That stupid childish grin. That aggravating way he tossed his hair out of his eyes. The infuriating way he made her stomach flip when she thought about him when no one else was looking. Trish De La Rosa was 110% done with Dez.
And this wasn't for the reason people would think.
It's not like Trish was unaware of her growing affection for the redhead. If anything, she was all too aware of it. And to make matters worse, it was becoming increasingly obvious that he was becoming aware of it, too. There was an attraction, a mutual one, at that, and it was getting out of hand.
Trish couldn't like Dez. If she liked Dez, it would ruin everything. And she just couldn't have that. She wouldn't be able to take the way they'd stare at her…
But on the other hand, it wasn't like she could just not like Dez. It wasn't like there was some switch she could turn off that would make his butt not look cute in all those super tight and brightly colored jeans. Or that could make her not feel like kissing the whackadoodle was a good idea.
Oh yeah. There was that to worry about. Because it almost happened. It would've happened, if she hadn't come to her senses.
Spending time with him alone was something that was happening more and more frequently as time went on. And even though they loved to torture each other, they'd fallen into the habit of hanging out, just the two of them. And it wasn't awkward. Or at least, it used to not be awkward.
But then they had to go see that new chick flick. Trish thought the plot was thin and the acting was terrible but of course, Dez got right on into it. Maybe a little too into it. Because he reached for her hand. And maybe she was into it more than she was letting on, because she didn't let go, or punch him, or scream at him for being ridiculous. She just…kept watching the movie.
Although it was soon made apparent to her that Dez was not watching the movie. Not anymore. He was rather focused on something else. She really tried to ignore it. But he wasn't just staring at her. Oh no, his line of vision was very much focused on her lower face. And as she turned to face him (which was only because she wanted to make sure she was right, and definitely not because she wanted to kiss him) he started to lean in. He was going for it. She was impressed.
But not impressed enough to let it happen. "I have to pee." She whispered as she got up and left.
She couldn't like Dez. Liking Dez would ruin everything. Because he was nice. And he deserved someone nice.
And Trish De La Rosa was a lot of things, and nice wasn't one of them.
So if she liked him, and he liked her, and they got together, she wouldn't be able to take it. She wouldn't be able to handle the way his eyes would stare at her all the time, full of love and devotion. Because she'd never be able to do the same.
Trish could never be the girlfriend Dez deserved. And she knew that. She knew that all too well. And when Dez would discover it, it would hurt far worse than not being with him would.
And that's why Trish couldn't like Dez. Liking Dez would mean losing Dez. And losing Dez was the absolute last thing she wanted.