The Ugly Betty stories I've written mainly are based around the first and second seasons and are not a reflection of the current season. The whole who's Betty going to end up with doesn't appeal to me. The next chapter is written down but not typed up. Hopefully the next update will be faster.
Chapter 3
Ring ring!
"Good afternoon Suarez residence, Justin speaking."
"Oh hey!"
"Sure, I'll play basketball with you today. Just let me ask my mom."
Covering the mouthpiece with his hand, Justin bellowed out, "Mom! Can I play basketball today at the park?"
Walking down the stairs in a jean skirt and t-shirt saying "Hot Momma," Hilda Suarez berated her son.
"Justin! How many times do I have to tell you to not shout when you need me?"
"Sorry, mom."
Looking remorseful for about 2 seconds he repeated his earlier question.
"So can I go, please, please please?" He gave his best puppy dog imitation pout.
"Ay, don't try that with me, young man. I invented that look." Goodness knows how many times she got away with that pout with Papi. Knowing that Justin went to a weekly basketball game at this time and that she could never deny him anything, she ruffled his hair.
"Alright, alright. You can go."
"Hey! Watch the hair! It took me an hour to get it looking that way!"
He smoothed it down and obediently reached up to kiss his mother on the cheek before she left the room. She really was a great mom and he was lucky to have her, Aunt Betty, and his grandfather taking care of him. Most kids didn't even have anything close to that at home. That thought reminded him of his caller.
"Are you still there? Good. Mom let me go. See you in a minute."
He hung up the phone and rushed off to change.
Putting on a nice set of sweatpants and coordinating t-shirt, he made sure he was comfortable enough to play a strenuous game of basketball but stylish enough to be seen in public.
He sat by the window until the familiar Meade towncar pulled up in front of the house. Jumping up he shouted a quick "Bye, mom!" and ran out.
"Don't slam the-"
Slam!
"-door." Hilda grumbled at the lapse in manners of her only child, but she would never regret having him. Most mothers weren't as lucky as her.
UBUBUBUB
"Keep your arms up! Don't let me pass you!"
A tall body performed a fast spin, upsetting Justin's sense of balance. Within a few moments he found himself sprawled on his face kissing concrete while the echoing swish of the ball sounded his loss of the game.
A strong hand helped him up.
"You okay?"
"Yeah," Justin muttered brushing off the dust from his clothes and secretly still sore physically and mentally from that last humiliating point.
"You're getting better."
"Oh please. You beat me 20 to 14 after spotting me 10 points."
"Yeah, but before that you used to not score a single point. You got 2 baskets in this time. Plus I have years of experience ahead of you."
Justin nodded surprisingly. It did feel like an accomplishment.
"Too bad my dad's not around to see this," he said quietly.
A hand patted him comfortingly on the shoulder.
Suddenly full of anger, Justin pulled his body away. He sat by dejectedly on a nearby bench as bright tears slipped down his cheeks.
"I wasn't what he imagined his son to be. I'm not tough, or good at sports. I take care of my appearance. I watch the fashion channel religiously. I even make friends with more girls than boys!" He wailed in frustration.
Justin raised watery eyes to meet the frowning face that followed him to his seat.
"I like hanging out with Mark but it doesn't mean…" He trailed off not wanting to say it aloud. He clenched a fist against his side in frustration.
Sliding into the bench beside the confused boy, the co-heir to the Meade Empire draped an arm around Justin's shoulders.
"I understand. I know what it's like to be a disappointment to a father's eyes. It wasn't easy replacing Bradford Meade's golden child. I said all the right things like one of those talking dolls you pull the string to make them speak. But I was miserable so I ran away to far off places trying to escape my life."
"But you did change," Justin countered.
A nostalgic smile surrounded perfect white teeth.
"I'm still the same person. I just became who I really felt like I was meant to be. Also I had to because I couldn't live without my family. You should know that most of all people, Justin."
"Even if your family drives you insane?"
The wind carried away the chuckles which bubbled from the both of them.
"Even if, bro. Even if. You're Justin Suarez: son, grandson, and best future intern at Mode Magazine. Don't change unless you want to."
The boy, fully absorbing the words, leapt up with a lighter spring to his step. He was so happy that he challenged his partner to another game.
UBUBUBUB
"20 to 16!" He pumped his fist with excitement in the air.
"You still lost."
"But only by 4 points. Plus I knocked you down."
"Don't remind me," the figure scowled nursing a bruised elbow. As the houses and trees passed by in a flash outside the car window, the person couldn't help but be proud of the boy cheerfully chatting away about the latest dress a celebrity wore on the red carpet.
Justin Suarez would have a firm future in the fashion industry and fortunately there would be one being who would be there every step of the way watching him from the sidelines.
"The towncar drew to a smooth stop in front of the Suarez's. Justin bounced out of the car happier now that the weight was lifted off of his shoulders. He did a perfect pirouette to face the single occupant in the car.
"Thank you, Alexis." He said with gratitude. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me. I won't tell anyone where you go on Wednesday afternoons."
A perfectly smooth hand waved to him from the backseat and watched as he entered his house.
"Where to, miss?" The driver enquired.
"Take me to Daniel's." Alexis said with a bright smile. Seeing Justin had cheered her up from her blue funk too and reminded her that she had a little brother that she'd been neglecting for a while.
The driver chuckled as he was navigated the turn.
It was funny, he thought. There was something about the Suarez's that seemed to bring out the best in the Meade family.
Another chapter down. It was a little more difficult to convey who was talking in this one and the next is tricky too. I'll update soon. As always, please review.