She knew the day they met was something she'd remember forever. She had thought she would hate him. He was a troublemaker, a freak, and an idiot. Looking into those clear blue eyes, she knew she had found something special. There was this innocent yet mischievous charm about him. He was no ordinary boy. He'd found the nerve to nail her not once but twice with not so magic substances. She had sought revenge knowing she'd scare him away like she did every other boy, but he'd stayed. The moment he had said he liked it, she had known they'd be friends forever. Then, she'd felt it—this special once-in-a-lifetime click.

With the passage of time, she was only more confident that she had not been wrong that day. They clicked; they fit together like the stars in the night sky. They could banter back and forth all day long without stopping. Sometimes their words were lighthearted and free spirited, other times overshadowed by undertones of passion and intensity. Talking to Dez always made her feel alive. His remarks—some witty, others downright stupid—had a way of touching her. It was like his words penetrated her walls and shook her to the very core.

So often his words had the power to make her ridiculously mad. She'd stand there struggling to hold back the words that were on the tip of her tongue. It wasn't easy to be brash and confident and assertive. Most people didn't know what to do with her. Somehow, Dez did. He knew how to handle her, moods and all. So she'd begin, knowing that he was up for anything. Underneath all of that carefree, playfulness was a brave soul. So many others tried to knock him down, but they keep him there when he always got back up. He had one passion in life—to be himself. Nothing could stop him. He was courageous regardless of the obstacle. She'd watch her words hit him like arrows knowing that she could never shake his confidence. It made her feel alive knowing that she could say anything, do anything, be perfectly herself, and they'd always still be friends. When she finished, his expression always was confused; the sad puppy dog eyes were the cutest thing she'd ever seen. She always longed to run up and kiss away that sad expression and tell him that he was the best thing that had ever happened to her.

But she didn't. Instead, she walked away knowing she would fall asleep and dream about him and when she woke up he'd be her first thought. Sometimes, she thought that she just had to tell him. There was no way she could think about him that much and keep it all in. He was so special—so unlike any other guy she'd ever met. He was perfect for her. But she couldn't tell him that. There was no way she'd sacrifice the magic that they had just for the chance of something more. He didn't like her like that—she was sure of it. Who likes a girl who always gets angry and emotional? He liked cheerful, glitzy models not passionate, raw girls like her. Besides, there was another girl he was always calling babe. No, she shouldn't, couldn't, wouldn't tell him. But sometimes in the quiet moments, she felt so alone that she wondered why she didn't throw caution to the wind and just tell him. Then she remembered why. Dez was magnificent—happy, brave, and determined. She was only ordinary.


He would never forget the magical day they met. It had been one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments. He couldn't really explain how he had known that she was special the moment he laid eyes on her, but somehow he had. He had teased her like he teased every other girl he met. She might be special, he had thought, but there was no way she could get his humor. No one but Austin did that. Somehow, though, she had. She had been intrigued and not just mad. When she had sought revenge with her shock finger, he had known that they would always be friends. You don't meet girls like that every day.

And he hadn't been wrong. With the time that passed, it was clear as day to him that what they had was special. Watching them, you would have thought they'd known each other forever. He felt sometimes like they had. She wasn't one to share her brightest thoughts, her deepest fears, but somehow, he knew them. He didn't understand girls; he would have been first to tell you that. But in his perfectly clueless state, he understood Trish. He knew what made her happy, what made her angry, what made her cry. Best of all, he knew whatever he did they'd still be friends.

He was shocked at first to discover he knew how to push her buttons. He didn't even have to think about it. He always knew just the thing, perhaps a little over-the-top of what he'd normally say, that would make her mad. When she got mad, it was a sight to behold—her hands on her hips, her dark eyes blazing, and her mouth spouting its worst. She was always at her cutest when she was mad. The lazy, heartless facade melted away exposing the real Trish. Passion and emotion flowed out like rivers. Seeing her like that was so exhilarating; knowing that he was responsible made him feel on top of the world. No matter how often that happened there was something about that fire that was so irresistible. It made him want to think of the next thing to say that'd effect her like that or maybe take her in his arms.

But he didn't. He walked away, daydreaming of the next thing he could say. Sometimes, the pull was so strong he felt he must tell her; she was so special—so once in a million. But she didn't like him. She couldn't. What girl likes a guy who makes her mad? She wanted a guy who was bright and intelligent and strong, not a clueless freak like him. There was no way he would risk losing what they had, so he'd found another girl. She was pretty and happy and fun, but she wasn't Trish. She liked him and for now that had to be enough. Sometimes, he'd stare at Trish and wonder why he'd settled with a girl who was so much less. Then he'd remember it all. Trish was magnificent—so passionate, so beautiful, so strong. He was only ordinary.


Author's note: I have had this sitting in my drafts for awhile, and I finally was finally able to make something out of it. I am thinking about possibly continuing this. I'd love to know what you think and where you could see this going.