped forward in all his stick skinny glory-
… and promptly tripped on a loose rock, letting out a silent Yelp as he crashed painfully to the floor.
He winced, but his eyes were not on his probably scrapped face, but the scene that continued in front of him. Mockingly in slow motion.
Fèlix smiled, finally making himself known to Pepa in a gracious sweep of his arm.
“Pepa Madrigal!” He proclaimed proudly, “You are simply the most dazzling raindrop in a sky full of clouds! And I humbly lay before you to ask your accompaniment on a D-“
-“NO!” Pepa screeched, lightning striking the ground somewhere. Causing some people to flinch and scatter. Julieta noted with morbid curiosity that Fèlix was one of the only people who didn’t. Instead he just looked sad.
“Don’t you get it?!” Their sister continued, “I’ve said no so many times Fèlix! Your just mocking me! What? You wanna be like everyone else? Humiliate me further?! For the last time! Move ON!”
The flower Fèlix was holding fell to the ground, as a expression of great sorrow crossed over his face.
“Lo Siento Pepi,” he whispered, “Y-your right. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Lo Siento.”
And with that. He waddled away, with his metaphorical tail tucked between his legs.
Julieta winced at the sight, but she didn’t have time to go after him and see if he was ok.
Pepa was storming now, bright and angry. Shoving past townsfolk and stomping towards casita. The pitch dark cloud spewing rainwater and soaking anyone in a three foot radius.
“Pepa!” She called out, quickly running after. The telltale sign of footsteps showed Bruno was following as well.
Pepa seemingly ignored her, or at least she couldn’t hear due to the amount of thunder roaring above.
“Pepa slow down!”
Julieta lungs were heaving, she definitely wasn’t used to all this running around. But the near paralyzing sense of worry about her sister fueled her. Propelling her legs forwards even though it tired her.
She really wished her Hermana wasn’t taller at the moment, it meant a faster pace due to longer legs.
Bruno’s voice became fainter and fainter in the background. Which was understandable. He got out even less then Julieta, not to mention he was the shortest.
With a burst of speed from no where, Julieta lurched toward. Gripping Pepa’s shoulder and spinning her around so they were face to face.
What she didn’t expect was to see tears leaking her Hermanitas face rapidly. Her shoulders shaking in tune with her body.
“P-pepa.” She mumbled out in shock.
“WHAT JULIETA?! What is it?!” Her sister screamed back, her voice rough and scratchy, “What in the possibly world could you need?!”
Julieta felt like she was in a daze, peering at Pepa as if through obscured glass, “I Um… I just wanted to see if you were ok?”
Pepa growled, waving above, “Well obviously, IM NOT! So leave me the hell alone before I strike you with my lightning!”
With a huff she took a step back, face crumpling as she promptly turned and bolted the rest of the way to casita. The sound of Muffled sobs sending a knife to Julietas heart.
A few moments later Bruno caught up to her, gasping for air and leaning on Julieta for stability.
“Did, *huff* did you, c-catch her?” He coughed out.
“Yeah,” she replied with a frown, “She’s not ok.”
“Well I could have told you that,” Bruno snarked, wincing at the glare she sent him, “Sorry, sorry, not the time for sarcasm. My bad.”
He fidgeted around a bit, shifting his weight from foot to foot, “Do you think she’ll be alright?”
“I-“
Julieta broke off. Doubt swarming her thoughts.
In all honesty, she actually didn’t know if Pepa would be ok. Because today had been definitely more then usual.
And the problem was she had no idea where to even start on terms of comforting
But she was Julieta. The oldest triplet by a mere three minutes. And apparently, that meant she knew everything. And that those three minutes deemed her capable of fixing everything.
She didn’t want to worry Bruno.
“I’m sure she’ll be fine.” She murmured instead, “I’ll do what I can.”
Because that part wasn’t exactly false. She would do everything she could.
But the possibility of it actually working? That was left unknown to her. And that scared her immensely.
“Do you want me to go after her?” Bruno questioned softly. He seemed to sense her unease.
“No,” Julieta muttered, “I’ll fix it. After dinner, that is. I need time to rustle something up.”
Her brother nodded with a thin lipped smile, “I’ll go check on her.”
“Bruno you don’t-“
-“I know I don’t have to,” he jostled her shoulder slightly, “But she deserves a check on Juli, I know you think she wants to be alone…but sometimes, when a person says they wanna be alone, they want someone to fight them and be their anyways”.
“But that’s-“
“Stupid?” He grinned with a small chuckled, “Yeah, it’s sounds stupid I know. But you can’t tell me that you haven’t don’t the same thing before as well. We all have.”
Julieta was stunned. Frozen to the spot as she realized how true Bruno really was.
Noticing this, Bruno chuckled again, leaning in and pressing a brotherly kiss to her cheek, “You go make dinner Hermana, I’ll see how Pepas doing.”
And then he was off. Leaving a speechless Julieta all alone. Silently wondering when her Hermanito got so grown up.
With a small huff, she forced herself to move forward. And start preparing something in Casitas kitchen.
She’d much rather be with her sister. But dinner was not allowed to be skipped. So she made do with what she had, taking comfort in the fact that their was at least someone looking out for Pepa.
So with a hum, she reheated some saved Empandas from earlier, and hoped it would be enough to get her to come down.
…
Dinner in a word, was Stifling.
Bruno had come down mere minutes after he went up. Only offering Julieta a downtrodden shake of his head.
It did not help the anxiety twisting in her stomach, but if she buried herself enough in her work she could convince herself that everything was ok. At least for a short while.
But now, with everyone making direct eye contact, their was no more denying reality.
Bruno and Julieta were caught between staring at each other, then back and forth between their depressed sister, and then Mama.
No one moved. No one breathed. Everyone just waiting for someone to make the first move. To break the tension you could cut with a knife.
“Pepa,” Almas voice rang aloud, eyebrow curving, “You have a cloud Mi Sol.”
Julieta made a strangled noise with her throat when Pepa didn’t even twitch in acknowledgment. Just stared at the center of her plate while rain pounded her from above.
Mama twitched, it was obvious her lack of response had concerned her.
“Pepita? Are… did something happen?” She tried again.
It was extremely unusual for their mom to ask if they were ok. Not in a mean way. But simply because she expected them to go to her, or one of their siblings whenever they were upset. Their was no probing necessary. Or so she thought.
Pepa opened her mouth, paused, then closed it. Her rain increased dramatically.
Mama looked conflicted. It was clear she hadn’t seen her daughter this depressed in a long time.
“Mija, what worries you? Did someone say something to you?”
Once again. No response.
Alma uselessly looked at the remaining siblings, “Julieta? Bruno? What’s wrong with your sister?”
Julieta was frozen. Her mom was asking the one thing she didn’t know. How was she even supposed to proceed?
“She’s sad,” Bruno hesitated, “Like really sad.”
“That part is obvious Bruno,” Mama looked irritated, “About what? Is she in pain? Did someone say something to her?”
“Technically.” Julieta answered unhelpfully. Withering under her mother’s gaze.
“Technically? Julieta make sense!”
“I think Rosita and her gang said something to her,” she mumbled purposely, “that might be why.”
Mama looked uncertain, “Is that…it?”
Bruno looked at her pointedly, “Mom.. it’s just. That gang has always gotten under her skin. More then most. You remember?”
Actually, Julieta didn’t remember. She didn’t know what Bruno was talking about. Rosita had always bothered the triplets. She couldn’t think of any distinguishing event.
Alma seemed to accept this answer. Glancing worriedly at her daughter.
“Well ok then. I’ll have to have a talk with Rositas parents. Maybe while I’m out I’ll pick up some churros.”
The two nodded, hiding smiles. Even if their mom didn’t outright say it, Churros was Pepas favorite dessert. It was a meaningful gesture where they normally didn’t get any. So they took it in stride.
Mama started to move, and that’s when they realized she was actually being serious about the whole ‘talking to Rositas parents’ thing.
“Wait, Mama!” Julieta rushed to stand as well, “You can’t talk to her parents.”
“And why not?” Her lip started to curl, “Those girls shouldn’t be allowed to do this. Look at your sister! Your saying your ok with this?”
“Of course that’s not what she’s saying.” Bruno piped in. Giving julieta a knowing look. Their mama was practically unaware of most of the hassling they got on a daily basis. She just didn’t really understand.
“I know you want to protect your sister. And that’s admirable. But don’t be stubborn. I’m doing this.” Their mother stated. Ending the conversation their and then.
It was pointless to argue with Mama. Even so, Julieta sent Bruno after her just to do collateral damage. Make sure that Rosita took their Mamas warning seriously.
And then it was just the two sisters. Leaving it all up to Julieta to somehow magically find the reason to her sisters depression.
“Pepa? Are you ok?” She immediately winced afterwards. It was blatant her sister was in fact, not ok. So the question in general didn’t help anything.
Pepa just shrugged, head turning to glance at the door, “Is Mami gone?”
“Yeah Pepi,” julieta let her voice drop to a softer tone, “She left just a second ago with Bruno? Don’t you remember?”
“Of course I do.” She snapped. Although her heart didn’t really seem into it.
The eldest cocked an eyebrow, “Well ok then?”
She made to clear the table, motioning at the redhead to silently ask if she was done eating. Pepa waved it away without a second glance, which worried her. As she knew that she’d skipped lunch as well.
Then began the period of ‘sweating it out’. Where Julieta remained ‘innocently’ silent. All while passively aggressively intimidating her sibling into coughing up their troubles.
It was typically very affective, so she went along her way. Washing dishes obnoxiously loud, and shooting piercing gazes at Pepa any chance she could.
Pepa shifted uncomfortably, trying to avoid her sisters death glares. But it was hard to do. Especially when she was doing her implicating dish washing.
Julieta had to admit, the later was holding out longer then she normally would have. So to start peeling back the layers, she’d nonchalantly drop a semi accusing question.
“Is it because of what those girls said?”
A shift, but otherwise no answer.
“Is it about Fèlix?”
Another shift. Paired with a frown. It was like she was hitting all the right marks, but the conclusion was still lost on her.
“Is it because you want a boyfriend?” She tried again.
Pepa scoffed, “God Julieta; just cause you have Agustiñ doesn’t mean this automatically has to be about me wanting a boyfriend.”
She bristled, “I never said it did!”
Another bubble of silence swept over the two. And it seemed Pepa had swiftly become the master of this game, for Julieta was practically bursting at the seams with thoughts and desperation . Something was nagging at her and she wanted answers now!
“Pepa? I’m confused! I don’t know what’s wrong,” Julieta questioned emphatically, brows furrowed as she put plates away with purpose, “It’s obvious Fèlix likes you. I understand if you don’t like him back, by Why reject him so verbally?”
Pepa folded into herself, nearly scowling, “Come on Julie, don’t be stupid. He doesn’t actually like me.”
“Are you kidding me? He’s asked you out like 5 times now! He’s practically lovesick!” She motioned her arms with intensity.
She just couldn’t understand why her sister was acting this way.
“He’s not lovesick. He’s got you tricked,” her hermana responded bitterly, “It’s all some cruel game to mess with my feelings or get me to sprout a cloud.”
Julieta softened, brows arching in concern, “Okay, why do you think this? Did you hear him or someone say something. Cause if so I’ll give them quite a verbal lashing.”
Oh she’d give him more then that if this was true. In fact she’d probably bring her special case rolling pin, which was to only be used in special cases.
Pepa let out a mix of a sigh and a whimper as she stood up, anxiously yanking at her braid.
“I haven’t exactly heard anyone say anything. But I just know it’s not real”.
The healer threw her hands up in the air, “Why then?! If you haven’t heard anything. Why do you think it’s fake? We’re not kids. Boys grow out of those childish games by now. Theirs no logical explanation?!.”
“I know because NO ONE COULD EVER LIKE ME!”
Silence filled the air, the one exception being Pepas ragged breathing, as she manically tugged at her braid. Face still emotional from her outburst.
Julieta was stunned, reaching a hand out, unsure in how to continue.
“Pepy, y-you, d-do you really believe that?” Worry thrummed through her fingers. Itching to heal the pain her sister was obviously going through.
“Of course I do,” the redhead huffed, “I’m the weather freak with the stick like body! No one would ever want to be with me.”
Julieta paused, processing the insults Pepa was throwing at herself, now why did they sound familiar?
“P-Pepa, I-I don’t know why you’d think that about yourself? Your no freak. If that’s the case, then so am I, and so is Bruno. Also, we love you. Very dearly. And you shouldn’t be ashamed of your body. Your a very attractive woman Pepa. In fact, the last time someone even said that was-“
She broke off. Realization hitting her, and things clicking into place.
“W-when we were young. At the school. And those horrible kids played that cruel prank on you,” a near, frantic desperation seeped into her voice, “Dios Mio, Pepa please, you can’t still think that their right? Right? Pepa you don’t really believe them?”
“Of course I do!” Pepa snapped, stopping afterwards to cross her arms against her chest. Another habit that stemmed from that very day, “How could I not?…Julieta that stuff just doesn’t leave you. It stays. It stays in your mind.”
Julieta was silent. Letting the words sink in. And now she understood why her sister had been so hurt by Rositas insults. They were the girls who had originally laughed at her that day.
But julieta had forgotten, it had been years back, It was a shock Pepa still even carried all that with her. It felt so long ago.
But maybe that had been insensitive of her. To assume she’d move on as if it was nothing.
It was a traumatic experience. And the more she strained her brain, the more terrified she remembered Pepa being.
“Of course,” she lets her voice be gentle, “I’m sorry I didn’t think it would….but Pepa. You can’t let that affect you for the rest of your life?”
Pepa flinches, blinking back tears at the memory, “But what if I’m right. What if it’s all a joke. ‘Oh what a fun laugh. Asking Pepa out because no one wants to be with her’”
“But what if your wrong?” Julie gently reached out again, smiling when her sister finally leaned into her embrace.
She gingerly removed Pepas hand from her vice like grip on her braid, replacing it with her own. Stroking it just how her hermana liked it.
“What if, Felix isnt a jerk, but someone who’s just fallen head of heels for my amazing, beautiful, little sister? And he can’t control his undying love, so he continuously asks you out? because his life’s purpose is to court you someday! What if every rejection only spurs him on further because he’s just so in love-“
-“Okay! Okay,” Pepa giggles, “You’ve made your point.”
“Have I?” It’s an honest question. Especially when her sister frowns again, hand once again raising to take root in her hair.
Julieta mumbles something unintelligible, quickly swatting away Pepas hands.
It was a bad habit she’s had for nearly her entire life. And no matter how much Bruno and her had tried to dismay it. It’s still ever persistent.
Pepa whimpers slightly at the loss of contact, reverting to biting down on her knuckle instead.
“Gosh Pepa, hermana querida, you cant do that. It’s harmful.”
She tugged away the offending hand, instead offering up the billowing ruffles attached to the collar of her dress.
“Bite on this, it’s not as tough, but it won’t hurt you in the process.”
Pepa does so hesitantly, sinking into Julietas arms just a bit more. Who’s more then happy to stroke her sisters hair for her. As long as It wasn’t harmful.
“Your amazing Pepa,” she cooed softly, between broad strokes of her thumb across the Latinas forehead, “Please don’t forget that? No matter what anyone says, or does to you. You are a wonder.”
Her sister huffed, unconsciously pressing closer into Julietas embrace, “Yeah, Sure Juli. I’ll make sure to remember that right after I soak someone with rain water.”
Julieta frowned, “Pepita, the way you see yourself. It’s not healthy.”
Pepa lurched forward, “Well yeah?! What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Oh your constantly doing unhealthy things! Working till you pass out from exhaustion! Your one to talk!”
Her words were meant to cut, but they only stirred up minor irritation.
“Your deflecting.” The eldest murmured with a sigh, frown deepening.
“Ohhh sure, tell me Senorita Perfecta julieta! What else am I doing!” She threw her hands up in the air in exasperation, “Did I tie my braid incorrectly? Hmmm? What about my dress! Maybe yellow isn’t my color!”
Julieta scowled slightly, “That’s not what I meant and you know it!”
“No please! Go on! What else am I doing that’s unhealthy? Please cure me oh wise sister!”
“Your being ridiculous!”
“Oh! Good! I’m Ridiculous! What’s next?!” The redhead leaned in close, cloud quickly forming above her.
“Pepa, Stop this!” She tried to reach out, but her sister dodged easily. Face growing angry.
“I’m serious!” Pepa all but screeched, “Tell me what else is wrong with me!”
“Theirs nothing wrong with you!”
“Is it my dress?! Their something wrong with my dress?!”
She angrily tears at the orange dress. Grasping fabric and leaving tears Julieta knows she’ll want to fix.
“Pepa you-“
“Or is it my hair?!” Her sisters hands are quick to grab some of her curly locks, rapidly yanking, “Is this better for you julieta?!”
Julieta stands, arms outreached, “Pepa you gotta st-“
The weather girl jerks back, jaw snapping, “Or maybe it’s just me! Just me in my ugly body. In my ugly skin. Ugh! Maldita sea, Pepa, eres un puto monstruo de la naturaleza!”
To Julietas upmost horror, the next target of Pepas hands, was Pepa herself. And before she could do anything, the Latina was clawing at her skin. Nails raking across delicate skin, leaving angry; and sometimes bloody, lines in their wake.
“It’s ME!” Pepa sobs, every word punctuated by a scratch or a pull, “IM WRONG!”
“PEPA STOP!” Julieta is running forward before she can even think, pile driving her sister to the floor.
“What are you doing?!” The later yells.
She struggles to grab her hermanas rapid hands, “You gotta stop Pepa! Your hurting yourself!”
“Well maybe I deserve that! I get to decide!”
“No!” All at once. She’s able to pin Pepas arms down, brown eyes burning into green, “I decide. As your older sister. I watch out for you. And my sweet Pepita. I will not let you harm yourself.”
She can feel herself break, as she gazes at the angry lines covering her baby sisters body. Feel the tears spring and leak before she can stop them. And soon her body is trembling. As Julieta pathetically weeps, her tears splashing on Pepas shocked face.
“I-I c-cant have you h-hurting yourself ok?” Her lip quivered, “Y-your my baby sister. My Hermanita. I’m supposed to look out for you. I can heal any wound you give yourself. But I can’t heal the emotional ones. And I can’t stop you from giving yourself new ones. But I can do this. Please Pepa. Stop.”
Theirs a few moments where theirs just silence. Where Julietas body shakes and her grip is so tight on Pepas arms that her knuckles turn white. She is scared to let go. Scared to move.
“I’m sorry,” Julieta opens her eyes only to feel her stomachs drop at the sight of Pepas teary pupils, “I-I didn’t I-I can’t. I’m sorry I’m didn’t meant to Im sorry I’m wrong I-“
-“YOUR NOT WRONG!” She screams. Pupils dilated and wild.
Pepas looks scared. Julieta is horrified she just traumatized her, but she just shakes her head, tears forming rapidly.
“I’m sorry.” The redhead whimpered. And she promptly bursts into fresh hot tears.
Julieta quickly gets off, habitually cooing soothingly as her sister curls into a ball. It’s instinctive for her to reach out, to wrap her arms around Pepas trembling frame and carefully pull her into her lap. To stroke her hair gently as she cries into her blue apron.
“Shhhh,” Julieta hushes quietly, “It’s ok Pepita. I’m here. Shhh just let it all out, that’s it, just let go sundrop.”
She’s soaked without a doubt, the cloud overhead drenching them in tune with the youngest’s tears. But Julieta does not care. Her heart just hurts. Absolutely breaks at the site of her Hermana.
This was her baby sister. She should have understood. Should have known what was bothering her.
But logically, she couldn’t have. How was she supposed to know Pepa was struggling with this. That this was the cause of her depressive wave.
Her fingers stilted as a question crossed her mind.
How long has she been thinking these things? That she was wrong? That she was ugly? That she was a freak?
It hurt to much to thing about. To agonize about the little details. So instead she whispered quiet affirmations to her sister. Anything Pepa thought negatively of herself. Julieta said the opposite. Turning it into an a melodic hum.
🎵 “You are beautiful.
..You are kind….
…You are sweet….
…Little Sunshine….
…You light up the skies…
…And you grace me with your clouds….
…I love you Pepa….
…And I’ll say it aloud….
…Your unique…
…You make me laugh…
…Your not a freak…
…Our other half….
…Your so smart….
.
…You make me proud….
…I love you Pepa….
….And I’ll say it aloud….
…Your hair is gorgeous …
….Like the honey from a tree….
….You shouldn’t be nervous …
…To let it roam free…
….To hell with others…
….Your not a stick…
….You are perfect …
….Their just all pricks.…
….Your eyes are emeralds…
…..Your smile lights a crowd…
…I love you Hermanita…
And I’ll say it aloud.” 🎵
She ends the song with an affectionate bop to her sisters nose. Smiling softly when she giggles in retaliation.
Her tears have nearly disappeared, something Julieta didn’t notice amidst the melody.
“Thank you Juli,” Pepa whispers, “Your the best sister ever.”
“Actually i think that belongs to you!” She boops her again, “My Hermanita.”
The later scrunches her nose, “Juliii, stop it!”
“Ok ok, I will.”
Silence overtakes them. And for a while no one says a word. Pepa just snuggling into her older sisters comforting touch. hesitantly glancing around, she only sees Julietas reassuring glance, before bashfully inserting her thumb between her teeth.
Julieta can’t help but sigh fondly, “Pepa, Mama always said you had to stop that.”
Pepa just shrugs, “She hasn’t stopped me yet, and I don’t see you doing anything.”
She has a point. Yet she can only raise an eyebrow in a intentional stare.
Julieta is about to let it slide, seeing her sisters eyes droop with exhaustion; when all at once Pepa jerks upwards. Tearing her thumb out and glancing around wildly.
“Pepa?! What is it?” She questions hastily.
“Fèlix! Meirda,” she curses, “I was so horrible to him!”
“Hey, hey, it’s gonna be ok.” The healer is quick to pacify, not wanting her sister to spiral again.
Pepa nervously strokes her braid, cloud forming above, “But I was so cruel! Oh god he must hate me!”
Julieta smiles, “Pepa I don’t think your giving this man enough credit. He has single handedly asked you out like five times. I don’t think he could hate you if he tried
“But I rejected him verbally!”
As did you the last four time, this one just happened to be a bit Um, excessive.”
Pepa wails and the eldest rushes to correct herself, “Meirda! No not Excessive. Siento, you were just extra upset because of stupid Rosita. It wasn’t your fault. Fèlix just picked the wrong time!”
This helps to calm down Pepa a bit. As she looks at Julieta with unsure eyes.
“Are you sure? What if he’s hurt!”
“Im sure if You apologized, he would be ok.” The girl offers gently.
It takes a second for Pepa to process this. Eyes moving as she mutters something under her breath. Fingers tapping In a familiar pattern.
“All I have to do is apologize?”
“That depends,” Julieta breaks into a Cheshire grin, “Do you like him?”
She is promptly shoved away with a shriek, as a fiery blush blooms across her sisters face.
It’s adorable, and all at once Julieta just knows that their gonna end up being an amazing couple together.
But still, Pepa denies it, “I do not like him!”
“Really?” She teases, “You don’t even think he’s attractive?”
“Ok well he’s attractive, but that doesn’t mean I like him!”
She agrees mockingly, “Oh no, definitely!”
“Ugh Julieta your so annoying!” The redhead groans. Blush increasing.
“Wellll? The days a wasting! You better go if you wanna catch him before dark.” The eldest points at the windows for emphasis. Sun setting rapidly.
Pepa jolts to her feet, “Oh shoot your right! Uh, Adios Juli! Wish me luck! Thank you for everything!”
Julieta doesn’t even have time to respond before her Hermana runs outside.
Yet somehow, deep down, she knows she’s going to be alright.
—————
Pepa was worried-
No that was an understatement.
Pepa was terrified.
She’s on her way to apologize to this man who she wildly insulted, just had a huge mental breakdown in front of her sister,
And above all else, deny it from Julieta she will,
Pepa maybe kinda sorta happend to like Fèlix.
But just a little!
Not that she really had a chance or anything, she probably looked like a walking disaster. With her frenetically messy hair and rain soaked dress.
In her haste to catch Fèlix before the sun went down, she hadn’t put any thought towards her appearance. Something she was severely regretting in the moment.
Her hands anxiously run through her braid, trying to vain to ignore all the stares from surrounding villagers.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bruno and Mama.
Vaguely she remembers her mom saying something about talking to Rosita?
Oh dear lord, she didn’t actually do that did she?!
She could feel rain drizzle over her shoulders, and subconsciously stroked her hair even faster to try and send it away.
By luck, she met Bruno’s eyes as they walked closer. His widened, looking surprised, before immediately happy.
He was probably ecstatic to see her anything but down and depressed.
Quickly she flicked her pupils to their Mama, silently questioned what happened.
Bruno grimaced, confirming her worries with a nod.
She gasped, but he made a small motion with his hand, I took care of it.
The gasp turned into a sigh of relief. Leave it to Bruno to fix things when Julieta couldn’t.
Pepa nodded, showing she understood. Then smiling sheepishly and glancing back at mama with a plea.
Bruno rolled his eyes, but he was smiling, nodding along.
And true to his word, just when Alma would have spotted Pepa, he distracted her with a made up spiel about needing to help someone from a vision.
Actually, it could have been real. She didn’t know. All she knew was that it worked and she hightailed it out of their before Mama could catch her meeting up with a boy.
At first Pepa worried she wouldn’t find Fèlix outside, and that she would have to knock on each door until she found his house. But right when she was about to start knocking, she saw him plain as day.
He was wheeling a cart down the road, posture slumped and expression sad.
It hurt. Because Pepa knew she was the cause of that horrible frown.
But she had to make this right
“F-Fèlix!” She called out, jogging forward, “Over here!”
Fèlix jolted, looking alarmed at seeing her. And she briefly stopped, struck with the fear he was scared of her now.
Oh gosh. She didn’t think she could take that.
But after a moment, he nodded, and she hesitantly tied forward. Hands at the ready by her hair.
“L-lo siento, I-I-I didn’t meant to scare you.”
Fèlix looked baffled, “Scare me? Señorita, I was worried I was scaring you!”
“Scare me?! But I’m the one who came up to you?”
Pepa felt embarrassed, was this something super obvious she couldn’t understand? Sometimes she made an absolute mess out of social interactions. Something no amount of practicing with Julieta would help.
“No no no, it’s not that, it’s just,” Fèlix shifted on his feet, setting down the cart, “Well um. You made it clear you didn’t want to be near me. I was afraid I infringed on that or made you uncomfortable again.”
“No that’s where I was wrong!” Pepa exclaimed rapidly.
He arched a brow, “Wrong?”
She flushed, suddenly interested in her shoes, “Uh yeah. Um. I came here to apologize.”
“Oh,” his voice was soft, “Sorry if I interrupted you.”
Gosh. She yelled at him and he was still finding things to apologize about.
She looked up shyly, cracking a goofy grin, and immediately shut her lips closed. Hearing her mother’s voice telling her that the gap in her teeth was off setting.
“Im sorry,” the woman rushed out in one hurried motion, “Lo siento, Im so sorry. Your such a kind and decent man. And you didn’t deserve what I did to you. You were only trying to be sweet. Rosita and her group had just been making some snide remarks, and I know that’s not an excuse, but it does explain why I was extra prickly.”
He laughed awkwardly, “So I basically choose the worst moment possible to ask?”
“Basically.”
They broke in a round of weak laughter. Both blushing by now.
“And.”
Fèlixs head jolted up at this.
Pepa was unsure, giving a few tugs at her hair for confidence, “And if you find a way to overlook my rudeness, and all my flaws. I’d be happy to accompany you on a date. If you’ll even still have me. Gosh what am I saying Lo siento I-“
“No no no!” He rushed to say, arms held out, “Si! I accept I accept!”
She paused. Staring open mouthed at his enthusiasm. The temperature noticeably increasing around them.
Fèlix’s eyes went wide, immediately stuttering out a sentence of unintelligible words.
“I-Uh, I mean, what I mean to say is, I uh. I accept. Your apology, Pepa Madrigal… and um, I’d love to go on a date with you.”
He smiled, “Also, Rosita is a jerk, she’s just jealous because of how beautiful you are. Anyone could see that a mile away. Especially your smile.”
The temperature spiked, as Pepa choked out a “M-my smile?”
“Yes!” The man lit up, “Oh uh, Pardon, I do hope this isn’t insulting, but um. Your teeth. I noticed they had a gap when you smile. And Um, if I may, it looks extraordinarily adorable.”
“Y-you think my gap is adorable?!” Her smile was becoming jaw breaking, rainbows unknowingly appearing above her.
“Yes, Pepi, I’m surprised your not complimented more often on it!”
Pepa smiled, and tentatively reached out her hand. Giggling when Fèlix grabbed on. His hand encasing hers in a warm comfort.
“Maybe I should smile more often?” Her heart was pounding rapidly as she stood close next to the attractive male.
Fèlix was all grins as well, “You definitely should, Pepi!”
Pepa didn’t fully know why, but that dark tug at her heart she’s been feeling for a while, had disappeared for the first time in ages.
“Maybe I will.”