"What's wrong with you? Tell me if you have any grievances."
I was at a loss.
"They all say I am a good girl. I am obedient and timid..."
Estelle's voice was getting louder and louder.
"But I don't want to be like this. I want to be brave once, just once..."
As she was talking, she suddenly started unbuttoning her clothes.
I was startled. I quickly grabbed her hand.
"What are you doing?"
"I will prove it to them now that I am not a coward!"
Estelle struggled with red eyes.
stay calm!" I held her tightly and said, "This is not bravery. It's just..."
I suddenly didn't know what to say.
"Just what?" Estelle asked me with a crying voice.
"It is just..." I took a deep breath, saying, "You are just punishing yourself for someone else's mistakes."
Estelle was stunned. She slowly stopped crying.
"True bravery is not doing something out of line in the eyes of others. Instead, it is about following your own heart and doing what you think is right."
I looked into her eyes and said word by word, "Do you understand?"
She seemed to be enlightened as she nodded.
I asked tentatively, hoping to give her some strength, "Can we agree then, to get rid of the labels of being a good girl or a good boy together?"
...