The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger

don’t mean. What he did is the mark of a true
dick
.”
    “Anyway, he’s back in town this week with Tiffany… his
fiancée
.”
    Wesley let out a low hiss. “Ah, that’s awkward.”
    “You think?”
    There was a long pause. Finally, Wesley asked, “So, who is he? Would I remember him?”
    “I don’t know. You might. His name is Jake Gaither.”
    “Jake Gaither.” Wesley’s face twisted in horror. “Jake Gaither? You mean that
strange
guy? The freak with the acne and hooked nose?” His eyes widened in shock. “How the hell did he get
two
girls? Why would anyone go out with him? Why would
you
go out with him? He was a beast.”
    I felt my eyebrows contract. “Thanks,” I muttered. “Did you ever think that maybe that’s the best that the Duff could do?”
    Wesley’s face fell. He looked away from me, examining our reflections in the mirror across the room. After a few moments of
     uneasy silence, he said, “You know, Bianca, you aren’t
that
unattractive. You do have some potential. Maybe if you hung out with different friends—”
    “Just stop,” I said. “Look, I’ve already fucked you twice. You don’t have to flatter me. Besides, I love my friends way too
     much to trade them in for the sake of looking hotter.”
    “Seriously?”
    “Yeah. I mean, Casey has been my best friend since, like, forever, and she’s the most loyal person I’ve ever met. And Jessica…
     well, she has no idea about me and her brother. We weren’t friends back then. In fact, I didn’t
want
to know her after Jake and I split, but Casey said it would be good for me, and she was right… as usual. Jessica can be a
     little ditsy, but she’s the sweetest, most innocent person I know. I could never give either of them up just to look good.
     That’d make me a real dumbass.”
    “Then they’re lucky to have you.”
    “I just said not to flatter—”
    “I’m being honest.” Wesley frowned at the mirror. “I have only one friend—one
real
friend. Harrison is the only guy who will be seen with me, and that’s because we aren’t trying to attract the same audience,
     if you know what I mean.” A small smile spreadacross his lips when he turned to face me. “Most people will do anything to avoid being the Duff.”
    “Well, I guess I’m not
most
people.”
    He looked at me seriously. “Does the word even bother you?” he asked.
    “No.” I knew it was a lie the second the answer passed my lips. It did bother me, but I wouldn’t admit that. Especially not
     to him.
    My entire body seemed to be conscious of his eyes on me again. Before he could say anything, I stood up and walked to the
     bedroom door.
    “Listen,” I said, twisting the knob. “I have to go, but I was thinking we should do this again. Like a fling, maybe. Purely
     physical. No strings attached?”
    “Can’t get enough of me, can you?” Wesley asked, stretching out on his back again with a smirk. “That sounds good to me, but
     if I’m so fantastic, you should spread the word to your friends. You say you love them, so you ought to let them experience
     the same mind-blowing pleasure… maybe at the same time. It’s only right.”
    I scowled at him. “Just when I think you might have a soul, you say shit like that.” The door thudded against the wall when
     I flung it open. I marched down the stairs and yelled, “I’ll let myself out!”
    “I’ll see you soon, Duffy.”
    What an asshole.
    My father was oblivious. I guess his suspicious dad mode was faulty or something because he hardly questioned me as I slippedout of the house to go see Wesley more and more that week. Any sane dad would have been tipped off when his daughter used
     the “working on a paper” excuse twice in a row, but four times in one week? Did he really think it took me that long to write
     a stupid essay? Wasn’t he worried I might be out doing exactly what I
was
doing?
    Apparently not. Every time I walked out of the house, he just said, “Have a nice