A/N: I am SO sorry it took so long to update this story. I came across some Writer's block, then got sick, then found out I was sick because I was knocked up (LOL)! Now I'm working, going to school and raising a boy, so my story time is pretty limited. Not to mention, the way Ugly Betty's writers handled the whole Gio/Betty storyline kind of soured my mood. But I'm determined to finish this!
I had planned on waiting until I was finished with at least the fifth chapter, but I figured a particular friend of mine could use at least a slight cheer up. So hopefully she as well as the rest of you will like this short chapter after such a long wait! -BP
"You've got to be kidding me."
"There's mud on this one!"
"It's just a drop, Antonella! We don't have time for you to run all the way back upstairs so you can take another hour getting dressed."
"But I'm supposed to dress up fancy!"
"You look fine! Now let's go, or I'm going to leave you here!"
Antonella folded her arms. "You wouldn't do that," she said, smiling mischievously at her big brother. "You're not as mean as Allegra."
"Who told you that?"
"Allegra."
"Well, she's right," Gio said, grabbing his sister's hand and dragging her to the taxi. "But I doubt there is anyone in New York that is as mean as Allegra."
Antonella pouted as she slid into the Taxi. "I hate taxis!" She whined. "They always smell funny. This one smells like Corn Nuts and dog farts." Gio chuckled nervously as he saw the driver frown. Antonella was unaffected. "Why can't we take the van?"
"Because certain little girls took too long getting ready," Gio explained. "And now we don't have time to find parking."
"I am not a little girl!" Antonella said causally. "I am a pre-teen. Ma said. This is why it's important that I look pretty at all times."
"Look, Nella," Gio sighed. "I promise you are going to have fun tonight. And I promise to buy you almost anything you want, but you have to help me out here and do your best not to be such a little pain in the ass. Okay?"
Antonella smiled. "Okay," she agreed. "But while we're out you have to treat me like you treat Allegra."
"You want me to pretend I don't know you?" Gio teased.
"No!" she laughed. "Just don't treat me like some stupid little kid. That's what Ma and Pop do and it's embarrassing."
"Agreed." Gio said. God, I hope Betty will be there.
Antonella started griping about some girl at school who stole her Zack Efron poster – God, she's turning more and more like Allegra each day – and Gio found himself tuning her out. The closer he got to the theater, the more nervous he became. Betty seemed pretty angry with him. Maybe I should've given her back the ticket. It really wasn't my place to save her from the Perpendicular Pickle. Jesus, I really need to stop calling him that. It sounds too much like I'm talking about his nuts. Maybe…
"And she told me she'd give me another photo at lunch time today, but she never did!" Antonella concluded angrily.
"We'll just find you another Zack photo," Gio replied. "It's not that big of a deal."
"Why are you so anxious to get to this play?" Antonella asked, with one eyebrow raised suspiciously. "You didn't even know what this play was. And you don't like plays."
"I do so, and I'm not in a rush. I just want to get there in time to meet a friend."
"A girl friend?" Antonella giggled.
"She is a girl, and she's a friend. But she'll be with her boyfriend. Mr. Perpendicular Pickle and all his baggage."
"What does Purple dick you liar mean?" Nella asked. The driver laughed. It's official. I'm never using that name again.
"PerPENdicuLAR," Gio corrected, trying to ignore the driver who was still giggling. "It means straight up and down."
"Why do you call him Perpendicular Pickle?"
"I don't anymore, thanks to you."
"Do you want to be this girl's boyfriend?" Nella asked mischievously.
Gio rolled his eyes. "I told you, Nella. She's just a friend."
"You're never this nervous to meet anyone who's just a friend," Antonella noted.
"I'm not nervous. I just don't like being late."
"No" Antonella stated. "You like her. You don't even look like this when Ma cooks."
"May I remind you that this is the chick that got me fired? I know you know about that."
"You bought tickets just so you could see her and steal her away from Mr. Purple dickular Pickle!" Antonella sighed, dramatically throwing her hand to her forehead.
"It's PurPENdicular, and you know what…let's just call him Egg Salad. That's perfect and boring and doesn't sound so X-Rated." Actually, it was perfect. Pasty, bland, boring… Gio's train of thought was interrupted after he and Antonella jarred forward suddenly.
"$35.50" the driver said after screeching to a halt.
"My brother should get a discount" Antonella demanded. "Not only do we now smell like a toilet but you can't drive."
"Antonella…"Gio warned, handing the driver the money.
"Take the little angel and get out" the driver growled, clearly irritated. Gio couldn't help but chuckle when he realized his sister had adopted the Rossi tradition of pissing people off. "You really need to watch your mouth," Gio scolded as they walked away.
"But now we smell like pee!" Antonella exclaimed.
"It doesn't matter! I know Ma and Pop don't let you speak to adults like that."
"Are you mad at me?"
"No, I'm not mad at you," Gio insisted. Betty was still weighing heavy on Gio's mind. What if she couldn't get tickets and she's not even here? "I just think you and I need to learn to keep some opinions to ourselves."
He wasn't surprised to see Antonella wasn't even listening. They had reached the lobby, and her eyes lit up with excitement. "Over there!" she yelled. "There are the T-Shirts! I need two of them, Gio! I need the 'Popular' one and the 'Defy Gravity' one!"
"You can have one," Gio said. "I already spent $40 just getting here and I know you're going to want something to eat."
"That's your fault for not taking the van," Antonella said dismissively. "Just make me a sandwich at home."
"I think I will just make you a sandwich at home," Gio said. "And you're still getting one shirt. Here's the money. Bye bye!"
"Aw," he heard Antonella moan as she walked towards the stand.
Gio continued to scope the crowd. She's not here! Damn it! I'd see them if they were here! How hard is it to see a six foot tall Clark Kent wannabe with a five foot woman who will most likely be wearing the weirdest outfit on earth? He glanced at the T-Shirt stand briefly to make sure Antonella was still in line.
We did get here late, Gio remembered. Betty seems like she's pretty punctual. She'd probably tap her cute little foot and pout her adorable little mouth if Egg Salad didn't get here early.
He took another glance at Antonella, who was now hopping up and down impatiently behind the two people who were still in front of her. Gio realized her was just a few foot taps away from hopping up and down impatiently with her.
What if she got here with Eggy and her boss caught them together and now she's in trouble? Gio found his pang of guilt interesting. I really didn't think this save the smart girl plan out very well at all.
"Hurry up or we all will miss the show!" he heard Antonella yell at the girl in front of her.
"Antonella," Gio yelled back. "Cut it out."
Gio's gaze floated back towards the crowd, where his eyes met with a disappointed pair of red framed glasses staring back at him...