Zoe's P.O.V
I sipped my frappuccino bit by bit as I tried to pay attention to what Louise was saying. We were walking through Topshop and she was currently trying to convince me to go to Alfie's Christmas Party.
''C'mon Zoe!'' Louise chucks a pair of trousers back onto the pile she got it from. ''At least if you go this time, you could settle this with Jack and things could go back to normal'' I bring my drink to my lips and think about it before speaking.
''But... do you really think he'll even talk to me'' I swallow as I watch a grin spread onto Louise's face. She's only happy because she knows I'm considering it now. I giggle as she nods like a 5 year old child, her ponytail flopping up and down. Even though I feel like I'm making a huge mistake, I slowly nod my head. I flinch as Louise squeals, earning looks from the shoppers around us. Once I've shushed her a few times, she finally settles down, a smile still plastered on her lips.
''Let's find you something to wear then!'' Louise grabs my hand, leading me over to the dressier part of the shop.
***
Eventually, we manage to get out of Topshop. I settled on a more casual outfit seeing as it was only really a get together. I remember when they had their house warming party and it wasn't too fancy so I just presume this will be the same. Alfie isn't really the type of person to have a really flashy party anyway.
''I'll pick you up at 7 tomorrow. No changing your mind about this, ok?'' Louise asks. I nod, lifting up my shopping bags.
''I already have an outfit, don't I?'' I reassure her. I wave out the window of the train as Louise dissappears from my line of vision. Slipping my headphones on, I rest my head back on my seat and drift into a light sleep.
***
I glance at the clock as I finish up doing my 'Smokey Eye' as quick as possible. I have ten minutes before Louise arrives to take me to Alfie and Caspar's flat. Not going to lie, I am shitting myself. What if everything is ust horribly awkward when I arrive or someone confronts me about why I haven't been seeing any of them lately. I stand up and walk over to the full length mirror on the back of my door. I'm wearing black, high-waisted trousers and a cropped, maroon jumper with black lines of wool in it aswell. For shoes, I'm wearing black ankle boots. I've curled my hair and left it down, underneath a wooly hat. I run my finger around my lips just to get rid of any smudged lipstick.
I start to shiver from the cold air coming through my open window. I carefully lean over my bed to reach for the window. Once I close it, I spot Louise's car outside the front gate. Louise herself is making her way up the pathway and to the front door. Grabbing my hand bag and jacket, I skip down the stairs and say a quick goodbye to my parents. Joe isn't far behind me coming down the stairs. I open the door, just as Louise is about to ring the doorbell, and I'm engulfed in a bear hug. I laugh a little at Louise extreme friendliness as she hugs Joe in the same way.
''You two ready then?'' Louise asks, turning around and beginning the walk back to her car. Myself and Joe follow in silence. For the past few months, I've watched Joe leave the house without me to go to parties with our friends. I can't tell if I shaking because I'm nervous or because of the cold but that's not really what I'm focused on. I feel a hand on my elbow, snapping back to reality.
''You ok?'' Joe's eyes are full of concern as I nod and try a smile that probably isn't very convincing. Joe can obviously tell that I'm really scared of being there tonight but I'm trying to hold it all together until the night is over. I have to at least try and look like I'm ok. For all I know, something good could come out of the evening.
''I'm fine'' I try and say as breezily as possible. I want to add 'why wouldn't I be?' but I'm afraid of what he might respond with.
