As the crowd dispersed, Justin turned to me, his expression softened with concern. "Are you okay, Ruby?" he asked, his voice gentle.
I nodded, forcing a smile despite the knot of emotions in my chest. "Yeah, I'll be fine," I replied, grateful for his support. "Thanks for standing up for me, Justin."
He shrugged, a hint of sadness flickering in his eyes. "No problem. You're my friend, Ruby. I'll always have your back."
Lucy glanced between us, her own emotions swirling beneath the surface. "Yeah, we're all in this together," she said, her voice wavering slightly.
I reached out, squeezing her hand in reassurance. "Thanks, Lucy. And Justin, too. I don't know what I'd do without you guys."
Justin's gaze softened, and he gave me a small smile. "Anytime, Ruby. We've got your back, no matter what."