1| WAKE UP LITTLE ONE ( zalfie)

Chapter 3

"Alfie?" I said hopefully.

"Oh God, Zoe, are you okay?" Alfie said.

"I think I sprained my ankle," I said sadly.

"Do you need to go to the hospital?" Alfie asked.

"I don't think so," I said, trying to flex my ankle and gasping from the pain. "But I don't know how I'm gonna get home."

Tears pricked my eyes.

"Alfie?" I said in a small voice.

"What's wrong?" Alfie said, bending down beside me.

"I'm afraid of storms," I mumbled, and burst into tears.

Oh my God. A panic attack. Not now. Not in front of Alfie.

Alfie's POV

Zoe started gasping and sobbing, and I remembered what Joe said about her anxiety and panic attacks.

Panicking, I wrapped an arm around Zoe's waist and pulled her towards me. She was freezing and shaking. I took off my hoodie and wrapped it around her shoulders before embracing her to try and warm her up. Since I didn't have a car, and Zoe didn't seem to up to driving, I called a taxi to bring me back to my hotel.

Whilst we were waiting on it, I held Zoe close, whispering soothing things to her and stroking her hair to try and calm her.

When the taxi finally arrived, she was relatively calmer. The taxi driver didn't seem very happy to be driving two dirty, soaking wet teenagers, one of which was sobbing, shaking and gasping. But he let us in anyway when he saw the state Zoe was in. I picked up Zoe's stuff that she'd dropped on the ground with one hand, swung it over my shoulder and scooped Zoe into my arms, one hand under her legs and one hand around her waist.

I carried her to the taxi and sat her in the backseat. She couldn't walk because of her ankle and the panic attack. I took my favourite scarf, sadly, and gave it to Zoe to dry herself off.

Her panic attack seemed to have subsided and she took it gratefully, wiping her face, hair and arms.

"Thanks for everything, Alfie," she said, leaning her head on my shoulder.

I smiled and wrapped my arms around her to warm her up. She snuggled further into my arms and I rested my head on hers.

It was at that moment that I realised... I wouldn't mind staying in this position.

Zoe's POV

Tears and raindrops soaked Alfie's shirt as he rocked me to keep me warm.

"What am I going to do about my car?" I asked, tilting my my head to look at Alfie.

"I'll drive you to get it tomorrow when my car's tyres are changed," Alfie promised. "You can stay at mine and Caspar's flat for the night and I'll drive you home in the morning. Caspar's going to a party and staying with his friend from uni, so he won't be there."

"You don't know how grateful I am, Alfie. You are a lifesaver. Thank you so much!" I cried.

"Don't mention it, little one," Alfie grinned.

"Little one?" I questioned.

"It's cute!" Alfie protested.

"Okay, Alfie..." I giggled.

Little one.