Cassie's POV:

When my alarm went off way too early the next morning, my head was pounding and I didn't feel good at all. I didn't want to leave Harry's warm embrace, but I had to. I was taking a quick trip to LA to be on Ellen, and the flight was leaving in only 2 short hours. I quickly got up from the warm bed and threw on some random clothes. My friend Hannah would be in LA anyway, she was sort of a stylist to me. I used her services when I didn't want to bring my whole wardrobe with me from coast to coast.

Harry groaned softly and opened one eye lazily. “What are ya doing?” he enquired sleepily. I quickly jumped on the bed and gave him a little peck on the cheek.

“I'm leaving for Ellen today, but I'll be back late. Don't wait up. Bye!” I got up, took my bag and was out the door in a flash.

Six hours later, I walked into the studio where the Ellen show was being filmed. Hannah was already waiting for me in the dressing room and we exchanged news and giggled together while she showed me some outfits. Sandra, my publicist joined us shortly after and I greeted her happily. Even though we talked almost every day, I don't see her quite that often.

“What do you think about this one?” Hannah said, holding up a cute, dark red dress.

“Too Taylor Swift,” I said “I need something more... rock chick.” Sandra nodded beside me.

“She's right. Make her the bad girl,” she commented. I shot her a look, quirking up an eyebrow.

“Not literally, of course,” Sandra said and gave me a funny look. What was that about?

About 20 minutes later, we finally found a dress I absolutely loved and I was just completing the look with my favourite accessories when Ellen herself stormed into my dressing room.


(http://www.polyvore.com/ellen_show/set?id=65622466)

“Cassandra!” she boomed and held out her hands for me to step in. I did and she engulfed me in a bone-crushing hug. “It's been too long, I'm glad you could make it,” she said and grinned at me.

“I'm glad, too. I hope you don't have a nasty surprise for me like last time,” I added with a stern look, remembering the live slugs she scared me with the last time I was on the show. I have to add, I am super, super afraid of slugs.

“Oh, that little stunt!” she laughed “Don't worry, no live animals involved this time,” she added and winked at me. She definitely had something planned, that much was sure. When you have an interview with Ellen, you just never know what she's gonna do to you. I love her, she is one of the few really genuine people in the business, but sometimes, she takes it too far. Well, this time, I was prepared for everything.

Or at least I thought I was. It was an absolute fucking disaster. I had so much explaining to do. Plus, I was gonna kill either Ellen or Sandra, that much was sure. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's start at the beginning...

“Our next guest is a fine young lady, who just played Catherine Bourne in the movie adaption of 'Garden of Eden'. Please give it up for Cassandra Kennedy!” Ellen announced and I took a deep breath before I stepped out on stage. The audience cheered loudly as I smiled and waved. After hugging Ellen, we both sat down.

“Wow, this is amazing,” I beamed at the audience who was still cheering.

“Thanks so much for coming, it's great to have you back!” Ellen said loudly and the clapping finally stopped. I beamed at her.

“No, thank you for having me,” I replied modestly.

“So... Cassie, you've been doing a lot lately. Your latest movie just came out and last week, you announced that you were gonna be in a TV show?” Ellen started off.

“Yes, that's right. I really enjoyed filming 'Garden of Eden', it's one of my favourite pieces from Hemingway, and I loved playing a different character for once,” I explained.

“Yeah, she's quite... intense, I believe would be the right word. But tell me more about that TV show! Which one will you be in?” she tried to get me to crack. I shot her a huge grin.

“You see, Ellen, that's still a secret. You'll have to tune in to SNL this week to see,” I said while winking.

“Yeah, right, you're hosting this week? I almost forgot. So, you have, like a sketch or something on it?” she pried.

“Exactly. I'm really satisfied with my decision and I can't wait to see what the fans will think. You see, it's a rather tough audience, and I hope I can live up to expectations,” I said, looking slightly worried.

“Aw, come on, they'll love you, no matter which fans exactly we're talkin 'bout now,” Ellen re-assured me and squeezed my hand. Their were some 'aaws' from the audience.

“So, let's switch topics now,” she continued and I prepared myself for everything she might be throwing my way. “There were some pictures on Twitter lately...” she started and the audience got all excited. Damn it, I knew that she was gonna ask. I tried to hide my huge grin and be all casual. “What's going on with you and that five British boys, huh?” she then asked, knowing that everyone knew exactly who she was talking about. I tried not to let my body language get the best of me and flicked my hand in a 'Bitch, please!' manner.

“Well, we've been more or less tricked into living with each other for these last two weeks, and it's been... quite funny, actually,” I said. The audience 'wooohoooed'.

“Funny how exactly?” Ellen asked.

“You see, alone they're not that bad, quite mature actually, but when you bring them all together, it's like living in a madhouse,” I said and she laughed.

“So, you haven't been involved romantically with any of them?” she asked the question I was dreading. I tried to really compose my expression and to not blush.

“No, I haven't. And you know that I'm honest when it comes to my private life. I would never hide a serious relationship from my fans,” I concluded and the audience applauded. I felt bad for hiding the whole Zayn-thing, but then again, I said 'serious relationship', and we had not been serious at all.

“Alright, I believe you. Even though, and you will not like it, I have something that might contradict what you just said,” Ellen teased me and it got harder and harder to look relaxed.

“Really? And what would that be?” I gave back, smiling.

“The last time you were here, you told me that you liked to take pictures, right?” Ellen started, looking slightly devious. I got more anxious by the second, but just nodded. “Well, I got a hold of your camera, and I have to say, there was some pretty interesting stuff on it.”

That was it. My mouth dropped and I opened my eyes in shock. The audience was cheering wildly and I felt my whole world collapsing. The pictures... why would she invade my privacy like this? That was a new low, even for her.

“Do you see that, ladies and gentlemen? That is the look of pure horror!” Ellen laughed and pointed at my face. I tried to regain my composure, but my brows stayed furrowed.

“Oh my...” I started to swear, but put my hands over my mouth just in time.

“So, let's have a look at how good a photographer Cassie here really is, shall we?” Ellen cheered into the audience, who was still clapping and whistling enthusiastically. I looked to my left and saw the big screen switch and Zayn staring at me. Fucking hell, this was the one picture I didn't want to be published, ever. Sex-haired, unshaven, naked Zayn, lying on the bed, and looking at the camera seductively with one eye open. All about that picture basically screamed 'we just had sex' and I buried my face in my hands. The crowd went wild.

“Nice shot, Cassie! Care to say something about the model?” Ellen teased but I just shook my head, which was still buried in my hands. I was gonna get into so much trouble. “Then let's see the next one!” she continued and I looked up for a moment to see a picture of Harry and me during our big pillow fight. I hadn't seen this one before, but Liam had managed to capture the exact moment I sunk my teeth into Harry's neckline. Even though it was just messing around, it looked extremely sexual. It also didn't help that I was half atop of Zayn while I was biting Harry. Godamnit.

“I know there are some girls out there who definitely won't approve of you biting young Harold like that, Cassie!” Ellen boomed, trying to speak over the loud audience.

“Dear god...” I finally found my speech again and leant back in my chair, defeated. “It was just a pillow fight, I swear!” I said, holding my hands up apologetically and she looked at me all 'yeah, right, and I'm straight'.

“On to the next one!” she announced and a picture of Niall and Demi was on the screen now, also during the pillow fight. They were in a tight embrace, and just by looking at the picture, you could tell that they had a thing for each other. I was glad that it wasn't me this time, but I was also extremely pissed. I wasn't the one who was supposed to 'out' their relationship. “Oh, what do we have here? Hmmm... interesting!” Ellen said while looking at the picture. I just shook my head, not believing that this was actually happening. Now I was absolutely afraid she was gonna show a picture of Louis and Rachel, too, but to my luck (or not), she didn't. “This is the last one now!” Ellen announced and I stared at a larger-than life picture of myself from yesterday. One of the pictures Harry had taken. My whole upper body was visible, I was lying on the bed and shoving away arms which came from behind the lens. I was laughing like crazy, and the sweater I was wearing had crept up to below my breasts. It was actually a really cute picture, had it not been shown on national television.

“And what's that?” Ellen asked, playing surprised. The audience whistled again. “Nice laugh, Cassie, and who do these arms belong to?” she asked expectantly.

“Uhm...,” I started off, not knowing what to say, and blushing really badly.

“No need for explaining, dear, my sources tell me that these tattoos actually belong to none other than Harry Styles!” she interrupted me and I groaned in annoyance once again. I had hoped they wouldn't make the connection. That was the point the audience went completely apeshit-craycray. Ellen still spoke over the noise, thanking me for coming and switching to the commercial break. When the lights on the cameras went out, I got up slowly, shooting her a death glare.

“Come on, Cassie, it wasn't that bad!” she said while moving in to hug me.

“That was really, really, really private, Ellen,” I said exhausted. She had a critical look on her face and I knew she was feeling bad as well.

“I thought you knew about it. Your publicist gave them to me,” she said innocently. My eyes widened in shock.

“My... Sandra!” I screamed loudly, storming off the stage towards where Sandra was standing. She looked afraid. “You gave those pictures to Ellen?!” I almost full-on screamed at her.

“Yeah, I did! I thought we were clear about the whole publicity-thing?” she said a bit unsure.

“Our deal was for me to get seen with the boys, not to show my private pictures on national television! How could you!?!” I was fuming now. Seeing that a few people were looking at us curiously, she grabbed me by the arm and dragged me back towards my dressing room.

“I'm sorry, I know it must have been hard to go through this, but I needed an honest reaction from you! It's perfect now, nobody knows who you were actually sleeping with, and everyone's super interested! I already got calls from 3 magazines who want the exclusive story!” she said eagerly. All I could do was look at her in shock.

“An honest reaction? Do you think I'm some sort of puppet? You know what, I don't deserve this bullshit,” I said venomously. Grabbing her handbag, I handed it to her roughly. “You overstepped a line here, Sandra. You're fired,” I said sternly and opened the door for her. She tried to say something, but looking at my grave expression made her believe that I meant what I said. Without further explaining, she left the room. I slumped down on my chair and kicked off my heels. My phone was ringing and I looked at the screen to see that Demi was calling. Great. Sighing loudly, I picked up. “Demi, I'm so sorry...”