THOSE DAYS

The snacks scandal

After buying a few cans of cold drink and some snacks I headed towards the classroom. All the way while going to the cafeteria as well as while coming back , I heard the words of Arlo again and again
'We are in our PE class right now , what if the teacher catches you ? Don't be silly and come here. We can settle the score afterwards and furthermore I'm not going to take the blame for you again '
I was confused if he was really concerned about me or was those words his selfish desires only . He was selfish at most but sometimes I really thought that he cared about the people near him more than anything, even more than he cared for himself but if compared to Lucas, he was nothing but a mere normal person . While I was going back to the classroom with all those snacks ,I saw our class teacher on my way . I barely escaped from his sharp vision and ran towards the side wall of the building . As I was waiting for the head teacher to go , I noticed him coming towards my way . I got scared as I had nowhere else to run , so while looking here and there to find a way to escape, I saw Arlo jumping from the classroom balcony and waving his hands towards me . I waved back but the expression on his face spoke something else . Through his face ,I could see an ocean of emotions filled with fear, panic and most of all the willingness to save me from the upcoming disaster. Through his actions and using my brain , I got to know that he was asking me to stay hidden .
Is he going to surrender himself to save me even though he could have just walked away !?
The thought was itself more ironic than anything else as Arlo and I were nothing more than enemies. It was just due to Lucas and the fact that we three were neighbours that I had to talk to him sometimes even though I didn't wanted to .At the same time I also thought if he wasn't tired of acting cool all day . I questioned myself "to save or not to save ? "before revealing myself in front of the teacher even though I knew what the consequences could be
"

Alright, I'll just due "

"Hey Catherine! Come here"
"Yes sir , you called me ?"
"Where are you coming from ? And who gave you the permission to go out during class ? Haven't you learned the rules and atticates of school already ? "
" Sir..."
"I asked you something! And what's that in your hand ? You bought so many snacks ! Tell me for whom ?"
" Sir can you please listen to my explanation? I ran too much in the PE class just now and now I'm very hungry so I bought it all for myself "
"Who are you trying to fool ? You , a little girl can eat so many snacks?"
"I'm not lying sir. If you don't believe me , I'll show you "
I started to open up the snacks one by one and ate them really quick . While opening those packets one by one , I regretted buying so much . I ate each and every snack till it was finished .After a few minutes, I was left with only one packet of chips which I couldn't stuff in my mouth anymore. I felt like throwing up after eating all that junk . I offered the last packet to our class teacher while saying
"Sir , do you want some "
"Put it down ! You only eat it "
Just then I saw Arlo running and approaching towards us . I gave him many signs to run away as I already handled the situation somehow but I don't know why he wanted to be a martyr again . Was he sick of living?  But anyhow, he just ignored me and as soon as he reached towards us ,he started to talk to the teacher

" Sir , I saw our classmates skip the class . Right there . Look! "
" Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You are the one who loves skipping classes . You two , listen up . Go to your classes right away . Did you hear me ? "
I nodded my head in response to the teacher's words . I tilted my head towards Arlo in confusion and in question for why he did so , but I felt like throwing up right away . I felt all that stuff coming up my throat as I never ate so much in my whole life. I was not feeling so well but just then Arlo started to speak without looking at me

"Hey Catherine! Don't you know that it's risky to do so ? And why did you buy all those snacks ? couldn't you buy something else? Have you ever eaten a vegetable salad ? Have you ...."
Just then he looked towards me . I couldn't hold that food anymore so I just kept my hand in front of my mouth while trying not to throw up . He looked quite surprised and confused to see me that way till he asked
"What happened? "
I pointed out my finger towards my throat in response and he looked quite confused till I thought  he finally understood. As soon as he got to know that I was doing so because I felt like throwing up, he approached towards me and hugged me from the back . He started to press my stomach tightly from the back while lifting me up . I was so damn confused about what he was doing but I just realised that he was actually quite strong that he lifted me from the back that easily. He started to press my stomach with more force again and again till I freed my hand from the bag I was holding and took off his hands from me . I was so angry and confused so I started to shout at him

" What's wrong Arlo!? What are you doing!?"
" What can I do ? I'm saving you . "
"What ?? Saving me need to be like this !?"
" Ignorance is terrible. That is called ' heimlich first aid ' . You must be feeling better now. Well , leave it .So for the sake of you trying to save me a moment ago , I won't mind it . But you are really silly. I wanted to let you escape and you came over for a scolding . "
"How can you be such an ingrate !? I did it to save you ! If I get caught by the teacher, I get scolded, no big deal . And you came jumping from that window, you'll be more severely punished. Don't you know that!?"
"You are so thoughtful ''

When he said those words, for a moment I thought that he was taunting me . As he never praised anyone at least from the moment I knew him . He was smiling while I looked at him but I was still not satisfied by the fact that he was actually grateful. Arlo? Grateful? They two were the actual meaning of opposite so it took me time to digest it . It was true that after the aid he performed, I felt better but it was just temporary. I again felt all that thing coming up to my throat but this time I couldn't stop myself. I threw up at him by mistake but it was all his fault for standing in front of me. I started to panic when I saw the disgust and anger coming on his face so I just started to apologise while lowering my head
"Sorry . I'm really sorry. I'll wash it for you "
I was so scared that I closed my eyes in fear. I closed my eyes so tightly that not even a single atom could enter my eye. I was so scared and quiet till I heard his calm voice
"There's no tissue anyway , Just take my shirt and use it . But don't forget to wash it and return it to me "
I opened my eyes but was too scared and guilty to look into his eyes so the whole time . He handed the shirt in my hand and started to walk away .I was looking at the ground all the time till I heard his footsteps fading away. As soon as I looked up , I saw him running away with bare back . I could really see how that energy and power came from . His back was so broad and stiff and I could see his defined muscles with a thin waist . I wondered how he looked from the front view but it was a relief that he went away or I would be so guilt stricken that I wouldn't be able to face him again . As soon as he disappeared from my view, I looked towards my hand in which I was holding his shirt . It was just as same as I was wearing , a normal school shirt but somehow it still felt different .

Maybe because that shirt had his scent