When I'm Gone ( Nate Maloley AU)

Chapter Thirty-One

Hayden's POV:

Cameron and the others left, leaving me with Nate. He sits across the couch from me. I ignore his glances. Being with him is not what I want. I watch as he shuts off the TV and makes me lay down on the couch. With him hovering above me. Cameron won't be back for another three hours.

"Hayden, you miss me, and want me. Just admit it."

"Fuck you."

He smirks and leans down. Kissing me softly. I try to push him off, but he pins my wrists down. He's trying to win me back.

"Nate, your hurting me."

He quickly moves and I run to my shared took with Cam and lock the door. Going to the balcony. I look at the parking lot and see Cameron come back. I have to tell him. No matter what happens to me. I open the door and run to the front door.

My heart hurt. Cameron is going to hate me. After he enters the house we sit on the stairs while the others do God knows what.

"While you were gone, Nate kissed me. I tried pushing him off, but-"

"Hey, Hayden. I knew he would do that. I'm not angry."

"You should be."

Cameron caresses my face and smiles at me. I blush. He's so understanding and I don't deserve him. Nate leaves and I see the other two from a few days ago.

"Kenny, Jake, what are you two doing here?" Nash asks.

"Nate and Sam invited us," the one with a slightly higher voice says.

The two see me and walk over. Smiling kindly. I shake their hands.

"I'm Kenny, this is Jake," he smiles, clearly understanding I'm Cameron's girlfriend.

"Hayden," I smile.

"Hey weren't you Nate's girlfriend?" Kenny asks.

"I was. I'm with Cameron now."

He smiles and joins the others. Cameron takes my hand and we go to the living room. I put my head on Cameron's shoulder as they circle up to play truth or dare.

I didn't play with them. I laughed as Nash smacked Cameron with shaving cream. Nate was smiling at me. It was his turn. He was forced to get ice water poured on his head. By me. Let's just say I accidentally dropped the bucket on his head. Once he was dried off they continued for an hour. I stopped listening twenty minutes ago.

"Let's go out to eat," Jack Gilinsky says suggestively.

Cameron pulls me behind him. I ride with him, Nash, Kenny, Sam and Nate. Nash, Sam, Kenny and Nate were forced to sit in the back together. Cameron doesn't trust Nate.

We pull into Subway's parking lot and get out. I have Cameron order for me as I run into the bathroom. I lean against the sink and keep my head down.

There's a small knock.

"Hey, Hayden, you okay?"

It's Kenny.

"Yeah," I say as I walk out of the bathroom.

He smiles and takes me over to Cameron who places his hand on my knee. We ate and everyone talked, but me. I wasn't feeling the greatest. As we headed out, Cameron pulled me to the side of the building. Kissing me softly.

"Love birds, c'mon!" Nate yells.

I smile and pull Cameron along. He gets my door for me, making me smile. He shuts it softly and I buckle my seatbelt.

The car ride was silent as we made our way to Sam's place. Cameron gets out of the car first, followed by Kenny, Nash and Sam. Nate pushes me up against the car.

"Just stop, Nate. I'm not interested."

"Hayden-"

"Nope!" I yell as I walk to Cameron.

He smiles at me and kissed my cheek. My face heats. Nate slams the door as he slams it behind us and goes to his room. He flips Cameron off. Sam pulls the two of us aside. I lean against the wall.

"Cameron, Hayden. You guys either can't be around us or need to break up. Nate's trying to break you two up. I don't want to see you two hurt, but maybe it's best."

Sam sighs and walks away. Where would I live?

"Hayden?" Cam says.

"Is he right?"

Cameron caresses my face. For Sam to say that hurts more than I care to admit.

"No, he's not. C'mon, Hayden."

Cameron takes my hand and we leave the house. Cameron opens my door for me, and after I sit down Cameron has me face him. He kisses me softly.

"Hayden, I'll do whatever makes you comfortable. If you want to break up-"

"I don't know what to do, Cameron. I do know I don't want to lose you as a friend."

"Which is easier?"

"I'm sorry, Cameron."

"Hey, I'm not mad, am I?"

I smile and shake my head, kissing his cheek.

"You can still stay with Nash and I."

Cameron and I drive home, singing horribly to Blank Space. I giggle realizing I don't need a boyfriend. Cameron doesn't judge me, and I love living with him and Nash.

Once we get home I flop down on the couch. There's a small knock on the door shortly after. I look at Cameron, and stand up. Going to answer it.

Once I open it I see Nate and I groan.

"Leave, Nate. I don't want anything to do with you."

"I'm here for Cameron, Hayden," he spits at me.

I let him brush past me. I shut the door and sit on the stair case while they talk.

"Nate, she's not going to take you back. Do you realize that she put up with your crap throughout high school and for the six or seven months you have been here? Sam made us break up because of you. So, go and try."

Nate looks at me and I feel the remorse I shouldn't be. I feel unwanted tears fall. I feel his hand on my back. Cameron leaves the condo and I'm stuck.

"Nate. No. I just got out of a relationship less than an hour ago. I can't do this today, give me a few days or weeks or something."

"That's not it, Hayden."

I look at him.

"I came here to apologize for what I did to you. For saying every awful thing I did and for making you put up with me. Cameron, and the rest of us pitched in to buy you a house, and to send you to AMDA."

"Nate, that school-"

"They wanted you, and I know you wanted to go. Take that chance, Hayden."

I nod and hug him.

"Thank you, Nate. This means the world to me."

He nods and I realize it starts for me next year. That's what they did before they came here.

"Saying what I did about your dad was uncalled for, Hayden. And I'm truly sorry. I deserved what you did to me. Cameron was lucky to have you."

"I forgive you, Nate."