World of Elevators

Chapter 1

Zachary Dixon looked around for glasses on the ground. As a foot stepped hard on the back of his hand, he screamed.

"Take it with your mouth, Z!" Harris yelled.

Harris's best friend, Robby, yanked Zach's pants down to his knees.

"Look! Zachary is showing off his balls!" Robby chuckled.

Zach drew his pants up quickly. His face was as red as a ripe tomato from embarrassment and rage.

Other people were laughing all around him. But Zach, who had lost his glasses, couldn't see how many people were crowding around him.

'Those two people, even though they are big and muscular, are already twenty years old, and they still act like a five-year-old kid,' thought Zach.

Yes, Zach could only mumble inwardly.

How could he say it directly? They would bully him even more if he dared to fight back.

"You guys! Don't go too far!" Ben Lee appeared out of nowhere and placed his hand directly in front of Zach's face. "Come on, Zach, get up."

Zach paused for a moment before taking Ben's hand. "Thank you, Ben."

"Hey, Harris! You should not break Zach's glasses! He'll never be able to buy it again!" Ben exclaimed.

Zach sucked down the insult. Ben seems to want to defend Zach, but he looks down on him.

Zach realizes Ben is only acting nice to him. Because Ben is only interested in receiving praise from others.

Ben's voice was loud enough to draw the attention of those in the parking lot. Zach could hear footsteps leading to his current location in the backyard.

"Zach, here are your glasses. If they bother you again, please call me."

Zach cleaned his glasses with a slightly ripped shirt. After putting on those thick cylindrical glasses, his vision improved.

Ben's back caught Zach's attention first. It's as if Ben is putting up a body to protect Zach from those two bullies.

"You two, apologize to Zach right now!" Ben made the request.

"What for? We're only having fun!"

"Let's go! He's only looking for attention." Harris muttered.

Zach despises Harris a lot. But he agreed to what he said this time.

"Are you okay, Zach?"

When Ben turned around, Zach was surprised to see so many people gathered. He was so humiliated. More and more college students realize he's a pathetic loser.

Lisa is also watching it from the front row! Zach's crush is looking at him with either pity or disgust.

'It's all your fault, Ben! Why do you have to meddle in my affairs?' Zach screamed in his heart.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Zach replied before leaving.

Zach has decided that he wants to completely rid himself of the label of a loser as he begins a new semester at Javara University. He had many friends at first and mingled with the other students. Before Harris and Robby found him.

Zach had no idea Harris and Robby attended the same university. The two of them frequently visit him even though their majors are different.

Just like in high school, the duo always bullied Zach for various ridiculous reasons and sometimes for no apparent reason. If the teachers caught them, they'd just say they were joking with Zach.

Of course, Zach just nodded resignedly. Because he is a loser.

Many of Zach's college friends avoided him after the bullying duo started acting out. Harris and Robby were known as campus thugs, and no one wanted anything to do with them.

Zach became isolated, just like in high school. Lisa is one of them.

Even though Zach felt he had gotten a little closer to Lisa. Zach also frequently assists Lisa with campus assignments. Lisa, on the other hand, refuses to speak with him after discovering his cowardice.

'No, Lisa is not that type of person! If she talks to me, she must be afraid of being bullied by Harris.'

In times of adversity, a hero who defends the weak appears, and his name is Ben Lee. A handsome, wealthy, intelligent young man who is adored by many girls.

And that young man is once again enjoying everyone's admiration.

***

As usual, Zach rushed off to work part-time at a construction site after campus activities ended. He has been doing this work since high school.

Actually, Zach's father, James Dixon, is a wealthy man. But, since Kinanti, Zach's mother, died, James has returned to his country and married a new woman. Leave Zach alone.

James continues to send money once a month. However, the sum is insufficient to cover rent and daily living expenses.

A foot manages to trip Zach up while he is daydreaming about his bad luck.

"Hahaha. Z, you have four eyes, but why can't you see the road?" Robby burst out laughing.

"Bring him here!" Harris yelled.

Zach was dragged into an alley by Robby and three of his friends. Harris had been sitting on an old drum like a king on a throne.

"W-what do you want? Please, not now. I could be late for work." Zach begged on his knees.

"This won't take long, Z. I just want to collect what you owe," Harris explained.

"I've never owed you anything."

Harris jumped from his position. He slapped Zach's face without warning.

Zach's cheekbones ached as if he'd been hit by a hard object. Harris has been boxing every day since high school, which explains this.

"I asked for $500 from you last week. You mentioned you didn't get paid at the time, correct? I know, your wealthy father just sent you monthly pocket money."

'Fuck! 'I just said I didn't have any money, why am I in debt now?'

"But, I don't have any money right now."

James only gave him $1,500 in pocket money. And Zach already spends $500 to cover the monthly room rent. How could he give the rest of his money to them?

"Don't lie! Do you want to get it yourself or can I help you get it?" Harris threatened.

"I really don't have any money, Ris."

Harris ignored Zach's words. He quickly took Zach's backpack.

Zach couldn't stand still any longer and grabbed his bag strap. However, Robby and his friends immediately pulled Zach back.

Harris is free to muck around with the bag's contents. He opened Zach's wallet and took $1,000 right away.

"What exactly is it?" Zach was slapped in the face by Harris.

"Those are for..."

Robby and his friends punched and kicked Zach before he could finish his sentence. Zach huddled on the filthy asphalt, shielding his head and frontal organs. However, the kicks were excruciatingly painful in other limbs.

"You dare to lie to me now!" Harris cursed and kicked Zach as well.

Zach raised his head to catch his breath. His blue eyes met the beautiful eyes of a girl outside the alley.

'Lisa!'

With her slender fingers, the girl covered her mouth.

"Stop!" yelled Lisa.

"Enough," Harris said quietly to his friends.

Zach coughed. He stood exhausted, smoothing his shirt and his almost-off glasses.

This situation made Zach feel even worse about himself. Why does Lisa have to see him like this again?

"You want me to call the cops?" threatened Lisa.

"Zach's girlfriend is furious, guys! Let's get going!" Harris carelessly threw Zach's bag.

Zach was left alone. Harris whistled sarcastically at Lisa.

"Zach's girlfriend, help him stand up," Robby joked.

"Watch what you say!"

"There's no need to be embarrassed, Lis. You're the one who complained to Ben about helping Zach one day, right?"

Zach's eyes widened. Zach was unaware of this!

'Does Lisa genuinely care about me? Lisa is nice!'

"Who would want such a pitiful person?" exclaimed Lisa.

"You two get along." Harris gave a thumbs up.

"I'm just sorry for him! Don't spread disgusting rumors!"

Lisa stomped her foot. Then go with the bullies. Without even looking at Zach.

'Ah, it's just a pity,' thought Zach bitterly.