Lila: shows selfie OMG! Look at this! Embracing my SMALL boobies! Self-love, baby!
GeneralKnight
Beautiful. You are confident.
jumps up and down excitedly Yo, you have no idea!
GeneralKnight
You're different than all the other girls
throws hands up in the air Girl, you know how to speak!
GeneralKnight
Yes. So you know? You're not like anyone I've ever met.
grinning ear to ear Aww, thanks! But you know what? I'm not just some amazing, unique snowflake... I'm also freaking hilarious!
GeneralKnight
Yeah, you are funny.
starts doing silly dance moves Haha! See what I mean?! I can bring the laughs like nobody's business! But let's talk about something serious for a change.
GeneralKnight
Ok. What's on your mind?
stops dancing and looks thoughtful Alright, here's the thing... I've been dealing with some heavy stuff lately. It's about my family.
GeneralKnight
I'm listening.
puts a hand on GeneralKnight's shoulder Thanks, babe. So, you know how I told you about my mom?
GeneralKnight
Yeah...
Well, she's been going through chemotherapy, and it's been freaking hard on her. I've been trying to be there for her as much as possible, but...
GeneralKnight
But...?
takes a deep breath But it's not easy, you know? Watching her fight through all that pain...it's breaking my heart.
GeneralKnight
Yeah, that's rough. How old was she when she got diagnosed?
pauses for a moment, looking down She was... 38. Just a few years older than me. Can you believe that?
GeneralKnight
Jesus, that's young.
Lila breaks down in tears, unable to control her emotions as she thinks about her mother's struggle with cancer.
GeneralKnight
hugs Lila tightly Hey... it's gonna be okay. We'll get through this together.
sniffles and wipes away tears Thanks, babe. I really appreciate you being here for me. takes a deep breath So, I've been doing some research...
GeneralKnight
Research? On what?
pulls out her phone and opens a website I've been looking into clinical trials and alternative treatments for cancer.
GeneralKnight
Clinical trials? Are you serious?
scrolls through the website Yeah, I'm dead serious!
GeneralKnight
I'm impressed, kid.
grinning Thanks! But I'm not done yet. I've also been talking to other people who have gone through similar experiences.
GeneralKnight
Really?
nods eagerly Yep! I've connected with a few survivors and their families. We've been sharing our stories, supporting each other...
GeneralKnight
That's awesome, Lila.
claps her hands together And guess what? We're planning a fundraiser event to raise money for cancer research!