Reaching the Top

I braced my boots on the edge of that pulled-out game case and sprang upward. Grabbing the rim of the top shelf with both hands, I hauled myself over the wooden lip. Right in front of me sat an old brass desk bell, dull and dusted around the base. I couldn't resist—I gave the top plunger a solid smack with my palm. A crisp, ringing chime echoed through the quiet room, making my whole arm tingle. Standing tall up here, looking down at the entire floor, the climb was completely worth it.