Unexpected Friends

The university cafeteria was a lively meeting place where students gathered to eat, chat, and network. For Maya, Alexandre, Lucas, and Elena, it was also a temporary refuge in this vast ocean of unknown faces. They had decided to meet for lunch together, seeking solace in the familiarity of their small group.

The queue for food was long, but it gave them the opportunity to chat. Alexandre, who always had a special interest in nutrition, carefully observed the available options. "I wonder if the salad here is as fresh as it looks," he said, scanning the displays. "I read somewhere that green vegetables are the most likely to lose their nutrients if they are not stored properly."

Lucas, grabbing a plate of pasta, shrugged his shoulders. "I think as long as we eat something decent, we're fine. It's not the Ritz, but it does the job."

Elena, choosing a soup, smiled. "I agree with Lucas. Sometimes it's better not to ask too many questions and just enjoy the meal."

Maya, on the other hand, opted for a simple sandwich. She remained silent but listened attentively to her friends, feeling slightly more comfortable in their company. Once served, they found a table near a window offering a view of the campus. The midday sun illuminated the room, adding a touch of warmth to the atmosphere.

They began to eat in silence, each immersed in their thoughts. After a few moments, Elena broke the ice. "So, how was your morning of class?"

Alexandre was the first to answer. "Not too bad. I had a pretty interesting math class. The professor seems really passionate about his subject, which makes things more engaging."

In truth, Alexandre had spent a trying time in math class. He had heard whispers behind him, mocking voices speaking of his thinness. "Look at him, he looks like a skeleton. It's not normal for a guy to be so skinny." "He must be anorexic. Anorexia is for girls, right?" These remarks had stabbed Alexandre in the heart. He had tried to focus on equations and theorems, but the cruel words kept spinning in his mind. His passion for mathematics, usually an escape route, had become a battlefield.

Back at their table, everyone was doing their best to hide their true emotions. They began their meal, exchanging banalities about their days. "Yes, a good teacher makes all the difference," Maya nodded. "I had an introductory course in video games. It was fascinating to see the evolution of technologies and how they influence our society."

Lucas nodded. "It must be cool. I took a political science class. We talked about the importance of public perception and the manipulation of the media. Quite relevant, especially nowadays."

Lucas, for his part, was struggling to control his anger. During his political science class, a group of noisy students had not stopped talking, disrupting the lesson. The professor had said nothing, ignoring their disruptive behavior. Lucas had clenched his fists under the table, his muscles tense like ropes ready to break. "If only they could keep quiet," Lucas thought. "Why doesn't the professor do anything?" Anger boiled up in him, each burst of laughter from the disruptors intensifying his discomfort. He had felt a surge of rage, an almost uncontrollable need to silence these students by any means necessary. But he knew that yielding to this impulse would only confirm his worst fears about himself.

Elena smiled. "It looks super interesting. I took a psychology course. We discussed the different theories of personality. It's amazing how our behavior can be influenced by so many different factors."

Elena was trying to concentrate on her soup, but the words of her classmates were still ringing in her head. During her psychology class, several students had spent most of the session looking at photos of celebrities on their phones, raving about their perfect bodies and impeccable appearance. "Have you seen the latest photos of Selena Gomez? She is really sublime!" "Yes, and Kylie Jenner... Her curves are to die for. How can they be so perfect?" Elena had tried to concentrate on the lesson, but the incessant comparisons and exaggerated compliments from the other students had revived her insecurities. Each comment seemed like a poisoned arrow, reminding her of her own struggles with body dysmorphia. She had felt like a sham, every second spent in this class amplifying her anxiety.

They continued to discuss their courses and their teachers, finding common ground despite the diversity of their interests. The conversation naturally drifted to more personal topics, although everyone remained cautious about their internal struggles.

"So, Lucas," Elena asked, "what made you choose political science?"

Lucas took a bite of his dish, pondering his answer. "Let's say that I have always been fascinated by power and the way it is exercised. I think understanding political dynamics can help us create a more just world."

"That makes sense," Maya replied. "And you, Alexandre, why math?"

Alexandre smiled slightly. "I have always liked numbers and solving problems. Math is like a giant puzzle. It allows me to concentrate, to structure my thoughts."

"And you, Maya?" Lucas asked. "Why the study of video games?"

Maya hesitated for a moment. "I guess games have always been an escape route for me. They allow me to live adventures, to meet people, even if it is in a virtual way. And I like to understand how they are designed, how they captivate so many people."

In reality, Maya had found the course on video games more difficult than expected. Contrary to what she had hoped, they had been divided into groups to work on a project. The idea of having to interact closely with strangers had terrified her. She had felt her hands shaking when she introduced herself to her group. "Hi, my name is Maya. Nice to work with you." She had tried to smile, but her anxiety was palpable. Throughout the course, she had fought against the urge to take refuge in her video games, where she felt safe. Social interactions seemed insurmountable to her, every word she uttered costing her an immense effort.

Elena nodded, finding her friends' motives intriguing. "It's interesting to see how everyone finds their passion. Psychology has always fascinated me. Understanding people, their behaviors, it seems to me essential to help solve some of the most complex problems in our society."

Their discussion was fluid, each sharing snippets of their life without going into painful details. They laughed, exchanged light anecdotes, and for a moment the burdens they carried seemed less heavy.

At some point, Alexandre asked a question that slightly changed the atmosphere. "Do you have any hobbies outside of your studies?"

Maya answered first. "I spend a lot of time playing video games, obviously. But I also like to read, especially science fiction novels."

"Me, I do boxing," Lucas said, his face lighting up slightly. "It's a good way to stay in shape and let off steam."

Elena nodded. "Boxing must be intense. I like dancing. It helps me to free myself and express how I feel."

Alexandre smiled. "I do a little running. It helps me clear my head and stay in shape."

Their conversation continued, each word strengthening the bonds between them. They talked about their dreams, their aspirations, but also their fears and their challenges, always in a subtle and veiled way.

"You know," Elena said as she finished her soup, "I'm really glad we decided to eat together. It feels good to talk with people with whom you can have a deep and light conversation at the same time."

"Yes," Maya nodded. "I agree. We can help each other with classes."

Lucas raised his glass in toast. "To our friendship."

"To our friendship," they all repeated in chorus, raising their glasses and smiling.

But behind these polite and superficial answers, everyone felt the weight of lies. They had all lied, trying to avoid revealing their inner struggles. The meal continued in a slightly tense atmosphere, everyone trying to maintain appearances. But it was clear that the words exchanged were just a facade.

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