CHAPTER SIX

ARC

The weather was a scorching promise that left Arc a sweaty mess. He knew his face and neck was red all over. His skin was beginning to feel tight, which was very painful since he had to stretch his muscles to shovel pig shit. He hasn't been under the sun for more than an hour and he felt hot underneath his skin already. He puffed out a breath, trying to rail in the pain. He still had chores to do that required being exposed to the sun so he'd have to deal with it. His leg was a numb mess,making it more difficult to work and Bill didn't like lazy.

The pigs had done a great job of leaving mucks of smelly feces everywhere last night and it was his job to clean it all out. They all ignored him as they sun bathed in muds, clearly trying to soak up in the wetness that contrasted the heat. The pigs were neutral with him, showing no favor or outright dislike for him.

They all squeal excitedly when Sarge feeds them and most of them try to knock down any of the others when they come to occasionally groom them. Meanwhile, him and the pigs had formed some sort of alliance, they minded their business and he never disturbed them. He wasn't assigned to do anything else but to clean their shit and any other chores that didn't involve the pigs. Bill had once jokingly said he didn't want Arc frightening them with his horrendous face.

"Hey man."

Arc looked up to see Sarge hovering close to the white fence that secured the pigs.

"A young looking bloke is asking for you, says it's urgent."

Who would be looking for him and urgent?

"Me?" The surprise was evident on his face, not even Penelope has ventured to where he cleaned pig's shit for a living to look for him. He didn't know anybody who'd come looking for him either. Penelope. Did something happen to her? Fear suddenly gripped him.

"Should I bring him in?"

He couldn't speak so he nodded.

"Aight, but he's mighty fine if I'm to say so myself." He winked and left. He didn't know why he'd said and did that but he knew Sarge waa always trying to be nice to him. Except, Arc knew he only did it out of pity since the other workers didn't like getting close to him. He avoided them too, not bothering to shower before going home, not joining in on their boisterous conversations during lunch break. He was nothing to them and likewise, they were nothing to him.

He didn't want to be seen standing like an idiot so he continued his work, stopping when he heard a loud cheerful voice shouting 'hello'.

He stood and became baffled when he saw a familiar face standing near the white fence. What was he doing here?

"Hi, you're Arc right?"

He didn't respond, just watched him, his heart beating rapidly. He gripped the shovel handle, trying to get himself under control. Why was he feeling like this?

"You remember me?"

Arc frowned as he remembered all too well what'd he'd done to him.

"Of course you do. I'm quite unforgettable. I'm Chelsea Waters but you can just call me Chelsea." His eyes wandered to the piles of pigs' shit that surrounded him and Arc thought he'd throw up there and then as his eyes scrunched in disgust. It was the same look he'd given him at the event.

The guy was stupid anyways for dressing up so fancy for a trip to a pig sty. He was even stupider for the clearly expensive pink high heeled boots he wore which made him taller than he actually was. He'd know since he'd kissed him. He needed to stop thinking about the kiss.

He was flashy, bright colours sticking to every part of him. Pink tight jeans with a yellow cropped top that showed a pierced belly button that did things to Arc. Things he didn't want to examine closely. His short blonde hair was a luscious side parted mess that gave him a boyish look. Arc wondered how anyone could be so slim without flying away in the air.

"Okay, this is awkward. I'd like to talk to you. It's urgent?"

Arc shook his head. He didn't want to listen to whatever he had to say.

"I'm busy. Go away."

Chelsea gave a short laugh. "Oh thank God, he talks."

Arc returned to his work, deciding not to give him the time of day. He didn't care to know what pretty boy wanted with him.

"I know we didn't have a great start but I'm not a bad person. I'm sorry about that night."

Arc pretended not to listen.

"I'd really love your attention please, I know you're trying to ignore me." He frowned. "Like I said, what I have to say is urgent."

Arc suddenly felt annoyed.

He watched as Chelsea eyed the piles of pig poop and the flies that swarmed them. Not a welcoming sight for someone such as him but Arc didn't care. He'd have to tolerate it if he wanted to talk. Arc was curious but this person had been ashamed of kissing him.

He dug with the shovel and cleaned off two piles before he heard a near screechy 'fine, if you don't come to me, I'll go to you.'

Arc stared as worry filled his face when He first eyed the pigs as they laid in the muddy lagoon. Arc didn't care, let the pigs eat him for all he cared.

He as Chelsea tried pushing the gate but it didn't budge. He tried again and then realised that it was latched. He succeeded the third time time and latched it back in place. He turned to Arc and made careful steps towards him as he tried to avoid pig shit.

Arc's heart rammed against his rib cage as he neared him. He was a stinky mess and he didn't want to know why he cared.

Beautiful green eyes widened when they get closer. Arc's heart stuttered. He knew he wasn't fine looking but another repelled look from him and he'd lose it. He didn't know why he was so riled up, besides, he was used to people giving him weird looks all the time. Chelsea was just one of them.

"OMG! Look at you!" Chelsea rushed to him and touched his face. "You're red all over, you should put on some sunscreen." All from panic, Arc pushed him away too violently which made Chelsea land. In a giant heap of shit.

Arc tried not to grin. Poop clung to him everywhere; his hair, smooth face and clothes. Even his shoes weren't left out. The horror on his face was so comical, it made his eyes pop out.

He let out a high pitched scream.

"My Louboutin boots!" He cried out and flung out his arms. "They were so fucking expensive." He turned to Arc and the glare he shot him was deadly. "You'll pay for this I swear it." He stood, managed to trip again and landed hard on the ground with his butt. His scream this time rang too loudly. Someone would come checking what was going on any minute from now. "Ugh, why is life treating me so unfairly. Why is it so wrong to exist?"

Arc stilled and watched the tantrum Chelsea poured his whole heart into performing. It was just poop for goodness sake, what a thorough washing and cleaning would easily fix. Arc shook his head.

"Why don't you head home then and take care of it? There are no fancy bath tubs and sweet smelling soaps here. Or lavender oils." Or another change of expensive clothes. Just more pigs and pig shit smelling workers. And a dysfunctional wash room.

"You're despicable!" He shouted, clear murder in his eyes and finally stood without tripping again. Then he more like stomped off, with shit glued to him everywhere, and a bit of it beside the corner of his mouth.

Arc couldn't help the small smile that graced his face.