When I'm Gone ( Nate Maloley AU)

Aftertaste: Chapter Thirteen

Hayden's POV:

Jude ran to hug me as I approached his front door and it felt weird to be in his embrace. He pulls away, and invites us in.

"I'm sorry about your accident."

"It's okay, I guess," I whisper.

Cameron and Jude sigh. I hate that they feel the need to take care of me. I wasn't mad at Jude anymore, whatever happened is the past and I can't change that. Cameron looks down at me as I play with my fingers while they talk about where to go from here. By the time we leave I was tired, and ready to sleep for a week.

Cam helps me into the van and he puts my chair in the back. I can't even drive anymore. We sit in silence on the way home. I rest my head against the window and end up falling asleep.

•••

I awoke on my bed. With my window open. I groan and sit up. I put my hair in a messy ponytail and prop myself into my chair. I grab a black sweatshirt to change into. I grab a black tank top and slip it on. I slip on denim shorts and Allstars. I put on my sweatshirt and open my door. The guys were asleep in the living room. Except for Nate who was watching TV.

He looks over at me. I go towards the back door. To sit out on the porch. I open the door and shut it behind me. I sigh. Some days I just wish I was alone. The sliding door opens and Johnson looks tiredly at me. I roll my eyes when he sits beside me on the porch swing.

"Are you okay?"

I shake my head. I don't want to talk. I want to be alone so no one can see me. It's nearly impossible when I live with four guys. Jack sighs, and stands up to go inside. He tells them to leave me alone.

Nate's POV:

She's sad and scared, Nate can see that. He looks as she falls asleep on the porch swing. Nate goes out to get her. He picks up his sleeping girlfriend while she cuddles into his chest. Cameron gets her wheelchair. She snuggles into his chest and when he sets her down, she grabs his wrist.

"Stay, Nate."

"Okay," he states before climbing into bed beside her.

She sighs.

"I'm sorry I push you away," Hayden whispers, "I'm scared you'll all leave me."

Nate sees her look up at him with tears in her blue eyes. Nate hugs her tightly.

"We won't leave, Hayden. None of us will."

She nods and faces Nate. He kisses Hayden's forehead. Nate is in love with her, and he'd never leave her, even if it means she can't walk. Hayden ends up falling asleep in his grasp.

•••

Hayden's POV:

I wake up to food on the dresser. It's still warm, and Nate is gone. I take the food and eat it slowly. It's my favorite kind of soup. The door opens, and Madison tackles me in a huge hug. I laugh at the younger girl as she holds onto me. I giggle when she pulls away and sits beside me.

Out of this whole mess of moving to California and being paralyzed, I'm glad I have at least one female friend. Even if she is only seventeen.

"You need to get out," she says.

"But that requires work!" I joke at her.

She laughs at me and looks to the doorway. Jack and Nate are watching us. I sigh.

"Fine."

She squeals loudly in my ear and hugs me as Nate helps me into my chair. He hands me my phone and I see the others aren't home.

"You stole my girlfriend from me," Jack jokes, "I thought you didn't play for that team."

"Sorry that she loves me more!" I giggle.

Madison goes along with me and kisses my cheek, sticking her tongue out at him. Nate laughs as he helps me in the truck. Jack and Madison fit in the back. Nate backs out of the driveway and once we're on the road, he places his hand on my thigh. They all joke around while I stare out the window.

I look at Nate confused when we pull up to a doctor's office.

"What are you doing, Nate? Jack," I say questionably.

"The doctors here want to make sure it's true you'll never walk, or if it'll take time."

He gets out and I sigh.

"Hayden your miserable, we just want to help."

"Maybe I'm tired of having help, Jack," I whisper.

Nate helps me out of the truck since it's at such a height. I put my head on my hand and wait for the other two. We all go in and Nate checks in for me.

"I'm sorry for lying to you," Madison says.

"I'm not mad at you."

The nurse calls us back. Jack and Madison stay out while Nate brings me back. The nurse helps me stand so I can weigh myself. Once that's done, Nate holds me up so they can get my height .

"Alright, follow me."

Nate ends up at answering most of the major questions for me. I don't want to be here. Once the nurse leaves Nate looks down at me.

"You're pissed, aren't you?"

"You could have told, could have given me a choice. There is no chance I'll walk again. I've accepted that. Have you?"

The doctor comes in and shakes my hand. I know I have to pay attention. I listen to her as she tells me that with my progress in physical therapy within the next several months I will be able to walk.

I nod and thank her before we're allowed to leave, and I'm reassured that maybe I'll finally be able to have control of my life again.