What I've Done CH 2: Rewind

REWIND: 1 YEAR PRIOR; CHRISTMAS EVE
"ELITRIA LILIUM THOMPSON! YOU BETTER GET YOUR BUTT DOWN HERE NOW!!" read the text on my phone. It's Christmas Eve and my WHOLE family is packed in our little 2 story cottage. I begged mom to let me go with Amanda to her Christmas party but she said no, as usual.
I text back, "I am NOT going down there." Anyone in their right minds would've stayed home and waited for Santa. Not my family. Its two days full of bad fruit cake, 'BONDING' time with my 6 year old cousins and crappy TV specials.
What I wouldn't give to be with Amanda.
The phone buzzes, speak of the devil. "HEY GURLL! Sorry you couldn't come with! The ski lodge is 2 fun!  !!"
"I bet.." I text back, I guess I'd rather take the "Christmas cheer" instead of my best friend bragging. I slip on a skirt and a red blouse and slide down the stairs. Mom says it's not lady-like, Eli says it's the funnest toy in the house.
Correction, full name tonight: ELITRIA. Ugghhh, who came up with that? Some Indian priest?
I walk into the living room, nobody really looks over. My cousins are happy to see me. They race to me and hug my legs; I'm the tallest 8th grader they know. Not to mention the ONLY one.
"ELI! WE MISSED YOU!" the twins scream.
I blush, "thanks." I pry them away before they get to my skirt.
My only mature younger cousin comes running to me, holding a big book in her hands, "Hey! Eli! Over here!!"
I look over, oh thank you Joy for saving me; I walk up to her, "Hi Joy, what's that?"
She reveals the book, "It's my dad's early gift to me since he had to leave for his trip so soon," she opens it up, "do you believe in vampires?"
I examine the book cover, VAMPIREOLOGY it read, "You know these books aren't real."
"Yes they are!" she debates. We quarrel for a minute.
Uncle Larry shouts from beside the fireplace, "WE NEED MORE FIRE!!! We're all out!"
My mom grieves over the situation; she searches the crowd for my face, "Elitria, dear, could you do me a favor?" reluctant as I am, I go to her, " There a man at the front of the neighborhood selling firewood, gets 20 dollars worth and take the wagon."
Only my mother would send me alone with a wagon this late at night.
As evil as I make it sound, I go anyway. Bring my boots, hat, gloves, scarf and jacket. It's 10 degrees outside and I'm not THAT crazy.
But that night, I could've easily said otherwise and had fooled you.