Society can be considered a force that influences us all to behave in a certain way. The way we act and think bounce off each other that we eventually reform because of that influence. We are then brought the idea of what we are expected to act and we just fill in that mold. How would we behave without this external interaction? We lived all our lives changing because of our interactions with one another. I may never find out.

I sat in my sociology class thinking about this as lent one ear to my professor. I was barely paying attention but these questions at least caught my interest. The classrooms in this building were considered small compared to others in the campus. There were about twenty people sitting in the class. There wasn’t any room left for other students to sit or stand in the class. I sat near the front of the classroom since I was almost late to class and the class was already filled up. Leaving me no choice to sit in the only few seats available in the front.

My professor made an awkward first impression. He had a backpack, wore a blue dress shirt with a tie and brown khaki pants. He was fifteen minutes late coming in with a coffee stain on his pants. We all knew it, but he tried to start the lesson as if nothing happened. The professor did his best to ignore all the staring but it got worse as he took his time setting up his laptop. He struggled to take it out of his backpack as the wires were all tangled. Some papers that were sticking out had fallen out. It took him another ten minutes to reorganize himself. Even after all this mess, he stayed calm.

After setting up the laptop and plugging it into the wall that connected to the projector hanging from the ceiling, the professor started the lesson. He wrote ‘Professor Moriarty’ on the board as he waited for the lowering projector screen. Moriarty then started his lesson.

I had no idea what sociology was supposed to be about except that it was one of the classes I was supposed to take. So my expectations have been pretty low when I first signed up for this class. That is, until I found out who was teaching this particular class. I’ve been in a history class with Moriarty before. So I was a bit embarrassed for him since I knew of his habits as a teacher.

Professor Moriarty was the main reason for even taking this class over the other professors teaching sociology. Picking a professor that I knew felt like a comfortable pick for me. He has fair lessons and gives out decent tests. It’s just how he carries on with himself was a bit uncomfortable. He was a mess. He spilled coffee often. There was even evidence that he spilled coffee on our tests as he graded them. There was something wrong with the man and his coffee.

But other than that, Professor Moriarty was an alright person. He was interesting to talk to when you’re actually invested in the topics. I was able to pass the time easily by talking to him after class sometimes.

Moriarty started the lesson. He introduced the course and what we’ll learn about. If he was going to teach it, I thought to myself that it would be an interesting class.

He sort of lost my interest in the middle of talking about some concepts we were going to study. I then continued to wonder about random crap.

Would angels have to study our society before conforming to our everyday lives? I wondered how long it took Raphie before she actually participated in our human society. Lucy probably didn’t care at all. She acted like a freeloader the instant she began visiting this world.

These two polar opposites show the different sides of people. Those that conform to society and those who don’t. Maybe I’ll learn about that during the course.

In the middle of my thinking, I was tapped on the shoulder from behind. I turned around facing stained khaki pants. It was Professor Moriarty.

“It’s good to see you again David.”

“What.”

I was in the middle of my deep thoughts that I was caught surprised.

I then noticed that my classmates had already stood up, ready to leave. I come to the conclusion that class had ended.

“Yeah. It’s good to see you, professor.”

“What do you think of the class?”

“Hm… I think it’s interesting.”

“Hopefully you’ll stay awake this time.”

“Of course I will. Who do you think I am?”

He gave me a look of disbelief.

“Come on. Don’t give me that.”

“I know you, David. You’re not likely to change that quick.”

Even though it’s been a really long summer for me. A lot has happened. And yet I think he was right to say that I haven’t changed.

“Make sure you actually pay attention from now on. You don’t want to barely pass this class either.”

I laughed weakly as I remembered the history class I took. All I did was fall asleep regardless of how interesting the class was. I was able to talk to Professor Moriarty after class everytime that happened. We’ve had insightful conversations that helped me keep up with the class. And we even discussed certain things about history too. Hopefully, I could do the same this time.

“You’re a smart kid David. Just make sure you keep up your discipline. That’s where you lack.”

Moriarty patted me on the shoulder and then moved on to another student who began asking questions.

I looked down at my desk and noticed there was a syllabus that was passed out without me noticing.

Was I really that deep in my own thoughts? I got to control myself better.

I peeked around the class to see the remaining classmates that didn’t leave immediately.

A familiar face appears right behind me with a sinister smile. His chuckled grew into a hearty laugh. Everyone only stared for a second before moving on.

“I see we meet again David.”

“Evan.”

I said without enthusiasm.

“We appear to be taking another class together.”

“Sadly…”

Evan wore a grey hoodie with jeans and his medium length hair was messy. There was this look on his face that made me think he was really glad to see me. He was a close friend to me after all. We sometimes played MMOs together and I was neighbors with his brother. Other than that, we been in many classes together. Ever since we’ve been classmates, he’s been mooching off me for help with studying and keeping up in class. I was smart but I was too lazy to keep up myself.

In a way, Evan pushes me to keep up in class just so he can get help from me. A bit messed up but I needed that motivation. No matter how one-sided this relationship seemed to be.

“How are you, David? Are you’re classes alright? So how’s that neighbor girl? I hear she goes to this school. Just tell me who she is! Please!

I tried to ignore the barrage of questions. But Evan only got closer to my face. His annoyance started to frustrate me.

“No way I’m letting you meet my neighbor.”

“But Colin has seen her already. That’s not fair.”

“Then ask your brother.”

“Even Colin doesn’t know her name. Come on David! Help me out here. She could be my future wife!”

It’s pretty sad to listen to Evan’s delusions. I tried to stand up and walk away before Evan stopped me.

“Her name is Raphie. Right? I hope the rumors were true. It has to be the princess.”

Evan’s delusions continued as we walked out of the classroom. We walked into Moriarty talking with another classmate. I’ve seen him earlier sitting in the class. He seemed somewhat familiar. They said goodbye to each other and Moriarty left.

“You gotta let me see the princess!”

“The princess? You mean Raphie.”

The classmate, who was ready to walk away from his conversation with Moriarty, overheard Evan’s outcry. I was a bit embarrassed that someone was going to be exposed to Evan’s weird delusion.

“Yeah. Wait, I know you.”

“Who are you?” I asked.

“My name is Lucas.”

With the way he looked, he appeared to be the same Lucas I’ve heard to be Raphie’s friend.

Lucas had a modest appearance. He had an untucked blue dress shirt on with jeans. His hair was neatly cut and he seemed more sanitary compared to Evan.

Lucas extended his arm for a handshake. I went for a normal handshake while Evan shook his hand violently.

Stop embarrassing me, Evan…

“You know Raphie?” Lucas asked me.

“Uh, yeah. She’s my neighbor.”

“You must be… Hmm. What was your name again?”

“David. My name is David.”

“Nice to meet you, David.”

“Since you know Raphie, why don’t you join us for lunch?”

“I would love to!” Evan shouted.

“You’re not invited, Evan,” I scowled.

“Oh come on David!”

We started walking down the stairs of the building. Evan’s shouting echoed throughout the stairwell. I told Evan to shut up and he finally did. He was a bit hurt by it though. There was this frustration on his face as we walked. He even walked slightly behind us, leaving room for Lucas and I to talk.

“So what do you think about that class? Professor Moriarty is an interesting teacher, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, he is. Even if he can be a bit of a mess sometimes. Sociology is a fascinating course.”

“Yeah. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

“About what?”

“I was just wondering that if what makes up a human being really comes from the ideal expectations that come from society.”

“Now that’s a question.”

We stopped by a vending machine before we continued talking.

“What makes us human. I wonder,” Lucas said before taking a bite off a snack bar. “Do our individuality comes from our interactions with others? Or do we come with our own individuality the day we are born?”

“That’s pretty deep.”

“Yeah…”

We finished the snack bar we each bought while Evan chugged down a can of soda.

“What makes us human…”

“You said something?” Lucas asked.

“I was just thinking. What makes us human has to be how we conform to society.”

“Such as?”

“Well… We strive to become better every day. And we always have others to compare to or push us.”

Even though that was not completely true for me.

“Interesting. So you’re saying humans can’t be humans without other human beings.”

“I think so.”

“Then what does it take to make a perfect person? More human beings? Or none at all?”

“I don’t know.”

I admit I was kind of confused by the question.

“There are many questions about the individual that can never be answered.”

“That’s true.” I paused. “I think the perfect human being will still come with flaws.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. We lived all our lives with flaws. That was what makes us human. To be perfect without flaws makes no sense whatsoever. To be the perfect human being means to accept our flaws and be the best we can ever be.”

“I see. So that’s how you see it.”

“Yeah.”

For once, I was glad to talk to another intellectual person that doesn’t annoy me.

We continued to talk about random questions that we could think of.

“Do you believe in a god David?”

“Hm… Not really.”

Even though there was evidence for one.

“Human beings need faith. Regardless of the truth. Faith is not about seeking the truth, but about something more than you already are.”

“I see.”

It felt like he could read me like a book. Talking about the truth and all.

“Whether or not there is a god out there doesn’t matter. If you believe in something then you’re striving for something more. Something better. Something even greater than what this life has to offer. Whether you’re a man of science or a man of faith. You believe in something.”

“And no one can take that away from you.”

I added to his statement.

Lucas looked at me as if he was surprised for a brief moment. He then nodded at me.

“You’re right. No one can.”

No one can take away your beliefs. That was something I’ve learned over the summer when I talked with Phoebe. She was a woman of faith and that will never change.

You can never change. But what of all that talk about changing to fit the mold that society forms for you. These were conflicting questions that crossed my mind. Maybe I’ll talk to Lucas about it another day.