Working at Styles Fascinova is the dream job I always wanted. “I am qualified, I graduated at the top of my class & earned a masters degree in finance,” I repeat the words to myself in front of my bedroom mirror.
“Beatriz” Papa yells from the other room. Our house was extremely small. Money was always something my family struggled with. I was raised solely by my Papa in a Columbian household, in a predominately Spanish neighborhood in New York.
“Mija, Alvaro is here. He wants to accompany you to your interview” Papa says from outside my door. “Bien Papa” I reply as I check my braces for any sign of the breakfast I ate earlier.
It was a shame that at twenty two, I still have braces. Money was something Papa always struggled with. I paid for these braces with the money I earned from my last job at an International Bank. My thick black framed glasses and frizzy brown hair didn't help my case either.
I open my bedroom door to find a gelled – hair Alvaro in a sweater vest and gray slacks. Alvaro was the only friend I made in this neighborhood. The other boys and girls my age would laugh and scream obscenities at me as I walked past them. Ugly Betty was the name they picked out for me and unfortunately, it was the name most people in my neighborhood referred to me as.
“Hola Betty” Alvaro says as my hazel eyes scan the coat closet for my plain black dressing shoes. “Hola Alvaro” I say with a smile when I spot the shoes. ”Jackpot” I say out loud accidentally. “Do you mean the shoes or the fact that you were able to secure a position as a secretary in Styles Fascinova?” Alvaro questions.
“I meant the shoes, but i'm also very excited for the job... I mean interview. I haven't quite secured the job yet” I tell Alvaro. “I'm sure you'll get it, Beatriz. I just don't know why you want to get involved with the fashion world. You are to smart to be just a secretary” Alvaro tells me as we walk down the sidewalk, away from my home.
“I don't know Alvaro. All the other jobs I've applied for turned me down, despite my impressive resume” I tell him as we reach a crosswalk. Luckily this time, I didn't include a photograph in my resume I think to myself. I mean this was one of the first job interviews I had in a few months.
“Here comes Martin and his gang of friends” Alvaro whispers as they inch closer to where Alvaro and I stand. “Hey Ugly Betty, Ugly Betty's boyfriend. Are you two heading off somewhere together – alone?” Martin questions as he looks me down with a disgusted look.
“Just leave us alone Martin” Alvaro says in a unsure voice. Last time Martin and his posse cornered us, Alvaro's wallet was taken and my glasses were broken. “But the party is only getting started. We can't find any pinatas, I'll guess you'll have to do” Martin says with a smirk plastered on his face.
“If you lay a hand on Betty...my dad's a cop. I'm warning you” Alvaro says as he uses my body as a shield from Martin. I never said Alvaro was brave. “Look at him. Ugly Betty's boyfriend is more of a girl than she is” Martin remarks as him and his friends break out into laughter. “Adios Ugly Betty, have fun fucking your boyfriend – if he even has a dick” Martin calls as he turns around, walking the same direction he came from.
I ignored his vulgar comments. Alvaro was shaken up. I was used to this type of treatment; the dirty looks, the rude comments, and the constant harassment. However, Alvaro wasn't. If it wasn't for me, Alvaro would never leave his house. His mother placed her only son – Alvaro had four elder sisters – on a high pedestal, simply because he was a boy. He was to fill in the shoes for his absentee father.
“Do you want to go back home, Alvaro? I can walk to Styles Fascinova by myself. Really, I don't mind” I say to Alvaro, no trace of judgement in my voice. “Yes. I'm sorry Betty, you know i'm not good at dealing with harassment. I'm not like you,” Alvaro responds without making direct eye contact with me. He's embarrassed.
“Hey, look at me. I don't mind at all. I don't think any less of you because of what happened. Heck, I should be the one apologizing to you. Martin only started to pick on you because you were hanging out with me – i'm the selfish one. You're my only friend Alvaro, I don't want to lose your friendship. Please don't take his words to heart” I plead to Alvaro.
“You're right Betty. You always know what to say” Alvaro says while smiling at me, revealing a pearly set of straight white teeth. Alvaro recently had his braces removed – and I was certainly jealous. “I'll see you tomorrow Betty. I'll make it up to you, I swear on my abuela's grave” Alvaro says as he turns to walk the same direction we came from. I knew he was serious – it's not everyday he swears on his abuela's grave.
“I gotta go. I don't want to be late” I call out to Alvaro before sprinting to the bus stop. I'm half an hour early – I would've been here an hour earlier & been able to run my interview answers by Alvaro if it wasn't for Martin. Fucking, dick – what did he mean by that? I knew what a dick was, and I knew fucking referred to sexual intercourse, but why would he say such a thing to me? Everyone knew I would never allow a boy to touch me. I was a virgin. In fact, before the nickname Ugly Betty was bestowed upon me, Martin and his posse referred to me as Virgin Mary. I didn't mind though – I was proud to be a virgin. To have never kissed a boy. I didn't pay attention to boys and boys paid no mind to me.
Note: This a fanfiction based on the Columbian telenovela "Yo soy Betty, la fea." I am Betty, the ugly one. No i'm not Hispanic, but I still watch Spanish tv shows. Ugly Betty (the American version) is also based on this telenovela, I highly recommend anyone to watch this show, it is amazeballs. Enjoy. BTW, be patient Harry will come. LOL Come? Get it? No...Okay:( Ha. Okay. Anyways, if this actually gets somewhere than I will update this shit like there is no tomorrow. I really want to give this a try. So please rate. Ughh I have to make a cover photo and make a description.
