Wings Don't Lie {ON HOLD}

Chapter Four

Tiana and I walked down the glass stairs into the ballroom. Jake was standing at the bottom of the staircase, smiling at me. God, he looked amazing in his tuxedo! He held out his hand, and I took it. I looked down, afraid I might blush. Tiana told me she was going to find her blond-haired beauty. I laughed, because it was an old joke between us.

"You look..."

"Amazing?" I suggested

"Sexy"

I blushed, and playfully hit his arm. He put my arm through his, leading us to my mother, who was across the room. On our way to the other side of the rooIm, I got a chance to take in the decorations. Pink, black, and white balloons were everywhere. Some had floated to the high ceiling while others brushed against my feet. The glass walls were strung with streamers, making it hard for the other side to see in. The tables were arranged in a circle around the dance floor, which already had plenty of people on it.

When we reached my mother, she gave me a hug. I pulled away, and noticed my mom had dressed up for the occasion. Usually she wears long sleeved, silk, royal gowns and had her hair into a tight bun. Right now, she wore a blue one shoulder layered dress that went a little past her knees, and looked great against her flowing auburn hair. She told Jake and I to go dance, but I saw the flaw there.

"There are Elders here, Your Majesty" I panicked, letting go of Jake's hand.

She had a smirk on her face. "Go. It'll be okay"

I had total faith in my mother, and walked out to the dance floor, Jake in tow. He moved his hands to my hips, and I couldn't help but wonder why he was so nonchalant about this. He's always been careful around the Elders. Why not now? I didn't care, honestly. If they had a problem, whatever. I'm only worried about Jake, and what would happen. And, really, my mom could take care of it.

"Are you even paying attention to this song?" Jake whispered in my ear

"No" I breathed. I heard the song playing, and smiled. It's the first song we danced to: Glad You Came by The Wanted. "Oh my God"

He spu me onto the dance floor, and I smiled. I swayed my hips side to side, and he laughed. I remember that night perfectly. And, I intend to relive that moment. Right down to my dance moves. He pulled my closer, out of the waiter's way. He muttered an apology as Jake spun me out again. But, instead of twirling me to face him, he made it so that he was pressed against my back. My body moved to the beat, and I wasn't really in control of my actions.

Tiana came over, a glass of Chardonnay in her hand. "How did you get that?!" I asked over the music

She smirked. "I flirted with the bartender"

I laughed. "And your 'bf' is okay with that?"

She laughed. "Yeah, 'cause I got him some Jack Daniels"

She outstretched the glass to me and I  backed away, causing me to press more in Jake's body. Jake had wrapped his arms protectively around me, telling Tiana to get lost.

She frowned. "Her problem ended two years ago. One drink isn't going to send her back to that"

I hated how she just assumed that an ex-alcholic wouldn't be tempted. I eyed the glass, thinking of my father. I grabbed the glass away from her, downing it. It wasn't enough to get a buzz, but it made me shake my head. She smiled. I waved her away, saying I wanted another. Jake told her no, so I went to the bar to get one. Tiana wants me to drink? I'll drink.

"A glass of Chard, please?" I asked, batting my eyelashes.

He nodded, and poured me a glass. I thanked him and walked back over to Tiana. She saw me and frowned. She took the glass off me, and I grabbed it back, holding it in the air. She jumped for it, but she was too short. Another inch, and she would've reached it. She crossed her arms over her chest, and I walked away. I walked blindly through the crowd, trying to avoid Tiana, my mom, Jake, and the Elders. But, I tried to stay close to the bar. I downed the drink, starting to feel a sliiight buzz. In a few minutes, I couldn't remember how many glasses I drank or who I was dancing with.

"Cece, come on" I knew that voice anywhere: Jake

I turned around, smiling. Jake is always sexy to me, but right now he was drool worthy. I ran my hand along his arm, giggling. He sighed, and took me by my wrist. He dragged me through the crowd of sweaty dancers, and led me to the glass staircase. I laughed, and ran upstairs with him. When we got to my room, I threw off my shoes, and laid down on the bed, patting the spot beside me. Jake hesitated before sitting down. I got on my knees, draped my arms around him, and kissed his neck. He pulled away, which upset me, and handed me a glass of water and a pill.

My mother had always kept these pills around. After my dad died, she drank a lot. She had discovered these pills, which had the alcohol leave your system within an hour. I didn't think I was that drunk. I took it off of him, though, and put it in my mouth. I chugged down the water, along with the pill. Fifteen minutes after taking the pill, I ran to the bathroom and threw up. This was a part of the pill's effects. Jake held up my hair, rubbed my back, and murmured soothing words. After puking, I rinsed my mouth out, and then slid down the bathroom wall, a sob rising in my chest.

"I'm sorry" I sobbed

Jake wrapped his arms around me. "It's not your fault, Cece. Tiana shouldn't have tempted you" He stroked my hair, and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "Just tell me when you want to go back to the ballroom. I thought it would be best to keep you out of the public eye"

I quickly sobered, his words reminding me of something my father once said: "Open your eyes to the world around you. But, keep out of the public eye"

I froze. Jake instantly became worried. "Isn't the dance floor of the ballroom a giant mosiac of Earth?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"This party better end soon, then. I think I may have just figured out my dad's riddle"

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Sorry it's so short!