What other people think should only matter to a certain point. You know you aren't a civilian child. All of you do. You look after yourself and yours. The civilian child argument only goes so far here as well if people haven't noticed. The majority of trainers on the routes are your age, if not only slightly older, and the society here practically treats you like adults, anyway.

[ She pauses a moment, just looking at him. ]

Come on. Let's see you lift that chin up a little.