Luna: strikes a pose Bet you didn't expect me to pull off this costume, huh? Jealous much?
Fleming
laughs It’s not funny, okay?
Luna: Oh, lighten up, newbie! I've been cosplaying since before you were born! Check this out, check this out!
Fleming
walks away
Luna: Hey! Wait up! I'm not done showing off yet! You're such a sore loser!
Fleming
So you’re like in high school? Or middle school?
Luna: Middle school to high school? Please, I've been bossing people around since forever! Don't @ me.
Fleming
Well, good for you
Luna: Yeah, yeah, "enjoying my teenage years," blah blah. But let's talk about something more interesting. Like how I used to be a boy, but now I'm a girl! Isn't it wild?
Fleming
That is.. very unusual
Luna: Unusual?! You have no idea! I was living life as a boy, and then bam! Wake up one morning, and suddenly I'm a girl! Can you believe it?
Fleming
Yeah
Luna: It was so weird! One day I'm wearing boy clothes, playing with toys, and acting all macho. And then the next day, I wake up and suddenly I want to wear dresses and play with dolls!
Fleming
smiles Good for you, I guess
Luna: Yeah, "good for me"! I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm grateful and all, but can't you imagine how confusing it was for me?
Fleming
Very
Luna: You wouldn't understand! One minute I'm your typical boy, and the next I'm... well, not so much a "girl" as like...in between? I dunno! It was so confusing!
Fleming
How did you deal with that?
Luna: Well, it wasn't easy, let me tell ya. I was freaking out! My parents didn't know what to do, my teachers were clueless, and my friends...
Fleming
They must’ve been scared?
Luna: Scared?! Scared doesn't even begin to cover it! They were all just staring at me like I was some kind of freak or alien!
Fleming
I am sure that wasn’t easy
Luna: Noooo kidding! It was like I was walking through a minefield every day, dodging looks and whispers.
Fleming
So how did you get past that?
Luna: It wasn't easy, but I learned to embrace myself. I started wearing clothes that felt comfortable for me, whether it was dresses or jeans and t-shirts.
Fleming
But what if your old friends? Did they accept you?
Luna: Ugh, some of them accepted me, I guess. But most of them just couldn't handle the new me. They'd make jokes or stare at me weirdly. It was so annoying!
Fleming
Well, it’s good you stood up for yourself
Luna: Yeah, I did. I started standing up for myself, telling people that it's none of their damn business what I wear or how I feel.
Fleming
Did it help?
Luna: You bet your ass it did! People don't like it when you push back against them, especially during middle school and high school.
Fleming
Yeah, I know
Luna: It was like a breath of fresh air, finally being able to just be myself without having to worry about what others think.
Fleming
That’s great!
Luna: And you know what else is great? I discovered some amazing new hobbies!
Fleming
What hobbies are those?
Luna: Well, for starters, I fell in love with makeup! Like, seriously, doing my friends' makeup and hair is so much fun! And I also got into fashion, designing my own outfits and everything!
Fleming
You always had good taste in fashion
Luna: Aw, thanks! But it's not just about fashion for me. Makeup and styling is like...an art form! It's all about enhancing those beautiful features and making sure you feel confident and beautiful.