Chapter 4: Kick out

I have been studying for years but this is the first time I got kicked out of a class. This was humiliating. It felt like I was alone. This was the final nail in the coffin. I would never ever forgive Duke Hamilton for what he had done to me today.

"I'm sorry Lily. You got kicked out because of me", I said feeling ashamed.

"IT was a lame class anyway. I hate math", she said face down. I knew this can't keep going on. Lily doesn't deserve this. I too don't have to put up with this shit. People have this image about nerds how we don't have a spine. But people are wrong. We know how to stick up and do it smartly.

"I think we should apologize. You only have to say it. You don't have to mean it", said Lily.

"No you can't let people like Duke walk all over you. It is not only their world. We are living in it too", I said to her.

"You are forgetting something. The Hamilton owns this school and Diana Hamilton Duke's big sister is our teacher. The world is obviously theirs", she said.

I sighed. She was right in some way. I can't fault her if she doesn't want to be burdened with my fight. This is something that I should do it alone. I can't let her fail with me if I fail as well.

"You have to go Lily. I don't want you to suffer with me. If you stayed with me. They will make you a target as well. I can't let it happen to you", I said to her.

"But how will you survive here ?", she asked me.

"I'm always good at fighting life. Don't worry about me," I assured her.

She didn't look convinced. But I left her with a smile on my face. I wish I was strong enough to put those words into action. I never had to fight a bully before. But I have heard that it was pretty stressful. If I have to survive I must fight Duke Hamilton.

I walked to the washroom. I needed a break. I had given some big speeches to Lily but I was unsure whether I would be able to make it through everything that was going to accompany my decision to fight back.

I opened the door to find a girl touching her makeup. She looked like she was about to go on a photo shoot or something. I thought this was high school and people need to focus on studies as well. I knew all this fight had turned me into a bitch mode. That would explain my inner whining.

"Excuse me", I told her. She turned to me and then when her eyes zeroed on me her blue eyes narrowed. Now what I have done to her! She was popular and we had never come in ten feet distance before.

"You hit my boyfriend", she said with a growl.

"I had a very good reason", I said to her.

"You are trying to catch his attention. I know girls like you would go to any lengths to be with Duke. If you ever try to hurt him anymore I promise you will pay the price", she said.

"I have never wanted your boyfriend girl. He is the one who attacked me. You better teach him to some respect or he will do something like this again", I told her.

"How dare you", she said emptying her mask and bottle on me. I watched her agape. She stalked out of the room and I stayed there uncertain.

What all I have to deal with today? Duke's Jealous ex-girlfriend, enemy and sister. Give me a break. I was kicked out of the class. I had to unwillingly break up a relationship with my only friend. Just so that he leaves her alone. I tried to wipe it water but it didn't go. Damn these companies for concocting formulas that don't smudge.

"You need baby oil to remove that", said a voice behind me.

I turned around to find a goth girl. She gave me a small bottle of baby oil. I thankfully accepted the bottle from her. I applied it gently. I rubbed the skin raw to remove the black color. The baby oil worked like magic and removed the color.

"Thanks", I told her.

"You don't have to thank me. I want to smoke and if you don't please go out", she said.

"I can't exactly go out. Emm I think you haven't noticed but I have nowhere to go. I got kicked out of class and cafeteria", I said.

"That is bad. But you did hit Duke", she said with a shrug.

"You don't know why I hit him?", I shot back.

"You should have waited a second and he would have apologized instead you slapped in front of everyone. Do you know how insulting it is to wind up on everyone's Instagram feed like a creep who assaulted a woman?", she asked crossing her hands.

"You are his friend I guess?", I asked her.

"Nope, his younger sister. But don't worry I try not to be in a crowd. But I love him. Make no mistake about that", she said.

"Ok. It is great to meet a Hamilton who doesn't hate me", I said to her with a smile.

"I don't hate people for what they do. I only hate people for who they are", she said pressing her lips.

"I don't smoke. But I really can't go out now. I need a break and this is one place I would rather be than out there", I confessed to her.

"Suit yourself. Anyway, it is a minefield out there. You better watch out", she said lighting up a cigarette.

"I set off the fire alarm once", she said.

"When was it?", I asked her confused.

"A year ago", she said.

"You shouldn't smoke. It is not good for your lungs", I said to her.

"Would you say the same to my brother?", she asked with raised eyebrows.

I stayed silent. I didn't care about him. But she looks like a good girl. I didn't want her to die.

"Exactly don't care about me. Imagine it is Duke", she said with a smirk.

We stayed silently for a few moments and she finished her cigarette. I stood there. I knew I was inhaling the smoke she was blowing out.

"I know I may sound pretty lame to you. But you shouldn't smoke. I lost someone to cancer", I said walking out.

"Are you going out?", she asked me in surprise.

"I would rather walk on minefields than hide somewhere", I said with a hard smile. She shook her head with a smile.

"Good decision I'm Daniella", she said.

I noticed that she didn't mention Hamilton. She was different from them.

"Mia Carter", I said.

"I know. You are pretty famous", she said with a smirk. I shook my head and walked away from her. The burning cigarette was still in her hand.

****

Duke's POV.

I watched my father's number display on my phone. Shit! This was the third time he was calling me. I knew I couldn't ignore him any longer. This was a silent deal with us.

I would shut up and do as he told in return he would fund my lavish lifestyle parties and sometimes even girls. But I would never touch girls sent by my father.

They were mostly addicts and prostitutes. For all the wrong things I have done and keep doing. I have drawn a line where I'm paying someone for sex. I have no shortage of chicks anyway. Nat is always there and on the rare occasion we break up. I get to go really wild. They have even slept with her best friend Cindy.

We only do this when I'm not with Nat. She doesn't know this Cindy is a good fuck but my mind keeps wandering to this new chick. Will she be a good lay? She had a rocking body. Maybe she even got a boyfriend who could be the reason she was acting all high and mighty.

"So I heard you talked to her", said Paul. He was watching me carefully I just shrugged. He was my friend but I don't normally go and pour my heart out normally. I'm a guy who likes to have some secrets and apparently, Mia Carter was one.

"Come on man don't keep me in the dark", he persisted.

"You are worse than a girl Paul", I stated.

"Shut up man. I'm just curious about this as you. You are god. Things like this happen to a normal person not to you. You are god for these women", he stated obviously.

"All except one", I said.

"So what is stopping you from changing that? Go after her", he said.

"I'm not in the mood to stalk a crazy chick Paul", I said dismissively. He had an unparalleled interest in my personal life. I never knew why.

"Let it go. You want my ego to take a beating and it happened. Stop digging around for more", I advised him.

"OK. If that is what you want I will let it go. But there is a small or big problem", he said.

"Liam had made a move on her already. Cindy saw him talking to her ", he said.

"What the fuck?", I asked incredulously.

I saw a gleaming look in his eyes. He had caught my expression. I was so careful. I wonder what is wrong with my self-control.

"Don't worry Paul. Talking is all that is going to happen between them.