This Is Me Trying

Chapter Seven

Betty
*A few days later*

I woke up and stretched in my bed at Danielle's house. We had to go back to work today, and I was really looking forward to it.
"Happy birthday to me." I whispered as I got out of bed and got dressed.

I walked into the kitchen, and saw Danielle and Stefania standing in the kitchen.
"Good morning Bambina!" Stefania said as she put a pan in the sink.
"Good morning." I poured myself a cup of coffee.

"Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Betty
Happy birthday to you!" Stefania and Danielle sang together, handing me a plate of French toast with a candle on top.
I smiled and blew out the candle.

"You guys remembered!" I gave them both a hug.
"Of course we did. It's your sixteenth birthday!" Stefania gave me a kiss on the top of my head.

"Thank you guys. I really mean it."
"Oh your day isn't over yet. It's your birthday, we're doing something fun tonight!" Danielle said grabbing her car keys.
"We don't have to." I said quickly.
"Betty, c'mon. Let yourself relax and have fun for once. I promise it won't hurt."
"Okay. Okay. But nothing huge." I sighed out.

*At the studio*

"¡Buenos días chicka! Happy birthday!" Jaina said as the three of us walked onto set.
"Thanks Jaina." I said with a smile.
"Any big plans today?" Barrett asked.
"I think Danielle, Stefania and I are doing something tonight." I shrugged.

"No big plans with your Mom?"
"Uh... no. I highly doubt she'll even remember my birthday." I said quietly.
"I'm sorry mija. Why don't we all go out to eat tonight? That sound good?" Jaina asked.
I nodded with a smile.

"Stefania! Betty! We need you on set!" The director yelled.

Danielle

I watched Stefania and Betty walk away and go onto another set.

"What's the deal with Betty?" Jaina asked.
"What do you mean?"
"You've been driving her to work every day, her Mom hasn't been here once, she's always hanging out with you and Stefania."
"She doesn't have the best home life, okay? She's staying with me for a little bit. Don't tell anyone."
"Okay. Just be careful, okay? If her Mom is as crazy as I think she is, who knows what she can do. I don't want you getting in trouble."

"She's a good kid Jaina. She's got a good heart. She's just had it rough. And if I can help her get through it then I will."
"Okay Mama Danielle." She joked with a laugh.
"Oh shut up." I elbowed her playfully.

Betty
*After work*

"Where do you wanna go for dinner tonight? Your choice." Danielle asked as we all were sitting outside at the studio.
"Oh it doesn't matter to me."
"C'mon kid, you're sixteen! You have to have a favorite place to celebrate!" Barrett said excitedly.
"Ah not really. Honestly, I've never really celebrated my birthday." I said with a shrug.
"What? Seriously? Why not?" She asked.
"I mean, my Dad and I used to celebrate. We'd go to the baseball field every year for it. But after he passed..." I trailed off.
"What about bowling? Do you like bowling?" Stefania asked.
"Never been."
"Let's go then! It'll be fun."

"Ha! Kiss it Ortiz! That's another strike for me!" Danielle boasted as she walked back from the lane.
"Oh shut up. Go on Betty, your turn mija." Jaina smiled at me.

I walked up to the lane, and grabbed my bowling ball.
I threw it and it went directly in the gutter.

"Don't worry, me and you are tied for gutter balls." Stefania joked.
I went and sat down next to her, checking my phone for the hundredth time.
"Are you okay bambina?"
"Yeah. I just thought that maybe my Mom would at least call or text." I sighed.
"I'm sorry kid. Is there anything I can do?" Danielle asked as she sat next to me.

"Dani you've already done enough. This is the best birthday ever." I smiled slightly as I gave her a hug.

*The next day at work*

"Hey Betty! Come over here for a minute." One of the camera men called me over.
I left Danielle and Stefania at our seats, and walked over. "What's up Dan?"
"Look kid, you're a great actress. Amazing even. But you gotta lose weight."
"Excuse you?"
"You don't wanna be the 'fat actress' on set do you? I mean, look at Danielle, and Stefania." He nodded over to them. I looked over to them and I felt the tears well up in my eyes.
"I'm not trying to be mean kid. Maybe just lose a couple pounds."
"I really don't think I need to lose weight." I said quietly.
"Do you wanna be the fat actress on Station 19? We can't have fat actresses on the show and-"

"Excuse you? What the fuck did you just say?" I turned and saw Danielle standing behind me.
"I suggested that she lose some weight and-" Dan started.
"No. You do not get to say that to her. Betty is perfectly fine just the way she is. She does not need to lose weight just because she doesn't fit your idea of beautiful. Betty is a beautiful, extraordinary kid, an amazing actress, and so damn smart. You will not ruin her like the industry did me. Come on Betty." Danielle grabbed my hand and pulled me back over to the seat.

"Betty? What's wrong?" Stefania sat up in her seat when she saw my tears.
"Sit with Stefania. I'll be back." Danielle sat me in my chair and stormed off.
"Bella what's wrong?" Stefania put her arm around my shoulder.
"Dan told me I need to lose weight." I sniffled quietly.
"What? Are you serious?" Stefania asked angrily.
"If only he knew- never mind." I shook my head and grabbed my script to read over my lines.
"Knew what Betty?"
"Forget about it."
"Betty..." Stefania trailed off.

"Krista is having a talk with him. He won't be working any of the scenes that you're on Betty. I told her if I see him again I'm gonna kick his ass." Danielle huffed as she sat back down next to me.
"Danielle please stop." I sighed as I flipped through my script.
"No, Betty. The industry did the same thing to me when I was starting out, and it's unhealthy. It's ridiculous! I'm not going to let you go through the same shit I went through!"
"Excuse me." I stood up and walked off.

Danielle

"Did she say anything to you while I was gone?" I asked Stefania.
"She said 'If only he knew' and then stopped herself."
"Knew what?"
"I don't know bambina. Just give her some space. That's the best thing either one of us can do right now." Stefania rubbed her forehead.
"I just worry about her. I don't want her to turn into me."
"What's so wrong with that? You're amazing."
"I see a therapist multiple times a week Stefania. Mostly because of my issues with the industry. I was literally casted as a fat cheerleader when I did 'Bring it On'."
"That's absolutely ridiculous. I saw you in that movie, you were absolutely stunning." Stefania reached over and took my hand.

"The industry didn't think so. They think fat and ugly are synonymous. They don't understand that a person's real beauty is inside. Not what shows on the outside. And that's what's wrong with everything in this world. The magazines have these beautiful thin women on the covers, and every girl wants to be like them. And even when they use 'plus size' models, they're not even really plus sized. They have thick thighs and an ass. I'm just so sick and tired of the industry trying to force everyone to think thin is beautiful."

"Bambina, are you crying?" Stefania asked softly.
I wiped my face, "I guess. I didn't even realize that I was."
"You really care about Betty don't you?"
"Of course I do. I just want her to be happy, healthy, and safe Stef."

"Hey Danielle, I thought you would've left by now." Jaina said as she walked up.
"Why would I be gone?"
"Betty said she was leaving, so I assumed that you would be leaving with her."
"What? She left? Where did she go?" I quickly stood up and grabbed my things.
"I don't know, do you want me to help look for her?" Jaina asked.
"No, I got it. Can you- will you tell Krista I'll be back as soon as I can? I gotta go find her." I went to walk away but Stefania grabbed my hand.
"I'm coming too." Stefania grabbed her bag and we quickly walked out of the set.