In Duffs We Trust

Part 2 Break

Claire finally made it home before her tears fell. How had she not known the truth. She glanced around her apartment and looked at all the photos of Casey, Jessica, and her. They had done everything together. How could they not tell her she was their Duff. Tom had told her the truth and she had hated him for it. In all the years they had been friends he never mentioned a word. Now she barely spoke to him and part of that was her fault. She couldn't compete with the star status he had and had decided that she needed to separate her self from him. Claire didnt see herself that way, surly Tom was lying to her, but then again Tom never lied. She sat the pint of Ice cream down and curled her legs under her. She wasn't a size 4, wasn't blonde and didn't posses the fashion sense that Casey and Jessica did. She loved her converse sneakers and jeans. She wore dresses but only when necessary. She was a curvy, brunett, with blue eyes and a nose for a good book. She never doubted herself but now, she doubted everything. Had Casey and Jessica been her friend's under false pretenses. Claire sighed and pulled her long hair up in a messy bun. She stood up from the couch and made her way into the kitchen for a cup of coffee. She had writing to do and thinking about what Tom had said wasn't going to spoil her current agenda. She had just sat her cup down at the table when there was a knock on her door.

Claire opened the door and crossed her arms.

"What in the hell do you want?" Claire stood firmly in place blocking the entrance.

"I am very very sorrry" Tom slured leaning against the door.

Claire sighed and moved to help Tom into the apartment. She was still pissed at him but his current demenor softened her just a bit. Claire slid her arm around his waist and helped him to her spare room. Once inside she flipped the lights on and moved him over to the bed. Tom flopped down like a sack of flour. Claire sighed and removed his shoes.

"I am sorry Claire. I don't think your a..." Tom stopped talking and his words were replaced by a light snore.

Claire grabbed a blanket tossing it over him and made her escape. She didn't doubt Tom's honesty but the sting of his word's still hurt.

As she made her way to the kitchen once more her door burst open. As Casey and Jessica entered meeting her eyes.

"What the hell Claire" Jessica yelled at her.

Claire stood her ground.

"You left us and didn't even tell. Why would you do that. We were worried about you" Casey said shutting the door.

"How could you both not tell me!"

"Wait, tell you what?" Jess asked confused.

"That I am your Duff?"

"Are what?" Casey pulled the kitchen chair out taking a seat.

"Designated Ugly Fat Friend" Claire yelled.

Jessica and Casey looked at each other confused before back at Claire.

"Who said that" Jessica asked taking a seat next to Casey.

"Tom told me after he finished checking you guys out."

"Tom's an idiot Claire. We never ever thought you were a Duff."

"I mean obviously I am less coordinated, not a fashion expert and certainly not a size 4 but y'all are my best friends. How could you not tell me!"

"Claire are you PMSing right now?" Jess asked her smiling.

"You know what, y'all need to go. In fact I don't want you talking to me anymore."

"Are you fucking serious Claire. Your going to let Tom's dickhead word's cut our friendship?" Jess challenged.

"No I am fucking done with being the third wheel while y'all pick up guys. I'm tired of being dressed up like a damn barbie doll. I thought y'all liked me for me and yet somehow I end up dressed like you!"

"Claire, we love you as you are. We only dress you up because you always look so down when we go out" Casey spoke.

"I am perfectly fine being me!" Claire yelled moving to the door and opening it.

"Come on Casey, it's obvious Claire has fallen off her rocker" Jessica hissed as she grabbed her jacket.

"You know what Jess, your ass does look big in that skirt."

"You know..." Jess turned but Casey grabbed her arm stopping her.

"Let's go Jess" Casey whispered meeting Claire's eyes.

Claire felt horrible as soon as the door slammed. What the hell did she do.

Claire's writing didn't happen that night, instead she had climbed into bed and cried for the first time in a long time. The following morning brought with it a new set of challenges and the fact Tom was sitting at her kitchen table with two cups of coffee. Claire walked slowly not caring that her tank top had rode up a bit or that her pajama pants were laying sideways on her hips or the fact her hair looked like a mass of tangled knots. She sat down with a huff and grabbed the coffee cup Tom gave her.

"Good morning" Tom said to her softly.

Claire glared at him over her cup of coffee and flipped him off.

"Ever the morning person darling" he chuckled.

"Yeah, well telling you to fuck off first thing in the morning seemed a little early."

"I've missed your cheeky words."

"Can't say I missed you."

"Ouch"

"Truth hurts Hiddleston."

Tom took a pull of his coffee before trying again.

"Listen, about last night.."

Claire tossed her hand up to stop him.

"I don't want anymore apologies Tom. I don't think I could hear it without wanting to punch you in the face."

"Fair enough."

"I've know you what 10 years Tom?"

"Yes"

"And in all that time, you never saw to mention anything to me."

Tom sat quiet.

"You asked me why I cut talking to you. Truth is when you became a star I realised you didn't need me. We grew up and apart. I was okay with that."

"Why in the hell did you think I didn't need you? You were my best friend. I wanted to tell you everything but you cut me out of your life. I didn't get a say in the matter. That was selfish of you Claire" Tom snapped.

"Your right, it was selfish of me."

"I am sorry I hurt you last night. It wasn't my intention to do so. I tend to say things I shouldn't while under alcohol."

"Isn't that the truth" Claire mumbled.

"Thanks for letting me crash here last night. I owe you for that. If the media had caught sight of me last night It would have been a worldly announcement."

"You owe me huh?" Claire grinned at him behind her coffee.

"Oh bloody hell, what did I just do" Tom laughed.

"I'll forgive your drunk blabbering if you help me."

"What am I helping you with exactly?"

Claire sat her cup down and met his eyes.

"Help me not be a Duff."

"You want me to what?"

"You heard me Hiddles. Help me not be a Duff and I will forget all your crazy talk, and even help you with your next script."

"Wait, who told you I needed help?"

"A certain Robert said you were having trouble getting the lines down for your new Marvel project."

"That damn goat" Tom cussed.

"Deal or no deal Hiddles?" Claire grinned extending her hand to him.

"Bloody hell Claire, Deal" he spoke shaking her hand.

Claire grinned and took another drink of her coffee.