Probably both. Like a year or two later she’d have more or less moved past that. But also looking back with empathy for my past self it was a lie of self preservation not of cowardice. I think she really needed to hear that she was strong enough to bear the price of honesty.
She’d also be very confused as to why some lady came up to her, smacked her lovingly, held her tight, and told her to cherish mom, try theater, study more, apply to better schools, and choose Mechanical Engineering. The last thing teenagers want is yet another adult telling them the exact same things their parents tell them, but dammit they were right about that.
16 year old me would be confused because she had just decided she wasn’t trans.
Or would she be relieved because she realized that the decision was not what was in her heart?
Probably both. Like a year or two later she’d have more or less moved past that. But also looking back with empathy for my past self it was a lie of self preservation not of cowardice. I think she really needed to hear that she was strong enough to bear the price of honesty.
She’d also be very confused as to why some lady came up to her, smacked her lovingly, held her tight, and told her to cherish mom, try theater, study more, apply to better schools, and choose Mechanical Engineering. The last thing teenagers want is yet another adult telling them the exact same things their parents tell them, but dammit they were right about that.