欧宝娱乐

“By the time we reached the front door of the party house鈥攁 total mansion, like Harrison had said鈥擭athan was far behind us. Well, he鈥檇 promised to stay out of our hair.
鈥淲ow,鈥� I heard Bailey gasp as the front door swung open for us, though I wasn鈥檛 sure if that was her reaction to the freakishly large house or to the drop-dead-gorgeous guy standing in front of us.
鈥淕ood evening, ladies,鈥� he said, stepping aside to let us enter.
Automatically, I found myself standing up taller and sliding my shoulder blades back for optimum cleavage exposure. It was like a flirting reflex. I just wished I wasn鈥檛 all sunburned. 鈥淗ello to you.鈥�
He grinned at me. A cocky, sexy grin. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 believe we鈥檝e met,鈥� he said. He glanced at Bailey then. 鈥淎ny of us. I鈥檓 sure I鈥檇 remember those pretty faces.鈥�
I swear, Bailey was blushing so hard I could feel the heat radiating from her body.
鈥淥h, you鈥檇 remember,鈥� I agreed, tossing back my hair and putting a hand on my hip. 鈥淚鈥檓 Whi鈥斺€�
鈥淲丑颈迟濒别测!鈥�
I jumped and spun around involuntarily. Harrison was standing beside me, looking thoroughly delighted. 鈥淗ello again, darling. You look gorgeous鈥攁nd the lack of flip-flops is making my day. Those slingbacks are perfect!鈥�
I nodded, glancing over my shoulder at the hot guy, but he鈥檇 already moved on and was chatting with a group of kids a few feet away. Goddamn it.
鈥淲esley is just so busy,鈥� Harrison said, following my gaze. 鈥淵ou have to give him credit for being a great host. He talks to everyone. Seems like way too much work to me.”
― Kody Keplinger, A Midsummer's Nightmare

“I looked at him, into his warm gray eyes, and suddenly understood what he was trying to tell me. The message hidden beneath the words.
You鈥檙e not alone.
Because he understood. He understood how it felt to be abandoned. He understood the insults. Understood me.
I pushed myself onto my tiptoes and kissed him-really kissed him. It was more than just a precursor to sex. There was no war between our mouths. My hips rested lightly beneath his, not pressed tightly. Our lips moved in soft, perfect harmony with each other. This time it meant something. What that something was, I didn鈥檛 know at the time, but I knew that there was a real connection between us. His hands stroked gently through my hair, his thumb grazing my cheek-still damp from crying earlier. And it didn鈥檛 feel sick or twisted or unnatural. Actually, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
I slid off his shirt, and he pulled mine over my head. Then he laid me down on the bed. No rush. This time things were slow and earnest. This time I wasn鈥檛 looking for an escape. This time it was about him. About me. About honesty and compassion and everything I鈥檇 never expected to find in Wesley Rush.
This time, when our bodies connected, it didn鈥檛 feel dirty or wrong.
It felt horrifyingly right.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“I told you, I鈥檓 awesome at everything,鈥� he teased, putting the PS3 controller on the floor between us. 鈥淭hat includes video games.鈥�
I watched as the character Wesley had been operating moved across the screen, doing some sort of odd victory dance. 鈥淣ot fair,鈥� I muttered. 鈥淵our sword was bigger than mine.鈥�
鈥淢y sword is bigger than everyone鈥檚.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

&濒诲辩耻辞;贬别濒濒辞?鈥�
鈥淗ey.鈥� She sounded pissed. 鈥淲hat the hell happened to you tonight? Jess said the three of us were meeting for Valentine鈥檚 Day, but you never showed.鈥�
鈥淪orry,鈥� I said. 鈥淪omething came up.鈥�
鈥淏ianca, you鈥檝e been saying that a lot lately. Something is always coming up or you have plans or鈥︹€�
Suddenly, I felt Wesley鈥檚 breath hit the back of my neck. He鈥檇 gotten up from the floor and slid up behind me without me realizing it. His arms slid around my waist from behind, his fingers undoing the button of my jeans before I could stop him.
鈥溾€� and Jess had her hopes up that we鈥檇 do something fun鈥︹€�
I couldn鈥檛 focus on a word Casey was saying as Wesley鈥檚 hand slid beneath the waistband of my pants, his fingers moving lower and lower.
I couldn鈥檛 say a word. I couldn鈥檛 tell him to stop or show any reaction at all. If I did, Casey would know I wasn鈥檛 alone. But, God, I could feel my whole body turning into a ball of fire. Wesley was laughing against my neck, knowing he was driving me crazy.
鈥溾€� I just don鈥檛 understand what鈥檚 up with you.鈥�
I bit my lip to keep from gasping as Wesley鈥檚 fingers slipped to places that made my knees shake. I could feel the smirk on his lips as they moved to my ear. Asshole. He was trying to torture me. I couldn鈥檛 handle it much longer.
鈥淏ianca, are you there?鈥�
Wesley bit my earlobe and pushed my jeans even lower with his free hand as the other continued to make me shiver.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“See!鈥� Dad yelled. 鈥淏oys don鈥檛 stay with whores, Bianca. They leave them. And I鈥檓 not going to let you turn into a whore. Not my daughter. This is for your own good.鈥�
I looked up as he reached a hand down to grab my arm. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting to feel his fingers clamp around my forearm.
But they never did.
I heard a loud thud, and Dad grunted in pain. My eyes flew open. Wesley moved away from Dad, who was massaging his jaw with a shocked look on his face. 鈥淲hy you little shithead!鈥�
鈥淎re you all right?鈥� Wesley asked, kneeling in front of me.
鈥淒id you just punch my dad?鈥� I couldn鈥檛 help but wonder if I was delirious. Had all of this really just happened? Totally bizarre.
鈥淵es,鈥� Wesley admitted.
鈥淗ow dare you touch me!鈥� Dad screamed, but he was having trouble balancing enough to approach us again. 鈥淗ow dare you fuck my daughter, then hit me, you son of a bitch!鈥�
I鈥檇 never heard my father swear like that before.
鈥淐ome on,鈥� Wesley said, helping me to my feet. 鈥淟et鈥檚 get out of here. You鈥檙e coming with me.鈥� He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close against his warm body, and ushered me out the open door.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Before he could say my name, I closed the space between us. Quickly, my lips moved against his. The mental and emotional emptiness took over instantly, but physically, I was more alert than ever. Wesley鈥檚 surprise didn鈥檛 last as long as it had before, and his hands were on me in seconds. My fingers tangled in his soft hair, and Wesley鈥檚 tongue darted into my mouth and became a new weapon in our war.
Once again, my body took complete control of everything. Nothing existed at the corners of my mind; no irritating thoughts harassed me. Even the sounds of Wesley鈥檚 stereo, which had been playing some piano rock I didn鈥檛 recognize, faded away as my sense of touch heightened.
I was fully conscious of Wesley鈥檚 hand as it slid up my torso and moved to cup my breast. With an effort, I pushed him away from me. His eyes were wide as he leaned back. 鈥淧lease don鈥檛 slap me again,鈥� he said.
鈥淪hut up.鈥�
I could have stopped there. I could have stood up and left the room. I could have let that kiss be the end of it. But I didn鈥檛. The mind-numbing sensation I got from kissing him was so euphoric-such a high-that I couldn鈥檛 stand to give it up that fast. I might have hated Wesley Rush, but he held the key to my escape, and at that moment I wanted him鈥� I needed him.
Without speaking, without hesitating, I pulled my T-shirt over my head and threw it onto Wesley鈥檚 bedroom floor. He didn鈥檛 have a chance to say anything before I put my hands on his shoulders and shoved him onto his back. A second later, I was straddling him and we were kissing again. His fingers undid the clasp on my bra, and it joined my shirt on the floor.
I didn鈥檛 care. I didn鈥檛 feel self-conscious or shy. I mean, he already knew I was the Duff, and it wasn鈥檛 like I had to impress him.
I unbuttoned his shirt as he pulled the alligator clip from my hair and let the auburn waves fall around us. Casey had been right. Wesley had a great body. The skin pulled tight over his sculpted chest, and my hands drifted down his muscular arms with amazement.
His lips moved to my neck, giving me a moment to breathe. I could only smell his cologne this close to him. As his mouth traveled down my shoulder, a thought pushed through the exhilaration. I wondered why he hadn鈥檛 shoved me-Duffy-away in disgust.
Then again, I realized, Wesley wasn鈥檛 known for rejecting girls. And I was the one who should have been disgusted.
But his mouth pressed into mine again, and that tiny, fleeting thought died. Acting on instinct, I pulled on Wesley鈥檚 lower lip with my teeth, and he moaned quietly. His hands moved over my ribs, sending chills up my spine. Bliss. Pure, unadulterated bliss.
Only once, as Wesley flipped me onto my back, did I seriously consider stopping. He looked down at me, and his skilled hand grasped the zipper on my jeans. My dormant brain stirred, and I asked myself if things had gone too far. I thought about pushing him away, ending it right where we were. But why would I stop now? What did I stand to lose? Yet what could I possibly gain? How would I feel about this in an hour鈥� or sooner?
Before I could come up with any answers, Wesley had my jeans and underwear off. He pulled a condom from his pocket (okay, now that I鈥檓 thinking about it, who keeps condoms in their pockets? Wallet, yes, but pocket? Pretty presumptuous, don鈥檛 you think?), and then his pants were on the floor, too. All of a sudden, we were having sex, and my thoughts were muted again.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Without warning, Wesley lifted me up onto the pool table. His hands moved to my shoulders, and a second later, I was flat on my back, staring up at him as he smirked. He shifted so that he was on the table too, leaning over me with his face only inches from mine.
鈥淥n the pool table?鈥� I said, narrowing my eyes at him. 鈥沦别谤颈辞耻蝉濒测?鈥�
鈥淚 can鈥檛 resist,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou know, you鈥檙e pretty sexy when you鈥檙e pissed at me, Duffy.鈥�
First, I was struck by the irony of that statement. I mean, he used sexy and Duffy-implying I was fat and ugly-in the same sentence. The contrast was almost laughable. Almost.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Why are you here, Wesley?鈥�
鈥淚 told you,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 got worried. You鈥檝e been avoiding me for the past week at school, and when I called you today, you didn鈥檛 answer. I thought something might have happened with your dad. So I came to make sure you were okay.鈥�
I bit my lower lip, a wave of guilt washing over me. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 sweet,鈥� I murmured. 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 fine. Dad apologized for the other night, and he鈥檚 going to AA meetings now, so鈥︹€�
鈥淪o you weren鈥檛 going to tell me?鈥�
鈥淲hy would I?鈥�
鈥淏ecause I care!鈥� Wesley yelled. His words crashed into me, stunning me for a second. 鈥淚鈥檝e been worried about you since you left my house a week ago! You didn鈥檛 even say why you left, Bianca. What was I supposed to do? Just assume you would be all right?鈥�
鈥淕od,鈥� I whispered. 鈥淚鈥檓 sorry. I didn鈥檛-鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 worrying about you, and you鈥檙e fucking that pretentious little-!鈥�
鈥淗ey!鈥� I shouted. 鈥淒on鈥檛 bring Toby into this.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Don鈥檛 pretend, Bianca,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e smarter than that, and so am I. I finally figured out what you meant when you left. You said you were like Hester. I get it now. The first time you came to my house, when we wrote that paper, you said Hester was trying to escape. But everything caught up with Hester in the end, didn鈥檛 it? Well, something finally caught up with you, but you鈥檙e just running away again. Only, he鈥�-Wesley pointed to my bedroom door-鈥渋s your escape this time.鈥� He took a step toward me, forcing me to crane my neck even more to see his face. 鈥淎dmit it, Duffy.鈥�
鈥淎dmit what?鈥�
鈥淭hat you鈥檙e running away from me,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou realized you鈥檙e in love with me and you bailed because it scared the shit out of you.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Listen, Wesley, this may sound weird coming from me, since I hate you and all, but you can tell me stuff if you want.鈥� It sounded like something out of a cheesy G-rated movie. Great. 鈥淚 mean, I vented all of my shit about Jake to you, so if you want to do the same,鈥� well, I鈥檓 cool with that.鈥�
The smirk slipped for a second. 鈥淚鈥檒l keep that in mind.鈥� Then he cleared his throat and added stiffly, 鈥淒idn鈥檛 you say that you needed to go home? You don鈥檛 want to be late for school.鈥�
鈥凌颈驳丑迟.鈥�
I started to stand, but his warm hand closed around my wrist. I turned around and found him looking at me. He leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine. Before I even realized what was happening, he pulled away and whispered, 鈥淭hank you, Bianca.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“You know it鈥檚 true.鈥�
鈥淓ven if it is,鈥� I cried, 鈥渨hat does it matter? You could sleep with anybody, Wesley. So what if I walk away? So what if I have feelings for you? I was just a screw to you! You would never actually commit to me. You could never commit to anyone, but especially not to Duffy. You don鈥檛 even find me attractive.鈥�
鈥淏ullshit,鈥� he growled, his eyes on my face as he moved closer to me again.
He was so close. My back was pressed to the wall, and Wesley stood only inches away. It had only been a week, but it felt like ages since we鈥檇 been in this kind of proximity. A shiver ran up my spine as I remembered the way his hands felt on me. The way he鈥檇 always made me feel wanted, even if he had called me the Duff. Did he? Did he find me attractive despite the nickname? How? Why?
鈥淭hen why would you call me that?鈥� I whispered. 鈥淒o you know how much it hurts? Every time you call me Duffy, do you know how shitty it makes me feel?鈥�
Wesley looked surprised. 鈥淲丑补迟?鈥�
鈥淓very time you call me that,鈥� I said, 鈥測ou鈥檙e telling me how little you think of me. How ugly I am. God, how can you possibly find me attractive when you put me down all the time.鈥� I hissed the last words through gritted teeth.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛-鈥� His eyes fell, staring at his shoes for a moment. I could tell he felt guilty. 鈥淏ianca, I鈥檓 sorry.鈥� He looked into my eyes again. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 mean-鈥� His hand reached out to touch me.
鈥淒on鈥檛,鈥� I snapped, shrugging away from him. I slid to the side and stepped away from the wall. I wasn鈥檛 going to be cornered. I wasn鈥檛 going to let him have the power here. 鈥淛ust stop, Wesley.鈥�
It didn鈥檛 matter if some part of him found me attractive. That didn鈥檛 change things. I was just another girl he鈥檇 slept with. One among many.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 mean anything to you,鈥� I told him.
鈥淭hen why am I here?鈥� he demanded, turning to face me again. 鈥淲hy the hell am I here, Bianca?”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Wow,鈥� Wesley said. We were lying in his bed only a few minutes after we鈥檇 finished, with a foot or more space between our bodies. 鈥淚 definitely wasn鈥檛 expecting that.鈥�
God, he ruined everything when he talked. Annoyed, and still wading through the emotional repercussions, I sneered. 鈥淲hat? Ashamed that you screwed the Duff?鈥�
鈥淣o.鈥� I was surprised by how serious he sounded. 鈥淚鈥檓 never ashamed of anyone I sleep with. Sex is a natural chemical reaction. It always happens for a reason. Who am I to dictate who experiences the joy of sharing my bed?鈥� He didn鈥檛 see me roll my eyes as he continued. 鈥淣o, I just meant that I鈥檓 shocked. I was honestly starting to believe that you hated me.鈥�
鈥淚 do hate you,鈥� I assured him, kicking off the covers and moving to pick up my clothes.
鈥淵ou must not hate me too much,鈥� Wesley said, rolling onto his elbow and watching me dress. 鈥淵ou did pretty much throw yourself at me. Generally, hatred doesn鈥檛 inspire that kind of passion.鈥�
I pulled on my T-shirt. 鈥淏elieve me, Wesley, I definitely hate you. I was just using you. You use people all the time, so I鈥檓 sure you understand.鈥� I buttoned my jeans and grabbed my alligator clip from the nightstand. 鈥淭his was fun, but if you ever tell anyone, I swear I鈥檒l castrate you.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“There鈥檚 more to this amazing body than awe-inspiring abs. I have a pair of ears, too, and they happen to work superbly.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Not fair,鈥� I muttered. 鈥淵our sword was bigger than mine.鈥�
鈥淢y sword is bigger than everyone鈥檚.鈥�
I lobbed my controller at his head, but of course he ducked and made me miss. Damn it. 鈥淧erv.鈥�
鈥淥h, come on,鈥� he laughed. 鈥淵ou walked right into that one, Duffy.鈥�
I scowled at him for a moment, but I could feel the aggravation slipping away. Finally, I just shook my head鈥� and smiled. 鈥淥kay, you鈥檙e right. I did leave that one wide open. But you know, boys that talk big never are.鈥�
Wesley frowned. 鈥淲e both know that isn鈥檛 true. I鈥檝e proved it to you plenty of times.鈥� He smirked, then leaned against me, letting his lips brush against my ear. 鈥淏ut I can prove it again if you want me to鈥� and you know you want me to.鈥�
鈥淚鈥� I don鈥檛 think that鈥檚 necessary,鈥� I managed. His lips were moving down my neck, sending an electric current up my spine.
鈥淥h,鈥� he growled playfully. 鈥淚 do.鈥�
I laughed as he shoved me to the floor, one of his hands perfectly catching the space above my left hip where I was most ticklish. He鈥檇 discovered that spot a couple of weeks ago, and I was furious with myself for letting him use it against me. Now he could make me squirm and laugh uncontrollably whenever he wanted, and I could tell that he totally got off on it. Jerk.
His fingers probed the sensitive spot over my hip as his mouth moved from my collarbone to my ear. I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe. Not fair. So not fair. I made a halfhearted attempt to kick him away, but he trapped my leg between his and proceeded to tickle me harder.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Where are you going?鈥� Wesley asked in a semi-sleepy voice.
鈥淗ome.鈥� I pulled on my jeans. 鈥淚鈥檝e gotta take a shower and get ready for school.鈥�
He pushed himself up on one elbow to look at me. His hair was a mess, brown curls falling into his eyes and sticking up in the back. 鈥淵ou can shower here,鈥� he offered. 鈥淚 might even join you if you鈥檙e lucky.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“What would you do without me?鈥� he asked one night. We were tangled in the silky sheets of his gigantic bed. My heart was still pounding as I came down from the high of what we鈥檇 just done, and he wasn鈥檛 helping matters by putting his lips so close to my ear.
鈥淟ive a happy鈥� happy life,鈥� I murmured. 鈥淚 might even鈥� be an optimist鈥� if you weren鈥檛 around.鈥�
鈥淟iar.鈥� He bit my earlobe playfully. 鈥淵ou鈥檇 be absolutely miserable. Admit it, Duffy. I鈥檓 the wind beneath your wings.鈥�
I bit my lip, but I still couldn鈥檛 hold back the laughter-and just as I was finally catching my breath, too. 鈥淵ou just referenced Bette Midler鈥� in bed. I鈥檓 starting to question your sexuality, Wesley.鈥�
Wesley looked at me with a defiant glint in his eye. 鈥淥h, really?鈥� He grinned before moving his mouth back to my ear and whispering, 鈥淲e both know that my manhood has never been in question鈥� I think you鈥檙e just changing the subject because you know it鈥檚 true. I鈥檓 the light of your life.鈥�
鈥淵ou鈥︹€� I struggled for words as Wesley pressed his mouth into the crook of my neck. The tip of his tongue moved down to my shoulder and made my brain get all fuzzy. How was I supposed to argue under these conditions? 鈥淵ou wish. I鈥檓 just using you, remember?鈥�
His laughter was muffled against my skin. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 amusing,鈥� he said, his lips still grazing my collarbone. 鈥淏ecause I鈥檓 pretty sure your ex is out of town by now.鈥� One of his hands slid between my knees. 鈥淵et you鈥檙e still here, aren鈥檛 you?鈥� His fingers began gliding up and down my inner thigh, making it difficult for me to think of a retort. He seemed to like this, because he laughed again. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think you hate me, Duffy. I think you like me a lot.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“I couldn鈥檛 resist the urge to reach over to the gearshift and put my hand over Wesley鈥檚. His skin was warm and soft, and I could feel his pulse throbbing steadily beneath my palm. I forgot about my stupid car and my fight with Casey. I just wanted Wesley to smile again. Even that cocky grin would have worked. I hated that he was so hurt by the possibility of losing his sister鈥檚 respect. I wanted to comfort him. I cared about him.
Oh my God. I actually cared? ”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Oh God,鈥� I muttered as Toby and I made a frantic effort to untangle ourselves. He scrambled off my bed and grabbed his shirt off the floor, his face glowing scarlet. I reached down and picked up my T-shirt. 鈥淲esley, how did you get in here?鈥� I demanded.
鈥淭he door was unlocked,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou didn鈥檛 answer when I knocked鈥� Now I can see why.鈥� His dark gray eyes were big with what I could only guess was shock, dissolving quickly into disgust, and they stared directly at Toby.
鈥淏ut what are you doing here?鈥� I asked, feeling a sudden surge of anger rush through my veins. I yanked my T-shirt over my head and stood up.
鈥淵ou weren鈥檛 answering your phone,鈥� Wesley muttered. 鈥淚 was worried, but it looks like you鈥檙e just fine.鈥� He glared at Toby for a moment before looking back at me. 鈥淢y mistake.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

&濒诲辩耻辞;叠颈补苍肠补?鈥�
Startled, I focused on Toby again. 鈥淗mm?鈥�
鈥淎re you all right?鈥� he asked.
My fingers had been toying with the little B charm around my neck without my realizing it. Immediately I dropped my hand to my side. 鈥淚鈥檓 fine.鈥�
鈥淐asey warned me that you鈥檙e probably lying when you say that,鈥� he said.
I gritted my teeth and searched the dance floor for my so-called friend. She was being added to my hit list.
鈥淎nd I think she鈥檚 right,鈥� Toby sighed.
鈥淲丑补迟?鈥�
鈥淏ianca, I can see what鈥檚 going on.鈥� He glanced over his shoulder at Wesley before turning back to me with a little nod. 鈥淗e鈥檚 been staring at you since he got here.鈥�
鈥淗as he?鈥�
鈥淚 can see him in the mirrors over there. And you鈥檝e been staring back,鈥� Toby said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just tonight either. I鈥檝e seen the way he looks at you during school. In the hallways. He likes you, doesn鈥檛 he?鈥�
鈥淚鈥� I don鈥檛 know. I guess.鈥� Oh God, this was uncomfortable. I just kept spinning my straw between my fingers and watching the little waves that appeared on the surface of my drink. I couldn鈥檛 meet Toby鈥檚 gaze.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 have to guess,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty obvious. And the way you look at him makes me think you鈥檙e in love with him, too.鈥�
鈥淣o!鈥� I cried, releasing my straw and glaring up at Toby. 鈥淣o, no, no. I am not in love with him, okay?鈥�
Toby gave me a small smile and said, 鈥淏ut you do have feelings for him.鈥�
I couldn鈥檛 see any sign of pain in his eyes, just a touch of amusement. That made it a lot easier to give him an answer. 鈥淯m,鈥� yeah.鈥�
鈥淭hen go to him.鈥�
I rolled my eyes without meaning to. It was just so automatic. 鈥淛esus, Toby,鈥� I said, 鈥渢hat sounds like a line out of a bad movie.鈥�
Toby shrugged. 鈥淢aybe, but I鈥檓 serious, Bianca. If you feel that way about him, you should go over there.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Look, I鈥檝e already fucked you twice. You don鈥檛 have to flatter me. Besides, I love my friends way too much to trade them in for the sake of looking hotter.鈥�
鈥沦别谤颈辞耻蝉濒测?鈥�
鈥淵eah. I mean, Casey has been my best friend since, like, forever, and she鈥檚 the most loyal person I鈥檝e ever met. And Jessica鈥� well, she has no idea about me and her brother. We weren鈥檛 friends back then. In fact, I didn鈥檛 want to know her after Jake and I split, but Casey said it would be good for me, and she was right鈥� as usual. Jessica can be a little ditsy, but she鈥檚 the sweetest, most innocent person I know. I could never give either of them up just to look good. That鈥檇 make me a real dumbass.鈥�
鈥淭hen they鈥檙e lucky to have you.鈥�
鈥淚 just said not to flatter-鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 being honest.鈥� Wesley frowned at the mirror. 鈥淚 have only one friend-one real friend. Harrison is the only guy who will be seen with me, and that鈥檚 because we aren鈥檛 trying to attract the same audience, if you know what I mean.鈥� A small smile spread across his lips when he turned to face me. 鈥淢ost people will do anything to avoid being the Duff.鈥�
鈥淲ell, I guess I鈥檓 not most people.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“I needed something to distract me-anything far away from my parents鈥� drama-just for a second. And when I saw my chance I didn鈥檛 stop to think about how much I鈥檇 regret it later. An opportunity sat on the bar stool beside me, and I lunged at it. Literally.
I kissed Wesley Rush.
One second his hand lay on my shoulder, and his gray eyes rested, for once, on my face, and the next my mouth was on his. My lips were fierce with bottled emotion, and he seemed to tense, his body frozen in shock. That didn鈥檛 last very long. An instant later, he returned the aggression, his hands flying to my sides and pulling me toward him. It felt like a battle between our mouths. My hands clawed into his curly hair, tugging it way harder than necessary, and his fingertips dug into my waist.
It worked better than punching someone would have. Not only did it help me release the agonizing pressure, but it definitely distracted me. I mean, it鈥檚 hard to think about your dad when you鈥檙e making out with somebody.
And as disturbing as it sounds, Wesley was a really good kisser. He leaned into me, and I tugged at him so hard that he nearly fell off his bar stool. In that moment, we just couldn鈥檛 get close enough to each other. Our separate seats seemed like they were miles apart.
All of my thoughts vanished, and I became a sort of physical being. Emotions disappeared. Nothing existed but our bodies, and our warring lips were at the center of everything. It was bliss! It was amazing not to think.
Nothing! Nothing鈥� until he screwed it up.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Where are you going?鈥� I demanded.
He looked over his shoulder at me with an exasperated sigh. 鈥淭o my room, of course.鈥�
鈥淐an鈥檛 we write the paper down here?鈥� I asked.
The corners of Wesley鈥檚 mouth turned slightly upward as he hooked a finger over his belt. 鈥淲e could, Duffy, but the writing will go much faster if I鈥檓 typing, and my computer鈥檚 upstairs. You鈥檙e the one who said you wanted to get this over with.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Don鈥檛 ask where I got this idea, because I couldn鈥檛 tell you, but I knew precisely where we were going, and I was sure that this might officially make me a slut. But when we reached the door of the unused janitor鈥檚 closet, I had no feeling of shame鈥� not yet, at least.
I grasped the doorknob and noticed Wesley鈥檚 eyes narrow with suspicion. I yanked open the door, checked that no one was watching, and gestured for him to go inside. Wesley walked into the tiny closet, and I followed, shutting the door stealthily behind us.
鈥淪omething tells me this isn鈥檛 about The Scarlet Letter,鈥� he said, and even in the dark I knew he was grinning.
鈥淏e quiet.鈥�
This time he met me halfway. His hands tangled in my hair and mine clawed at his forearms. We kissed violently, and my back slammed against the wall. I heard a mop-or maybe a broom-topple over, but my brain barely registered the sound as one of Wesley鈥檚 hands moved to my hip, holding me closer to him. He was so much taller than me that I had to tilt my head back almost all the way to meet his kiss. His lips pressed hard against mine, and I let my hands explore his biceps.
The smell of his cologne, rather than the lonely, stale air of the closet, filled my senses.
We wrestled in the darkness for a while before I felt his hand insistently lifting the hem of my T-shirt. With a gasp, I pulled away from the kiss and grabbed his wrist. 鈥淣o鈥� not now.鈥�
鈥淭hen when?鈥� Wesley asked in my ear, still pinning me to the wall. He didn鈥檛 even sound winded.
I, on the other hand, struggled to catch my breath. 鈥淟ater.鈥�
鈥淏e more specific.鈥�
I squirmed out of his arms and moved toward the door, nearly tripping over what felt like a bucket. I raised a hand to flatten my wavy hair and reached for the doorknob. 鈥淭onight. I鈥檒l be at your house around seven. Okay?鈥� But before he could answer, I slipped out of the closet and hurried down the hall, hoping it didn鈥檛 look like a walk of shame.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Wesley was playing Soulcalibur IV. And because I鈥檓 a glutton for punishment, I鈥檇 challenged him.
My God, I had to find something I could beat him at!
And you know, something about beating the shit out of an animated character really made me feel better. Before I knew it, I wasn鈥檛 even worried about Mom or Dad. Things would be okay. They had to be. I just had to be patient and let things happen. And in the meantime, I had to kick Wesley鈥檚 ass鈥� or try, at least.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Wesley was really the only thing getting me through those weeks. Some part of me was appalled at myself, but what could I say? I needed that escape-that high-more than ever, and he was always just a short drive away. A fix three or four times a week was all it took to keep me sane.
God, I was like a fucking druggie. Maybe my sanity was long gone already.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“If I tell Dad he has a problem, he鈥檒l think I hate him. How can I hurt him more? He just lost everything.鈥�
Wesley shook his head. 鈥淣ot everything. He didn鈥檛 lose you,鈥� he said. 鈥淎t least not yet. If you don鈥檛 talk to him, he鈥檒l just end up driving you away, and then he will be in far worse pain.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“She does know Harrison prefers men, right?鈥�
鈥淟et her have hope,鈥� I said, smiling to myself.
He turned his attention back to me. 鈥淵es. Hope is good. Bianca, I-鈥� He grinned wickedly. 鈥淚 knew you鈥檇 give in sooner or later.鈥� He put his hand on my knee and ran it smoothly up my thigh. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e finally going to admit that you love me, aren鈥檛 you?鈥�
I swatted his hand away. 鈥淔irst of all,鈥� I began, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 love you. I love my family and maybe even Casey and Jessica, but romantic love takes years upon years to develop. So I don鈥檛 love you. But I will admit, I鈥檝e thought a lot about you lately and I definitely have feelings for you鈥� feelings other than hatred for the most part. And maybe it鈥檚 possible-in the future-that I鈥� could love you.鈥� I hesitated, a little scared of the words that鈥檇 just left my mouth. 鈥淏ut I still want to kill you most of the time.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“And,鈥� I continued, 鈥淚鈥檓 probably going to be a bitch most of the time. I guarantee I鈥檒l find a reason to yell at you almost every day, and don鈥檛 be surprised if a few drinks get dumped on you from time to time. That鈥檚 just me, and you鈥檙e going to have to deal with it. Because I鈥檓 not changing for you or anyone else. And I-鈥�
Wesley slid off his bar stool and pressed his lips against mine before the words could get out. My heart pounded as every thought vacated my mind. One of his arms encircled my waist, pulling me as close to him as possible, and his free hand cupped my face, his thumb tracing my cheekbone. He kissed me so passionately I thought we would catch on fire.
It wasn鈥檛 until after he pulled away, both of us in need of some air, that I could think straight again.
鈥淵ou jerk!鈥� I yelled, pushing him away from me. 鈥淜issing me to make me shut up? God, you鈥檙e so obnoxious. I could just throw something at you right now.鈥�
Wesley hopped onto his bar stool with a big grin, and I suddenly remembered him telling me that I was sexy when I was mad at him. Go figure. 鈥淓xcuse me, Joe,鈥� he called to the bartender. 鈥淚 think Bianca wants a Cherry Coke.鈥�
Despite my best efforts, I smiled. He wasn鈥檛 perfect, or even remotely close, for that matter, but, hey, neither was I. We were both pretty fucked up. Somehow, though, that made everything more exciting. Yeah, it was sick and twisted, but that鈥檚 reality, right? Escape is impossible, so why not embrace it?
Wesley took my hand and laced his fingers with mine. 鈥淵ou look beautiful tonight, Bianca.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

“Steady there,鈥� he whispered, his lips brushing past my ear as he eased up behind me. His hands settled on my hips, fingers toying with the hem of my shirt. 鈥淔ocus, Duffy. Are you focusing?鈥�
He was trying to distract me. And shit, it was working.
I jerked away from him, trying to thrust the back of my pool stick into his gut. But of course he dodged, and I succeeded only in knocking the cue ball in the opposite direction of what I鈥檇 intended, sending it right into one of the corner pockets.
鈥淪cratch,鈥� Wesley announced.
鈥淒amn it!鈥� I whirled around to face him. 鈥淭hat shouldn鈥檛 count!鈥�
鈥淏ut it does.鈥� He took the white ball out of the hole and placed it carefully at the end of the table. 鈥淎ll鈥檚 fair in love and pool.鈥�
鈥淲ar,鈥� I corrected.
鈥淪ame thing.鈥� He eased the stick back, staring straight ahead, before shooting it forward again. Half a second later, the eight ball sailed into a pocket. The winning shot.
鈥淎sshole,鈥� I hissed.
鈥淒on鈥檛 be a sore loser,鈥� he said, leaning his stick against the wall. 鈥淲hat did you really expect? I鈥檓 obviously amazing at everything.鈥� He grinned. 鈥淏ut, hey, you can鈥檛 hold it against me, right? We can鈥檛 help the way God makes us.”
― Kody Keplinger, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend