Deny that you are exploring your gender:

“Hold up, I’m not exploring my gender. I’m a guy.”

“Honey it’s okay, you don’t need to pretend anymore. It’s okay.”

“No. I’m not trans. I’m a guy.”

She drives silently for a few moments.

“When you said you were curious I just assumed… That’s why I gave you your sister’s old clothes. I thought you were…” she’s silent for a few more moments, “Everly, why were you really in my room, wearing my underwear?” the sound of her voice was almost hurt, like she had been excited about something and had suddenly lost it.

“I was…”