Early May 2012
As you got out of the taxi, you sighed. You had left your new home in Montreal and come back to your family home in Los Angeles. Yes, you did love LA but there was something about the peacefulness of Canada that had appealed to you ever since you were a little girl, when you had gone there on a family holiday. Anyway, you were back for your sister's 15th birthday. Although there was a 9 year age difference between you and Lila, you had always been close. You thanked the taxi driver and walked up the path, with your suitcase, and rung the doorbell. The front door swung open.
"Han!"
"Hey Lila. Happy birthday!" you smiled in return.
You walked over the threshold and into the kitchen, where your mother, Diane, and father, Richard, stood, smiling loving at you.
"How are you, sweetie? How was the flight?"
"I'm great Mom. The flight was good." You walked over and hugged and kissed your parents.
"Lila is particularly glad you're here. We said she couldn't open any of her presents until you arrived" your dad chuckled
"Yes, so can I have them now please?" Lila begged
"'Course sweetheart"
The four of you sat down around the table. Initially, Lila opened her presents from your grandparents. $20 of book tokens. She forced a smile. Then you gave her a present. It was the DVD box set of Pretty Little Liars.
"Thanks Han!" she said as she hugged you.
"Ok, now here is our present" Diane said, handing her an envelope. Lila ripped open the packaging, opened the card inside and screamed.
"Oh my god! Oh my god! No fucking way!" she shrieked
"Lila! Language!" her dad warned
"Sorry. No way. No way. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
"What is it?" you asked curiously
"They got me two tickets to the Freelance Whales concert tonight!" she exclaimed
"The who?"
"Freelance Whales! The best band in existence!"
"They're Lila's current favourite band. We thought you might like to take her, Han. It won't be as embarrassing as if we took her"
"Sure. That should be fun" you smiled at Lila.