CHAPTER ONE - COLLEGE HUSTLE

Anna Petrovic's alarm blared at 5:30 AM, jolting her awake. She groaned, reaching for her phone to silence the incessant noise. "Another day," she muttered, forcing herself out of bed. The small apartment was quiet as Anna shuffled to the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face, the shock helping to clear the fog of sleep. "Okay, Anna, you've got this," she told her reflection. "Classes, work, study. Just like every other day." She quickly showered and dressed, then made her way to the tiny kitchen. As she waited for her coffee to brew, Anna reviewed her mental checklist for the day. "Assignment for Professor Johnson, check. Extra uniform for work, check. Library books to return, check." The coffee maker beeped, and Anna poured herself a large mug. She savored the first sip, letting the warmth and caffeine work their magic. "Now, time to tackle that assignment," she said, settling at her desk. For the next hour, Anna typed furiously, occasionally pausing to reference her textbooks or notes. As the clock ticked closer to 8 AM, her frustration grew. "Come on, just one more paragraph," she urged herself. Finally, with a triumphant click, she submitted the assignment online. "Done!" she exclaimed, quickly gathering her things. "Now, off to work." Anna arrived at the high-end college restaurant just as her manager, Sarah, was unlocking the doors. "Morning, Anna," Sarah greeted her. "Ready for another day?" Anna nodded, tying her apron. "Always. What's on the agenda today?" "We've got a big lunch reservation at noon. Some alumni group," Sarah explained. "I'll need you to take lead on that one." "No problem," Anna replied confidently. "I'll make sure everything's perfect." The morning passed quickly as Anna and her coworkers prepared for the lunch rush. As noon approached, the alumni group began to arrive. Anna greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome to Ivory Tower. I'm Anna, and I'll be taking care of you today. Can I start you off with some drinks?" Most of the group was pleasant, but one man in an expensive suit seemed determined to find fault with everything. "This water isn't cold enough," he complained. "And where's the lemon?" Anna maintained her composure. "I'm so sorry about that, sir. I'll bring you a fresh glass right away, with lemon on the side." As she turned to leave, she heard him mutter, "Incompetent service." Taking a deep breath, Anna returned with the water. "Here you are, sir. Is there anything else I can get for you?" The man scowled. "This menu is ridiculous. Don't you have any normal food?" Anna patiently explained the restaurant's gourmet offerings, but the man remained unimpressed. "Fine, I'll have the duck," he grumbled. "But it better be cooked perfectly." Throughout the meal, the difficult customer continued to find reasons to complain. Anna remained professional, addressing each issue with grace and efficiency. As the group prepared to leave, the man approached Anna. "I suppose the service wasn't entirely terrible," he grudgingly admitted. Anna smiled. "Thank you, sir. I hope you'll consider dining with us again." After the group left, Sarah pulled Anna aside. "You handled that beautifully," she praised. "Not many could keep their cool with a customer like that." Anna sighed. "It wasn't easy, but I'm glad it's over." As her shift ended, Anna gathered her things and headed to the library. The familiar smell of books and quiet atmosphere instantly soothed her frazzled nerves. "Hi, Anna," whispered Tom, the librarian. "Back again?" Anna nodded. "You know me, always studying. Any good spots open?" Tom pointed to a secluded corner. "Your usual table is free." As Anna settled in to study, she noticed a girl at a nearby table looking frustrated. "Excuse me," the girl whispered. "Do you know anything about organic chemistry?" Anna smiled. "Actually, I do. Need some help?" For the next hour, Anna helped the girl, Emily, work through her chemistry problems. "Thank you so much," Emily said gratefully. "You're a lifesaver." Anna packed up her books. "Happy to help. Good luck with your class!" As she walked back to her apartment, Anna reflected on her day. The difficult customer, the successful study session, the never-ending juggle of work and school. "It's not easy," she murmured to herself, "but it'll be worth it in the end." She thought about her dream of becoming a top chef, of owning her own restaurant someday. The long hours and hard work would pay off, she told herself. Anna reached her apartment building, pausing to look up at the starry sky. "One day at a time," she reminded herself. "You're getting there, Anna. One day at a time."