-ON HOLD- Afterwards

Part 1: Ice Bucket Challenge

"You don't have to do this, you know." I tell Niall as he bounces around waiting for the camera to arrive. "Just because they said you have to doesn't mean you should. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I'll be fine Ali, don't worry." Niall assures me. "How would I get hurt anyway?"

"Your blood pressure could drop, an ice cube could crack your head open, you could pass out, you could go into shock, your heart could stop." I list off with a frown. His smile falls and he walks over to me, crouching down so we're level with each other.

"Please tell me you don't think I'm gonna die." Niall begs, lifting my chin up so I look at him.

"You could." I choke out. 

"I won't." He comfortingly stokes my cheek. "I won't leave you just like that. Not so easily."

"You'll never know." I croak. "You don't get to choose."

"I love you Allison." Niall whispers before pressing his lips to mine softly. When the door opens he pulls away, flashing me a smile. "Never forget that." He gets up off the floor and starts talking with the cameramen.

"You need to stop worrying about him so much Al." I hear mum state the obvious from behind me.

"I know." I sigh. "I can't help it. I'm just scared."

"We all know you're scared." Mum sits in the chair beside me. "You need to relax a little. You may not know this because he's never talked about it with anyone, but by you freaking out, he gets a panic attack."

"Niall has panic attacks?" My eyes widen. She nods. "I make him have them?"

"He had them really frequently from the age of twelve to fifteen but then they stopped. He's been having them almost everyday since Louis adopted you." Mum explains. A wave of guilt washes over me. "Even if you're calm and happy, he'll still worry that something bad will happen. You can't help it and neither can he. If you aren't freaking out then they aren't as bad."

How could I have been so blind to not have noticed? 

*Niall's POV*

"Hey, it's Niall Horan here. I've been nominated to do the ALS ice bucket challenge." I say to the camera. My heart was pounding hard and my hands were sweating. I was panicking like f*ck on the inside but I couldn't let it show. This was a one take thing and Allison was here. "Um, before I do it I want to nominate" Oh God, my knees were shaking. This is perfect. "Louis Tomlinson."

This really isn't good. I am freaking out. I shouldn't be doing this. Ali was right. I'm an idiot for accepting this challenge. It's too late though. Everyone is counting on me.

I bend over, taking the bucket in my hands. I pull it up and dump the bucket over my head. I hear Allison shriek and I toss it off my head. I let out a high pitched groan, clenching my fists. I spit out the water in my mouth. 

I was freezing, soaking wet, and in the middle of a panic attack but I was happy that I got it over with. I slap the wall and cover my face with my hands, trying to calm myself down enough to end the video. 

"Woo!" I exclaim and walk back over, heart beating out of my chest. "Yes!" I plaster my best fake smile on my face. "Go do it." I head out of view of the camera, tossing the offered towel over my shoulder.

Allison's head hits my chest when she hugs me and for the first time during a panic attack I am able to breathe properly. I lean my head against hers. My tears were flowing freely now, as dreadful thoughts were taking over. "I love you." Al murmurs.

"I love you too." I mumble against her hair then kiss her head.

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*Allison's POV*