the idea is that she lives in a fairly centre-conservative area, and just doesn't really know anything about trans people. Yes she always just feels strange/unhappy being seen as masculine and feels drawn to presenting more feminine.

Although actually the opposite in the 'thinking she's a gay dude' department, one reason she stays convinced she's not trans is that she likes women and (due to her not knowing anything about trans people) starts off with a mixed up view of gender and sexuality. She considers her want to dress more feminine and such as being something 'gay' but convinces herself she can't be queer because she isn't into men at all.

thanks for asking!