what a shame she went mad.

GERTRUDE ‘GERTIE’ GUERRA has been accepted to participate ! they are a 25 year old all the way from LONDON, ENGLAND . SHE is currently studying LAW at the interchange .

NAOMI: do you know what the fuck that translates to? cause i sure as hell don't

NAOMI: are we trying to find something that we think we were fated to like / experience / be that we just so happen to have in common with each other?

GERTIE: nah I'm not sober enough to figure it out rn.

NAOMI: that's a given. what else?

NAOMI: i should probably reread the damn email, i already forgot what the damn thing said.

GERTIE: i think we're supposed to name our shortcomings or something. let me check.

“I have to say someone other than Elle, don’t I? That Scoots guy seems alright, I guess. I... actually can’t think of anyone else.”

NAOMI: i imagine what we have in common would be a good place. think we got anything going for us?

NAOMI: howdy partner. 🤠

NAOMI: you busy? certainly hope for both our sakes you ain't.

NAOMI: i'd like to get this shit done as soon as possible

GERTIE: suppose not

“eh,” like water off a ducks back, the comment about delusional doesn’t really get taken into consideration with him as he continues looking at her. the reaction doesn’t really shock him and luckily for gertie, despite being sensitive, he had nothing going on in terms of his ego so he wasn’t overthinking her response. “oh,” he said, an entertained look on his face because although he might have been a little dumb most of the time, he could tell something different was going on. “you don’t get crushes? not ever,” he asks, prompting even further, clearly finding the whole thing funny. “i’ve had like a hundred crushes. i can’t believe you’ve never even had one,” he raised an eyebrow, tapping his elbow as he stepped a little closer, “are you telling lies to me? that’s pretty mean you know, gertie, i’m a bit gullible.”

“I mean... what do you define as a crush? I’ve liked people, but I’ve never had that ‘blushy, giggly, butterflies in your stomach’ feeling everyone talks about.” That much was true. Partially because anytime a feeling like that would pop up, she’d shove it so far down she forgot about it. She had decent relationships that could never last because she couldn’t allow herself to be open and loving, and accept whatever emotions ran through her. How could she, when she knew it was only going to lead to her getting hurt? She refused to be her mother, cold because of a broken heart. She’d just be cold first. “What would you do if I did have a crush on you? Hypothetically speaking, of course,” she added, she was curious. “Would you run away screaming?”

“it’s hardly a prize when you aren’t interested.” more like a curse. theo seemed perfectly adequate when she saw him and their interaction had been brief but elle was already horribly bored by the whole thing. “get serious? babes, when have you known me to ever get serious with someone?” besides nicolas but they both knew how that ended. “you cannot be a crazy cat lady, oh my god. i cannot be best friends with a crazy cat lady, i won’t allow it.”

♡

“You’re right, you’re right.” Gertie had to admit, she’d be a little jealous if Elle had a real boyfriend. It wasn’t that she was secretly in love with her best friend or anything, it would just suck not being able to hang out whenever she wanted. What a selfish way to be. “Well, let me clarify, I’m not going to have, like, twenty cats. I’m just going to obsess about the one or two that I do have. Knit them sweaters and all. I mean, come on, they’re better than people, they can’t leave you.”

HE   REALLY   DIDN’T   HAVE   AN   EGO   .   if   anything   he   had   the   opposite   of   that   ,   an   inferiority   complex   .   luckily   the   one   thing   it   didn’t   seem   to   filter   into   was   that   game   of   golf   and   as   he   watches   her   take   her   shot   ,   he’s   somewhat   impressed   by   how   good   it   is   although   it   only   comes   across   as   a   half   assed   smile   and   nod   as   he   looks   up   .   “   i   guess   you   weren’t   lying   about   your   talent   ,   “   although   he   didn’t   know   when   it   would   ever   come   in   handy   .   scoots   was   the   last   person   to   try   and   be   social   despite   the   company   he   kept   but   as   he   looks   up   and   ponders   momentarily   ,   his   brain   cranks   into   gear   .   this   was   a   person   he’d   spoken   to   twice   who   didn’t   seem   to   care   much   about   anyone   else’s   business   .   he   was   PRIVATE   .   “   do   you   want   to   get   a   drink   ?   “

“Must just be a natural,” Gertie shrugged, impressed at herself. Beginner’s luck, she wasn’t about to try to play a whole game. “God, yes. Africa really helped me cut back, but a little bit of alcohol would be lovely right now.” She’d been drinking too much before the trip, not addicted but teetering on the edge of dangerous territory. With it no longer being a crutch, having a drink or two shouldn’t be an issue. For now. Holding the club back out to him so he could put it away, “I should warn you, though. I’m not any friendlier drunk.”

“theo something-or-other. he’s french, cute…worse things have happened. honestly, i was hoping for a little one on one time with francis after africa but i’m sure i’ll run into him later.” elle added with a shrug. sometimes these roommate situations worked out well, other times you had to make them work. “you really are clueless when it comes to people around here, aren’t you?” the blonde asked with a soft laugh. it was something she loved about her best friend. “we need to get you out and about.”

♡

“Cute and French? Look at you go.” Gertie whistled. “You have got to fill me in, girl, I cannot keep up. If you get serious with any of these boys, I better be the first to find out.” She’d be a little offended if she wasn’t. “Oh, I don’t know. It might be too late for that. It’s only going to get harder the older I get. I should just give it up ahead of time, resign to being a crazy cat lady. I think I’m kind of okay with that.”