What can I do? What can I do? What can I do?
Call Zoe.

I pulled out my phone and called her, but she didn't pick up. I took a deep breath and called again.

She picked up.

"What is it Alex? Are you okay?"

"I-I am... G.A.D. " This was our code that I was having an anxiety attack.

"What level sweetie?" She asked gently.

"Le-Level S-Seven."

"Okay. Where are you?"

"Sitting with the front door behind me." I said breathing heavily.

"I will be there in two minutes. Get your stuff, we're going to the mall." Zoe said reassuringly.

"Okay, see you then."

She hung up so I went and grabbed my purse and checked that I had everything. Everything was good when I put my phone inside.

I heard Zoe's car pull up, so I ran to her car and jumped in.

Just as Zoe started driving away, she asked me a question.
"Do you want to tell me what your trigger was?"

"It...it was... a guy. He was...was fol...following me." I told her needing to breathe in between words.

"So you ran home. Where did you run from?"

" I was walking home from work...and I saw... that he..." I faded off starting to hyperventilate quietly.

"Hey, hey it's okay. We are almost to the mall and he doesn't know I am taking you there. He can't get you." She reassured.

"I-I know."

Zoe pulled into a parking space, and gave me a hug.

"Let's go inside and have a good time. Okay?" Zoe asked.

"Okay. Okay, I got this. Let's go."

.  .  .