The next morning, she knocked on Lukas's door, her heart pounding. When he answered, he was wearing a crumpled T-shirt and looked tired, but his face brightened when he saw her. "Good morning, Lina!"
"Good morning! I hope you're hungry," she replied, pulling him into a tight hug. She felt his body relax, and she knew she was on the right track.
They sat down in the café, and as they ate, she asked questions about his feelings, his worries, and his dreams. Over and over, she reassured him that she was there for him, that he could talk to her whenever he wanted.
"There's just so much I'm feeling right now," Lukas confessed as he took a sip of coffee. "It feels like I'm drowning."
"You don't have to be alone," Lina said gently. "I'm here to help you. You just have to tell me what you need."
The conversation took a turn when Tim entered the café. Lina watched Lukas's face change. The joy he'd shown at breakfast with her gave way to visible tension.
Tim came to their table and grinned. "Hey, you two. What are you doing here?"
"We had breakfast together," Lina replied with a cool smile.
"Sounds nice. I thought we could do something later," Tim suggested, sitting down with them.
Lina felt her anger returning. Tim had the ability to captivate Lukas, and it was driving her crazy. As they talked, she noticed Lukas's attention gradually shifting to Tim.
This can't be true, she thought, trying to focus on the conversation.
But the thought of Tim taking everything away from her made her heart race. She knew she had to do something to win Lukas back.
"Lukas, let's talk alone later, okay? I want you to know that I'm really here for you," she said, trying to meet his eyes while ignoring Tim.
"Sure, I... I guess that would be good," Lukas replied hesitantly, turning back to Tim.
Frustration boiled over Lina as she realized Tim was taking over the conversation. I can't let him go. I have to win him over before it's too late.
As she smiled and continued the conversation, her heart filled with jealousy and anger. "Somehow, I'll get Tim out of the way before he takes Lukas under his spell even more."
Thoughts swirled in her head as she maintained a façade of lightheartedness.
The days passed, and Lina noticed with growing horror how the bond between Tim and Lukas grew stronger. She watched the two from afar as they laughed together as if they were best friends, and it made her heart heavy. Every time she saw them together, it felt like a piece of her was being torn away.
Lina decided she had to take action. It wasn't enough to just be there for Lukas. She had to get rid of Tim. Thoughts of her jealousy turned into a plan that she would carefully craft.
One afternoon, while Tim and Lukas were at school, she hatched her plan. She knew Tim often studied in the library, so she decided to wait there. When he finally appeared, she sat in a corner and watched him walk around with a book in his hand.
"Hey, Tim!" she called as he sat down.
"Oh, hi, Lina. What are you doing here?" he asked, surprised.
"I just wanted to stop by. I heard you were here, and I thought I could keep you company," she replied, sitting down across from him.
Tim looked at her, seemingly unsure. "Uh, thanks, but I really have to study."
"Come on, a little distraction can't hurt. Let's just chat for a bit. I'll make it easier for you," she suggested, smiling charmingly.
She knew she had to manipulate him to get him away from Lukas. As they spoke, she tried to drop subtle hints about how much Lukas was hurting and how important it was that Tim not focus too much on him. "You know, Lukas needs someone who's really there for him. It might be hard if you rely on him too much," she said with mock concern.
Tim looked at her skeptically. "I understand what you're saying, but Lukas is my friend. I can't just look away because you think it's not good for him."
"Of course not. But sometimes you have to take care of yourself. And I think it would be better if you kept your distance," she continued.
The words flew from her mouth as she persuaded him that he might be doing more harm than good to Lukas's friendship. As she spoke, she watched his face and noticed him thinking.
"I don't know, Lina..." Tim murmured, and she felt a small spark of hope in her heart. Maybe she could actually convince him.
After a few more minutes of conversation, Tim seemed uncomfortable. "I think I should really go. I don't want to let Lukas down."
"Wait before you go," Lina called, grabbing his hand. "I just want you to understand how important it is that he doesn't dwell on his grief. He needs someone to lift him up, and I think you should be that for him."
Tim nodded, but Lina saw the inner conflict in his eyes. This is my chance, she thought. "How about we do something together? Just the two of us? It might help you clear your mind."
"I don't know, Lina..."
"Come on! A little adventure might do you good," she urged. "And I promise I won't cause you any problems."
When Tim finally agreed, Lina felt triumphant. She knew she could pull him away from Lukas by bringing him closer to herself. If I can't get him out of the way, I can at least lure him away from Lukas.
She spent the next few days involving Tim more and more in her plan. They went on outings together, during which she repeatedly emphasized the importance of Lukas being able to spend some time alone. Tim initially seemed receptive to her suggestions, but Lina quickly realized that he remained in constant contact with Lukas.
Meanwhile, Lukas became increasingly quiet and withdrawn. He spoke less and seemed to be surrounded by a sadness that Lina couldn't ignore. I can't help him if he keeps drifting away from me, she thought despairingly.
One quiet night, lying alone in her room, she decided she absolutely had to win him back. She picked up her phone and sent him a message: "Lukas, I'm worried about you. Let's talk tomorrow."
A little later, she received his reply: "Sure, I'd be happy if we could talk."
A spark of hope flared up within her. Maybe I can win him back before Tim completely takes him over.
The next morning, Lina was excited. She prepared carefully to meet Lukas. She chose her outfit carefully, wanting to show him that she was the strong and supportive friend he needed. She had a plan in place to steer him back in her direction.
When she finally arrived at the café, she saw Lukas already sitting at the table. He had a thoughtful expression on his face as he stared out the window. Lina felt a pang of sadness at how lost he seemed. It was her chance to show him that she was there for him.
"Hey, Lukas," she greeted him warmly as she sat down.
He looked up and gave her a faint smile. "Hey, Lina. Thanks for coming."
"Of course. I'm worried about you. You look so... lost," she said, leaning forward a little.
"It's just so much right now," he admitted, his gaze wandering back to the windowsill. "I don't know how to handle all of this."
Lina placed her hand on his. "You don't have to go through everything alone. I'm here for you. I want to help you."
His gaze met hers, and for a moment, the pain in his eyes seemed to fade. "I really appreciate that, Lina. It's just... I feel so helpless sometimes."
"That's okay. Everyone goes through phases like that. But you're not alone. We can work on this together. Let's do something to clear your head. You shouldn't feel so isolated," she suggested.
Lukas nodded slowly. "That would be nice. I could use some distraction."
This was her moment. Lina knew she needed to not only distract Lukas from his worries, but also solidify her position as the one who understood him and was there for him. "How about a trip outside? Some fresh air and maybe a picnic?"
"That sounds good," Lukas agreed hesitantly. "But I don't want it to be about me. It's not fair that you're sacrificing your time for me."
"That's what friends do," Lina replied with an encouraging smile. "Come on, let's just have a nice day."
A few days later, Lina made her plans for the picnic. She packed a blanket and some snacks and prepared everything to create the perfect atmosphere. She wanted to make sure it was an unforgettable day for Lukas, hoping to pull him out of his sadness.
When they arrived at the agreed-upon spot, she noticed the sun shining through the trees and a pleasant breeze blowing. She spread the blanket on the grass and invited Lukas to sit down. While they unpacked the food, she began to chat with him, trying to lighten the mood.
But throughout the picnic, she noticed Lukas becoming increasingly thoughtful. He was talking to her, but she sensed he wasn't fully present. His thoughts seemed to be elsewhere—with Tim.
"Do you think about Tim a lot?" she asked cautiously, observing his expression.
"Yes, I'm worried about him. I hope he's really okay," Lukas confessed.
There he is again, Lina thought, frustrated. "Lukas, you don't have to worry about everything. Tim has his own friends. You're not responsible for him."
"I know, but he's been so affected by everything that's happened," Lukas replied, sounding irritated.
Lina sighed inwardly. If only there was a way to stop him from caring so much about Tim. She was determined to take control of the situation. "Listen, you need to take care of yourself. I'm here to help you. Let me be there for you."
He looked at her, and for a moment, she felt like he understood her words. "Thank you, Lina. It means a lot to me that you're here."
Lina felt a brief moment of relief, but she knew she had to do more. Tim was an obstacle, and she couldn't let him near Lukas. The thought of Tim coming back into her life and Lukas pulling away from her made her angry.
After the picnic, they went for a walk, and as they strolled through the park, Lina took every opportunity to distract Lukas. She wanted to weaken the bond between him and Tim so she could regain the affection she so desperately desired.
"You know, I've been thinking a lot these past few weeks. Maybe we should do something together more often," she suggested, watching his face light up.
"That sounds good," Lukas replied. "It's good to spend time with you."
Lina smiled inwardly. She had him on the right track, but she had to be careful. Tim couldn't stand in the way.
In the following weeks, Lina spent more time with Lukas, and her plan seemed to be working. She distracted him from his thoughts of Tim and tried to give him a sense of normalcy. The two went on many outings, and although Lukas often seemed pensive, he gradually seemed to breathe a sigh of relief in her company.
One evening, as they sat together on a bench in the park, Lina noticed his face brighten. "It's good to just be here again, without having to think about all the problems," he said, looking up at the sky.
"I thought so," she replied, her voice full of warmth. "You should think like that more often. Let everything go and enjoy the moment."
"I wish it were that easy," Lukas murmured, and Lina felt a tiny crack in her hopes of winning him over completely.
Tim, she thought bitterly. It's still that damn Tim. Lately, she'd felt like he was hovering over their relationship like a shadow. He was no longer the scared boy caught in a hopeless situation. He was back and still seemed to play an important role in Lukas's life.
One afternoon, while they were sitting together in the café, Lina noticed Tim come in. He looked healthy and cheerful as he glanced over at Lukas. A twinge of jealousy overcame her, and she realized she felt uncomfortable.
"Hey, isn't that Tim?" she asked, pulling Lukas out of his thoughts.
"Yeah, I think so," he replied, looking toward the entrance. "I should talk to him."
"Why? We just had a nice conversation," Lina tried to distract him. She didn't want Lukas to focus on Tim again.
"It's only polite to congratulate him on being back. I'm worried about him," Lukas said, standing up.
"Lukas, wait!" Lina called, but he ignored her and made her way over to Tim.
Lina watched as the two hugged. Tim seemed so happy talking to Lukas. It made Lina angry to see Lukas smiling while talking to Tim, and the thought that she might lose him again made her throat tighten.
I have to do something, she thought. Tim couldn't be a part of Lukas's life anymore. If she couldn't get him out of the way, she would lose everything she'd worked for. She knew she had to tread carefully to avoid losing Lukas, while also keeping the truth from Tim.
In the next few days, she observed Tim and Lukas even more closely. She followed them whenever they could, always with a smile on her face, while she seethed inside. She was determined to maintain her control over Lukas, no matter what the cost.