Use Somebody

Cassie's POV:

“Cass... honey, I'm leaving now,” I heard Harry's deep voice from far away. Hiding my head further in my pillow, I groaned loudly while I felt his hands stroke down my bare back. I turned around and looked at him, blinking a few times against the bright morning light.

“Hmmm?I asked sleepily.” He chuckled and gave me a soft kiss.

“I'm leaving for the soundcheck now, don't forget, we start at 4 PM, and dress nicely” he said, stroking down my cheeks tenderly. I smiled and nodded.

“I'll be there,” I said with a hoarse morning voice and he smiled at me lovingly before leaving the apartment. I stretched around in bed a bit before finally getting up.

After the Breakfast show, I was so done that Harry and I just drove home, watched a few movies and just enjoyed each other's company. There were even more paps outside since our first day back, which seriously dampened our mood to go anywhere. We more or less cooped up in his apartment the last few days. I had been on the phone with my manager and publicist for quite a while, too, discussing future plans and offers.

I sighed loudly while pouring myself some coffee Harry had brewed for me. I leant against the counter and took a deep sip, waking up slowly. I was only in my panties and one of Harry's shirts when I walked to his patio door and opened it to step into his backyard.

The warm August sun greeted me and I held my face towards the sky for a few minutes to enjoy the fine weather. Today was the charity concert in Regent's Park Harry so desperately wanted me to come, but I would rather just drive somewhere out of town and lounge around next to a lake or so. I had promised him, though, and I always kept my promises. I also hadn't touched a single drop of alcohol since our little fall-out with the boys. For Harry.

I heard my phone ring inside and rushed towards the bedroom to answer it, grinning when I saw the caller ID.

“Demetriaaaaa...” I greeted her and grinned like a cheshire cat.

“God, stop calling me that, Cassie,” she groaned and I chuckled.

“But I like the name!” I defended myself.

“Well, I don't. Anyhow, where the fuck have you been? Do you think it's okay vanishing off the face of the earth without even talking to your BFF?” she said angrily.

“I just had to get out of there, Demi. So sorry,” I said softly.

“You could've talked to me, you know? I would have hidden you!” she said and I laughed sarcastically.

“Yeah, right, remember the last time you 'hid me'? It somehow led to me being tricked into living with One Direction,” I commented dryly and now it was her turn to laugh.

“And I don't regret it for one second. Speaking of, I have news,” she said excitedly.

“Do you, now? Hmmm... what could it be? You got a dog?” I played dumb, knowing quite obviously what she was about to say.

“Oh, stop it, goofball, I'm pretty sure Niall already told you,” she said with a huge grin in her voice.

“He did. You have no idea how happy I am for you. Congrats, sweetie!” I said and she sighed deeply on the other end.

“That's not it,” she continued and now I was surprised.

“What do you mean, that's not it? Demi...” I was anxious now. She wasn't pregnant as well, was she?

“Calm down, Cass, I just wanted to ask you if you would be my maid of honour?” Demi said and I honestly squealed into the phone.

“Are you serious? Oh my god, YES! I'd love to!” I said joyfully and jumped around a few times. I had not expected her to ask me, seeing that I had already been maid of honour at Behati's wedding.

“I'm glad you're so happy about it, I thought you already knew I was gonna ask you,” she laughed.

“Absolutely not! I was just so happy for you, I didn't even think about that at all!” I said, still jumping a bit.

“Well, you know what that means? We need to meet up asap. To discuss details, you know?” she continued and I calmed myself down.

“Absolutely. Just send me the details of the other bridesmaids and I will take matters into my own hands,” I instruct her.

“Jeez, calm down, Maidzilla. All in due time. Just focus on getting to the boys' concert tonight at first,” she said and I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

“Why does every one want me to be there? You guys are up to something,” I said sceptically. Demi let out a nervous laugh at the other end of the line.

“No, absolutely not. Harry just wants to show you off,” she tried to explain, but I could tell there was more to the story.

“Spill it, Demi,” I said in a stern voice.

“I swear, there's nothing,” she insisted.

“Demetria!” my voice was as commanding as could be.

“I gotta go, bye Cassie!” she suddenly said and hung up. I stood in the room for a moment, gazing out the window, still thinking about what just happened before shrugging my shoulders and going into the bedroom to get dressed. Whatever was going on, I would see soon enough.

Harry's POV:

“Mate, I'm so excited, this is gonna be huge!” Louis said and clapped me on the back soothingly. I was a nervous wreck. It was only 30 more minutes until our gig started, and Cassie was nowhere to be seen. I needed her to be here, though. It was all part of the plan. My phone rang and I saw that Demi was calling me.

“Hello? Demi?” I say hurriedly.

“She suspects something, Harry,” I could hear my American friend sigh loudly.

“Shit. You didn't spill anything, did ya?” I asked, slightly panicking.

“No, I hung up before she got the chance to squeeze more info out of me.”

“Good, just don't pick up in case she calls again, alright?” I say sternly. “Everything else is set up?”

“Yup, everything's in place. Calm down, Harry,” she tried to soothe my temper. I took a deep breath.

“I'm trying trust me. But it's a big step,” I said while running my fingers through my hair.

“She loves you unconditionally, Harry. It will all work out,” Demi said and I finally calmed down. She was right, Cassie loved me. I had no reason to be worried.

Cassie's POV:

“Hello Miss Kennedy,” the security guard greeted me politely when I showed up at the artist's entrance behind the stage in Regent's Park.

“Good evening,” I smiled and showed him my pass. He let me through with a quick nod. I walked around a bit, running into some familiar faces before I finally found the boys.

“Cassandra!” Louis was the first to spot me and engulfed me in a bone-crushing hug immediately.

“Urgh, Louis, can't breathe,” I wheezed out and he let go of me. I greet the other boys before finally seeing Harry. He was just on the phone, but quickly hung up when he saw me. His face lightened up and he gave me a deep kiss.

“Hey, honey, you look so ladylike” he said when he pulled away. I was surprised by his intense affection which only added to my suspicion that something was up.

“You're acting weird,” I stated and narrowed my eyes at him, ignoring his comment about my dress. I could like a girlie girl, too, from time to time. His eyes widened slightly before he just shrugged his shoulders.

“Nerves, I guess. There's a lot at stake today,” he said while taking my hand. I decided to let him be, maybe he was telling the truth. We faced the other boys and chatted a while before Paul came up to shush them on stage.

“Cassie, round the back here, and through security, you'll be at the side of the stage,” he instructed me and I wished them luck and disappeared. I went through a thick door and found myself on the right side of the stage, right in front of the wave-breaker.

Thousands of girls stood there, waiting for their idols who haven't done a show in far too long. The group closest to me recognised me immediately and started to shoot questions at me. I tried to remain calm and signed a few things, staying as polite as I could manage. To my luck, the show started almost immediately after I arrived.

The boys owned the stage like it was made just for them, belting out old hits as well as new songs, and working the crowd like they used to on their first few tours. I clapped and cheered and sang along to some tunes I knew. I was enjoying myself. Harry ever so often looked over to where I was standing and shot me a wink or a sly smile.

“Alright, guys, there's only one more song left to sing!” Liam announced and the crowd cheered and booed at the same time. I looked at them in surprise. As far as I knew, all of their hits had been performed. I wasn't their biggest fan, but I caught up over the years, and it didn't seem like any song was missing.

“This is a very special song, even more special today,” Louis continued and they gathered at the front of the stage, Harry in the middle.

“We love you all and thank you so much for coming! Remember to donate!” Niall said into the microphone and smiled his million dollar Irish smile.

“Now, we used to sing this song together, all of us, but today...” Liam started off, positioning the boys, so that Harry was in the front. “Today, Harry will sing it alone, won't you, laddie?” he said and the crowd began cheering. Harry looked concentrated.

“That's right. Today, this song has a special meaning. I hope that the person I want to sing this song to knows that it's for her,” he explained and my heart dropped about three stories. He wasn't gonna dedicate a song to me, was he?

A familiar riff filled the concert area and my breath hitched in my throat. It could not be... how did he know that was one of my favourite songs? My mouth fell open in awe and I watched petrified as he started to sing.

I've been roaming around, always looking down and all I see

painted faces fill the places I can't reach

You know that I could use somebody

You know that I could use somebody

Someone like you and all you know and how you speak

countless lovers undercover on the streets

You know that I could use somebody

You know that I could use somebody

Someone like you

The rest of the boys joined him and sang the back vocals whereas I just stood there, petrified, staring at Harry on stage. He had his eyes closed while singing, but now moved around so that he was standing exactly in front of me.

Off in the night while you live it up I'm off to sleep

waging wars to shake the poet and the beat

I hope it's gonna make you notice

I hope it's gonna make you notice

Someone like me

Someone like me

Someone like me

He looked into my eyes while he sang the words to me, a pleading look on his face. I felt tears building in mine, while I still stood there, speechless. Harry meant every single word.

Someone like you, somebody

Someone like you, somebody

Someone like you, somebody

During the guitar solo, he returned back to the stage and resumed his position in between the boys.

I've been roaming around, always looking down and all I see...

He ended the song on a raspy note, leaving his voice wanting. It was the best rendition of the number I had ever heard, and the crowd erupted in loud cheers and screams. The other boys waved and grinned, but Harry was looking at me again, waiting for a reaction. I noticed that tears were now running freely down my face and I took a sharp intake of breath, as if I had forgotten to breathe during the song.

Harry had meant all those words, and they were heavy with meaning. That beautiful, talented man on stage there was finally ready to be with me. For good. I felt my body beginning to shiver and a strong hand touched my arm. I swirled my head around to see Paul looking at me with concern in his expression.

“Are you alright, love?” he asked and I just stared at him. Harry wanted me to be his. But what if I could not give him what he needed? What if I could not handle all the pressure? What if some day, he would fall in love with someone else? Someone who wasn't as damaged as I was. I looked at Paul and back to the stage for a moment before my legs started to move and I bolted out of the concert area.

I passed people, and through doors, but it was all a blur to me. I needed time. To think, to evaluate. And there was only one place in all of London where I could do that. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me.

Demi's POV:

I was standing in the middle of the big rose garden in Regent's park, waiting anxiously for any news. My phone buzzed and I looked at the screen.

From: Paul Higgins

Everything went according to plan. She's on her way now.

I fist-bumped the thin air and hurried over to the stereo hidden behind some of the roses. I had decorated a special corner of the garden with lanterns, torches and candles, draping white fabric over the rose arches. I clicked play and soft tunes filled the area. The music from Lord of the Rings, Cassie's favourite.

Harry had a plan, and I had helped him bring it to life. I heard footsteps approaching and turned around to see a nervous-looking Cassie stop a few metres in front of me.

“Demi? What is going... what's all this?” she panted heavily, resting her hands on her knees. I smiled and took her hand.

“He knew you would flee, so he arranged all this. Breathe, Cassie,” I said calmly while her eyes widened. The soft light of the candles reflected in them, embracing her in a soft glow against the approaching darkness.

“But I don't understand... how?” she stuttered and I stroked over her arm comfortingly.

“Because he knows you better than you know yourself. Now, if you would please follow the roses?” I said and gestured to the floor, where white roses where laid out, leading through the rose tunnel. I handled her a romantic lantern and slightly pushed her in the direction of the tunnel. There goes all or nothing.

Cassie's POV:

I was so confused. How did Harry even know that I liked to come here? I slowly followed the rose tunnel, nearing the spot where my secret bench was at, picking up long-stemmed white roses on the way. I smiled involuntarily while my favourite track from the Lord of the Rings soundtrack echoed through the air, reminding me of better times.

I rounded the last corner and to my surprise, Harry stood there, next to my bench. I gulped a bit before stepping towards him. I just hoped he wasn't angry that I bailed on him. He smiled at me affectionately, and stuck out his hand for me to take when I was in front of him. All I could do was take and stare at his beautiful face.

“Hey, Cassie,” he said softly and I finally managed a shy smile.

“Harry, this is...” I started to say, but he cut me off.

“No, don't speak. I have a few things I want to say to you,” he interrupted me and my eyes widened. Taking a deep breath, he started speaking.

“I know you are scared of the future. I know that you are scared of fucking up up. Scared of loosing me. I know why you ran today. Because you are constantly asking yourself if you would ever be enough for me,” he said and I whimpered slightly. He did know me better than I did myself.

“But, Cassie, the truth is... we have been through so much. It's been 3 years, numerous fuck-ups and uncountable magical moments, and I am standing here, in front of the woman I love, knowing that it's with her that I want to be with. I am afraid, too, but when I look at you... my fear goes away. Because you are everything I could ever want. You are everything I could ever need,” he continued and I felt myself tearing up again.

“I sang that song today, because I finally realised that I really could use somebody. You, Cassie. You are my somebody. And it does not matter if you are afraid, because I am strong enough for the both of us,” he said while stroking down my cheek softly.

“And that's why I have to ask you something. Are you ready?” he said and I nodded my head in trance, totally mesmerised by his words. His hands left mine and I was confused for a second before he got down on his feet in front me, kneeling.

“Oh my god....” I gasped in surprise when I realised what he was up to. He took out a small box from his blazer pocket and opened it to reveal a beautiful engagement ring with a black diamond. I clasped my hands over my mouth in shock.

“Cassandra Aurelia Kennedy,” he began in a grave voice “Will you be my wife?” he said, and I could hear a tiny bit of insecurity in his voice. I stared at the ring for a moment, and then at him. His eyes were pleading and he was anxious as could be. I felt my heart drop down into my stomach, but I already knew what I was going to say. This was Harry, after all, and I was Cassie. If there were ever two people meant for each other, it was us. So I answered him the way my heart, my head and my soul told me to.

“Yes.”

Cassie's outfit (and the ring):

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=76505097

Notes