Leading the way for my little sister

How many times have you been told, (or yelled at) to "act your age" and "be a role model for your younger siblings"? In my case, a lot.

I have a sister six-and-a-half years younger than me. When she was born I was so happy. As a 6-year-old all I could think about was that I finally had someone younger to play with.

As she grew up it was great. We would spend hours playing together.

My sister has always looked up to me. If I was drawing a picture, she would produce one the next day that looked suspiciously similar. If I wore my hair one way, sure enough, hers would be the same.

When we were younger it was fine. Everyone would go, "Oh, look how cute they are!"

But as I grew up it wasn't fun. I didn't want to wear similar clothes to her. There would be arguments that could have been mistaken for World War III. If my sister did anything even vaguely resembling what I did there was sure to be a screaming match.

But now, two years on, I am starting to see that she isn't really trying to annoy me. She does it because she looks up to me. Even if it seems she is copying me, the fact is we are two completely different people.

She is a girl who loves pink, while I loathe it. She likes to run around. I prefer curling up with a good book.

But there are interests we both share, such as having fun and laughing at a good joke.

As we get older there are more things I can do that she wants to do. If I am allowed to go out with my friends, why isn't she? If I can watch a particular TV programme then why can't she?

Although six years seems like a big difference, it isn't when we get along. She loves to be around me and I love to be with her. Although I guess some habits die hard. Even as I write this she is sitting down with her pen and notebook and writing a story.

As we get older there are going to be more times when I can show her how to do something and she could possibly teach me a thing or two. But she will always be my little sister and, for now, it's up to me to "lead the way".

Erica D'Souza, Year 9, Lynfield College