Rowdy and Junior go way back and have been friends for a very long time. Rowdy has always been there for Arnold for a long time. They were insuperable until Arnold decided that he wants a better education, and "deserts" Rowdy and the Tribe. Rowdy takes it personally and now deeply dislikes him. This hatred has only built up and he is at his breaking point. Rowdy did not have a very stable family situation, so when Arnold left him it impacted him badly and caused him to finally say "I hate you"(211). This is his breaking point and the time that he really admits to himself and Arnold the disdain that he feels.
I think that Rowdy truly feels that he hates Arnold. The tribe and especially Rowdy has always felt that if something bad happens to you, like someone punches you, that you have to fight back and throw the next punch. When Rowdy decides that life is throwing him a punch for the first time he doesn't punch back, and instead "Rowdy ran"(211), and he had "never run away from anything or anyone"(211). Normally when provoked Rowdy just punches the guy/girl, but him not doing that shows him giving up on Arnold.
How would you react if you were Arnold?
How would you react if you were Rowdy?
Who is more hurt/conflicted at the moment?
How to they feel when Rowdy says that he hates Arnold?
I don't think Rowdy meant it when he said that he hated Arnold. As he said earlier in the book, he doesn't show his emotions to keep his reputation of being tough. When Rowdy came to Arnold's house because he was "bored," he could've just went to beat down kids for fun. Rowdy came to Arnold's house to hang out with Arnold and to make up with him. Rowdy actually cares for Arnold and doesn't hate him even though he said so.
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