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"Dez."

She isn't sure if the lack of a response from the redhead had to do with him not hearing her, or him ignoring her. The latter isn't all that usual for him. Sure, he'd forget things and would often not fully pay attention. Ignore her on purpose? Something must be up, she decides.

"Dez!" the curly-haired young woman repeats with more vehemence, reaching her hand across the table and pulling his plate of fries towards her. The freckled boy refuses to look up at her, his eyes trained on his hands fiddling with a loose string at the hem of his shirt. She takes a bite out of one of his fries.

Had the breakup been that bad? Carrie was his first love, sure. But it's been three months. And it's not like he did not see it coming. Dez never seemed the type who would be able to manage a long-distance relationship, what with how physically affectionate he is. He and Carrie had called off the relationship mutually, realizing that it wasn't working. He'd been taking it hard ever since, and gradually worse by the day.

Trish expels a heavy sigh. Even she has to admit that she misses the loud and obnoxious Dez she has come to relatively put up with.

"Dez, come on. You're making Austin and Ally feel bad. They feel like they can't even act like a couple around you now. And you're their number one supporter!" she tries to reason with him. "I get that you're upset. It's fine that you still love her. You remember that advice you gave me a while back? 'If you love something, set it free?' Dez - are you even listening to me?!"

He mutters something just barely audible. Trish squints her eyes, as if it would somehow help her understand him better. "What was that?" she asks, picking up another one of his fries.

"I said I want my fries back." He pulls the plate back to his side. "Why didn't you just order your own, Trish?"

"You'd be paying for it anyway, and you know it."

"Whatever. When are Austin and Ally getting back from their date?" His impatience with her is clear. It had always been the other way around. He annoys her. She gets irritated by him. This? This, she's not used to. She doesn't enjoy it, feeling like a nuisance to him. They used to get along - at least half the time. That never changed the fact that they are friends. Best friends, even. Although, perhaps she had expected too much if he's willing to throw all that away over a girl.

Not that she has an issue with Carrie. In fact, the two girls had become pretty close. Sure, Carrie may not have been the most scholarly conversationalist, but they had gotten along alright. She seemed perfect enough for Dez; they certainly had plenty in common. Although Trish had worried that their similar personalities and quirks, combined together, may end them in the hospital. They needed to be kept in check.

"Ally said they'd be back around seven. We've still got..." she trails off as she pulls out her phone to check the time. "Another hour or so." Austin and Ally had gone off to explore the beautiful city of Orlando, where the four of them decided to spend their vacation. Sight-seeing mostly; it really didn't matter what the couple did, though - they just enjoyed each other's company. With their particularly busy lives, balancing career with college classes, they hardly ever get chances to spend time together. They figured they deserved a day to themselves on this vacation.

Trish and Dez stayed back at the hotel today, figuring that they needed a day of relaxation after spending week experiencing the Walt Disney World resort. The two leave the hotel eventually, however, to grab some food at a nearby burger joint.

"Great," Dez huffs, sinking back in his chair. He looks off to the side, watching a smiling couple walk by - their hands clasped together. Trish frowns, her eyes still focusing on her friend across the table.