When Eivion arrived at the cafeteria, he began scanning the room, searching for Lucas. The lights above twinkled on the ceiling, casting a warm glow across the place, but he felt a slight chill in the air. Suddenly, he heard a voice from behind calling his name. He turned around to see a tall, handsome figure with dark gray hair flowing smoothly across his forehead, giving him a distinctive and attractive look. His gray eyes reflected both intelligence and optimism, adding an extra charm to his personality.
Lucas raised his hand and said, "Hey, Eivion! I'm over here!"
Lucas was Eivion's closest friend, two years older than him, and they were both quite popular on campus. Their personalities complemented each other perfectly, with Eivion's calmness balancing Lucas's lively and playful spirit. They both learned from each other; Eivion helped Lucas think more deeply and carefully, while Lucas encouraged Eivion to enjoy life and loosen up a bit.
Excited, Eivion said, showing his enthusiasm as he saw "The Big Cookbook" by Chef Doris Shay, one of the most renowned chefs in the world. Her career was inspiring, having started as a beginner chef in a small restaurant before becoming one of the top global chefs with her innovative techniques and award-winning dishes.
"Did you bring the book? Let me see it!"
Lucas pulled the book out of his bag, saying playfully, "Alright, alright, calm down, man. You're obsessed with this stuff. I practically begged last night to get it for you."
Eivion eagerly took the book and started reading through it, fascinated by the recipes of some of the finest dishes Chef Doris Shay had created. He was lost in reading when Lucas interrupted, saying, "We need to head to the lecture hall if you don't want Professor Brewer to scold us."
Eivion closed the book and said, "Alright, let's go now."
The two of them walked toward the university, entering the lecture hall just as the class was beginning. Lucas said, "We made it just in time. Let's grab our usual spots."
As they made their way to their seats, a few girls greeted Lucas. One of them said, "Hey Lucas, how was your day?" Another added, "Lucas, I haven't seen you in a while, where have you been hiding?"
Lucas responded with a smile, "Hey girls, my day's been a bit busy, but I'm here now."
Eivion muttered quietly, trying to tease Lucas, "You're such a ladies' man."
Lucas heard him and angrily shot back, "I heard that, you jerk!"
Their exchange was interrupted by Professor Brewer's voice, saying, "Please, quiet down now and take your seats so we can begin our lecture."
Eivion and Lucas sat in their usual spots as Professor Brewer started his lecture in a serious and calm tone.
Professor Brewer said, speaking slowly and deliberately, emphasizing the importance of the topic, "Today, we're going to discuss a crucial topic in clinical psychology: human relationships, individual behavior, and internal desires. These topics are not just what we study, they reflect our daily interactions as humans. Let's remember what philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre said:
" 'Man is condemned to be free.' We, as humans, have no choice but to be free, and in this freedom, there lies great responsibility, as each of us must choose our own path. But, as we will discuss today, this choice doesn't happen in a vacuum; it is greatly influenced by our interactions with others."
He then raised his eyes to look at the students and added, "Human relationships are the mirror that reflects our choices, influences our decisions, and gives us direction in life. Let's analyze how our desires and tendencies play a role in shaping these relationships, and what we can learn from it."
He paused for a moment to ensure everyone was following, then smiled gently before continuing, "As Aristotle said, 'Man is by nature a social animal.' This means that our need for interaction and communication is inherent in our nature. But the most important question is: how do we strike a balance between our freedom and our desire for relationships that impact us?"
A student raised his hand and asked, "Professor, can a person be naturally social but choose isolation for personal reasons?"
Professor Brewer smiled and replied, "Excellent question. Yes, definitely. A person can be naturally social but choose isolation for various reasons, such as personal experiences or dissatisfaction with relationships. Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer says that a person might choose isolation as a way to escape the disturbances caused by social relationships."
Suddenly, Eivion raised his hand, drawing Professor Brewer's attention.
One of the girls said sarcastically, "Here comes the Archduke of the North, starting to speak." This nickname had been given to Eivion due to his calm and detached manner in dealing with others.
Her friend responded in a softer tone, "Don't say that, Eivion's not cold, he just... prefers peace."
The first girl interjected with a light laugh, "Oh, of course, no wonder you know him so well, you've always been close to him because of..." She paused for a moment before finishing with a faint smile, "You know, his relationship with Maria."
Miley's face clearly reddened, and she stammered, "No... no, that's not it." She added in a lower voice, "Eivion was just a family friend."
The other girl laughed and then joked, "No need to be embarrassed. I think everyone would agree that Eivion, with his personality, is handsome enough to attract any girl."
In the meantime, Professor Brewer spoke, "Yes, Eivion? Do you have a question or comment?"
Curious and seeking understanding, Eivion asked, "You say that humans are naturally social and need to interact with others, but what about those who feel empty and lost even when surrounded by people? How can we explain that?"
Professor Brewer smiled and said, "Good question, Eivion. The truth is, feelings of emptiness and loss can result from several factors. Some relate to our expectations of relationships and how well they meet our true desires and needs. Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche says, 'The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.' This means that a person might feel empty if their superficial relationships don't reflect the depth of their desires and inclinations."
The professor delved deeper, saying, "Some find it difficult to form relationships that satisfy their emotional and intellectual needs, which creates a sense of loss. The solution lies in understanding oneself deeply and seeking relationships based on shared values and principles."
Eivion nodded, thinking deeply about the professor's words.
Professor Brewer continued, "Let's conclude this lecture with a reminder of Plato's saying, 'An unexamined life is not worth living.' Let us always strive to understand ourselves and others deeply, for this is the key to healthy and happy relationships."
The professor finished his lecture, and the students began gathering their belongings. Eivion turned to Lucas and said, "I don't think I fully understand some things yet."
Lucas smiled and put his arm around Eivion's neck, pulling him closer as he said, "Forget about that for now, my friend. Let's go grab a coffee, maybe we'll discover more of life's secrets there, and perhaps I'll share some of my golden advice with you."
Eivion replied with a faint smile as they walked out, "Enough with the jokes, let's go get something to eat."