Hairstyles & Height Differences

Chapter 2: Advice & Accidental Spills

Thanks for the lovely reviews! This chapter is from Ally's perspective, and next chapter will be Lester's. Let me know if there is any other characters that you would like me to write a chapter from their perspective.

Disclaimer: I don't own Austin & Ally.

Ally had always wondered why Dez never took too much offense to all the harsh treatment he got from Trish. He was pretty easily hurt whenever she or Austin did anything remotely upsetting to him, but with Trish, he either ignored her name-calling or remarked with something slightly less mean.

Today was no different, the redhead had managed to spill his drink all over Trish's new shirt by accident while attempting to drink with ten straws at once.

'You're such an idiot, Dez! How can you be this clumsy?', Trish had been giving him a long string of insults, but all Dez did was mutter apologies in between her harsh words.

Ally watched as Trish went into the bathroom to clean up, Dez following before being pushed out with the door slammed in his face. He walked back over to Ally with a frown.

'I hope she's okay...'

Still in the middle if her thoughts, Ally asked, 'Hey, Dez? Doesn't it bother you when Trish says those kinds of things? When she hurts you or calls you names?'

Dez scoffed, 'Ally, I know you're still young and curious about the ways people express their inner emotions, but are you really that naive?'

Ally was taken aback by his words and patronizing tone, but knew he had more to say. This time it came in his 'great advice' kind of way.

'Trish is your best friend, can't you see that she's so confused by her feelings that she tries to hide them with threats and insults? I know it's a strange method, but this is really her expression of deeper love and affection. We need to let her express these emotions or she'll just bottle them up inside - we need to let her soar!', he said the last part while mimicking a butterfly, flying up over his head, with his hands.

(The love doctor strikes again.)

Ally was again taken aback, 'You mean, Trish has a crush on you? This is how she shows it?', she paused as he nodded, 'Well, why don't you do something about it, Dez?'

He scoffed again, 'You can't force love! While we may see things before others, we have to let them find out by themselves. Trish doesn't understand her feelings yet, Ally, don't rush it,' he smiled down at her.

Ally didn't say anything, still feeling a mix of confusion, disbelief, and belittlement from the way the childish redhead had spoken to her like she was the childish one.

Could Trish really like Dez?

Before Ally could further question him, Trish exited the bathroom with a slightly-damp, red stain on her shirt.

'I look terrible,' she said flatly.

'I know, you could borrow my shirt!' Dez grinned and began to take off his comically-printed t-shirt.

'No, I would never wear-' Trish began to protest but he'd already placed the shirt in her hands.

'It's okay, I give Austin my pants all the time!'

Trish looked up at his wide grin, and she just couldn't say no to him. Especially while he was bare-chested and she was trying hard to refrain from staring or blushing or both.

'Fine... Uh, thanks, Dez', she gave him a small smile before going back into the bathroom to get changed quickly.

Ally, still in a state of confusion, tried to recall any hints of Trish having a crush on Dez. Was it true, or was he just being his crazy self?

They'd been hanging out more often lately, Dez and Trish, and their occasional hugs had gotten a bit more frequent and lasted a fraction of a second longer than usual. As she thought through it, she realized that they're bickering had been a bit more playful recently as well. Could that mean anything? Flirting, maybe?

She thought she knew Trish better than anyone else, surely she would've picked up on this if it was true, right?

Ally watched Trish closely as she came back out of the bathroom in Dez's shirt. It was slightly baggy on her, as Dez had gotten a bit broader in the shoulders recently, although his height still made him look a little lanky.

Dez still had a big grin on his face, but instead of watching the tall redhead she paid attention to Trish's actions.

'Well I better go find another shirt, bye Ally, bye Trish!' Dez said before leaving.

Trish moved her gaze away from the floor to watch him walk away, a blush on her cheeks so slight you could easily miss it. She then noticed Ally observing her carefully.

'What? Why are you looking at me funny?' She asked, confused.

Ally grinned, finally putting the pieces together, 'You really do like Dez! I can't believe I didn't notice before!'

Trish's eyes widened, 'What! I don't like that whackadoodle! Are you insane?'

Ally decided not to press her on it, following Dez's advice. Someday, Trish would be able to admit her feelings to herself, in her time.

(Trish was getting better at lying, and of course, she does insult people when she gets nervous or defensive.)