"Now you be good, okay, Hannah? And listen to your sister."

It was Friday afternoon. Lauren and Hank were getting ready to leave for a three day legal conference in Santa Monica.

"Yes, mom." Hannah assured.

"Don't worry, we'll be fine. It's just three days." Andie said.

"Yes, I suppose that's true."

"There's lasagna in the fridge for tonight," Lauren said. "and money in the dresser for emergencies, the emergency numbers by the phone and-"

"I can call at any time." Andie recited. "I know. Guys, relax. I've been on my own with Hannah before. We'll be fine."

 Hank and Lauren looked at each other.

"We're really sorry this has to happen the same weekend as your birthday..." Lauren said.

Sure enough, Andie was to turn eighteen that Saturday. She wasn't thrilled either, but she didn't want them to feel guilty all weekend, so she forced a smile and said:

"I promise, we'll celebrate next weekend." she said.

"Yeah, that'll be great. Don't worry about it. I'll probably just stay in and watch a few movies or something."

Emily, Jessica and Isabelle all had plans for the weekend. And she'd thought it would be strange to ask Bane without the others. Send the wrong messages.

"Well, call if you need anything, then. Alright?" Hank said.

"Dad..." Andie sighed.

"I know, I know, I'm being overcautious. We have to go, I love you, be safe."

He kissed her forehead and climbed into the car. Lauren turned to kiss her daughters too.

"Love you too." she said.

She joined her husband in the car and they drove off. Andie hoisted Hannah onto her hip and squeezed her tightly. She knew her little sister hated it when their parents left. Not that Andie wasn't capable of watching her, but a sister isn't a mother, even a ten year old knew that. Hannah waved as the car turned a corner and disappeared as it headed towards the airport.

"Andie?"

"What is it?" she asked.

"Mom and Dad will come back, won't they?"

"Of course they will, they'll be back before you know it."

Hannah didn't look completely convinced, but said nothing.

"Okay... come on, down you go. I have to get that homework out of my hair."

"Are you going out tomorrow?" Hannah asked.

"What? No, why?"

"... Well, it's your birthday, isn't it?"

"Well, yes, but Mom and Dad aren't here."

"You could go with your friends, couldn't you?"

"They're all busy with other things," Andie answered. "And I couldn't leave you alone."

"I'm ten, I can take care of myself!"

Andie laughed.

"In your dreams, maybe. But for now, I'm in charge. Come on, I'm pretty sure you have homework too."

Hannah didn't seem very enthusiastic but let her sister lead her inside all the same. Eventually, they both finished their homework, and Andie set about making bolognese pasta, which was what she always did once when her parents were away because it was Hannah's favorite and was the most efficient way to make her feel better.

"Hannah! Dinner's ready," she said as she set the table.

"Coming!"

She hurried down excitedly and smacked her lips, having recognised the smell.

"Hmm! Smells great!"

"I sure hope so, I spent an hour making the sauce!" Andie laughed.

But it was as good as always, so they ate happily.

"I can't believe we're all letting you down on your eighteenth birthday!" Jessica groaned the next morning.

Andie was lying on her bed the next morning, her phone at her ear.

"It's fine, don't worry, really," she said. "I'll have other birthdays."

"Yeah, but only one eighteenth!" Jessica insisted woefully. "Ha... I guess it can't be helped..."

"No," Andie said, though she would have been lying if she said she wasn't a little upset too.

"You going to do anything fun?" Jessica asked.

"Nope, just me and Hannah. We'll probably watch the Holiday."

"You know every line inside and out!" Jessica laughed.

"So? I love that movie!" Andie grinned.

"I know." Jessica said. "Well, why don't you take Hannah for a milkshake at the Soda Fountain?"

"Yeah, that's not a bad idea."

"But you'll have to wait until six," Jessica said. "I was there yesterday grabbing an iced coffee for my dad, and she told me she was going to be closed most of the day. "

"Really? That's odd." Andie noted with a frown.

"She said she had to draw up an inventory and that it couldn't wait." Jessica said.

"Oh, I see. That's okay, we'll probably just hang around the house."

"Okay. I have to go, but we are totally celebrating when I get back!"

"Yeah, I know. Have fun."

"Thanks, you too. Bye." Andie and hung up before turning over onto her back.

It was a little depressing to think she would spend her eighteenth birthday with no one but her sister and a milkshake. She loved her little sister to pieces, but babysitting hadn't exactly been her first idea of celebrating her birthday.

Just then, there was a quick knock on her door and Hannah hurtled in.

"Happy birthday, Andie!"

Andie looked round and smiled.

"Thanks, sweetie."

She then noticed she had something in her hands.

"What's that?"

Hannah, grinning broadly, held out her hand.

"I made this for you!" she said.

It was a small bracelet with those flashy colorful plastic beads you easily find in toy stores. The kind little girls used to make jewelery. The beads were not coordinated, and it reminded her of the ones she'd done (or tried to; she'd almost always had to try again because she would drop the string) at Hannah's age.

"Thanks, Hannah," she smiled, slipping it on her wrist and kissing her sister's cheek.

"I'd have made you a big chocolate cake with icing, but Mom says I mustn't touch the oven..." she said.

"And she's absolutely right, Hannah," Andie said firmly. "Ovens are not toys."

"I know, I know. But I want a cake."

"We'll go get some milkshakes this afternoon, okay? I'm sure Siobhan will have some cake."

"Yeah! Milkshakes!"

Andie laughed.

"Come on, let's get you some breakfast." she smiled.

After watching The Holiday (which Hannah didn't understand) followed by Ella Enchanted which Hannah didn't understand either but prefered because it was about princes and princesses whereas the Holiday was "full of boring people who talk funny", Andie fixed up more pasta followed by chocolate ice cream (so Hannah wouldn't ask for milkshakes all afternoon). Then, they played a few board games but even that lost its charm after a while. Andie was just packing the games up when her phone rang. She pulled it out and sighed.

"Hey, Dad," she said.

"Hi, honey, how are you?"

"Fine. You do realise you already called three times since lunchtime?"

"Yes, I know but we hadn't been away so long since before Hannah was born..."

"Dad, I'm fine. I'm eighteen, I can manage a ten year old. And Hannah's not as bad as some other kids her age."

"Yes, that's true."

"How's the conference?"

"Oh, it's fine. Your mother's thrilled with the hotel room."

Andie chuckled.

"Say hi to her for me, okay?"

"Of course. What about you, any fun plans for tonight?"

"Sadly no. Maybe just a burger and a milkshake at the Soda Fountain with Hannah."

"Oh. I was sure you'd be celebrating with your friends..."

"I would have but they're all busy this weekend."

"Oh, that's too bad..."

"Yeah. Still, it can't be helped."

"Oh, that's your mother calling. I have to go. We love you!"

"Love you, too."

She hung up. She went upstairs to get ready. If she was going out, may as well look good. She pulled out her favorit blouse and trousers, and the garnet bracelet her mother had given her for her birthday the year before. She touched up her make up and brushed her hair.

"Hannah? Are you ready? Because I am not waiting an hour for you to chose an outfit."

"No, I'm ready, I'm ready!" she called.

She came hurrying out, and Andie couldn't help bursting out laughing.

"What?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, sweetie, but you can't go out like that!" Andie said.

Hannah had caked on green eyeshadow on her eyebrows, covered her cheeks in powder and put on a very bright red lipstick.

"Why not?" Hannah asked curiously. "You put make up on every day!"

"I know, but you didn't put it on right," she said, still stifling a giggle. "Come on, let me see if I can fix it."

Soon enough, Andie and Hannah were satisfied and ready to go out.

It was sunset again, Andie noticed as they drove off. And somehow, it was enough to make Andie feel better.

"Andie?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for taking me with you."

"Of course. It'd be boring all by myself."

Hannah smiled. Andie smiled too. She realised she and her sister had a strong bond a lot of siblings with their age difference didn't. Most teenagers found their younger siblings annoying and only watched them reluctantly. She never got tired of spending time with her sister.

"But," she warned, "That doesn't mean you are to behave any different than if Mom and Dad were here, alright? If I say no, it's no. Agreed?"

"Yes, Andie."

Andie wondered if Hannah listened to her so easily was because she had been used to it since she was small. It had probably had an impact, definitely. But she was glad of it. She eventually reached the Soda Fountain, but paused as she turned the engine off.

"What's wrong?" Hannah asked.

"It's odd... the blinds are down but the lights are on..."

"Is it a robber, d'you think?" Hannah asked nervously.

"... I don't think so, I can't see any policemen or anything..."

Andie hesitated. One the one hand, she didn't want her sister anywhere near the line of fire, if there was any, but she didn't want to leave her all alone in the car, either.

"... Come on, but stay right behind me, understood?"

Hannah nodded and slipped out. Andie climbed out too, and waited for her sister to be close behind her before stepping towards the ice cream parlor.

She paused as she reached it, listening for the sound of voices. She heard nothing.

"Andie, let's go back," Hannah whispered anxiously.

Just then, the handle moved and the door opened slightly. Andie jerked backwards, pulling Hannah behind her, ready to shield her with her own body... but nothing happened. Her heart hammering in her chest, Andie reached forwards and pushed the door open.

***************************************

Uh, oh, sounds like there's trouble brewing! Will Andie and Hannah be okay?

What would you fo in their position? Let's hear it in the comments!

What awaits the Galestone sisters behind that door? Let's find out in the next chapter!