Chapter 356: Working Solo

The atmosphere in the technology classroom was tense from the very start. Julia, visibly irritated, walked toward the desk where Ana Lucía had already begun organizing the materials they needed to continue their educational app project. Her steps echoed on the floor as she moved, leaving behind an aura of defiance and anger.

—Look, Ana Lucía —Julia said in a sharp tone, crossing her arms and fixing her eyes on hers—. Don’t expect me to work on this. You do it alone, I’m not lifting a finger.

Ana Lucía looked at her calmly, refusing to be intimidated by Julia’s hostile attitude. She had learned to keep her composure in the face of provocation, knowing any impulsive reaction could make everything worse. She breathed deeply and smiled slightly, adopting a calm but firm tone.

—Alright, no problem —Ana Lucía replied, making a small gesture with her hand as if to reassure her—. I’ll do everything.

Julia raised an eyebrow, surprised by Ana Lucía’s answer. She expected her to get upset, to protest, or to confront her, but instead Ana Lucía simply accepted what she said and began reorganizing the materials already on the desk, laying out notebooks, diagrams, and laptops efficiently.

Despite the tension, Ana Lucía focused on the project, reviewing every detail and making sure everything was in order. She knew working alone wasn’t ideal, but she also understood that if she wanted the project to turn out well, she had to stay focused and not let Julia’s attitude get to her.

As Ana Lucía started developing the theoretical section of the project, Julia sat to the side, fiddling with her pen and shooting disapproving looks her way. Still, she didn’t lift a finger to help, limiting herself to watching. Julia’s distant attitude was a constant challenge, but Ana Lucía felt stronger noticing she could move forward without depending on her.

—I guess I’ll just have to trust your skills then —Julia muttered, more to herself than to Ana Lucía, with a hint of resentment—. I can’t believe I’m letting her do everything while I just sit here.

Ignoring the comments, Ana Lucía continued writing and outlining the structure of the project. Every step she took was full of determination. She knew if she stayed calm and organized, she could overcome whatever obstacle Julia put in her way.

As minutes passed, the initial tension turned into a heavy silence. Ana Lucía worked with absolute concentration, while Julia watched her, trying to find any weakness, any sign that the calm façade might crack. But Ana Lucía stayed strong, showing a composure and maturity that even surprised Julia.

At one point, Julia let out a frustrated sigh and looked away, staring at the ceiling as if searching for inspiration that clearly wouldn’t come. Ana Lucía used the moment to move faster, writing precise notes and organizing data in a clear and concise manner.

Professor Yaneth, who was walking around checking on student progress, approached their desk. She looked at Ana Lucía’s work and raised an eyebrow, impressed by the organization and clarity.

—I see you’ve made a lot of progress —the professor commented in a neutral but approving tone—. Even though your partner isn’t collaborating, it seems you’re handling the situation very responsibly.

Ana Lucía nodded modestly without losing focus. —Thank you, professor. I’m trying to make sure the project turns out well despite the difficulties.

Julia, feeling her cheeks heat with embarrassment as she saw Ana Lucía get recognized, crossed her arms and turned away. She couldn’t admit that Ana Lucía was handling things better than she was, and that irritated her deeply.

Time continued passing, and Ana Lucía kept working with precision and efficiency. She reviewed formulas, diagrams, and the app structure, making sure every detail was perfect. Julia’s attitude, instead of discouraging her, seemed to motivate her even more to prove she could do everything on her own.

—Well… —Julia muttered eventually, her tone a mix of annoyance and resignation—. I guess you’ll do a good job, but don’t expect me to thank you afterward.

Ana Lucía smiled softly and replied calmly: —I don’t need you to thank me. I just want the project to turn out well.

That simple, direct response resonated in the classroom. Some classmates glanced over, noticing her calmness and determination in contrast to Julia’s hostility. It was clear she wouldn’t let anyone intimidate her or disrupt her composure.

As the hours passed, Ana Lucía kept advancing on the project. Julia stayed beside her, doing nothing, but at least not interfering, which gave her space to focus completely. Ana Lucía organized charts, drafted the theoretical explanation, and checked every section of the app to ensure it worked.

At the end of the day, when Professor Yaneth announced it was time to submit their progress, Ana Lucía felt satisfied. Julia stayed quiet, arms crossed, clearly frustrated for not contributing at all, but at least she didn’t create more conflict.

—Very well, Ana Lucía —the professor said as she reviewed her notes—. Excellent work. I hope you continue like this and finish the project flawlessly.

Ana Lucía nodded modestly, gathering her things to leave the classroom. She knew she had proved she could face difficulties without depending on anyone, even when the situation felt impossible.

Julia followed her in silence, thoughtful and frustrated. She had tried to distance herself, but she couldn’t deny Ana Lucía had handled everything with a maturity that left her without arguments. For the first time, Julia started questioning whether her hostility had any real effect on her.

As they walked out, Ethan watched from a distance. His gaze held pride and admiration for Ana Lucía. He knew she had kept calm and control, and that only strengthened his trust in her.

That day, even though Julia tried to impose her attitude and avoid contributing, the project moved forward more than expected. Ana Lucía proved she could overcome obstacles, face difficult people, and stay firm in her decisions.

—Good job today —Ethan murmured when they met outside the classroom—. I saw how you handled the situation with Julia. Not everyone could do that so well.

Ana Lucía smiled softly, grateful for his support. —Thanks… it wasn’t easy, but it had to be done.

Walking together down the hallway, Ana Lucía felt a mix of relief and satisfaction. Despite Julia’s hostility, she managed to move forward, stay calm, and show she could handle anything with maturity and determination. She knew there was still work to do, but that day she gained confidence in herself and made it clear she wouldn’t let anyone intimidate her.