CHAPTER 4 - Sleep Deprived

"The 7 P's is like a roadmap that will help you plan your business objectives…"

Last subject before lunch break, Clara fumbled in her pocket for the candy she bought on her way to school in the morning. She had two more, but she wouldn't touch them. She'd rather go to the library and sleep than eat what she considered her lunch.

Clara had become accustomed to feeling drowsy because she was always sleep-deprived, but last night was different. She hadn't slept at all due to the incident she experienced before getting home.

Clara had long noticed someone watching her, but she never expected that person to attack her. What happened was truly frightening, but nonetheless, even though she was filled with fear and worry all night, she removed it when morning came for the sake of her siblings.

At five in the morning, Clara's two younger siblings knocked on their door. They were immediately let in by their sister, and Clara quickly saw their smiles.

"Good morning, Ate," Mika and Kael greeted simultaneously. They hugged Clara and eagerly started recounting various things as they headed to their small kitchen.

It was fortunate that they slept at their neighbor's house because Clara knew that her siblings would quickly notice her distress if they had seen each other the night before.

"Okay, class dismissed."

Before Clara could stand up, Annabelle suddenly appeared by her side.

"Let's have lunch together," Annabelle invited.

"Sorry, but I'd rather sleep," Clara replied.

"At the library?"

Clara nodded.

"Okay, can I reserve a seat next to you? I'll go there after I eat."

Clara paused in what she was doing, "Um, is it okay to reserve?"

Annabelle laughed, "No, of course not. It's just a joke. Though sometimes it's okay if they know who's sitting there," she joked, but it wasn't really a joke because she had someone in mind.

Annabelle noticed Clara pondering her words, so she quickly retracted.

"Just kidding, hey. Don't reserve it for me."

After Clara finished getting ready, she and Annabelle walked out together. As they exited the room, they glanced at the gathering students. Clara's eyes widened, and Annabelle, her companion, couldn't help but smile at Clara's innocent reaction to the crowd.

"Annabelle,"

Annabelle's attention was stolen by a voice she didn't expect. In the midst of the gathering students stood Athena, approaching them with Marcus in tow.

"What?" Annabelle asked with a puzzled expression, casting a disdainful look at Athena.

"I just wanted to greet you. I rarely find myself in this area," Athena replied with a smile.

"Ah, okay," Annabelle responded halfheartedly before turning her gaze to Marcus, "I see, your boyfriend is my classmate," she realized before noticing that Athena's attention had shifted elsewhere.

"How are you, Clara?"

From innocent eyes, Clara's gaze turned dull. "I'm okay," she replied before recalling some of the things Athena disliked. Clara looked at Athena carefully. She was smiling, but Clara felt that Athena knew she was lying, "I just didn't get to sleep last night," Clara immediately confessed.

Athena blinked her eyes. She wanted to say something, but with many people around, she wasn't sure if it was okay for Clara if others heard it, especially since the topic was sensitive. So, she changed the subject.

"Where are you having lunch? Join us," Athena invited.

"Sorry, but I prefer to sleep."

Annabelle wondered what Athena and Clara were talking about, but she couldn't help but giggle when she heard the same response Clara gave earlier.

"I see..."

Before anyone could speak again, Clara turned and walked away. She began to walk, with the three of them watching her from behind.

"She's weird," Marcus remarked, "Anyway, why are you asking her if she's okay? Did something happen aside from being the reason you were late?"

"You were too drunk to notice that she was in the car with us last night. Yes, a pervert tried to harass her."

Both Marcus and Annabelle were surprised by Athena's revelation. Annabelle had planned to follow Clara to ask her, but Athena intercepted her. Annabelle knew Athena well. She understood that Athena's simple invitation to lunch was equivalent to preventing her from doing what she had planned.

"I prefer to eat alone."

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Lunch break. Noisy and chaotic in the cafeteria. Despite that, Athena remains poised as if she is in a fine dining restaurant. She sits neatly, adept at using utensils, and eats with grace. Her composure is disrupted only when she notices Karina staring directly at her neighbor.

Athena looks at Marcus, "Is there a problem?" she wonders.

Suddenly, Marcus's cheeks turn red, "Nothing, but I'm just so happy right now. I didn't expect you to pick me up earlier for lunch."

Athena gazes briefly at Marcus before returning her attention to her food. Meanwhile, Karina and Paolo, their table companions, are grinning from ear to ear. Noel, on the other hand, remains unfazed as he watches Athena.

"Oh, is that so? Well, I am your girlfriend. From now on, I'll try to eat lunch together with you if time permits," Athena says as she removes the green peas that got mixed with the spoonful she's about to eat.

"Really?" In joy upon hearing this, Marcus can't help but kiss Athena on the cheek. Many people see them, but the two pay no mind. Marcus is happy, and Athena, smiling, returns to her plate, including the carrot slices that fell with the green peas. Athena is about to take a bite when she notices the looks from those around. Puzzled, she is quickly answered by Karina's quip, followed by others.

"No kiss back at all?"

Athena smiles before chuckling. She looks at Marcus before kissing him on the cheek, causing a commotion in the canteen. The canteen staff reprimands the students, but the noise only stops when the sound of a plate crashing on the table rings out. The group, with Athena, turns to the direction of the noise and finds Annabelle at a table with some fine arts students.

Annabelle stood up, "Are you done with your fanservice?" she asked with annoyance while staring at Athena.

The surrounding fell silent; even the utensils didn't touch the plates, the sips deepened, and those who were buying in the canteen stopped counting their change.

The two locked eyes until the silence was shattered when Karina spoke.

"You're such a killjoy, bhe."

"Because you guys are annoying," Annabelle retorted before fixing her eating area. She left her table when Athena suddenly asked.

"Where are you going?"

Annabelle grimaced at Athena's tone. Athena seemed to ask with genuine wonder.

"To the library, to a quiet place out of this outrageousness," she replied through gritted teeth.

While walking to return her dishes, Annabelle felt the stares from her fellow students. She didn't mind them because she didn't care, but there was one look that felt particularly weighty. Before she completely left the canteen, she passed by Athena's table.

"You really can't resist me," Athena said with a smile.

"What?!" Annabelle responded with irritation. She regretted not continuing to leave.

"Did Clara sleep there?"

"Yes, so don't go there."

Athena looked at Annabelle for a moment before responding.

"Ah, I see. Okay," she said with a smile.

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After lunch, Annabelle headed to the library. She went straight to her favorite spot and quickly found Clara. Clara was sitting in her favorite chair, peacefully asleep. The place was dimly lit, but because of Clara, it suddenly brightened.

Clara seemed like an angel sent to Central University to inspire the students to go to the library and study diligently. It was a miracle that the library was full, and it was surprising that she found no one else sleeping there except for the angelic figure that was Clara.

"Wow, no one should really underestimate the power of beauty," Annabelle commented before taking a seat in a chair where a notebook was placed, labeled with Annabelle Jimenez. She chuckled when she saw it, but irritation quickly set in when she realized the implication.

The library was quiet. It was cool with the air conditioning set to 16°C. The sound of turning pages filled the air, creating a peaceful ambiance. Annabelle initially planned to take a nap, but Athena's words from before lunch lingered in her mind.

Annabelle wasn't one to pry into others' conversations, but it seemed like everyone around her had made the famous freshman their topic of discussion. Even her former classmates and close friends from fine arts seemed to have more questions about Clara than about Annabelle's current feelings as an ex-fine arts student.

From what Annabelle gathered, Clara was an orphan, with two younger siblings. She came from SES and was a full scholar at CU. After classes, Clara would head to the Central Library and later go to a café where she worked.

Clara mentioned that her job was the reason she was always tired, but now Annabelle was worried that it might also become a cause of harm.

"You don't own your favorite spot anymore," Annabelle was startled when she suddenly heard a familiar voice. When she turned around, there was Athena, smiling.

"What the fuck."

"Did I surprise you?" Athena giggled before taking a seat in the chair in front of the sleeping Clara. There were others in the area, but they quickly left when they realized Athena needed the space.

"Isn't it obvious?" Annabelle replied, her gaze following Athena as she thanked the person who vacated the seat. But that wasn't enough to keep Annabelle from feeling irritated. She glanced at the notebook with her name on it, and a sudden annoyance overcame her.

"We're not alike," Annabelle muttered in irritation.

"Pardon?" Athena reacted with confusion, not having heard Annabelle's comment.

"Didn't I tell you not to come here?" Annabelle's response was soft but her frustration was evident in her tone.

"Yes, don't worry, I'm the only one here. It just so happens that I need a place to read," Athena explained, emphasizing the printouts she was holding. As Athena read, Annabelle sat with a scowl, staring at her. Annabelle couldn't help but feel unlucky as she encountered Athena, someone she despised, several times within half a day.

Like Karina, Athena was Annabelle's childhood friend. In fact, they were classmates since grade school and part of the same circle of friends. However, due to an incident in high school, Annabelle left the group.

"Annabelle?"

Annabelle was jolted by a drowsy voice.

"Is it time already?"

Annabelle glanced at her watch and shook her head. Clara nodded before returning to sleep. Suppressing her laughter, Annabelle grinned, but her attention was drawn back when she heard the stifled reaction from Athena.

"Shhh!" scolded the library assistant, glaring at them. Athena promptly apologized for the disturbance.

"Sorry," Athena said, biting her lower lip. Her eyes sparkled with laughter, and she struggled to stifle it.

After a while, the bell rang. Annabelle was about to wake Clara, but she spontaneously opened her eyes, stood up like a robot, and left. It seemed Clara had forgotten that Annabelle was there with her.

Amused and surprised, Annabelle followed her gaze at Clara but was distracted when she heard Athena's laughter again.

"She's funny," Athena remarked.

Annabelle remained silent. She left and followed her new acquaintance.

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Class started, and Annabelle didn't get a chance to ask Clara about the incident Athena mentioned. Throughout the day, even though they weren't classmates due to minors, Clara remained the focus of Annabelle's attention. Annabelle wasn't one to meddle in others' lives, but she quickly developed a soft spot for Clara, the reason for which she initially couldn't point out.

Annabelle admitted being captivated by Clara's beauty, but what drew her in even more was Clara's innocence. Adding to that was the realization that Clara had a challenging life story, prompting Annabelle to feel a deep sense of sympathy. Now that she knew someone was attempting something sinister against her newfound friend, she felt the urge to protect Clara.

"How can you relate this minor subject to your course?"

The professor called for someone to answer. The female professor noticed Clara first due to her inherent beauty. Although she admired Clara, it wasn't a reason for her to let the girl sleep through her class.

"You, please stand up," the Psychology professor pointed at Clara. Annabelle thought Clara might not respond immediately due to the sleepiness evident in her eyes, but she was surprised when Clara answered.

"While psychology may be considered a minor subject, studying and mastering it can significantly benefit every field in achieving their objectives. As a marketing student with the goal of fostering business growth, it is essential to comprehend our target audience. We need to understand their psychology. The trends of how, why, and when they decide to purchase a product. Understanding the target base behavior will help every field, like ours in marketing, to better decide about what to do next."

After Clara's response, there were no more recitations, and the class continued with the discussion. The whole block was immediately impressed with Clara. Even Annabelle, who sat in on her friend's last class, witnessed why she was a full scholar at their school. The subject ended with Clara being the talk of the students.

"Where are you headed?" Annabelle asked as they walked along the East Hallway.

"To the Central Library."

"What are you going to do there?"

"Typing job."

Annabelle's lips curved into a smile. She walked alongside Clara and continued to converse with her.

"You were amazing earlier."

"Thanks."

"Good thing I sat in. I knew that old woman would call you,"

"Old woman? You're rude," Clara retorted, causing Annabelle to burst into laughter.

Clara smiled briefly at Annabelle's reaction. It was the first time Annabelle saw her like that. Clara usually had a poker face or looked sleepy since they met.

"You probably really love Psychology to sit in on a class like that," Clara said with a smile.

"Huh? Hell no. I'm done caring about human behavior."

"Then why did you attend?"

"I don't want this day to end without confirming what Athena told me. She said that a pervert tried to harass you last night?"

Upon hearing that question, Clara stopped walking. "Hmm, pervert? Ah, stalker, I think," she clarified, her eyes glinting mischievously.

Annabelle couldn't believe Clara's nonchalant reaction. "It's the same thing."

Clara looked at her for a moment before speaking, "Ahhh."

Due to Clara's reaction, Annabelle just sighed and blew out a breath.

"Has it been going on for long?"

"Two weeks ago, I noticed someone following me."

"Two weeks ago? Did you recognize him? You should be careful. You shouldn't stay out late."

"I have work," Clara replied.

Annabelle wanted to say something more, but she didn't. Clara knew that her classmate was concerned, and she appreciated it, so she didn't want her to worry more.

"I was just late last night because there were many customers. My shift really ends at 8 in the evening. It just happened."

Annabelle frowned.

"You weren't just late; he deliberately looked for an opportunity."

Clara stared at Annabelle before lowering her gaze.

"I will not give him a chance now, so don't worry," Clara reassured her.

Annabelle just sighed.

As they walked, Annabelle noticed Clara's contemplative expression. Clara was looking into the distance, lost in thought. Annabelle paid attention to her, and she also saw how Clara suddenly stopped and snapped back to reality before speaking.

"Miss Athena is kind..."

Annabelle was surprised, and a smirk played on her lips as Clara continued.

"But also, scary."

"Why do you say so?"

"She is just giving me that vibe. Though I'm really glad because she was there last night."

"Giving you that vibe?" Annabelle laughed. "Maybe because she really is not what you think she is?"

"Really?" Clara innocently asked before placing her right hand under her chin.

"Do you know each other?"

"She's famous here at school," was Annabelle's brief response.

Despite Annabelle's concern for her classmate, she couldn't be with her all the time. Clara had her reasons for working, and Annabelle knew she couldn't say the things she wanted to say earlier. They were in different life situations, and Annabelle was aware that what she wished to do might not be applicable to Clara. Before they parted ways, Clara assured her that she would be careful, and Annabelle had no choice but to trust her.

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