Maya and Elena were meeting in Elena's room after a busy day of classes. The setting sun cast a golden light through the window, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere in the room. Maya, sitting on Elena's bed, gazed at her friend with admiration. "Elena, I must say you look absolutely gorgeous. Every time I look at you, I think you are perfectly flawless."

Elena smiled shyly, touched by Maya's sincere compliment. "Thank you, Maya. That's very kind of you to say." But Maya noticed the shadow that briefly darkened Elena's eyes. She gently placed her hand on Elena's. "Is everything all right, Elena? You seem... different all of a sudden."

Elena hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath, as if finally deciding to share a heavy burden she had been carrying for a long time. "Maya, you see... it's not that simple for me. I have body dysmorphia. Every time I look in the mirror, all I see are my flaws. I constantly feel ugly and imperfect."

Maya's eyes widened in shock at this revelation. She had never suspected the internal struggles her friend was experiencing. "Oh Elena, I'm so sorry. I didn't know..."

Elena shook her head with a sad little smile. "I've never really told anyone. It's hard to talk about, but I know I can trust you."

Maya gently took Elena's hands in hers. "You are so brave to share this with me, Elena. You're much stronger than you think."

Elena looked down, a silent tear sliding down her cheek. "My mother... She is very critical of my appearance. She has always told me that I am not pretty enough, not thin enough. It's pushing me to the edge, Maya."

Maya felt anger rising within her against the injustice of Elena's situation. "She has no right to make you feel like this, Elena. You are beautiful, just the way you are."

Sitting on the soft carpet of Elena's room, Maya and Elena shared a moment of calm after a busy day. Maya, aware of Elena's personal challenges, felt the need to dig deeper to understand what was weighing on her friend.

"You know, Elena, I don't understand why your mother is so hard on you about your appearance. Is there a particular reason?" Maya asked softly, her eyes expressing both curiosity and concern.

Elena looked down for a moment, gathering her thoughts before answering in a controlled but sad voice. "My mother... she always wanted me to be perfect. For her, it's a matter of family prestige, of what others think of us. She wants everyone to say that she raised her daughter well, that she managed to raise a beautiful and intelligent daughter."

Maya frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and compassion. "But why? Why is it so important to her what other people think?"

Elena sighed, feeling overwhelmed by the years of pressure and unrealistic expectations. "She thinks that this is how I will succeed in life—by being perfect in everyone's eyes. It's as if my personal happiness is not as important as what others think of me."

Maya felt her heart tighten for her friend. "It's really unfair, Elena. You should be loved and appreciated for who you are, not for an image that someone else wants you to project."

Elena nodded slowly, her thoughts drifting back to childhood and adolescence, where every gesture, every word was scrutinized by her mother in search of perfection. "I know, Maya. But it's difficult. I often feel like I'm never good enough."

Maya gently placed her hand on Elena's shoulder, offering silent but comforting support. "You are more than enough, Elena. You are strong, talented, and beautiful in your own unique way. Don't let anyone make you think otherwise."

"Does your father approve of all this?" Maya asked softly, her eyes searching Elena's in the dim glow of the desk lamp.

Elena looked down for a moment, thinking about the best way to answer. She knew that this facet of her relationship with her parents was complex and difficult to explain. "My father... he doesn't say anything. He's just following my mom."

Maya frowned, unable to hide her surprise. "He doesn't say anything at all? But why doesn't he oppose your mother, especially if she pushes you so much?"

Elena sighed softly, feeling the weight of her words. "My father is a very quiet person, very reserved. He often avoids conflicts, even at home. He doesn't want to stand up to my mother, so he follows her decisions, even if that includes what she thinks of me."

Maya shook her head, bewildered by this revelation. "This is so unfair to you, Elena. You deserve the support of both your parents, not just your mother's."

Elena smiled weakly, grateful for Maya's indignation on her behalf. "I know it's hard to understand. But it's been like this since I was little. I've learned to deal with it, even if it's not easy."

Maya gently took Elena's hands in hers. "You don't have to accept this, Elena. You deserve to be loved and supported for who you really are."

Elena smiled weakly, appreciating Maya's sincere support. "Thank you, Maya. I don't know what I would do without you."

The two friends remained seated together, absorbed by the emotional weight of this profound conversation. Maya continued to gently squeeze Elena's hands, offering her silent but solid support.

Finally, Elena looked up at Maya with gratitude. "I am so grateful to have you as a friend, Maya. You are really special to me."

Maya smiled tenderly. "And so are you, Elena. You're special to me too."

Their friendship, strengthened by this honest and vulnerable conversation, seemed to shine even brighter in the soft evening light that bathed the room. For Elena, it was a first step toward self-acceptance and a relief to finally be able to share her inner struggles with someone who truly understood her.

Elena nodded slowly, feeling the tears of frustration rising again. "Thank you, Maya. It feels good to talk about it with someone who understands."

The two friends remained seated together, absorbed by the heaviness of Elena's family situation. For Elena, sharing this burden with Maya was both painful and liberating. She now knew she could count on Maya to support her through the emotional challenges imposed by her family.

Night had fallen softly on the university campus, enveloping Elena's room with an aura of tranquility. Sitting on the bed, Maya and Elena shared a rare moment of vulnerability after discussing Elena's family pressures. Maya, aware that their friendship was nourished by honesty and mutual support, felt ready to open a new page of her own inner world.

"Elena, there's something I've never really told anyone about," Maya began in a soft but resolute voice, her eyes searching Elena's in the dim light of the bedroom.

Elena turned slightly toward Maya, silently encouraging her to continue. "What's on your mind, Maya? You know you can tell me everything."

Maya took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before diving into the depths of her soul. "I struggle with... paralyzing anxiety. It's as if every day is a struggle not to be overwhelmed by this constant fear of not being up to the task, of disappointing those who matter to me."

Elena listened intently, her own internal struggles giving her a deep understanding of what Maya was going through. "I'm sorry you're going through this, Maya. It must be so difficult."

Maya looked down for a moment before continuing, her voice marked by emotional vulnerability. "Sometimes I feel like I'm wearing a mask, hiding that part of me that is so scared and uncertain."

"Maya, I wonder... how long have you had this paralyzing anxiety?" Elena asked carefully, her eyes expressing curiosity tinged with empathy.

Maya took a deep breath, delving into her painful memories with a disturbing sincerity. "It started when I was a teenager. I often felt overwhelmed by the stress of school, social life, family expectations... It was like everything was too much, and I couldn't cope."

Elena nodded softly, absorbing Maya's words with silent understanding. "I can imagine how difficult it must have been."

Maya looked down, feeling the emotions resurface. "That's when I discovered video games. They were a way to escape the constant pressure, to lose myself in a world where I could control things, where I didn't have to face my fears."

Elena listened attentively, captivated by Maya's story, which revealed a new and profound facet of her friend. "It was an escape for you... A way to protect yourself."

Maya nodded slowly. "Yes, exactly. In games, I could be someone else, someone strong and competent, far from reality where I often felt weak and overwhelmed."

Elena bit her lower lip, carefully searching for her words. "Did it help you? The games, I mean."

Maya was silent for a moment, pondering the answer. "Yes, in a way. They gave me a break, a temporary respite. But I also know now that this is not a long-term solution."

Elena gently took Maya's hand in hers, offering silent but solid support. "I'm here for you, Maya. You don't have to carry this burden alone."

Tears blurred Maya's eyes as she finally let go of some of the weight she had carried alone for so long. "Thank you, Elena. It means a lot to me to have someone like you in my life."

Elena smiled gently through her own emotions, grateful for the trust Maya placed in her. "We are here for each other, Maya. Together we can get through all of this."

The two friends looked at each other for a moment, each aware of the strength that arose from their mutual sharing. In the soft darkness of the bedroom, Elena felt supported and understood in a way she had never felt before. For Elena and Maya, this moment marked not only a step in their friendship but also a step towards deeper self-acceptance and inner healing.