Day 23: Arguing

Rating: T

Summary: The Doctor is upset when he can't help a grumpy Clara.

Word Count: 792

Notes: I think that this chapter will be entirely from the Doctor's perspective, then the next will be from Clara's. Playing with the idea. Anyways, sorry it's taking so long!

Back from vacation now, hoping to post a few chapters in the next two days, but I can't guarantee that will happen!

You know those days you have where everything sets you off? Today had just been one of those days for Clara.

The Doctor could sense it when he picked her up that morning. She was usually quite cheery when he came around, but today, she was grumpy. Her smile seemed forced, and she didn't rush to the TARDIS like she usually did.

His instincts told him to leave her alone. It wasn't the first time she'd acted this way, and it wouldn't be the last, but lately, her bouts of moodiness had been happening more often. He ignored his instinct and followed his heart.

"Clara, are you feeling alright?" The Doctor asked as he shut the TARDIS door.

"I feel fine."

"Okay…" He considered leaving it there, but he knew she wasn't fine. "Are you alright then? Is everything okay with Angie and Artie?"

"I said I'm fine." She said shortly.

"If you insist. What do you want to do today?"

"I don't know. Does it really matter? Your ship will just get us lost somewhere else anyway." The TARDIS hummed in response.

"Hey! Don't insult the TARDIS! She's very sensitive."

"Whatever. Can we just float and watch some tele or something?"

"You don't want to go travelling today?" The Doctor sounded disappointed.

Clara shook her head. "No, not today sorry. Can we just hang out?"

The Doctor sighed. "Sure." He was sad that she didn't want to go out today, but at least he got to spend time with her. It didn't matter what they did to him, as long as he was able to see his impossible girl.

They had been sitting on the couch watching television for over an hour. Clara wasn't pressed up against him like she usually was. Instead, she was curled into the opposite corner of the large couch.

Her lovely smile never graced her face, and she was stiff as a board. She didn't want to talk at all, and she never even looked over at him.

"So… what's up with you? What have you been up to this week?"

She sighed heavily. "Nothing."

"You didn't do anything this week?"

"No, not really."

"Clara, obviously something's bothering you. You know you can tell me anything, right?"

"Can I really?" Clara turned towards him. She had raised her voice considerably, almost yelling.

"Yes! You can come to me for anything! I thought you knew that? I want you to talk to me about stuff."

"I really don't think I can. You just can't hear some things."

"Clara, what's bothering you? Really, please tell me." He pleaded.

Clara was getting even more upset. She now had tears in her eyes. "I told you, it's nothing! Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"I'm sorry. You're my friend, I just want you to know that someone's here for you. Is it about your mum?"

"God dammit, NO! Why is it that whenever I'm upset, it's about my mother? Can't I just be upset by myself for once?"

"Because this isn't the first time you've acted this way."

Clara got up, enraged and frustrated by their conversation. "I'm going to my room. Can you leave me alone?"

"Clara, why won't you talk to me? You're my friend—"

"That's just the problem!" Suddenly she turned to him. He was closer than she thought, and her nose collided with his chest. She started to sway backwards, but he grabbed her before she could fall. The Doctor set her down on the floor.

Clara's tears flowed freely now.

"What's the problem? Do you not want to be my friend?" It was the Doctor's turn to feel hurt. Surely she didn't mean this.

"No! I don't want to be your friend." She sobbed into her hands.

"Alright, I'll just drop you off at home then." He stood up. His hearts were pounding in his chest. He really didn't think Clara felt this way.

Clara made a slight growling noise in frustration. "Are you really that blind?"

"What are you talking about?" The Doctor turned around, outraged. "First you tell me that you're fine when you clearly aren't. Then you act all stand-offish towards me when I just want to help. Then you tell me you don't want to be my friend. But when I offer to take you home, you tell me I'm blind. What do you want?!" The Doctor yelled at her in frustration.

Clara retracted a bit. She looked small sitting on the ground with her head in her hands, but she got up with a face of determination, and stood in front of him. Her hands were balled into fists and her eyebrows furrowed.

"I don't want to be your friend because…"

"Because why?"

"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU."