Here's lookin to you, Kid (Guillermo)

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"I dunno, it's been a while, Tex. My memory isn't that great."
"Yeah it is, Meems. Don't lie."
Mimi's eyes fluttered at him, a teasing grin spreading over her face and something stirred inside him. He blushed, remembering the last few times they saw each other.
"A whole hour you say. You're losing your touch there, El Paso."
She laughed, taking a sip of her coffee.
He rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm a man-ho, okay? Very funny, haha."
"Okay... so who is Seth? Wait... no, start at the beginning. How did things go from scrump buds to feelings and whatnot. Then explain who Seth is."
"Uh.. well I don't really know. I mean, when we first met, she was locked out of her apartment and I let her take a shower in mine. And well.. you can figure the rest out yourself. But from the get-go, there was something I liked about her. I just became friends with her. And after that, I just got hooked. It was like being an addict. I couldn't be away from her."
Guillermo stopped himself, closing his eyes to control himself before he let absolutely everything out.
"Seth is her best friend. Well, he was in love with her. But now he's just her friend. And my best friend and roomie."
This had to be beyond confusing.

[na]

"Yeah it is, Meems. Don't lie." Mimi couldn't help but blush a little, but was pleased that she wasn't the only one. It was a little weird, given the main topic of conversation, but since when were they exactly conventional. "Yeah, yeah, I'm a man-ho, okay? Very funny, haha."

Laughing, Mimi shook her head no, her tightly round curls swishing as she did so. Scooping a bit of whip cream off her pie, she smiled at Guillermo, her light brown eyes glittering. This was... nice. "Don't be like that, you know I've never thought of you as a 'Man-ho'" She made quotations with her fingers, before sucking the whip cream off her finger. Noms, man. "Even with all my little girlfriends telling me your no good, and trust me they did. Often. Of course, they thought we were fucking on the regular so..." Mimi shrugged, as if dismissing this as pure ridiculousness. "The fact that you can wile yourself into so many girl's beds is purely instinctual. They sniff you out, a genetically superior male, and their chromosomes or whatever get all a tingle because science demands your type. And your chromosomes dictate you sow as many of your wild oats as possible, so your not getting any judgment on this end of the table. Human instinct, to screw as much as possible. I get it."

She watched with acute awareness, as he explained his situation further. "Uh.. well I don't really know. I mean, when we first met, she was locked out of her apartment and I let her take a shower in mine. And well.. you can figure the rest out yourself. But from the get-go, there was something I liked about her. I just became friends with her. And after that, I just got hooked. It was like being an addict. I couldn't be away from her."

Mimi couldn't help but make an editorial crack. "Sounds healthy..."

"Seth is her best friend. Well, he was in love with her. But now he's just her friend. And my best friend and roomie." Mimi nodded, though she didn't quite understand. Guillermo was the ultra-competitive sort, how did he end up best friends with a rival.

"So... You're best friends with your ex sweethearts best friend, who was in love with her, but is no longer. Kay, got that part. So, what's Jen-Jen's beef with her? Other than the fact that it's someone you fancy and therefore must be evil. Or is that it. Never mind, answered my own question." She laughed a little, remembering a mischievous little Jeny putting old hot dog water in Mimi's water bottle before one of hers and Guillermo's little adventures. It would have been quite bad for Mimi, had Guillermo not taken the first drink. She still had the video of him yaking it back up. "Kay, now your working with the ex. Hows that going? Awkward silences or passion repressed friendships." Mimi could understand the latter, quite a bit.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Laughing, Mimi shook her head no, and she smiled at Guillermo, her light brown eyes glittering.
"Don't be like that, you know I've never thought of you as a 'Man-ho'"
She made quotations with her fingers, before sucking the whip cream off her finger. Guillermo's eyes followed the movement involuntarily.
"Even with all my little girlfriends telling me your no good, and trust me they did. Often. Of course, they thought we were fucking on the regular so... The fact that you can wile yourself into so many girl's beds is purely instinctual. They sniff you out, a genetically superior male, and their chromosomes or whatever get all a tingle because science demands your type. And your chromosomes dictate you sow as many of your wild oats as possible, so your not getting any judgment on this end of the table. Human instinct, to screw as much as possible. I get it."
Guillermo rolled his eyes. Leave it to Mimi to go all scientist on him when he was bashing his particular choice of activity.
When he explained his Rose relationship, she smiled.
"Sounds healthy..."
Guillermo gave her a look, sighing exasperatedly.
"So... You're best friends with your ex sweethearts best friend, who was in love with her, but is no longer. Kay, got that part. So, what's Jen-Jen's beef with her? Other than the fact that it's someone you fancy and therefore must be evil. Or is that it. Never mind, answered my own question. Kay, now your working with the ex. Hows that going? Awkward silences or passion repressed friendships."
Guillermo grimaced.
"Uh.. Both. It's extremely awkward for us both. Especially with Hiro and Stefano making bets on us, and Fernando keeping watch so we don't sneak off and bang during breaks. Not like that would happen in our current relationship, but.."
He trailed off in a way to tell Naomi that it had happened before.

[na]

He looked tired, and Mimi looked at him with a bit of concern. "Uh.. Both. It's extremely awkward for us both. Especially with Hiro and Stefano making bets on us, and Fernando keeping watch so we don't sneak off and bang during breaks. Not like that would happen in our current relationship, but.." Hiro and Stefano must be coworkers, and Fernando must be the boss. It was obvious some in-work-scrumps had occurred. She wasn't that surprised really, Guillermo wasn't that well known for his self control.

"So, you guys are quite a scandal then? What about this was suppose to be boring, exactly?" She pushed his pie closer to him, urging him to eat. "So, why aren't you tapping that anymore? I mean, sorry to be crude, but it's not really like you to not get what you want. And I heard this rumor you can be quite persuasive." How many notches were on his belt, exactly? "What's your game plan? how are you going to get her back? It's obvious your still hung up on her." She indicated the phone, and the gads of pictures that had yet to be deleted.

It wouldn't be the first time Mimi had assisted Guillermo in the game of Get-the-Girl. But this one felt a little different to Mimi. More... like a permanent blow out, the final shebang. The last time they would play that game, or any game. It felt like such a cheat, that she found him in his wanting-to-settle-down stage.

But.. it's what he wanted.

Finishing her cup of coffee, she grabbed his, as he was ignoring it, adding a packet of sugar to it.

It was just like old times.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"So, you guys are quite a scandal then? What about this was suppose to be boring, exactly?" She pushed his pie closer to him, urging him to eat. He pushed it back, taking care to place a dab of cream on her nose."So, why aren't you tapping that anymore? I mean, sorry to be crude, but it's not really like you to not get what you want. And I heard this rumor you can be quite persuasive."
Guillermo gave her a crooked smile.
"She, uh... wants to be friends. And I don't want it, but it's hurting her. And I want what she wants, you know? Like, whatever makes her happy.."
He trailed off somberly, studying his hands.
"What's your game plan? how are you going to get her back? It's obvious your still hung up on her."
She indicated the phone, and the gads of pictures that had yet to be deleted.
He shrugged, groaning.
"Mimi, she plays so many games, I'm not sure I can handle another one. I don't know what else to do. Either it really hurts her to be around me, or she doesn't want me."

[na]

He dabbed her nose with whip cream, which she pretended to try and lick off. Giggling, she wiped it off with her index finger, which she proceeded to lick off like before. Unfortunately he got all... mooshy. "She, uh... wants to be friends. And I don't want it, but it's hurting her. And I want what she wants, you know? Like, whatever makes her happy.." Okay, that was it, who was this guy exactly? Did she send the note to the wrong guy? Guillermo's evil (or good?) twin brother? "Mimi, she plays so many games, I'm not sure I can handle another one. I don't know what else to do. Either it really hurts her to be around me, or she doesn't want me." Ohho, no. No, no, no. No way was her best friend, as she could already feel things getting right back where they were, become some weepy, cry baby, pity party having, girl.

Taking his pie, which he was stubbornly ignoring, she placed it on top of his head, pie side down. Squishing it for good measure, Mimi grinned at him. "And with that, we end this cry fest. Unless you wanna go sit down and pee, because I think I can spare a few seconds." Perhaps she was too much one of the guys. Laughing at the pie hat her was now wearing, Mimi pulled out her camera, recording it for future enjoyment. "You should have just eaten the pie, El Paso." She snickered, zooming in.

Very suddenly, she turned business like. "We are so doing this. By the time you and me are finished, she'll be begging you to come back. So, tell me her personality." She was still recording. It had been weird, those serious moments before, not recording. "Cause this, my friend, is happening." Hrm, what technique would be used? There were so many to choose from!

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

He watched Mimi closely as he spoke and her face slipped from the serious look into a face that clearly said: "What the fuck are you on?"
She suddenly picked up the pie and smeared it over the top of his head.
He gasped as she gave a satisfied smile.
"And with that, we end this cry fest. Unless you wanna go sit down and pee, because I think I can spare a few seconds. You should have just eaten the pie, El Paso."
He glared at her, but he couldn't hold it. Guillermo grinned at her, then began to laugh.
"We are so doing this. By the time you and me are finished, she'll be begging you to come back. So, tell me her personality. Cause this, my friend, is happening."
He sighed, knowing that she would never let it go.
"Okay, um.. Well. She's pretty sensitive about things, even though she pretends not to be. And....." He bit his lip, thinking.
"She, uh, gets jealous really easy," he offered, hesitantly.

[na]

Guillermo looked momentarily pissed, but soon broke out into a thick laughter. Mimi's own laughter grew some strength with him, the camera's picture becoming shaky as she wiped tears from her eyes, passing him some napkins. He sighed at her question, as if relenting. Ugh, she'd get him back to how he was before. Seriously, three years ago, he would have prompted the damn idea. "Okay, um.. Well. She's pretty sensitive about things, even though she pretends not to be. And....." He was holding back. Mimi leaned forward, her camera recording as he bit his lip. "She, uh, gets jealous really easy."

Mimi smiled, like they had hit the jack pot. Because, well, they had. Jealous and sensitive, come on! And she had thought this was going to be hard. "Seriously? Please tell me you have not become so much of a wuss that you're not thinking exactly what I am thinking." No, no, he wasn't that far gone. "It would be so easy. Step one, I come to where ever the hell you work, request some sort of custom, whatever you guys do. Bat my eyes, dress real fine. OH! I could wear that one skirt you helped me pick out! Remember? The denim one with the patchwork pockets and the short short hem line."

Mimi was in full blown scheme mode, at this point. "I come over, get my flirt on, she sees your quite openly on the market, gets jelly, and we take it from there. Is she stubborn? She might have to really think of me as a threat." Tapping her lips thoughtfully, she tried to think of how best to integrate herself. "Do you guys have any job openings? I bet I could be useful somewhere. A little healthy competition in the work place would be good for her!" Taking a drink of her coffee, she could feel the caffeine take its effect.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Mimi's eyes instantly lit up and Guillermo knew where this was headed. He wasn't sure he liked it, but it was going there, one way or another.
"Seriously? Please tell me you have not become so much of a wuss that you're not thinking exactly what I am thinking. It would be so easy. Step one, I come to where ever the hell you work, request some sort of custom, whatever you guys do. Bat my eyes, dress real fine. OH! I could wear that one skirt you helped me pick out! Remember? The denim one with the patchwork pockets and the short short hem line."
She was talking a mile a minute, getting excited with the idea of a plot.
"I come over, get my flirt on, she sees your quite openly on the market, gets jelly, and we take it from there. Is she stubborn? She might have to really think of me as a threat. Do you guys have any job openings? I bet I could be useful somewhere. A little healthy competition in the work place would be good for her!"
Guillermo's mouth hung open, but he closed it swiftly.
"Uh, she's about as stubborn as me and Jen combined. Fernando hasn't said anything, but it wouldn't hurt for you to ask."
Actually, yes. It would hurt a lot. Starting with Rose's feelings, apparently.

[na]

Mimi was loving this. "Uh, she's about as stubborn as me and Jen combined. Fernando hasn't said anything, but it wouldn't hurt for you to ask." ...Guillermo, on the other hand, was not. He was not loving this at all. Closing her video camera again, Mimi offered a contrite look.

He had changed. He wasn't the same Guillermo as before. He was still awesome, still had the same bite, still the same wit. But he didn't want to scam this girl. It was rather sweet, really. "I... got a little a head of myself. I'm sorry." Taking his hand, she smiled at him comfortably. "You know what? Forget it. I can tell she's not like the other girls." There was a little sadness in her voice, though she forced her usual bro quality to come out. "When did you become such a push over, El Paso? You can tell me no, you know." Sticking out her tongue, she grinned.

Okay, now, the thing about Mimi was that sometimes she got ideas in her head. For instance, she could see Guillermo wanted nothing to do with any sort of scheming. But Mimi herself, had zero qualms about it. It wasn't anything against the girl, but the challenge had been set. She wanted to help her friend dearly, and sense he wasn't in a state to help himself, Mimi decided to do it on her own. In a convincingly innocent voice, one that sounded like she was merely changing the subject, she rested her chin in her hand. "So, other than having a Jerry Springer worthy sordid romance, what else have you been up too. This job for instance. What do you do, exactly?" She should have been an actress, though Mimi much preferred to work behind the camera. Besides, her face was a little too peculiar for most peoples tastes.

Guillermo's for instance.

But that was all in the past. And that's where it would stay.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Some sadness flitted across Naomi's face. He stared at her, feeling a bit concerned.
"I... got a little a head of myself. I'm sorry. You know what? Forget it. I can tell she's not like the other girls. When did you become such a push over, El Paso? You can tell me no, you know." Sticking out her tongue, she grinned.
Guillermo chuckled, but there wasn't much support to it. Really, he had become quite as sensitive little bastard. All because of Rose.
She seemed to throw the idea out the window as casually and quickly as it had come.
"So,other than having a Jerry Springer worthy sordid romance, what else have you been up too. This job for instance. What do you do, exactly?"
"I'm an apprentice mechanic. Rose, Fernando, Hiro and Stefano teach me."