Chapter One - I've Got A Plan

Claudia's Pov

I opened the door and stood in the doorway as Liam, Louis, Zayn and Niall each gave me a kiss on the cheek and a quick hug before saying "see you tomorrow Claudia" or "can't wait to see you guys married" in referral to myself and Harry. Wow. I'm marrying Harry Styles in the morning. I loved him more than life itself but sometimes it all felt like none of this ever happened, like a dream. I still clearly remember the night I met Harry and the guys a couple of years ago…

Flashback

"C'mon we're runninglate!" Cher one of my best friends whined as she came into the room to assess my outfit. Yes, one of my closest friends is Cher Lloyd. We have been friends way before she went on The X Factor and we have kept in contact ever since.

I was really worried for tonight. You see, Cher and Zayn from One Direction started dating halfway through the show and are still going strong despite both their careers flying through the roof. I totally support her relationship with Zayn and tonight I was meeting him and the guys for the first time. I was excited don't get me wrong, but I'd never met anyone as big as One Direction and for me being a massive fan of theirs was mind blowing.

"Sorry Cher, I'm so nervous," I replied shakily.

She chuckled. "I understand you're meeting your idols tonight babe but seriously, don't embarrass yourself."

I laughed. Cher knew me too well. When they walk through the door I'd most likely scream and jump up and down crying telling them how much I love them. I pulled myself together and told myself, that is not going to happen.

"Don't worry Cher, I'm very calm and I'm sure I'm gonna remain this way for the rest of the evening."

"Okay, for your sake I hope so and remember tonight you are just meeting the guys. You'll meet Eleanor and Danielle next week. I'll make sure of it, you're gonna love them."

"I can't wait." I replied. The doorbell rang and we squealed in excitement. "The boys are here!" I managed.

"Okay, remain calm at all costs." Cher told me.

We ran downstairs to get the door. We straightened our dresses, flicked our hair out of our faces then Cher opened the door. In the doorway was Zayn smiling when he saw Cher and Louis, Liam, Niall and Harry were peering past Cher to get a look at me.

"Zayn!" Cher squealed as she ran into his arms. She thought I had to remain calm. Pft.

"I missed you so much." Zayn whispered into her ear and planted a kiss on her lips. Aww, that's so cute. I want a boyfriend.

"Are we just gonna stand here Cher or are you gonna introduce us to your friend you speak highly of?" Louis teased and winked at me with a gorgeous smile. I smiled back then looked at my feet. His smile, his hair, my God he's amazing!

"Of course, my apologies. Guys this is Claudia. We go way back before X Factor and she is the closest thing I have to a sister. Claudia this is Zayn, Liam, Louis, Niall and Harry." She pointed to each of them as she said their names. "Formerly known as One Direction, teen heart throbs known worldwide, like my big brothers…except for Zayn obviously."

Zayn winked at her then walked up to me. "It's so nice to finally meet you Claudia, Cher NEVER shuts up about you."

"Hey!" Cher protested.

I laughed. "It's so nice to meet you too Zayn, Cher never shuts up about YOU either."

"HEY!" Cher repeated louder than the first time. Everyone laughed and Zayn gave me a quick hug. Then the rest of the boys walked inside and Cher shut the door behind them. She took Zayn by the hand and led him into the lounge as the rest of the boys introduced themselves to me.

Louis came running up to me and pulled me into a massive hug without saying as much of a "hello" yet. I returned the hug. "Hi Louis, it's nice to meet you," I said into his ear.

"Hi Claudia, you're pretty."

I laughed. "Thank you." I replied.

He still hadn't let go. "Umm, okay…I think we've hugged LONG enough." I managed to say.

"Ohhhh." Louis whined. He got over it and walked off into the lounge to join Cher and Zayn. Niall walked up to me next and gave me a hug but he didn't hold me as long as Louis did.

"It's nice to finally meet you Claudia, welcome to the family!" He said in his gorgeous Irish accent.

"Thank you, it's nice to meet you too." I replied. Niall smiled in response then left the room.

"Hi Claudia, I'm Liam." He gave me a kiss on the cheek then a massive hug. I laughed as he hugged me. Liam looked at me after our hug, looking puzzled. "What's so funny?" He asked.

I controlled my laughter. "I know your name silly!" I said and gave him a playful nudge.

Liam laughed in response. "You're right. You're a funny one Claudia, we're gonna be good friends." He walked into the lounge and I could hear him telling Cher how nice I was.

I almost forgot Harry was still standing there until he slowly walked over to me. He hadn't said a single word yet. He took my hand then gave me a kiss on the cheek. I blushed and it was clearly evident. Harry smiled and I shyly smiled back as I looked at his beautiful face. God, his curls, his green eyes, his smile. God give me strength I'm standing before and angel. I thought to myself.

"Hi." I finally managed. "I - I'm Claudia and you must be Harry, I mean of course you're Harry, you're standing right in front of me and you're holding my hand and I'm glad to meet you. Cher keeps telling me how great you guys are and I couldn't wait to meet you and now that you're he– "Harry put a finger on my lips forcing me to stop talking.

"Shh. Claudia you talk too much. Yes I AM Harry, yes I'm standing in front of you holding your hand and I know for sure that you are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in my life." He chuckled nervously after what he'd said, he probably didn't expect himself to accidently share his thoughts out loud.

I smiled shyly as he looked down, clearly embarrassed. "Really?" I asked.

He looked up and smiled. "Of course, why would I lie?"

"Harry? Claudia? What's taking you guys so long?" Cher called out to us.

"It wouldn't surprise me if they were making out or something right now." Louis teased. The boys began wolf whistling and with Harry still holding my hand, he led me to the lounge. When we entered the lounge the boys stopped and looked at us with huge grins on their faces, I rolled my eyes at them and released Harry's hand to throw a pillow at Louis for his smart arse comment.

"Hey! Not you too!" Louis complained. He probably meant that Cher threw pillows at him too.

"Hell yeah, girlfriend!" Cher came up to me and gave me a high five.

"Girls…" Louis muttered. We stood there for a minute.

"I'm gonna go get some drinks." I finally decided.

"I'll help." Harry volunteered.

"Okay, kitchen's this way." I pointed Harry in the right direction and we headed towards the kitchen.

Cher's Pov

Claudia had led Harry towards the kitchen and I sat down next to Zayn again.

"Oh my god, Harry totally likes Claudia!" Liam whispered so we couldn't be heard. The guys smiled at me.

"You're not gonna believe this, but she totally likes him too." I said judging how uncomfortable she looked.

"No way?" The guys chorused.

"They should date!" Niall's eyes brightened up at his own idea.

"There must be something we could do to speed it up you know? Bring them together?" Liam asked hopeful.

"I don't know. I don't wanna see either of them getting hurt if something happens, especially Claudia for that matter." I said turning to Zayn. He was silent and deep in thought.

"Hey Cher? Why don't you go ask Claudia if she likes Harry and I'll go ask Harry if he likes Claudia?" Zayn asked while looking mischievous. He clearly ignored my last comment and I hoped that whatever he was thinking wasn't going to end badly.

"Oooh, you've got a plan don't you?" Louis asked getting excited.

"Yeah, I've a plan alright." Zayn responded, nodding in agreement.