Dreams, Lies, and Butterflies by Yinx
Smog, restaurant actors, casting couch auditions Los Angeles, California the land where dreams are made and shattered. Twenty-five year old Mercedes Jones moved here five years ago with her to best friends Santana Lopez and Tina Cohen-Chang; both of them have found their niche in the land of 'no'; Santana work as stylist and just got her first celebrity client, Emma Roberts.
"The child dressed like the third homeless Olsen twin" Santana smiled pouring another round of Chardonnay for her besties. "Like seriously, how can someone with that kind of money, and reputation from her aunt be that clueless on dressing herself. Wal-mart does a better job".
Tina had caught on the coattails of Sandra Oh, and Michele Yeoh. After four years of doing community plays, and being a starving actor; she had her big screen debut.
"It's a small part; I get killed off in the first twenty minutes, but totally worth it" she beamed. "Get my name in the credits so la-de-da-da" she shimmied around their living room to Starship Cobra.
"La-de-da-do-da-da" her friends said their catch phrase back taking the glasses Santana offered.
Mercedes smiled watching Tina turn Santana around dip her then slap her butt. Mercedes danced herself into the kitchen and got herself a bottle of water. She was so proud of them they had both found their place yet she hadn't even gotten her start. Yeah she sang at a local Blues and R&B clubs but no label would sign her. "You are not what we a looking for". She rolled her eyes at the saying consistently said. Mercedes put on a smile and told her friends she was headed to bed.
The Lopcoheones lived in a small bungalow in what was known as Silicone Valley. It was Dr. Lopez's home when he went on month at a time business trips. Mercedes room was past he rest in the back where she liked it. She could practice her music, write songs and record without disturbing her roommates. Her blonde colored cat Countessa met her at the door.
"Hey Tess" she smiled making her way over to her desk to check her email. "Let's see who rejected momma today" she grimace sitting down and logging on. The cat hopped into her lap meowing until petted.
Mercedes scrolled past spam and ads finally sighing. "Nothing" she sighed to herself. "When is going to be my turn, Tessa" she sniffed as she got up getting ready for bed. Mercedes laid in bed sending her resume and demo out from her phone again. "One day Tess" she smiled at the green eyed pet "Mustn't lose faith".
"I'm worried about Mercedes" Tina said quietly later that night as she cleaned up a wine stain from the carpet; Santana had dipped further back than expected.
"Yeah me too" Santana sighed "It seems like it's getting worse, you know". She grabbed the wine glasses taking them to the sink. "She was happy for us but what about her. I wish someone would give her chance".
"I know I shouldn't feel guilty that she doesn't have anything going for her, but I do. She tries so hard but ugh people can't see the genius right in front of them it's so irritating." Tina bummed sitting at the bar of their open galley kitchen.
"I know what you mean. Mercedes is our friend, our best friend, she always been there for us" Santana pour herself another glass. "She is really talented it's messed up that they can't see it. Maybe I can talk Noah into giving her more nights at the club" she sighed.
The two sat in silence for a while then Tina announced that she had an early call and they head off too bed.
"Cedes, how the hell do you expect to get laid dressed like that" Santana asked following her friend into the local Wal-mart the next day.
Mercedes looked down at her off the shoulder Bite-Me shirt, sweatpants and house shoes. "You better be glad I put on a bra" she scoffed but smiled.
"Hey if you want the puppies to roam free then let them" Santana smirked getting a hand basket as Mercedes got the buggy. "Ready"
"Always" Mercedes smiled wiggling her eyebrows "On the mark, get ready, set, go" she and Santana took off.
Mercedes made it to the milk first. "Damnit Wal-mart! Why are you always running out of skim milk…argh". Mercedes looked around eyeing peoples carts with milk jugs in them. She opened the door to the skim milk, sticking her head inside between the racks "Hello, hello anyone back there? I need milk preferably skim".
"I think Narnia was in a wardrobe, not a freezer" a deep voice said to her.
Mercedes bumped her head "Ow". Taking her head out rubbing it closing her eyes against the pain rubbing her head, "Who asked you"?
"Is it okay to ask if you are okay" the voice spoke again.
Mercedes rolled her closed eyes; opening them as she looked at her hand making sure there wasn't any blood. "You wouldn't have to ask if you didn't scare me" she finally looked up into misty green eyes of a tall muscly built blonde, with a crooked smile.
"Sorry I couldn't resist. It's not every day you see a woman talking into a freezer" he chuckled his eyes sparkled.
Mercedes laughed at her deed. "It's just they ran out of milk" she smiled back.
The green eyed man looked past her into the icebox. "Maybe we can get someone over here to help" he turned around.
'We' Mercedes raised an eyebrow. "Ah no it's okay. I'll just stop by the drugstore on the way home" she started way quickly. She felt his presence beside her.
"Drugstores cost you an arm and a leg you know that, right" he smiled down at her.
"Yeah I do, thanks." She glanced up at him meeting his gaze. "Back to shopping"
"So you come here a lot"
Mercedes scrunched up her face 'Can't he take a hint; I'm not one to be hit on in grocery stores'. "Everyone has to eat some more than others" she turned down the cereal aisle.
"That's true." He watched her reach for a granola box; stepping up he brought it down for her. "Here you go" he saw her sucking her cheeks, nostrils flaring.
"Okay, what do you want" she glared up at him.
He chuckled at her forwardness "Can't people just be nice, and talk while shopping"?
Mercedes glanced at his hand basket "Not when the people that are trying to talk are done stopping and stalking other shoppers." She shoved the boxed cereal back heading down the aisle hoping to see Santana, but felt his presence again by her side. "Seriously, you have issues" she hissed slipping her hand into her purse and around her pepper spray.
"No, I don't, you might have some." He nodded his head toward her purse gesture.
"I'm not the one following me around", she pointed out.
"It would be hard to follow yourself" he smiled; his gaze dropped to her lips but finding her eyes more entrancing went back to them.
Mercedes snorted rolling her eyes again "Okay" she stopped. "What do you want to ask me" she folded her arms across her chest.
The guy took a deep breath "How about you meet me for coffee this Wednesday? I know this great place…"
"No".
"Thursday"?
"Nope".
"Friday, then" he raised an eyebrow, wondering if she was lying.
Mercedes shrugged putting on a fake smile "Can't sorry".
"Well, what day can you make it"? He rolled his sparkling eyes his at her.
"How about the end of never, I don't go out white boys" she smirked "Sorry" she said walking away finding Santana at the deli talking more flirting with a blue eyed blonde.
"Mercedes Jones, it took you long enough" Santana cried seeing her friend.
"I just got hit on" Mercedes said with disgust glancing back to see her stalker watching them.
"Wearing that"? Santana chuckled. "Where is he I must congratulate his ass" she looked passed Mercedes shoulder. Mercedes pointed him out. "Not bad, if you like the baby cherub look" Santana smirked then strode over.
Mercedes watched the tall blonde busy himself with some oranges; the produce started to fall; her expression softens as she thought back to his question. She chewed on her lip as he tried to catch the falling oranges his face turning a beet red.
"Nice" Santana smiled as she helped him pick up the last orange.
He snorted "Wasn't one of my best" he glanced at her smiling.
"So let me cut to the chase, Beet Face" Santana friendly smile fading fast "I heard you were hitting on my friend, and I demand to know why". She folded her arms eyeing him.
He sized her up as well "Can't one be nice and try to get to know someone without her bodyguard coming to her defense" he glanced at Mercedes.
"So…you are…were, whatever being nice"?
"Uh, yeah" he folded his arms as well.
Santana sucked in her cheeks and glanced back at her friend "Okay, meet us at the Lazy Man club, tonight; I'll introduce you…"
"Sam Evans" he smiled holding out his hand to her.
She matched his lopsided smile with hers; she took his hand "Santana Lopez and the girl you're going after is Mercedes Jones. Good luck with that, she doesn't date your types" she turned walking back.
Sam Evans chewed on his bottom lip starring after the two as they walked to the check-out counters; well after one of the two. "Ms. Mercedes Jones" he smiled licking his lips "Challenge accepted".