The Elite

Chapter 10

*Ember's POV*

I blush and hide my face behind my hands as my whole family sings happy birthday to me, mum places the beautifully iced cake on the table in front of me with eighteen candles standing on the top.

Zoe rushes over to me and I pull her into a hug, "make a wish!" Mum smiles over all the cheering.

"Help me," I say to Zoe gently tickling her side.

Together we lean forward and I close my eyes and silently make my wish, let everything be okay, please don't let too much change.

I open my eyes to be covered in multicoloured string from party poppers, Zoe get frightened and buries her head into my chest whilst covering her ears with her tiny hands.

I kiss her on the forehead and sit her up so that she's on my knee, she reaches up and removes some of the string that has landed in my hair wrapping it around her fingers and then goes to put it into her mouth, before she can I take it from her only to see a pout appear on her face.

"Have some cake instead," I giggle handing her over a small piece.

She takes the cake into her hands and takes a big bite leaving big chunks of icing all around her lips, I chuckle before grabbing a napkin and gently wiping it off.

"You're such a good big sister," my auntie compliments as she looks over at her own children, I gaze over and see my cousins who are currently fighting over who gets the green balloon, "I hope mine can have the same sibling bond that you girls do."

I return the smile, "well how could anyone not love this little flower," I grin looking down at Zoe seeing that she has yet more icing on her lips.

"Here you go," Lily says walking over to me her arm outstretched holding a glass of white wine, "its legal now so go for it."

I roll my eyes at her remembering the countless times that her, me and James stole a bottle of liqueur out of my parents alcohol cabinet and took it down to the beach. In my defence it was down to peer pressure and then me just wanting to be defiant, but I know it was a subtle dig.

"Why thank you," I put on my best posh accent and accept the wine glass from her.

Her and James take a seat next to me as I bring the glass to my lips before taking a sip, the warmth of the liquid travelling down my throat almost therapeutic. Thoughts then ran through my mind of my impending exit from my own birthday party and a wave of sadness rushes through me, causing me to tilt my head back and drink the rest in just one gulp.

"Easy Em," James warns me, "don't wanna get pissed too early."

I chuckle at his choice of words and notice out the corner of my eye that my dad is glaring at me, I know that I shouldn't be drinking. Apparently I have 'important' training tomorrow, so getting drunk is not an option. Not in his books anyway, in mine maybe it is.....

I stand up and put Zoe in the chair that I was sitting on, a smirk takes over my lips as I reach the bottle of white on the table and pour its remaining contents in my glass. I then make my way back over to the chair and lift Zoe up so that she's on my lap once again, and lift the glass to my lips taking a big gulp.

"You're playing with fire Ember," Lily says her voice barely audible, "your dad looks like he wants to rip the glass from your hands and throw it against a wall."

"Well my name is Ember, it's in my nature to play with a little fire," I smirk, "he can't do anything, not anymore anyways. I am fire."

Lily takes a sip of her own drink before she shakes her head, I know she doesn't approve of my actions but I really am in a defiant and devious mood. This could be fun....

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I feel myself swaying as I make my way towards the drinks table, my entire body feeling numb and my head light. I like it, I like this feeling.

I stumble before being caught by my eldest cousin Lewis, "Jesus Em, be careful!" He warns as he walks me towards the nearest chair, his arm still circled around my waist.

"I know you're eighteen and everything now," he continues, "but that doesn't mean that you can handle your drink."

"I know what I can and can't handle," my words come out sounding like something between a growl or just drunken slurred speech, "back off Lewis."

He crosses his arms across his chest, that's the thing with Lewis he's always been like an older brother to me. Not a cousin, most of my family are way too overprotective but I guess now I know why. Lewis is no exception, he's always been there for me when I've needed him. I appreciate that, but that doesn't mean he has to stick his nose into things that do not concern him.

"That's the thing Em," he says staring me down, "you're intoxicated you have no idea what you're doing right now."

I mimic his actions, crossing my arms across my chest just like him in a childlike manner before starring him down as well, "yes I do know what I'm doing right now," I counter, "I'm talking to an idiot."

He rolls his eyes at my comment and decides to walk off which is probably for the best, who knows what else I could call him if he continues to question my motives behind drinking and as to how much I've had.

I huff as I'm left on the chair, frustrated and in need of another drink. The buzz from my last few seems to wearing off, this sucks!

"Here," James hands me a glass, "drink this."

"Is it vodka?" I ask narrowing my eyes, I just want another drink that's all, it's not a crime.

"Yes, yes it is," James replies, "now drink it."

I accept the glass and bring it to my lips, however when I swallow the liquid I'm not greeted by that familiar burn that I love so much.

"Liar," I grumble putting the glass back down and stand up again, once more making my way back towards the drinks table.

"You'll regret it Em," he warns me following me like I'm a toddler that has to be supervised by their parents wherever they go to make sure that they aren't getting into trouble.

However, me being me totally ignores his warning and so I walk straight over to the table and pour myself a glass of white wine, red just tastes like dish water. Gross.

I take note of how my dad is looking at me, like he's disappointed and expects better from me, not today though. I don't want to be behave, I feel rebellious. So with one quick glance in his direction I knock the glass back in one hit and immediately feel the effect. My veins feel like the blood that flows within them has instead been replaced with pure alcohol, I feel electric.

My body heats up my skin feels like it's on fire, but as I look down I notice the goose bumps that are forming and then I begin to shake. My eyes widen as I watch members of my family look to me in confusion, wondering what the hell is going on with me.

My entire body feels numb but I know that my legs are trembling, I know that the sound of the music is being drowned out by this high pitched ringing. Everything happens so fast, too fast and with that darkness surrounds me.