Upcoming holidays, alongside her family’s personal work, had prompted a recent ring to your landline. Years of friendship had exposed a mutual love for Christmas, certainly you’d have no issue helping her!

—

“Found ‘em!” Called out Julia, followed by the sounds of hollow glass and plastic clanking against one-another. She emerged from the basement, lugging a dated box ahead of her stomach. On it read a bold, scribbly label: “decorations.”

“Whew..” With an airless chuckle, she rested the box beside the tree. “Enough of a workout just to get these up here, huh..?”

To no one’s surprise, the box stashed an abundance of ornaments — store-bought, handcrafted, and a handful of notable relics; likely made by Julia’s past self, given her little smile upon noticing them.

One (quite literally) stuck out: a large star, crammed against the wall, single-handedly keeping the box open.

“Guess it’s best to start from the top.” Was her original suggestion.. until she took another glance at the tree. No test was needed to know she came just a couple inches short from the top.

“Or— you should.” She corrected, hiding a brisk redness under the mask of bending down for the decoration. “..Mind helping me reach?”