Adopted by Zoella<DISCONTINUED>

0.7

Xan's POV

The panic attack suddenly happened like a flash of lightning, nostalgia washing through me. I've been to this place before, many dark memories.

Flashback

I stood there in silence as my dad went to grab some ice cream, like a normal family. I was only three. My mom was gone in Asia somewhere for her job, so that meant daddy and I got to be together for a bit. 

He came back with vanilla covered with sprinkles. I sat there happily until one of my dad's drinking buddies or "coworkers" as he used to call them, came up to me and tickled me. I giggled, cause I was used to his friends. Most were nice in the afternoon when they would be over or something, but after seven I wanted to be in bed before they would be drunk and start touching me. My dad always was protective of me before momma left- but afterwards he didn't have a care in the world for me.

George sat next to me, the nicest of his friends, as snuggled me tight into his cigar stenched leather jacket. I smiled into it before going back to eating my ice cream. That was before Will walked over.

I was always afraid of Will, he was always touchy and feely on me. He came over and started playing with my little pigtails. When my dad left the booth at the ice cream parlor, he began touching me more. My arms, my thighs. I felt so petrified and as if turned to stone. My father didn't care what happened to me, as long as he didn't end up somewhere like prison. 

Then the manager came over after my dad left, clearly worried about me. He asked Will to stop and that the other people in the parlor were worried. Will got up and punched him. I saw blood, and George picked me up, held me tight, and ran me outside. 

There was so much blood that night. My dad died that night. The impact from hitting the wall against a weak side of his brain from a rumor or something of  that kind killed him instantly. 

I never saw George again, even after he said he would protect me. Oh how things have changed.

~Flashback end~

And just like that, my panic attack ended. Zoe looked at me in shock and worry.

"Sweetheart, you okay?" She said, patting my shoulder. I nodded, breathing normally again after a few seconds. That felt like it lasted forever. "What happened?"

"Can I tell you inside?" I replied, biting my lip. Zoe nodded with a warm smile and we got out of the car. I followed her inside the place my at her died, cringing when it looked the exact same. Even the floors were the same, and you could see a faint line of blood embedded into the floor near the exit. Wonder how long that's been there.

She ordered for me while I went to the bathroom. I needed a breather. I felt suffocated. I needed someone I trusted. I need to trust Zoe. I kept telling this to myself as I splashed my face lightly with some cold water.

Soon I left and joined Zoe in a booth. Zoe looked up from her chocolate sundae and grinned at me. "You okay now? Ready to share?"

I nodded. She would be my new mom soon, I better get used to doing this. "My dad was killed here."

She stopped eating the sundae, and swallowed that last bite slowly. "Wait, and you didn't stop me? Sweetie, you could've told me that. How did it happen?"

I bit my lip, feeling some blood appear. Zoe looked at it too, but didn't acknowledge it. "Well, my dad was friends with a lot of bikers. They would get drunk together, and so on. I came here with my dad and his best friend George, who was like a teddy bear wearing leather, and wanted some ice cream. That was before Will showed up. He used to be friends with my dad, but then- excuse my cuss- turned into a dick." Zoe laughed lightly. "Will was very, touchy, and began touchy my thigh and hair as I waited for my dad to come back to our seat. Soon, he was all over me, and the manager had to come over. Will started a fight, and George carried me outside. Maybe an hour later my dad and the manager were both dead and George was in prison." I told her.

She nodded slowly, "I'm so sorry, Xan. Just know me and your new father, Alfie, would never hurt you or even allow any of our friends that close to you."

I giggled, "Thanks, Zoe."

We sat there for about an hour, just talking about random crap. I realized that we had more in common than I thought we would. I thought she would just be a beautiful girl with no mind, but she's so smart and awesome- I'll be estatic when she picks me up from the orphanage.

"So, Xan, Mrs. Honeywell wanted me to ask this," Zoe started, biting her lip. "Do you want to come home with us this weekend?"

I nodded excitedly, "Yes! Yes please!" 

"Well, you may change your mind when you meet Alfie and Nala." She said with a wink. I giggled.

"Who cares? I'm just excited to get out of that horrible orphanage!"

We were both grinning ear to ear when we left the ice cream parlor, leaving to go to my future home. It was in a nice little suburb, but not to far from the main streets and all the interesting stuff in Brighton. Zoe was practically bouncing in her seat when we pulled into the driveway. The house was a three story White House. There were new little baby trees dotting the small front yard, tulips and orchids surrounding them. I loved the simplicity of the house.

A man opened the front door, Alfie. He was wearing a white shirt with jeans while he ran up to Zoe's car window. She lowered it, and be stuck his head in.

"Zoe, is this Xan?" He asked with a smile on how face. I nodded. "Come on in then! We have a lot of talking and stuff to do!"

Zoe giggled and turned the car off. We hopped out of the car and met Alfie at the front door, where a anxious little pug waited. "That's Nala." He whispered. She had beautiful little eyes! I love dogs so much... And now I have a little baby one! (:3)

He opened the door, and Zoe and I entered. Their entire house was just adorable and simple. I loved it so much, and couldn't wait to live here. "So!" Zoe exclaimed, linking her right arm with my left. "Let's go show you your room!"

I nodded excitedly and they both laughed at my face- I probably looked so stupid. As we climbed up the steps, Nala followed us. She was playing with my shoe when we entered my room. It had white walls, with a big bed with a grey and yellow comforter and tons of miscellaneous pillows. The walls were covered with little quotes and pretty landscapes, which I actually thought was super cute, and then of course I had to check the closet- just in case.

Zoe's smile stayed on the entire time, never leaving her face. Neither was Alfie's, who I already thought was awesome. I peeked into the closet, and saw clothing. I checked the sizes- all mediums. "Zoe, is this for me? Or more of your stuff?" I laughed. Alfie burst in uncontrollable laughter, because he knew she had a lot of clothes. I only knew from Andrea.

She shook her head, then playfully shoved Alfie aside. "Nope! All yours! We bought it all after talking to Mrs. Honeywell. A few jackets are in there, a few shirts, and one pair of boots!"

I grinned at the two of them, basically my parents. I was so grateful. That's when I began crying, thinking of the life I could've had. Alfie ran over and embraced me, rubbing my back as he led me to the bed. We sat down and he still hugged me. My eyes were red and puffy by the time I was done, and seemed like Alfie and Zoe might've gotten a hint why I began to cry. 

"You're fine, sweetheart, I love you already." Alfie said to me as I wiped my eyes and pulled my makeup bag from my little purse. I smiled at him, "thank you, so much! I love you already too, Alfie."