Lynn's Past

[Episode 22]

I've got a bit of time before we check out the cave so for now, I'll just sit in some corner and sleep.

"Ruvie! Where are you going?" Or according to Lynn, I guess I won't. What does she want now?

"Yes? Did you forget anything?"

She looks at me like I'm some crazy person for asking that question, "No, not at all?! I just want to hang out with you before we start the cave exploration. Why? Do I need some reason to hang out with a friend?"

I see how it is. In other words, she's bored.

From that childish laugh she likes to do, she's aware that I'm probably not going to send her away now. "Ok sure whatever, just don't talk too much because I'm a little tired."

Lynn hesitates a little and looks to the side with a nervous face. "Yeah... Sure thing Hun!"

Sure thing my butt. She's been talking nonstop for about fifteen minutes now!

Every time I try hinting that I'm not interested, she somehow sees it as a cue to move on to a new topic.

Well honestly, it isn't too bad. Waiting here by myself this whole time with nothing to do would be boring... Is what I'm trying to convince myself at least.

I think Lynn is a... Good person but I definitely can't hang out with her when in a tired state.

"And then I got disowned by my father hahaha!"

Excuse me?! "Wait what did you just say? disowned? You??"

Lynn glares at me angrily with a single puffed cheek, "I knew you weren't listening Ruvie!" She crosses her arms, "It's like you don't even want me here."

Well, to be honest, I would prefer sleeping but, "No that isn't the case, I'll listen this time so repeat what you said." I'm curious how such a bright and happy person like her could be disowned.

"Well actually, as you know I was born as a boy in Denmark. I was ten when I decided I wanted to dress up all pretty, so I did. That was the first straw." She fiddles her fingers, "My mother, she caught me playing with her makeup and told my dad immediately which made them act a lot stricter. They didn't want me to become what I am today. But I knew my true self so I started transitioning at 23 when I moved out with friends. My parents visited me as a surprise and saw me dressed up as a woman with makeup and everything. That's when they disowned me. My father wanted a son, not a daughter."

How does she still smile even after going through all that? "I'm so sorry Lynn." I'm not very good at comforting people in situations like this.

"It's fine hun! it doesn't bother me that much. What really hurts is that I wasn't even allowed to see my younger brother anymore. He acts a lot like you do which is why I wanted to befriend you so fast." She stands up with a determined smile, "I keep smiling in hopes that if I ever see my brother again, he won't feel bad for not being able to see me. That's why I must survive Ruvie."

Though I'm sure nobody's luck is more down than mine currently is, everyone still has their own past. I'm not the only one suffering. Most of us have a reason to go back home.

Even if that's the case, however, I still can't trust these random people but maybe if it's

Lynn, I might make an exception. Only because I remind her of her brother and she reminds me of my sister.

"So how did you cope with being disowned suddenly?" I widen my eyes realising I've asked a personal question. "Ah- sorry! I shouldn't have asked you that."

"Ayy Ruvie! Just what do you think I am? You can ask me anything! Err as long as it isn't too private."

We both laugh awkwardly. "It was actually a pretty simple process Hun. I disowned my male name after my parents decided to do the same to me. Though I still kept the surname Graaf since it's a way for my brother to find me easily when he gets older. Changing my name to Lynn proved my determination in becoming the real me. I even quit gymnastics to learn something new as a way of rebranding myself."

"Wait? Gymnastics?! Also, what did you learn instead?"

"Cosmetology." She opens up her storage and pulls out a handbag full of cosmetics. "It's my passion so I decided to learn how to do it professionally. One day sweet bun, I plan on opening my own beauty store to give confidence to anyone who buys my service!"

Is Lynn actually some super amazing person?

"And what was that about gymnastics, did you ever compete professionally?"

Putting her makeup back she continues, "Well actually yes sweets, I did in fact win gold a couple of times as a teenager but I quit competing professionally after I got my first surgery."

"Wow-"

"Don't be too surprised yet Hun! I bet I'm more amazing than you thought huh? I'll add more fuel to your flames of admiration! I've even travelled to places in Turkey, Italy, Spain and Greece for my clients when I was just a trainee. Multiple people wanted to hire me Ruvie but I'm a firm believer in having fun whatever I do meaning if I'm going to be a cosmetologist, I'll be my own boss!"