This morning, bicycling down to the river, Alisha imagined her new room—her own room. A hand of homesickness squeezed her heart as she pictured herself alone in the dark in the new room, without the sound of Alice's quiet breathing beside her. She imagined not having Alice to talk to if she woke up shivering after a nightmare. She imagined Alice not being there to wake up so they could raid the fridge for midnight snacks. Sighing, Alisha turned her bicycle back toward the building site of her future home. She suddenly felt confused. Why was it that the thing she had wanted most for so long—to have the freedom of her own room—now seemed like a box wrapped in beautiful paper to hide something ugly inside?
It was the first spring after the fire had destroyed their home one bitter, cold November morning. The March sun felt like butter on warm toast against her skin as Alisha rode her bicycle toward the river. As she rode away from the building site where a crew was resurrecting her old home, the tangy smell of freshly cut wood followed her. She began to whistle, feeling like life was handing her a new beginning on a silver platter.
Alisha still could not believe the joyful fact that when the house was finished she would have her very own room. No more sharing with her younger sister, Alice. No more fights with her mother about the importance of sharing, about character building, or fights with Alice about whose turn it was to clean the closet. She would have her own closet to keep clean or to cram with useless, but precious, treasures.
When she asked her parents if she could have her own room in the new house, her twenty–year–old brother had criticized her. "It's like you're asking them to peel you a grape, Alisha. It's bad enough for Mom and Dad that our house burned down. You should just be thankful that you're getting a new house!"
Why was it that the thing she had wanted most for so long—to have the freedom of her own room—now seemed like a box wrapped in beautiful paper to hide something ugly inside?
How does the author's use of the underlined phrase help the reader understand Alisha's feelings about her room?
A.
It demonstrates that Alisha had conflicting feelings about growing up.
B.
It indicates that Alisha was worried about hurting her sister's feelings.
C.
It explains that Alisha felt her parents had not been truthful about their plans.
D.
It shows that Alisha had become aware of the negative aspects of her situation.
A. It demonstrates that Alisha had conflicting feelings about growing up.
The underlined phrase suggests that Alisha's feelings about having her own room are complex and not as straightforward as she initially thought. It shows that she is experiencing a mix of emotions, including nostalgia for her old living situation and uncertainty about the future. This helps the reader understand the internal conflict that Alisha is facing as she looks forward to her new room.