Probably the biggest motivation for Lia to recover from her eating disorder is his step-sister Emma. Emma is eight years old and a sweet, loving, normal little girl. Unlike everyone else in her life, Lia's relationship with Emma is completely positive. She loves Emma completely and works to be the perfect big sister for her. Of course, that's impossible with her eating disorder. Emma's mother (Lia's step-mother) Jennifer wants Emma to be talented and beautiful. She monitors Emma's diet and pushes her to excel in extracurriculars like soccer. To Lia (and the audience), Emma seems like the embodiment of innocent normal childhood and Lia desperately wants to keep her that way. The danger is that all that pressure could turn Emma into another wintergirl.