Lila sat on her bed, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nerves. Today was the day she would meet her new brother. She pulled her knees to her chest, staring at the packed suitcase in the corner, a symbol of the change about to unfold.
The door swung open, and Lila peered out from behind her mother's leg, her eyes widening as Eli stepped out of the car. He was smaller than she had imagined, with hair that caught the sunlight like threads of gold.
"Hi, I'm Lila," she offered, her voice a whisper.
"I'm Eli," he replied with a shy smile, his eyes darting around the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.
Lila and Eli sat side by side, their initial awkwardness slowly melting away as they shared stories over lunch. "Do you like dinosaurs?" Lila asked, her eyes brightening with curiosity.
"I love them!" Eli responded enthusiastically, a grin spreading across his face.
Lila led Eli to her favorite spot under the tree, where they sat together, tracing shapes in the clouds. "I think we'll get along just fine," she said, feeling a sense of ease settle in her chest.
Lila stood beside Eli, her heart full as they watched the stars begin to twinkle in the sky. "Welcome home," she whispered, feeling the bond between them solidify under the vast, starlit expanse.
