Chapter 4
1086 Words
I came home at 8. Arthur left me at the porch.
"Thanks for walking me home", I said turning to him. He nodded and said, "See you in school tomorrow."
I waved him a bye and went into my house.
Dad was already there. He said as I came in, "welcome home darling."
"Thanks dad. Oh dinner's ready. I'm starving anyway", I said as I saw the table set and the dishes placed on it. I sat down.
Dad sat across me. I took a few bites and satiated my growling hunger.
"That's really nice", I said pointing to my favourite salad.
"Thanks....uh Clara I know that we don't spend a lot of time together. But I'd really appreciate it if you would just open up to me a bit about what's going on in your life. You know....about your school, studies and your new friends", he said.
"Dad I'm busy the whole day, classes, job, homework. I hardly have any free time that I enjoy. And about my friends, it's just that I don't think I can have anyone in my life. It's hard for me to feel that sort of friendship and attachment with anyone again. Let alone my school friends", I finished my sentence and took a sip of water.
"Yes I know you are busy and you've taken care of yourself very well that I'm proud of. And I'm sorry too that I leave you alone", he said.
"Dad, there's nothing to be sorry about. I've always had you with me. Look at us, these dinners, they mean so much to me. You and I always had dinner together", I said cheering him up a bit.
He looked at me but thought something else.
"Dad, what is it?", I asked him.
"Who was that guy who came to drop you home?", he asked.
"Oh, him", I asked surprised wondering if Arthur was the reason for his concern.
"Yeah, him. Look if he's your boyfriend you could've just brought him inside and let me meet him", he said.
"Hold on dad. He was not my boyfriend. I happened to meet him just a week ago. It's just that we have some classes together in school. So he met me by chance and walked me home", I replied defensively.
"Oh", he said and fell silent.
"Yes. And if I'll have a boyfriend, ever, you'll be the first one to know", I said.
I went to sleep after that.
The morning was different than other regular mornings. I don't know but I actually wanted to see Arthur. I wanted him to see me, look at my beautiful side.
I bathed and straightened my slightly wavy dark brown hair.
I wore a knee-lengthed light pink dress with beige chunky heels. I applied a very light eye makeup and light pink gloss.
I wanted Arthur to look at me and tell me that I'm beautiful.
I entered the school building. I saw Arthur at a distance. He was talking to two guys.
I made my way to him through the corridor between other students.
"Arthur", I called out his name.
He looked at me. And then he looked at me from head to toe.
"Clara....uh....Hey", he said and straightened his posture.
Oh God, the way his eyes were gazing at me. The other two guys elbowed each other and chuckled softly.
"Hey Clara", one of them said.
I waved him and then looked at Arthur. He seemed lost in me.
"Damn girl. You look hot", the other one said.
Arthur turned to them, "What?"
The first one said again, "No man she looks arousingly sexy." And then grinned.
I looked at Arthur. He was staring at them.
"What dude? You takin' her for t'night or shall I?", the second one said to Arthur.
I looked at Arthur. His eyes were burning with rage at that boy.
All of a sudden Arthur held that boy by his collar and easily lifted him a feet above the ground.
The other one tried to hold Arthur's arm.
Arthur gripped the above one tight from the neck now and hit the other one with his other hand swinging him back feets away; he banged at the wall.
I had never seen him so raged.
"Arthur let go of him", I said rather loudly.
The boy above choked and his face turned red.
Arthur kept him down and brought the other one in front of me.
He then said to both of them, "Apologize for your misbehaviour to her." They both were scared. I looked around, students circled around us gasping in alarm. Some even had their phones' cameras on.
"Arthur, let them go", I said.
"Wasn't I clear? Pay your apologies to Miss Bridget", he said further.
"I'm sorry Clara", the first one said holding his throat.
"I'm sorry too. It won't happen again", the other one said. They both left promptly.
I looked at Arthur. He looked at me. His eyes stone cold. For an instant, I was scared of his look. His icy eyes sent a frigid sensitivity down my body.
I walked away from him by giving him an unacceptable glance.
"Clara....", he called after me.
I didn't stop and kept moving. He tried to match up to my pace.
"I don't want to talk to you", I said and walked further away.
He held me by my wrist and turned me towards him.
"Hey I'm sorry", he said with the same innocent face that I had seen the first time.
"Sorry about what? For setting up a show in school or for not being arrested?", I said.
"I apologize for both", he said his head hanging down.
"Arthur what if those two file a complaint against you?", I asked him concerned.
He kept looking down.
"Arthur look at me", I said. He met my gaze. He was as alluring as always, "answer me."
"Clara, I'm sorry. I didn't want to......but all of their talks were really not appreciable. They acted in an inappropriate manner. I simply couldn't just observe that. I'm really sorry", he said.
I couldn't be mad at him, all he did was that he stood up for me.
"It's fine," I said, "But you will not do anything like that ever again. Alright?"
His eyes lit up again, "Okay. I will not, unless anyone misbehaves with you again."
I smiled at him. He didn't smile back.
"See you after class", he said as he walked away from me.
- Writer
