I Have Nothing, But I Found Another World

Chapter 2

As I got closer to my classroom, I started noticing something strange.

People were looking at me.

Some whispered to each other.

Others looked at me, then laughed.

I tried to ignore them.

Maybe I was just being paranoid.

I kept walking.

I was almost at the classroom door when someone called my name.

"Hey, Grey!"

I stopped.

I already knew that voice.

I turned around.

Billy was standing there with Samantha holding his arm.

He had that same annoying smirk on his face.

"How's work?" he asked.

He laughed.

"I heard you got fired."

I said nothing.

Billy continued.

"Apparently, you got fired because you stole from the restaurant."

My eyes widened.

"What are you talking about?"

He shrugged.

"You know the reason you got fired."

"You damn liar."

My voice became louder.

"Don't make up stories about me!"

A few students nearby started looking at us.

Some of them moved closer.

Of course.

People loved drama.

Billy smiled.

"I'm not making anything up."

"You know exactly why I lost my job."

"Yeah," he said. "Because you stole from the restaurant."

My hands tightened.

"You're lying."

Billy laughed.

Samantha finally spoke.

"I was there."

I looked at her.

She looked at me without any hesitation.

"I saw what happened," she said. "You were fired because of what you did."

My chest tightened.

"Sam, you know that's not true."

She shrugged.

"Why would I lie?"

I couldn't believe her.

She was the one person who knew me well enough to know I would never steal.

Yet she was standing there, helping Billy destroy my name.

Whispers started spreading around us.

"Did Grey really steal?"

"I heard he got caught."

"He's a scholar, right?"

"That's embarrassing."

"Maybe that's why he was fired."

I looked around.

People were staring at me like I was some kind of criminal.

Billy seemed to enjoy every second of it.

"See?" he said. "Everyone already knows."

"You planned this."

I pointed at him.

"You knew your uncle was going to fire me."

Billy's smile grew wider.

"Prove it."

Before I could answer, I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"You damn jerk!"

Jericho pushed through the crowd.

Lyjohn was right behind him.

Jericho walked straight toward Billy.

"Don't make up stories about Grey! Your uncle is the manager. That's why Grey lost his job!"

Billy's expression changed.

"Don't involve yourself in this."

Jericho stepped closer.

"Why not? You're the one making things up."

Lyjohn crossed his arms.

"You two really have no shame."

He looked at Billy and Samantha.

"You cheated on Grey, and now you're spreading lies about him?"

A few students started whispering again.

Lyjohn continued.

"At least have some shame. You can't even hide your cheating, and now you're acting like you're proud of it."

Samantha's face turned red.

"Don't you dare talk about me like that!"

"Why? It's true."

Billy stepped forward.

"Stay out of this."

"And what? Let you ruin Grey's reputation?"

The two started arguing.

Their voices became louder.

"Enough!"

I stepped between them.

"Jericho. Lyjohn. Stop."

"But Grey—"

"Just stop."

I didn't want this to get worse.

I was already being accused of stealing.

The last thing I needed was to get into a fight on campus.

Then suddenly—

"What is going on here?"

Everyone became quiet.

I looked toward the hallway.

Professor Gab was walking toward us.

His expression was already angry.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded.

No one answered.

He looked at me first.

Then Jericho.

Then Lyjohn.

"Why are you fighting?"

"Professor, we're not—" Jericho started.

"Enough."

Professor Gab raised his hand.

"I don't want to hear excuses."

"But Professor," Lyjohn said, "Billy was accusing Grey of stealing and—"

"I said enough!"

His eyes landed on me.

"Grey."

I froze.

"You're a scholar, aren't you?"

"Yes, Professor."

"And you're involved in this kind of trouble?"

"Professor, I didn't start—"

"I don't care who started it."

His voice became colder.

"You should know better."

Jericho tried to explain again.

"Professor, Grey didn't do anything. Billy was the one—"

"That's enough."

Professor Gab cut him off.

"You two, go inside."

"But Professor—"

"Go."

Jericho looked frustrated, but I shook my head.

"It's okay."

Lyjohn looked at me.

"But—"

"Just go."

They reluctantly walked toward the classroom.

Professor Gab looked at me again.

"You're lucky you're a scholar, Grey. Don't throw away your opportunity because of unnecessary trouble."

I bit my tongue.

I wanted to explain.

I wanted to tell him the truth.

But I already knew he wasn't going to listen.

Professor Gab turned toward the classroom.

"Everyone, get inside. Class is about to start."

As I walked past Billy, I saw him smirk.

I clenched my fists.

I wanted to confront him.

But I didn't.

I walked into the classroom.

-----

The class was finally over.

I packed my things and was about to leave when Professor Gab called me.

"Grey. Stay."

I stopped and looked at Jericho and Lyjohn.

"You two go ahead. I'll catch up."

They nodded and left.

Once the classroom was empty, Professor Gab closed the door.

He looked at me with an empty expression.

"So, Grey. What happened this morning?"

"Professor, Billy was accusing me of something I didn't do. Jericho and Lyjohn only defended me."

Professor Gab sighed.

"I heard enough."

"Then you know I didn't start it."

"I didn't ask who started it."

I frowned.

He continued in an insulating voice.

"What I see is a scholar causing a scene in front of other students."

"But Professor—"

"Don't interrupt me."

I immediately stopped.

He leaned back in his chair.

"You're a scholar, Grey. Your tuition is being paid by the university. You should be more careful about your behavior."

I clenched my jaw.

"I understand, Professor. But I don't think it's fair that I'm being blamed for something I didn't do."

"Fair?"

He gave a small, almost mocking smile.

"Life isn't always fair."

I stared at him.

He continued.

"You're already in your final year. You should be mature enough to avoid people who cause trouble."

"I was trying to avoid them."

"Then you should have walked away."

"I tried."

His expression hardened.

"Are you arguing with me?"

"No, Professor."

"Good."

He picked up a pen from his desk.

"I'll make this simple. I don't want to see your name involved in another incident."

I nodded.

"Yes, Professor."

"Because if it happens again, I can recommend that your scholarship be reviewed."

My eyes widened.

"Professor, my grades are good. I've never had a disciplinary problem before."

"Grades aren't everything."

"But—"

"I make the recommendations."

His voice remained calm, but there was something threatening behind it.

"Don't forget that."

I stayed silent.

He looked at me for a moment before adding,

"You have a good opportunity here. Don't throw it away because you can't control yourself."

I knew what he was doing.

He wasn't warning me.

He was threatening me.

And he knew exactly where to hit me.

My scholarship.

The one thing that allowed me to stay in college.

"Understood, Professor."

"Good."

He waved his hand dismissively.

"You're free to go."

I picked up my bag and walked toward the door.

Before I could leave, he called me again.

"And Grey?"

I turned around.

"Stay away from Billy."

I stared at him.

"Yes, Professor."

I walked out without saying anything else.

The moment I stepped into the hallway, I let out a long breath.

Professor Gab always acted like he was a strict and disciplined professor.

But everyone knew how different he treated students who came from wealthy families.

Especially Billy.

If you had money, connections, or an influential family, Professor Gab suddenly became very understanding.

If you didn't?

You had better be perfect.

And even then, he could still find a reason to blame you.

I shook my head.

I couldn't afford to waste any more time thinking about him.

I had another class.

And after that, another shift.

I started walking down the hallway.

Then I saw Professor Jessica coming toward me.

She smiled.

"Grey."

"Good afternoon, Professor."

She looked at me carefully.

"Everything okay?"

I forced a smile.

"Yeah. Just tired."

She didn't seem convinced.

But she didn't push.

"Take care of yourself, Grey."

"I will."

She smiled.

"You're almost there. Don't let anyone distract you."

I nodded.

"Thank you, Professor."

I continued walking.