Lured into Love (Blossom in Winter #2) - Melanie Martins Page 0,77
to welcome them. Before they even notice me, I glance over at the mirror to check my face. I look horribly gloomy, sad, and tired. My face is blotchy, and my eyes are swollen from crying.
“Are you alright?” Matthew asks in a low voice as he reaches me.
“Hey,” I greet as I see Matthew, followed by Sarah, David, and Katrina. I nod at him, swallowing everything I’ve gone through the past twelve hours. “Shall we?”
I lead them into the dining room, where I’ve got my laptop and a few books lying on the table. Once we all sit and everyone has their laptops out, I make the conscious effort to focus on what matters for the hour, and say, “So, I’ve been working on the impact of objectivism on the individual, the economy, and, consequently, our country,” I tell them. Then I give each of them a printed copy of what I wrote. “The idea is to look over what I’ve done and fact-check if anything is wrong or could be improved.”
Matthew is already diving into my dissertation, and everyone else follows. I hope it’s decently written though. Jeez, I’m so glad I did it last week. I’m not sure how I would have managed to do it after the breakup.
“Well, it’s a pretty classic elaboration of American liberalism,” Matthew points out. “Strangely enough, though, you don’t mention the wrongdoings that come with it.”
“And I’m not surprised by your observation,” I tease him with a smirk. “Anything factually incorrect though?”
“Not that I can see,” Matthew replies back. “You explained everything about how self-interest is an ethical point for objectivism, which in turn is what drives our capitalist society. That is correct.”
My smirk turns into a quick laugh. I love how he knows I did a good job, but he can’t praise it, because objectivism is something he hates. And, reveling in it, I say, “You know that objectivism, because it’s strictly linked to individual freedoms, was actually a driving force of progressivist ideas?” Matthew blinks twice, a bit troubled by my statement. “What? Don’t tell me you forgot that Rand was a liberal, from the word liberalism, which advocates for individual freedoms and rights, and how the government shouldn’t censor and limit anything that goes against the interest of the individual? Many individual rights have been conquered over the years thanks to liberalism, which you claim to hate for some reason.”
“I don’t hate that part of liberalism,” he finally admits. “I hate the economical part of it. Big difference.”
“So you agree that objectivism is important socially but not economically?” I ask.
“I agree objectivism and liberalism play a big part in human rights, and we are all good there. But when it comes to the economy, it’s a big disaster.”
“Guys, seriously, again?” Sarah chides, letting out a sigh. As I look at everyone else, I see how bored they are at our debate, and I wonder why, because I was really having fun.
“Sarah, this is what this study is all about,” Matthew tells her. “We are meant to debate objectivism. Why aren’t you guys participating?”
“I couldn’t agree more,” I emphasize as we glance briefly at each other.
“It seems like a Twitter war,” she ripostes.
But Matthew is having none of it. “Petra doesn’t even have Twitter,” he snaps back. “Philosophy is about debating ideas and concepts. What’s wrong with you today?”
“Well, maybe you guys could talk to us instead of just looking at each other,” Katrina interposes. “Honestly, we are always excluded. I think it’s better if just the two of you go forward with the study.”
“Yeah, it only takes two to tango,” David adds. “Or, in this case, to debate objectivism.”
“And I’ve got the feeling you’ll both end up agreeing with each other at the end,” Sarah tells us. “You guys most likely think exactly alike, and you just don’t know it yet.”
“What?” we both say at the same time, looking at Sarah.
“We don’t think alike at all,” Matthew presses on, nearly in outrage. “Petra is into objectivism, and I’m not.”
“Matt, you know more about objectivism than I know about my own self,” Sarah points out. She draws in a breath and adds, “Like, I wanted to do this study to help my grades, but this is just becoming a pretext for you guys to talk to each other.”
Before I can even fully assess her comment, Matthew takes over. “Petra has already done at least half of the study, and you’re complaining?”