When I'm Gone ( Nate Maloley AU)

Aftertaste: Chapter Six

Hayden's POV:

I lay cuddled up to Jude. Listening to the sound of the TV. My eyes remained shut as he watched whatever show was on. Jude plays with my hair as I try to get my brain to stop thinking of stupid things to say. In this moment, is the first time in forever that I've been absolutely and utterly calm.

"You getting tired?" Jude whispers in my ear.

"Not yet."

Ever since I was kidnapped no one wanted me to be living with Sammy and Nate. I've been with Jude for the past week. Sam came by to apologize and left soon after. They think it's safer I'm with Jude. Including Nate, who still doesn't approve of our relationship, just because he wasn't the one to save me.

"You okay?"

"Mhm," I mumble, feeling his hands pull me closer.

I open my eyes to see the TV off.

"I just want to make sure you're not scared."

"Jude, I'm perfectly fine. Let's go downstairs, okay?" I ask pulling from his embrace.

He nods and follows me to the living room. There's a knock at the front door. Jude pulls the door open and there stands Johnson and Gilinsky by their side is Madison. I go and hug the younger girl.

"Why are you guys here?"

"Nate's throwing another fit. Can you please help?"

---

From outside I can hear Nate and Sam fighting from the backyard. I run towards the noise ignoring the others plead for me not to. Nate and Sam have a small group of friends surrounding them.

Once I break through the barrier. I see Elizabeth on the sidelines freaking out. He doesn't love her like she does, it makes me feel worse.

"Nate stop acting like a child!"

He turns towards me as Jude pulls me back.

"He'll hurt you."

"Not physically."

I turn back to Nate who looks at me.

"Why do you always have to start fights?"

He smirks at me and scoffs. Nate walks over to me with his arms crossed. I can see why I fell for him.

"What are you gonna do? You could barely protect yourself when you were kidnapped," he spits out.

He really knows how to hit me emotionally.

"Like you'd be able to, Nate! Why do you always have to push people's buttons? You're mad because you weren't the one to get me out of there! Stop acting like a child and act your age for once!"

He glares at me and pushes me aside as he goes inside. I look to Elizabeth who goes the other way. The crowds disperses and I'm left with all the people I know.

"Hayden-"

"Leave me alone, please."

I walk towards the swing hanging from the tree. I sit down and wipe my eyes. Nate almost got me killed, and he acts like I should've known he was coming.

Nate's POV:

He looks at her as everyone makes their way inside. She wipes her eyes. Nate's always hurting her. He could've gotten her killed if Jude didn't get her out of there safely. Nate's always been selfish. He always lied to her so that she'd never meet anyone that truly made her happy. Jude is that person and all of them stand in the way of that.

Nate looks as Jude picks her up bridal style. She just holds onto him. Nate runs out just in time as Jude puts her in the car.

"Hayden, wait!"

They both look at him. He hates seeing her so sad. He hates seeing her hurting when he's the one who caused it.

"Go away Nate-"

"Hayden, please just listen. Give me five minutes alone," Nate begs his ex.

"Okay," she whispers.

Jude sighs and goes inside. Nate looks down at her. She looks so sad and angry.

"Hayden, I never should have said what I did. I was pissed that I messed up and almost got you killed. If Jude never did what he did you'd be gone. I just get mad that I've messed up so bad. Please forgive me."

Her blue eyes look up.

"I can't forgive you this time, Nate. Please understand why."

He nods and kisses her forehead before leaving to get Jude.

•••

Hayden's POV:

I sit on the couch while Jude goes to bed. I've been here for several hours now. I lay under a heavy blanket. Feeling sick to my stomach.

-

"Alright I'll see you later!" I call to Johnson.

I walk inside Jude's house. I will admit I'm home early from lunch with Jack, but that doesn't much right now.

The house was unusually quiet. I head upstairs towards our room. I creak the door open quietly, but what I see makes me feel sick.

"Jude?"

He looks up and I see the girl look at me. It's Natalie.

"Oh my god."

I turn around and run downstairs.

"Hayden, wait!"

Natalie walks past me minutes later. She leaves without a word. Jude follows afterward and stands in front of me.

"How long have you been doing this?"

"Awhile."

"We're done, Jude. I'm packing my stuff."

He doesn't stop me. I understand I never went that way with him, but I wanted to wait. I pack what little clothes I have and other things I have here.

Jude doesn't say a word, he just goes to his room. I refuse to let him see what he did to me. I dial Johnson's number.

"Hayden?"

"Jack, can you come get me?" I ask softly.

"What happened?"

"I don't want go sa-"

"Hayden. You can tell me."

My lip quivers and so does my voice, "Jude cheated on me."

Jack hung up. He'll be here soon, I hope.

-

"Come on, Hayden."

He helps with my stuff as I walk to his car and get in. I buckle up, and watch as Jack gets in. We remain silent as he takes the long way home.

"It's okay to cry-"

"It's not worth it, Jack, he hurt me."

Jack takes my hand, I swear I'm supposed to be alone. We pull up to the house and I get out after him. Jack just guides me to my room. We walk past Nate's room. I see him with Elizabeth. They look happy.

Once I'm settled back in, Jack shuts my door and lies with me quietly. He holds me against his chest. My phone beeps.

"Jack-"

He takes it. It's Jude. I shut my phone off, and curl into a ball.