The Ugly Bet

Chapter 26 - Behind the Smirk

Dustin

"I told you. I am not taking the job, I don't need money so he doesn't have to raise the bar to tempt me." Lyz said flatly then . "Tell him I'm not interested."

"For a nerd like you, you are too snub." I grimaced at her and she just shrugged. I put some more pappardelle on her paper plate. "You like it?"

"Yeah, this is the only talent I admired in you." the way she said that was snooty but instead of getting offended, I was more amused. "I prefer my food a lil spicy, and more cheese, just so you know." I watched her eat with no restraints. She eats a lot and sucks her fingertips or let her lips covered with sauce yet she doesn't look unclassy or gross even though she acts like one. I know she was the girl born with a silver spoon, or even a gold one, and it shows no matter how clumsy and unsophisticated she acts like. Then her eyes caught me watching her, so I cleared my throat and straightened my back. "From now on, I'll cook our lunch and we'll eat here. Nobody can bother you anymore."

"Except you."

I smiled haughtily. "Told you, I'm possessive."

"Whatever."

What happened last Saturday, we never talked about. Finding a lot of crazy things about this girl and knowing some of her issues made me feel attached. I was serious when I said she turns me into a knight in shining armor, to a dashing prince. She made me feel a lot more than a high school heartthrob. For the first time in my life, she made me feel worthy, not because I'm important, but because I did something good for someone. For her. It felt good comforting someone in distress. Maybe I used to do that to Ashley before, but that was because we have the same insecurity issues and I could relate to her. But wiping this girl's tears and hugging her until she stops crying made me feel like wings began coming from my back and a halo was forming above my head. She could make my heart less heavy and my pride less dense.

"Dustin?"

"Hmmm?"

"You've been staring at me."

"Hmmm..." I felt uneasy and looked away to avoid her stare. Her big greenish blue eyes were intimidating and I felt my ears on fire. "No, of course not!" damn, I am losing my composure.

"It's okay if you're blushing, you look cute si you don't have to hide your face. I've caught you."

Darn this girl!

"Just don't let staring at me become a habit. You might fall hard." Then she laughed.

"Stop, brat!" I snapped at her and she kept laughing. "You won't stop?" She just stuck her tongue out at me then laughed again so I quickly pulled her and kissed her mouth which were parted in surprise. She froze and stayed stiff until I pulled away. "So that's what you want. Next time, you don't have to tease me, just ask for it," I gave her a devil's smile.

"How dare you!" she was hitting my side and I laughed at her fury.

"Stop or I'll kiss you," she instantly stopped and moved away. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"You clean that up, I'll continue doing our project," she said while typing in her laptop. I just can't help but chuckle. This girl is really unbelievable.

"Yes boss."

I cleaned up while watching Lyz busy doing our project. On her ears are her earphones. I wonder what she was listening to. I finished quickly what I am doing then sat closely beside her.

"What are you listening to?" I grabbed one of her earphones and put it on my ear. "Why would you do that alone? We're supposed to do that together."