Amy Nineteen Years Old Beginning of Freshman YearMy sister, Lily, stands on my new mattress, her arms up in the air as she holds up a strand of small white Christmas lights.
“Keep them up. I’m almost there.” I stand in the opposite corner of the small room, affixing the strand of lights in my hands to the painted cement wall.
“I am, but hurry. My arms are getting tired.”
I jump down from the stool and hop onto my new twin bed. Taking the string of lights from Lily, I stick the last section to the wall above the bed.
“There. Perfect,” I say.
Lily and I scan the room. The slight glow from the lights makes the cold space so much cozier.
“Such an improvement. It will look so good when you get your pictures up. Do you want me to help you with those?” Lily asks.
“No, that’s okay. I can do
