As Lila slumped down beside me and Lydia, her expression a mixture of sadness and disgust, my heart went out to her. She had fought valiantly, but the odds had been stacked against her. I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, offering what little solace I could muster.
"It's not over yet, Lila," I said softly, trying to inject some hope into her despondent demeanor. "You showed incredible courage out there. And remember, you're still standing, and that's an achievement in itself."
Lydia nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with empathy. "Yeah, don't beat yourself up over it. You'll bounce back stronger next time," she chimed in, her voice gentle yet firm.
Lila managed a faint smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thanks, guys," she murmured, her gratitude tinged with a hint of resignation. It was clear that the sting of defeat weighed heavily on her, despite our attempts to lift her spirits.
