CHASED BY ROCKSTAR AND HIS NEMESIS

Mia POV.

I was dancing to the music. Nothing had ever made me feel as good as this. I could not stop laughing at Lily's hilarious dancing movements. I became aware of a figure standing behind me. Lily was dancing when I noticed her freezing. her eyes wide as if she were witnessing a remarkable event.

Then I felt it, a loud smack on my ass. My mouth hung open with surprise. I whirled around to see a smirking guy who I had seen on campus crowded by people. I felt fury rise up inside me while he stood there in a devil-may-care way. My palm rose suddenly and I slapped hard on the guy's face. This guy has the nerve to hit my ass in public. I heard shocked gasps and some laughs. His face was like stone but his eyes betrayed his expressions. He was shocked beyond his core. I too was worried by my actions; I was never a violent person before.

"Sorry man. I didn't know that she would hit you. You paid a harsh price for our bet", said the laughing guy beside him.

"Let's go", said Lily yanking on my arms. I nodded numbly walking away from the laughing crowd. I knew I had made an enemy today a powerful one. I chewed on my lips nervously. I had a bad urge to peek a glance at my offender but I knew I shouldn't.

"Who's she?" I heard a rough voice.

"That is Mia Carter", said the guy. I was wondering how he knew me. We were now away from them in a safe distance.

"Oh God! What have I done? Tell me on a one to hundred scale how bad it is going to be?" I asked Lily.

"It can't be measured by scale just know that it is bad enough for you to even quit school", she said with a sigh.

"Why should I quit school? He was the one who did the bad stuff", I hissed at my best friend.

"Are you kidding me? He is the lord of our academy. He already has millions of fans on Instagram and YouTube. He will sign his record deal after he is 18 with his own family. They basically run the music industry and our school. Please tell me you did pay attention when I talked about Duke Theodore Hamilton ", she said breathlessly. To be frank I haven't. I didn't want to hear about some rich snob.

"That can't be true. There will be some competition out there for them", I said irritated.

"Well no one that important. I think your dream of becoming an artist has become almost zero when you picked a fight with Duke", she said.

"Just take me home. I can't deal with this right now. I don't want to freak out in front of these idiots", I told her.

"OK", she said ushering me into the car. She drives an old car hand-me-down from her brother who recently graduated.

"You alright?", she asked me after a couple of minutes. I watched the disappearing trees. I was definitely stressed about everything.

"I'm just worried about my dad. I don't want him to get stressed about anything, especially after my mother", I said unable to finish my words.

"We will get through this, babe. You take a break for a while. People have really short memories. Soon everyone will forget about it", she suggested unsure.

"I can't take a break. I already transferred here. I missed so many classes as it is", I said unsure.

"Then let us deal with the repercussions", she said with a sigh.

"Excuse me. This guy just did something incorrigible and when I reacted somehow you are blaming me?", I asked her.

"I know it may be ridiculous to you. But he is like the heartthrob and the buzz is that he thought you were too, Natasha", she said with a shrug.

"His on and off girlfriend", she said.

"That is not how you treat your girlfriend", I said grinding my teeth.

"You are correct, but then again he is so handsome and is awfully rich so girls tend to forgive him quickly", she said.

"Damn it. I hope this won't reflect my grade", I said biting my lips.

"You are such a nerd", she said with a laugh.

"I'm sorry. I was the one who dragged you into it", she said.

"It is not your fault", I said.

I walked outside and as usual, I saw my dad waiting for me. I smiled at him.

"How was the party?", he asked casually. But I knew he was very interested in knowing about it. I haven't stepped out of my house in forever.

"Boring", I said with a hard smile. I didn't want to give him any tension.

"I really miss home", I said.

"I know me too", said my dad.

It wasn't his fault. Mom got sick and we took a lot of debt to treat her. In the end, we couldn't save her. Dad had to sell our house in Alaska and we moved here to LA for a better job and my studies. My father is working hard to pay off the loans he took for my mom. I only wish I could chip in some money. I knew it won't be much but I asked Lily to find me a job.

I tried to sleep but sleep eluded me. I hated it there. The constant honking and so many people. Lily was the only person I wished to see here every day. Back in my school, I didn't have many friends. I was too interested in books to even have a social life. Then mom got sick and whatever tiny circle of friends I had was lost. I guess they would rather discuss prom than chemo and cancer. I didn't hate them. No one wants to deal with cancer, but we were never given a choice.

I scrolled my phone. I saw a text From Lily. I quickly opened it. "Do not open social media ", she warned me. I quickly opened it. I only had twenty followers or so. Then I saw that my followers had slightly increased. I was tagged in many videos. I quickly opened it. There I saw Duke sauntering towards the blissfully unaware me. I watched him smack me without any hesitation. I felt my blood boil. I put away the phone quickly. I tried to close my eyes but all I saw was the video. I sat up and hunted for my medication for anxiety. I took one and watered it down. This year is going to be pretty eventful for me. Whether I like it or not.

***

Duke's POV.

The night wasn't something great. I was bored out of my mind and it wasn't even 11 yet. I knew I couldn't slip out just yet. What was I going to do? Naty was giving me bedroom eyes all night. I knew that she wants to have hot makeup fuck after our nth fight. Maybe I should just take up on her offer to have sex. That was the only thing that truly numbed me. I want to get out of here anyway. My friends pulled me. Paul was ready with the bottle. I rolled my eyes at his childlike enthusiasm.

"Come on Duke let us get you drunk", he howled.

"I think this bottle is not enough to get me drunk Paul", I said dryly.

"Let us see hot shot", he said shoving the bottle in my mouth. I took quick gulps. The alcohol burned down my throat. I let it calm my wild thoughts. Shit, I need this or Nat in my bed. I know she can be a pain in the ass but she was a good fuck. Whenever shit goes overboard she makes me forget everything and the good thing is that she doesn't give me a hangover.

I wiped my mouth. I coughed a few times. I raised my bloodshot eyes to Paul. He was staring at me in disbelief.

"You are not high?", he asked me.

I was a little befuddled but not high. I realized a long time ago that these cheap beers were not responsible for guys behaving like assess. It doesn't even give me a haze. I will do anything to be alone. Isn't it ironic a guy who is a musician wants nothing to do with parties or people? That is just me. My friends think they know me but they only know what I'm showing to them. This is not me. Hell even I don't know the real me. All I craved was to feel nothing. I closed my eyes and tried to welcome it. But it was a little difficult with the blasting music.

"Dude it is your song", shouted Paul.

"Whatever man", I said disinterestedly.

"How can you not care?" he said amused. I had lost the battle already and was trying to find Nat among the crowd.

"Who are you looking for?" he asked me following my eyes.

"Nobody", I said with a shrug.

"Noway. She will never take you back after you dumped her in front of her parents", he said shaking his head with laughter.

I hate the whispers, gossiping and endless laughter that seems to follow me. I only wished I had stayed home for my sanity's sake.

"It will be alright", she said to me.

"I hope so. I have never seen him in any of my classes so that's there", I said to her with relief.

"Did you hear about the math test?", she asked me alarmed.

"I did. Didn't you prepare?", I asked feeling awful for her.

"I didn't. I have to go and study", she said sprinting away. I sighed. When I went inside the classroom it was silent for a split second. Then there was loud whispering which was undoubtedly about me. I sighed again and tried to find my best friend Lily. She waved at me. But she was sitting with someone else. All the places were filled now. So I took another place. The room suddenly went silent again. I looked up and found the reason he was here.

He swaggered into the classroom. His eyes searched for someone. I instantly ducked my head. I heard footsteps behind me and I saw seats being exchanged so that he sat right next to me. I held my breath. What was he planning?

"Are you ignoring me?", I heard him speak. I was taken aback. Was he speaking to me? I stayed quiet hoping whatever he was planning to do shouldn't be encouraged least not by me.

"Tell me the girl who slapped me last night doesn't even have a voice of her own?", he asked with a smirk. I glowered at him. He was yet unfazed. He was striking. His eyes were almond-shaped and he had a defined jawline. I guess I could see why girls were going gaga over him.

" I'm not interested in talking to you ", I said.

" Would you if I apologise?", he asked me.

Did he really come here to apologize for his mistake? I was shocked at his manner. I thought he would harbor some sort of vendetta against me. But I was wrong somehow. He wants to make amends now? I'm confused now.

" You came here to apologize?", I asked him in surprise.

"I would if you apologize first", he said touching the tip of his tongue to the corner of his mouth. It was distracting. That was when realized the meaning of his words. He wants me to apologize? Like hell!

"You were the one who misbehaved with me and you want me to apologize?", I scoffed at him. But I couldn't stop myself from the endless tirade of anger bursting through me.

"Excuse me! Are you out of your mind? You are the one who", I stopped unable to finish what I wanted to say.

"Who? Come on finish it. I smacked your ass?", he asked with a laugh.

"You are laughing about it. You are such a disgrace", I said unable to keep the venom out of my voice.

"I thought you were Natasha", he said biting back a smile.

"Well I'm not Natasha", I hissed at him. We were interrupted when Mrs Smith walked inside. She was a nice lady but was very strict about the conduct of the students.

"You certainly are not her", he said as though it was a matter of fact.

"Listen I'm not interested in talking to you", I whisper shouted at him.

"Excuse me Miss Carter do you wish to share something with the class? I saw you talking to Mr Hurst", she asked me with a pointed look.

"Sorry Mrs Smith", I said my face flaming. I never had been called out like this before.

"Make sure you pay attention", she said motioning me to sit down. I was thankful that she let me off the hook pretty easily.

After that, I focused on Mrs Smith. At least I tried to. But I was very much aware of the guy sitting next to me. I hated that he was allowed to sit with ease and make trouble while others paid for its consequences. I guess it pays well to own the school.

After the class was done everyone was shuffling out of the class but he lay unmoved. I didn't check on him but I was deeply aware of his presence like one would be of a thorn stuck in your eyes. I have never seen him in any of my classes before so this might be a planned move on his side. But why? What could be his aim? Revenge? Was I too important that he can't let go of my slap? I knew I might have hurt his pretty gigantic ego but still!

"Do you always daydream in the class about me?", he asked me.

I noticed that everyone had already left. It was only me and him. How did I let this happen? I should never get alone with him. There is only one way now to get the hell away from him.

"You are so full of yourself", I said with a sneer. He aimed a too-sweetened smile at me. It was as though he was mocking me.

"I think you got a huge crush on me, haven't you?", he said.

"Excuse me? I don't even know you. Listen to me Hamilton. I know I must have hurt your ego that day. But trust me I don't even have time to deal with people like you. So I would stay out of your way if you do the same", I said to him.

"I would but I want an apology for that day", he said. The cold eyes once didn't hide the irritation at me. I never thought a small thing like me would be the bane of existence for someone like him.

"You still want an apology? Are you kidding me?", I huffed at him. The nerve of him! I will show him who I was? I would never succumb to rich holes like him..

"Yes. If you apologize then I will forget you will ever existed. But if you don't I will prove how expensive it is going to be for picking a fight with me", he said rising to his full height. He was over six foot and I instantly felt small. But I would never let him crush my self-respect. I have to stick up at least for those who haven't lasted before me. I'm pretty sure there would be someone out there who will support me in this lonely fight. With that he walked out of the class while I stood there fuming.

Duke's P. O. V

"Wanna bet?", I asked with a dark laugh.

"Yes. How about the new Tesla you got?", he asked me.

"I would give it to you for free. I hate that car anyway", I said with a smirk.

"I will shave my head if she kisses you back when you smack her ass", he said.

God was he really out of his mind? Didn't he know all that time me and Nat broke up she was the one who came to me? There was a time when she even begged to be back together. I never shared it with anyone.

"Fine. Shave half it is going to look great on you", I said flicking my finger to his head.

I walked lazily towards Nat. Why wasn't she looking back at me? She was so immersed in her dancing that she had completely missed my arrival. My eyes roamed on her too-familiar body but still I found it unrecognizable. I don't know why. Was I getting high or something? I saw the girl behind her watching me open-mouthed. Was it really a surprise that I was here to greet Nat. I aimed for her ass. My hand singed when it hit the plump ass. This is nothing new for us. It was she who wanted a little bit of rough play.

Instead of turning back and kissing me hard. I felt her entire body go stiff. Then she turned towards me. I have never seen such beautiful eyes in my life. I was a musician not a poet. But she was a woman and a hot one. Her ass was real. It felt nice touching something real than Nat's silicon ones.

I was about to smile and introduce myself. But when her eyes zeroed on my face her eyes narrowed. I watched amazed at the way her face got flushed with anger. This is exactly the girl who would give heart but unfortunately, I'm not that guy. I can show her a good time though. I can see that she is attracted to me but she also looks angry that I made a public move. But I know how to calm a chick. But all those thoughts flew away from my mind when I felt a tight slap on my cheek. She had fucking slapped me. Why? Was she showing off or something? I waited a second or two for her to kiss me. I knew girls these days are pretty whacked. But it never came. Damn, this girl seriously hit me for a silly thing. Is she fucking out of her mind?

I realized that this girl was very mad at me. I still had no clue why she would react so weirdly. Why was she acting like a nun in a wild party? What was she really doing here if she was not up for anything fun?