Anastasia

CHAPTER 4 : The University President's Son

Anastasia's POV

My eyes instantly opened when my alarm clock rang. I get off my bed and cook my breakfast. It's 5 AM already but I want to do some exercise today. Last night I arrived at 12:30. That's why I adjusted my alarm time from 4 to 5, since I think 4 hours of sleep is not enough to have a good rest. I don't want to get sick, that'll complicate things.

It's already 6:30 when I finished all of the chores and prepared everything for school.

I wonder what will happen today.

***

When I opened the door of our classroom, everyone was busy. I saw Aly looking at me. She smiled. So, I smiled back at her.

"Good Morning Class!"Ms.Moore greeted us the moment she entered the room.

"Good Morning Ms.Moore!" We greeted them back.

"Alright, I have a very special announcement to make!"She exclaimed.

She got everyone's attention and they were curious to know what it was. So do I.

"So we will be having a Hackaton Contest tomorrow. Every computer-related course, including the Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Information Technology department is required to join the competition. This is for preparation for the upcoming National Hackaton competition that will be held in Cebu next month. Our university is rooting for every one of you and looking for someone capable enough to represent our school. Someone who is knowledgeable and skilled in programming and we will find out tomorrow. This is your chance to showcase your abilities and be honored to represent our school at the nationals. I am expecting everyone's full participation from this section. That's all for today. I won't have any discussion today. Use my time to prepare for the competition tomorrow. You can check in the library and look for the book that you think will be useful for the competition. Thank you."Ms.Moore explained the details before she left.

Feeling the tension inside our room. Everyone is excited about the competition tomorrow. Me? I don't feel any excitement at all. Way back when I was in Senior High School, I took the strand of ICT so that I could prepare myself for college, especially for this course. I used to compete in different programming competitions in SHS, had a piece of advanced knowledge in different computer languages, and made it to the national. Even though I always bring home the bacon.No, no one cares about that, only the teachers and faculty staff, since I represent the name of the school. But despite those achievements, no one inside the room noticed it.No one dared to be my friend, as if I didn't exist, literally.

I smiled bitterly just remembering it.

"Anastasia?" Alyssa was looking at me with a questioning look.

"Sorry? Are you saying something?"I asked.

I was too occupied with my thoughts a while ago. That's why I didn't notice her talking to me.

"I am asking you if we could go to the library so that we could read some books on programming."She replied, surely ignoring my acts of spacing out earlier.

I nodded and smiled a bit.

"I don't want to join the competition since I didn't even have any advanced studies during the vacation. But since it's required, I don't have any choice. My strand in SHS is not even aligned to my course, that's why I don't know too much. All I know is this course is computer-related, and I might have greater job opportunities in the future."She suddenly uttered.

"Do you have any courses in mind?"I asked her.

"Yes, I do. I want to go on tourism, I want to be a flight attendant or be on a cruise ship," She replied. Seeing the glints of sadness in her eyes, made me feel sad about her.

"How come you ended up here?"I asked, trying to lighten up the mood. She could still shift to the course she wanted after the first semester had just started.

Choosing the right course is as hard as it is since we are talking about our future. It's really hard to decide. It's really risky if you choose a course that your heart doesn't desire and wasn't in your interest in the first place.

It took her a few seconds before she answered my question.

"Long story."She replied.

That's the sign. Maybe I am not in the right place to ask more. The reason might be private or she's not ready to share it with me for now.

When we reached the library, we went to the computer books section and looked for an advanced book on programming, since I already knew the basics of different computer languages.

Alyssa took a book that talked about the fundamentals of programming. Of course, as a starter, we should start at the very beginning. That's where I started too.

We sat on the bench outside the library. It's a good thing that we are allowed to bring books outside when leaving our School I.D.

I was about to read the book when I felt someone's presence nearing and quickly approached me.

"It's good to see you here, Anastasia!"

It's Dylan. His aura is refreshing. He doesn't seem to have any problems with his smiles. Well, who else would have a problem if you had all the money? You can buy everything you want, you can go to the most beautiful places on earth and, most especially, you won't worry about your meal tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

"I might melt with those stares."

His chuckles made me come back to my senses.

I didn't notice that I was staring at him for a couple of seconds, embarrassment filled me.

"Oh sorry."

"What are you reading?"He suddenly asked, glancing at the book in my hands.

"Advanced Programming, "I replied, removing my gaze at him. I'm a bit intimidated by his aura, or maybe I'm envied by his smiles.

"Have you eaten Anastasia?"He asked again. Here we go again with his tons of questions.

"I'm good Dylan, don't mind me."I coldly said. I hope he noticed that I cannot concentrate on what I am reading.

"Sorry, am I disturbing you?"He asked innocently.

"Sort of, "I replied, and I know it's kinda rude, but I don't really like being distracted when I'm reading or studying.

"I see. I'll go now. See you around."He sounded offended and I felt a little guilty about it, but I killed my little conscience inside.

Even though he's my boss' son. We're at university and no special treatment should be done here. We're schoolmates here.

I noticed that Aly was staring at me unbelievably. Oh, I forgot that she's just beside me and didn't even manage to introduce her to Dylan.

"Sorry Aly, that's Dylan," I said apologetically.

"No, it's okay, I mean, I know him."She smiled but there was something off with her.

I sighed.

"But aren't you a bit rude to him? "She asked, frowning now.

Oh, she's probably thinking about what I said earlier.

" I was?"I asked back.

She nodded. Yet I shrugged.

"He's the son of our University President Anastasia."She said, grinning widely this time.

My eyes slowly widened when the information sunk in. What? Seriously? Do they own a university too? Sir Diego never mentioned that he owns this too. I am indeed a fool. I only realized the name of the W.University and W.Hotel, short for Williams. I almost slapped myself with the sudden realization, but I dared not to do it since Aly was in front of me.

"Are you alright?"She asked, still taunting.

I just nodded at her.

"Well then, should we go back to our class? It'll start in a few minutes."She asked and I wanted to thank her for changing the topic.

The time flew so fast, I didn't even focus on what I was reading.

Sighing, maybe I'll study at 4 am tomorrow since I have work later. We decided to bring back the books we borrowed tomorrow since we need to study for the competition.

After class, I fixed my things and was about to leave the room when I saw Dylan. He smiled at me. I walked towards him.

All of the students' attention was on us.

"What do you want?" I asked. I don't know if I sounded rude, but I don't care now, so what if they owned the university too?

"Are you heading to your apartment, Anastasia?"He asked back," I can't believe this guy. Is he dumb or what?

I frowned.

"Yes, "I replied as I turned my back on him, yet I felt his presence behind me.

I can't take the stares from the students anymore.

"I'll take you home," he said.

I faced him this time.

"I can manage Dylan, please stop following me. Aren't you aware of the people who are eyeing us? "I burst out, out of frustration.

He looked everywhere and smiled at me. He shrugged.

"Let's go?"

"You're unbelievable.No. Let's stop this nonsense Dylan, don't make a scene, people are watching at us. Aren't you ashamed of me? "My voice is getting higher, but I want him to realize things. We're completely different.

I saw a hint of disappointment in his eyes but I set it aside. He nodded and smiled at me before he left without saying anything.

I know I have to apologize for what I've said, but it's better this way. Without further ado, I walked as fast as I could out of this university.

I even heard them gossiping about me flirting with the university President's son. I sighed in disbelief. I want a peaceful school year, please.