Chapter 1

The dark sky turned bright, sunlight began to appear to warm the earth. The chirping of birds was greeted this morning, and many people passing by doing activities.

Like a man standing in front of the mirror in his room, his eyes looking at himself from top to bottom. The bruises on his face look sad, the round glasses stuck to his eyes make him look like a coward.

Yes, let's call him Charlie Andrew. He is a smart final student, but it seems his intelligence doesn't make everyone like him. Can't we force everyone to like us?

Charlie was silent for a moment in front of the mirror, his hand stroking his bruised and red cheek. He could hear a sigh, now he was ready to go to campus.

"It's okay, I'm strong. I'll graduate soon, I just have to hold on a little longer," said Charlie calming himself, he smiled faintly even though he was forced to.

After being satisfied staying silent in front of the mirror, Charlie finally chose to immediately go to campus.

"Mom! Where are you?" When he left the room, Charlie didn't see his mother. He checked his mother's room, but still, his mother wasn't in the room.

"Mom!" Charlie shouted for his mother, after searching several corners of the house. Charlie's house is not big, only a small house that can be made to shelter the two of them.

Charlie breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his mother sitting in front of the house. Charlie loves his mother more than anything. If he lost his mother, maybe his soul would disappear too.

"Mom, I called you earlier. Why didn't you answer?" asked Charlie crouching in front of his mother who was sitting in a wheelchair. Monica, Charlie's mother, has been suffering from cancer for a long time, and it is getting worse over time. This made Monica unable to do many things and had to sit in a wheelchair every day.

Monica looked away and said, "I didn't hear that."

Charlie smiled when he heard his mother's answer. "Mom, I know you're still angry with me because of the bruises on my face. But I'm really fine," he said still with a sweet smile, the curve of his cheek becoming Charlie's characteristic smile.

"I'm just worried about you, Once you came home in a condition like that. You always said it was okay," said Monica, she held her son's hand gently. Then she said again, "Be honest with me, who made you like that."

"I'm fine, mom. This wound was just from hitting the table, believe me," said Charlie.

Monica spun the ball with lazy eyes, what mother doesn't worry if almost every day her son comes home with a face covered in bruises? It's not uncommon for it to be worse than that.

"Looks like I have to go now, I'll miss class if I'm late. I'll go first, Mom. I prepared food this morning, you eat okay. Bye!" Charlie hugged his mother tightly and then ran away because he was almost late.

A few minutes later, Charlie arrived at his campus after taking public transportation. Charlie's campus is a quality elite campus, don't ask why Charlie was able to study at that campus. Of course because of the scholarship he got, because Charlie is not from a rich family. He even had to work part-time, so he could make money for himself and his mother.

"Huh, there's still ten minutes left. I have to get to class," Charlie muttered after running from the gate. His clothes became disheveled, as did his hair. Sweat was also flowing down his forehead, his breathing was irregular.

Charlie stood in front of the elevator hoping the doors would open soon, so he could take class this morning. After the door opened, Charlie wanted to immediately get into the elevator. But his steps stopped when five people who had just gotten out of the elevator held him.

"Where are you going, nerd!" One of them grabbed Charlie's hand roughly.

Charlie chuckled in annoyance because the elevator closed again before he entered, and then he turned to look at the five people in front of him. It turned out to be Dion, Jack, Kevin, Jessica, and Kezia. Five people who always interfered with Charlie's life during college.

"I have class, excuse me," Charlie answered briefly, he could only lower his head. Afraid? You could say that, Charlie had fought them several times. However, they did more cruel things, such as beating him brutally. Poor people like Charlie can't do anything, if he reports it there's no point. It's like if you have money, you have power. And Charlie has neither.

Dion chuckled at Charlie's words, he leaned against the wall, folding his arms. "You can go," he said with a sly smile, then said again, "But if possible, let us pass."

Dion's friends laughed, they all looked at Charlie petulantly.

"Jeez, are you carrying rocks? Your bag is very heavy." This time it was Kevin who spoke up, he grabbed Charlie's bag and then took out all the contents inside.

"No, I beg you!" said Charlie, squatting down and picking up his scattered books and belongings.

"If you don't wear glasses, can you still see?" mocked Jessica while laughing with satisfaction. She suddenly took Charlie's glasses, then just threw them away.

Kezia hit Jessica's shoulder lightly and said, "You think he's blind?"

The five of them laughed louder when they saw Charlie who was silent, Charlie wanted to fight. But he won't be able to, after all, he's lazy when there's a fuss.

Without saying a word, Charlie went back to packing up his things. Then he wanted to take his glasses which were near Jack's feet.

"Arggh... it hurts!" Jack without feeling guilty stepped on Charlie's hand who wanted to take his glasses.

"What? I didn't hear that," said Jack teasingly.

Charlie growled, he pushed Jack's leg with all his might. Until Jack fell and finally let go of his hand. Not wanting to waste the opportunity, Charlie wanted to run away from them all.

"Bastard! Where are you going!" Jack snapped in annoyance.

"Where are you going? Don't rush."

Again Charlie fell because he tripped over Dion's foot, Dion did that on purpose.

"Why do you guys always bother me? What did I do wrong?" Charlie looked at Dion, hoping they would stop disturbing his life.

Dion smiled slyly, then said, "You're just living wrong, especially if a poor person like you dares to study at an elite campus like this, that's the consequence if you enter this campus."

"At least I never relied on my parents' money like you guys," said Charlie softly, he was fed up with all this.

Dion and his friends were emotional when they heard Charlie's words, Dion ordered Jack and Kevin to hold both Charlie's hands.

"Let go! What do you want!" Charlie rebelled and asked to be let go. But it's useless, Dion and his friends will never hear it.

Bugh...

Without further ado, one punch landed on Charlie's face, and Dion hit Charlie repeatedly. Spitting out his emotions without compassion.

"Watch your words, bastard! You don't deserve to talk like that!" Dion continued to hit Charlie mercilessly.

Many other students witnessed this, but they could only stay silent and watch. Because if they interfere, they will also become victims like Charlie. They even tried to report Dion's outrageous actions, but Dion and his friends still got away without any punishment. Because Dion's father is the owner of the campus.

"Oh my God, Charlie!" A woman ran over to Charlie who was being beaten up by Dion. She fearlessly stood in front of Dion, precisely between Dion and Charlie. Which made Dion stop hitting Charlie.