The Hidden Legacy; I Will Rise Through Every Pain

Poor Background

It was seven o'clock in the morning, and Wilson Bridge College, one of the most prestigious universities in Lantana City, was bustling with a large influx of students heading to their various classes.

Among the crowd stood Andrew Everest, a twenty-one-year-old college student with silver hair. He wore his eyeglasses and carried his bags, weighed down by the heavy books he lugged around every day. He was an orphan who had to fend for himself entirely.

Having lost his mother just a year ago, Andrew was rejected by his family members, leaving him with no one to take care of him. Furthermore, all the properties left by his late father had been taken by his uncles, leaving him with nothing. The hardship of trying to support Andrew as a single parent had taken a toll on his mother's health, and due to a lack of money, she passed away in the hospital.

Andrew always regretted his perceived incompetence in raising enough money to take care of his mother.

As he made his way towards the lecture hall, Andrew walked through the hallway. There, he caught sight of a girl with flowing red hair, gently swaying with the cool breeze coming from a nearby window. She wore a tied t-shirt that revealed her belly button and a skirt that accentuated her figure. Standing with her group of friends, she held her handbag in her right hand.

As Andrew passed by, he glanced at Hannah, an eighteen-year-old girl chatting with her friends in the corner. He couldn't resist stealing a quick look at the school's belle, and to his surprise, she turned her gaze in his direction as well. Andrew smiled and lowered his head, hoping she would meet his eyes. Much to his delight, she reciprocated with a smile and even blushed.

It felt like a dream to Andrew. He never anticipated that Hannah would respond to his gesture. "Did she just smile at me?" he chuckled to himself, unable to contain his excitement.

Andrew had been crushing on Hannah since their high school days, but he had never mustered the courage to ask her out.

Despite the fact that she was a Tesla; one of the top eight richest families in Lantana City, Hannah Tesla was never one to flaunt her wealth. Instead, she treated everyone she encountered with respect.

This single act had a profound effect on Andrew, melting his heart and filling it with joy. As he walked past her, he couldn't resist turning his head to steal one more glance. To his surprise, she met his gaze, still smiling.

Andrew's immense joy couldn't be contained as he continued walking. Suddenly, he collided with the towering figure of Stanley Maxwell. Looking up, Andrew's fear intensified as he recognized Stanley's face.

"Why were you looking at my girl?" Stanley's deep voice resonated as he stared down at Andrew, who was noticeably shorter than him.

Despite knowing that Hannah didn't currently have a boyfriend, Stanley had always claimed her as his girlfriend, even though she had rejected his advances countless times. Stanley, known for his wealth and arrogant behavior, used his money to attract attention from women on campus. Andrew, though poor, refused to succumb to bullying. He mustered a smile and faced Stanley head-on.

"Your girl? Since when did Hannah become yours? I'm well aware of her rejections. Why do men stoop so low, trying to force love upon someone who doesn't want it?" Andrew boldly expressed his thoughts. Unbeknownst to him, Hannah and her friend overheard the conversation.

Hannah smiled inwardly, touched by Andrew's defense of her. Meanwhile, the crowd of students murmured disapprovingly.

"Isn't that the penniless freeloader? Who does he think he is, talking to Stanley like that?"

"How can a nobody dare to challenge a a top rated yongster? That freeloader is asking for trouble."

Various voices in the crowd sided with Stanley, criticizing Andrew's audacity.

Stanley, infuriated by Andrew's defiance, seethed with anger. No one had ever stood up to him before, let alone insulted him openly, especially in front of Hannah.

"Who do you think you're insulting, you trash!" Stanley grabbed Andrew's collar, lifting him off the ground. With a stern expression, Stanley attempted to assert his dominance.

"Go ahead, just like you always do, preying on the weak. But if you expect me to cry out or apologize, you must be joking," Andrew fueled his previous statement, disregarding his vulnerable position and Stanley's power due to his privileged background.

Witnessing the commotion caused by her name, Hannah rushed over to where Stanley held Andrew and tried to reason with him.

"Stanley, let him go! He's speaking the truth. Why are you being a bully? Just because he's not as strong as Q doesn't give you the right to prey on the weak," Hannah shouted, pleading with Stanley while he maintained his grip on Andrew's collar.

Andrew felt a mixture of happiness and anger seeing Hannah standing up for him. Her words, however, stung him, as they echoed in his mind: "weak." Despite Hannah's attempts to persuade Stanley, it only fueled his anger,

"Why are you supporting this trash?" Stanley's anger escalated, and he slapped Andrew, his hand connecting with Andrew's cheek. The resounding slap sent shockwaves through the crowd, and Andrew held his bruised cheek, feeling the impact of Stanley's blow.

"Why did you do that?" Hannah shouted at Stanley, tears streaming down her face. She moved closer to him, trying to intervene and stop the violence.

"Oh, you don't want me to stop? Well, rest assured, I won't," Stanley sneered, dismissing Hannah's pleas. He flung her aside and directed another punch at Andrew's stomach, causing him to cough up blood.

The crowd whispered in disbelief, shocked by the unfolding brutality.

Hannah cried as she clung to Stanley's hands, desperately trying to halt his actions. However, Stanley forcefully pushed her away and delivered another punch to Andrew's stomach. Andrew arched his back in agony, feeling excruciating pain and spitting out blood.

"Why am I so weak?" Andrew thought, overwhelmed by the pain. He watched Hannah, who had stood up for him, lying on the ground, crying because of him.