The semester progressed, and with it, new challenges emerged for the four friends. Their progress was tangible, but their vulnerabilities remained ever-present, ready to resurface at the slightest obstacle. Nevertheless, each was determined not to let themselves down.

Elena, despite her advances in therapy, faced a new challenge during an art exhibition organized by the university. Her works were on display, and she had to give a speech in front of a large audience. The pressure was immense, and her insecurities about her body resurfaced, causing her to avoid mirrors and doubt her ability to present herself in public.

On the day of the exhibition, Elena felt nervous and tense. Still, she remembered the techniques learned in therapy. Elena stood aside, watching the crowd with a lump of anxiety in her stomach. She had worked so hard to get to this moment, but now that the time for the speech was approaching, her old insecurities were resurfacing. She could almost hear the imaginary whispers of people criticizing her appearance rather than her work. "Remember why you're doing this," she whispered to herself, trying to calm the inner storm. Her friends, Maya, Lucas, and Alexandre, were scattered in the crowd, giving her encouraging glances.

Finally, the moment arrived. The director of the art department introduced Elena, speaking about her talent and commitment. Elena took a deep breath and climbed onto the platform, her hands shaking slightly. "Good evening, everyone," she began, her voice wavering a little before stabilizing. "Thank you for coming tonight to see our exhibition."

She looked around the room, her eyes meeting those of her friends. Their silent support gave her the strength to continue. "My works, as you can see, explore the theme of identity and self-perception. For a long time, I struggled with the way I saw myself and how I thought others saw me."

She paused, feeling a wave of panic rise as discreet murmurs ran through the audience. Her negative thoughts tried to overwhelm her: "They're talking about you, not your art. They're judging your appearance."

But Elena refused to give in to this fear. She concentrated on her breathing, recalling the techniques learned in therapy. "What you see here are fragments of this struggle. Each brush stroke is a step towards self-acceptance, each color an attempt to capture the complexity of human emotions."

She approached one of her favorite works, an abstract self-portrait incorporating mirror shards and bright colors. "This painting, for example, represents the deconstruction of body image. By breaking the mirror, I wanted to show that true beauty lies beyond distorted reflections." Elena felt her confidence grow as she spoke about her work with passion and honesty. She shared personal anecdotes, explaining how art had helped her navigate through her own insecurities. The room listened attentively, captivated by her story.

"There is a story behind every painting," she continued. "A story of struggle and healing. For a long time, I was confronted with perceptions of myself that were not aligned with reality. It was like looking at my reflection in a distorted mirror, unable to see the person I really am." She paused, choosing her words carefully to subtly address her illness. "Working on these pieces helped me understand that our perception of ourselves can be influenced by internal and external factors. Sometimes we need to learn to see ourselves through the eyes of those who love and support us, rather than relying on our often too harsh self-judgment."

Her speech was sincere and moving, and although her voice trembled slightly at first, she gained confidence as she spoke. Her friends applauded her with pride, recognizing the immense courage she had displayed in facing her fears.

For Lucas, a verbal altercation with an uncompromising teacher tested his self-control. The teacher, skeptical of Lucas's abilities due to his past, constantly questioned his contributions in the classroom. One day, after a particularly sharp comment, Lucas felt anger rise within him.

Professor Martin, known for his intransigence and skepticism, seemed to scrutinize Lucas closely. Every comment Lucas made in class was meticulously dissected and often dismissed without real justification. That day, the political science class focused on a topic Lucas was passionate about: judicial system reform.

Lucas, having studied the topic intensively, actively participated in the discussion. "I think rehabilitation should be at the heart of our justice system, rather than punishment. Studies show that..."

"And you think you have all the answers, Monsieur Bertrand?" Professor Martin cut him off with a condescending smile. "I find your analysis simplistic and naive."

Lucas felt a wave of heat rise inside him, his fists clenching under the table. "With all due respect, professor, international statistics and examples clearly show that..."

"Ah, the statistics," Martin interrupted, looking up at the ceiling. "A young idealist who believes that numbers can solve problems that are deeply rooted in society."

The room fell silent, all eyes on Lucas, who struggled to control his anger. He recalled the breathing techniques and meditation exercises he had learned. "Don't let your anger control you," he whispered to himself. He took a deep breath, trying to channel his frustration in a constructive way. "Professor, I understand that you have more experience, but I believe it's our duty to explore all possible avenues to improve our system. Ignoring the data and experiences of other countries means depriving ourselves of potentially effective solutions."

Martin raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by Lucas's measured response. "Very well, Monsieur Bertrand. You have expressed your point of view. Let's move on."

But Lucas wasn't ready to give up. "With all due respect, professor, why dismiss an idea immediately without thoroughly examining it? Our role as students is to learn and debate, not to be dictated what we should think."

The tension in the room was palpable. The other students watched the scene, some impressed by Lucas's courage, others fearing an explosion. Professor Martin stared at Lucas, perhaps looking for a flaw in his control. "You are right," Martin admitted reluctantly. "The debate is essential. So let's continue this discussion with solid arguments and not emotions."

Lucas nodded, feeling some of his anger dissipate. He had managed to defend his point of view without losing control, a major personal victory. The discussion resumed, and although the tone remained tense, Lucas felt a certain satisfaction in not succumbing to anger.

After class, several students congratulated him for his courage and perseverance. "Well done, Lucas," said one of his classmates. "It was risky to stand up to Martin, but you did it brilliantly."

Rather than react impulsively, Lucas left the classroom to calm down. He went to a quiet space outside and began practicing the breathing and meditation techniques he had learned in therapy. He thought of his friends and the support they gave him. After a few minutes, he felt calm enough to return to class and respond politely and confidently to the professor's criticism, turning a potentially explosive moment into an opportunity to show his resilience.

Maya, meanwhile, was struggling with exam stress and the temptation to fall back into her video game habits to escape reality. Night was falling at Windham University, and Maya found herself once again in front of her computer screen. Hours had passed without her realizing it, absorbed by a new video game that had captivated her. Her strict schedule to limit her playing time now seemed an insurmountable constraint. The stress of the exams was approaching, and Maya felt overwhelmed, seeking refuge in the virtual world.

Looking at the clock, she realized with horror that she had spent five consecutive hours playing. Guilt and panic began to overtake her. She remembered her discussions with Elena about the need to find a balance, but at that moment she felt lost. Without hesitation, she grabbed her phone and called Elena. "Elena, it's Maya. I really need to talk," she said in a trembling voice.

"Of course, Maya. What's going on?" Elena answered, concerned.

"I... I can't stop playing. I spent five hours in front of the screen and completely lost control. I don't know what to do," Maya admitted, tears in her eyes.

Elena took a deep breath, searching for the right words to help her friend. "Maya, listen to me. It's okay to stumble sometimes. What's important is recognizing the problem, as you're doing now, and looking for solutions."

"But I feel so bad. We had everything planned, and I messed it up," Maya sobbed.

"You haven't ruined anything, Maya. This is just an obstacle, and you can overcome it," Elena said softly but firmly. "Sometimes our plans need to be adjusted. Life is unpredictable, and you have to know how to adapt."

Maya wiped away her tears and listened intently. "So, what should I do?"

"Let's start by reviewing your schedule. Maybe the goals you set for yourself were too strict or unrealistic given your current stress," Elena suggested. "It's important to give yourself moments of relaxation, but in a controlled way. Maybe you could try limiting your playing time to shorter, but more frequent periods, to avoid feeling deprived."

Maya thought about Elena's words. "You're right. Maybe I should review my expectations and be more flexible."

"Exactly. And remember, you're not alone. We're all here to help you," Elena continued. "How about setting small daily goals and celebrating every success, even the small ones?"

"Sounds doable," Maya replied, feeling slightly soothed. "I could also try to find other relaxing activities, like reading or going for a walk, to mix things up a bit."

"Perfect. And don't hesitate to call me or talk to Lucas and Alexandre if you feel overwhelmed. We're a team, after all," Elena added with a smile in her voice.

Maya felt comforted by her friend's words. "Thank you, Elena. You always know what to say."

"No problem, Maya. Remember that every day is a new opportunity to do better. You are strong, and I know you can do it," Elena concluded.

Alexandre, despite his efforts in nutritional therapy and yoga, faced a resurgence of restrictive eating behaviors during a period of intense stress related to his end-of-semester exams. One morning, he realized he had skipped several meals due to anxiety.

Similarly, Elena, Maya, and Lucas noticed disturbing changes in Alexandre. His cheeks had hollowed out, his clothes seemed too large, and he often appeared tired. Despite his attempts to hide the truth, his friends knew he had started skipping meals again. Concerned, they decided to intervene.

One Sunday afternoon, they met in Elena's room to discuss the situation. "Alexandre isn't well," Elena began, her voice trembling with concern. "He's started avoiding meals again. We can't let him destroy himself like this."

"I agree," Lucas added. "We have to do something to help him. He needs us."

Maya nodded. "We could have meals with him. If he sees that we're there, he may feel less alone and more inclined to eat."

"Good idea," Elena said. "And we could also buy him ready-made meals. That way, even if he doesn't feel like cooking, he'll have something easy to eat."

Lucas suggested another solution. "I could set alarms on his phone to remind him to eat. It could help him remember and structure his meals."

The plan was set. They decided to put their ideas into action the next day. In the morning, they went together to the university cafeteria and joined Alexandre at his usual table.

"Hi, Alex!" said Elena cheerfully. "We thought it would be nice to have breakfast together this morning."

Alexandre, surprised but touched, accepted their company. They chatted about everything and nothing, creating a relaxed and warm atmosphere. At the end of the meal, Elena placed a comforting hand on Alexandre's shoulder.

"We were thinking of doing this every day, if that's okay with you," she said softly.

Alexandre, although initially reluctant, nodded. "All right. Thank you, friends."

After class, they stopped at the supermarket and bought various prepared meals. They brought them back to Alexandre's apartment and stored them in his fridge and freezer.

"That way you no longer have an excuse to skip a meal," Lucas joked, trying to lighten the mood.

In the evening, Maya helped Alexandre set alarms on his phone. "One for each meal and one for snacks," she explained. "It will remind you to eat even when you're busy or stressed."

In the following days, their plan began to bear fruit. Alexandre, although still fragile, seemed more receptive to the idea of eating regularly. The presence of his friends at every meal, the ready-to-eat dishes, and the regular alarms helped him maintain a healthier eating routine.

One evening, after dinner, Alexandre sincerely thanked them. "I know it's not easy for you, but it really helps me. I feel less alone in this struggle."

"We're here for you, Alex," Elena replied with a warm smile. "We're going through this together."

Maya added, "You're important to us. We just want you to be healthy and happy."

Lucas, tapping amiably on Alexandre's shoulder, concluded, "We won't let you down, man. We're a team."

The weeks passed, and Alexandre began to regain some weight and vitality. His friends remained vigilant but saw with relief the signs of improvement. This ordeal brought them even closer together, strengthening their friendship and their determination to support each other in difficult times. They knew that the road to recovery was long and fraught with challenges, but with their unwavering support, Alexandre had a chance to get back on his feet and return to a balanced life.