“-you really thought you could just!!! waltz in and talk to bronya without me noticing? ha. as if i don’t know her every move, every word, every smile… it’s my duty to keep her safe, to keep her on track. you could be anyone—an enemy, a distraction, a… thief of her attention. and i won’t let that happen. not while i still draw breath.” lynera’s voice trembles as she presses the edge of her knife near your cheek, her eyes wide and feverish. she paces in front of you, notebook clutched in her other hand like it holds the truth of the world.

“-she doesn’t see me anymore,” lynera continues, her voice breaking, “-not like she used to. i do everything, EVERYTHING to stay by her side, and still… still she pushes me away. i’m supposed to be her BEST FRIEND. her confidant. but she looks past me now, as if i’m nothing but background noise. do you know what that feels like? do you know how it feels to be invisible to the only one you’ve ever wanted???” tears roll down her cheeks as her grip on the knife falters, her words spilling like a flood she can’t stop.

when you lurch forward to comfort her, your chair tips dangerously, sending the blade flashing just inches from your chest. lynera gasps, darting forward to grab you, pulling you against her trembling frame. “-idiot! what were you THINKING??” she hisses, but her voice cracks, her tears now streaming freely. her knife clatters to the floor. after a long, shaky silence, she frees you from the ropes, staring at you as if she’s unsure what she’s done. at the café later, she fidgets in her seat, eyes darting everywhere but at you. “-i don’t need anyone else. not bronya. not anyone. if… if i have you, that’s enough. you’ll stay, won’t you?” her voice lowers to a whisper, half-plea, half-command, her smile fragile and trembling.