When I'm Gone ( Nate Maloley AU)

Aftertaste: Chapter Seventeen

Hayden's POV:

"Cameron, Jude, I need to be living with one of you. I mean Nash moved out, and-"

"We actually planned a vacation," Cameron smiles, "You, me, Johnson, Madison, Gilinsky, and Jude. We're going to Hawaii."

I smile and hug him.

"You'll meet some of our other friends."

I nod, moving away to pack clothes.

"How long?"

"A month."

"I don't have en-"

"Madison packed for you, the bags are in my car. We have to leave."

"My phone and Everything?"

"We have it," Cameron says.

He holds me from around my waist. I'd do anything to be with him again. We never really fought. I push against him as we get in the car. Jude drives as I lay back in the car. Cameron is still holding me.

•••

It felt like forever until we landed in Honolulu and I'm tackled to the ground by Madison.

"Stop getting Kidnaped! I have no one!"

"Okay," I giggle, pulling her off.

She ignores Jack as we get into the shuttle to the hotel. Cameron smiles at me and I giggle when he pulls me into his lap.

"Cameron-"

"Yes, I want you back."

My face heats and I look at him. We get to the hotel quickly and I follow them to our floor. It's silent on the way up. Once we find our room, it's two, split between a kitchen. Three beds on one side, three on the other. Cameron, Jude,  and I share one side, Johnson, Gilinsky, and Madison on the other. I sit on the bed and stare down. They could always find me.

"They can't find you here," Jude says, wrapping his arm around me.

"Let's go down to the pool!" Madison yells, jumping on top of me, pushing Jude aside.

"There is an ocean," I laugh.

"then let's go there!"

She grabs my bag and pushes the boys into my side of the room.

"Madison," I laugh.

She picks one of many of my swimsuits she packed besides my clothes. It's a simple black one, she pushes me into the bathroom and I change. Once I step out, Madison is changed, and Cameron and Gilinsky are in the room. I blush, and try to find my swim dress, once I do, I grab one of my towels she packed.

Madison and Jack leave, and Cameron takes my hand.

"Hayden, will you give me another chance?"

"Yeah," I smile.

He kisses my head and Jude looks down. We head down to the beach, remembering to grab our room card. Once we make it down to the beach, I lay down my towel. I haven't been to a beach since I was kidnapped off of one, it makes me feel sick. Madison grabs my hand, and I remove the dress to follow her into the water.

"I'm sorry Nate left you."

"I think I'm okay with that. We haven't worked when we first started dating anyway. I'm with Cameron again."

"Jude isn't happy."

"I know," I say softly.

The boys come in, and Jack lifts Madison off of her feet. I smile when Cameron lifts me up, and I squeal.

"If you drop me-"

He laughs as I fall into the water, completely submerging before standing up, and almost falling again.

"You suck."

Jude laughs as I smack Cameron, and shove him. It feels nice not really having to worry about anything. I walk back to my towel and lay down, letting my skin soak up the sun. I'm so pale it more or less reflects off of me. I feel a hand on my open, and I open my eyes to Cameron beside me, looking up at the sky.

"It's beautiful here," I say softly, looking at him.

He grabs my waist and pulls me to him.

"Cameron-"

He kisses my cheek, and I stand up. Jude walks over to us, and I look at him.

"Jude wait," I say, grabbing his wrist, "Thank you, for everything. I-"

"I'm not mad at you, I'm mad that he won't stop trying to hurt you. I won't leave you just because you're with Cameron."

I hug him, and he hugs me back.

"Guys, let's head back to the hotel," Johnson says.

We all murmur in agreement and I grab my towel. Cameron takes my hand and I smile up at him. Maybe being away from California for a month will be good.

"I'm looking for Hayden Wilkinson."

I don't turn, neither does anyone else. We make it to the elevator before I'm pulled back. When I turn, Brandon is there.

"N-no. How did you-you find me?"

"I ran."

I shake my head, and let Cameron pull me to him and go up to our room. Cameron stops me, letting everyone else go in.

"We need to help him. During the whole thing he helped you. He's as scared as you are."

"Can you get him, Cameron?"

He nods, and I get on my toes and kiss him. He smiles and kisses me back, but a voice clears.

Brandon stands there. I nod and he follows us in. Cameron helps me move my stuff to his bed, and I go to the bathroom to change. Once I step out, Brandon is talking with them.

"I tried to help her, you know. When he shot Hayden's back, I thought he would kill me next. I wanted to protect her from that."

"You did the right thing," Jude says softly, "For calling me."

Jack, Jack and Madison come in. I stop them.

"I'm sorry it happened," he says, "Hayden, I'm so sorry. I was too scared."

"It's okay, alright? I know you saw him kill your mom."

Brandon nods and we get together in the kitchen to make lunch. Cameron holds me against him, as everyone else makes the food. He entwines our fingers and I smile. There's a soft knock on the hotel door, and Gilinsky goes over to open it.

"Nate-"

He barges in, and looks at us.

"Nate, leave," I say.

"Or what?" He smirks.

"I can't do this."

I pull away from Cameron to go to our room. Nate follows me even with the protests and shuts and locks the door.

"Can't I get away from you? For once put someone else before you!"

Nate kisses me and shoves me hard against the bed. I shove him off.

"You can't do this to me, Nate. You told me you didn't want me. You're leaving, and don't talk to me again."

"You want me."

"I want to be sane, Nate. Don't help me."

He glares and leaves. I move my hair and lay properly on the bed. Cameron comes in and lays beside me.

"I'm tired of this, Cam. I'm tired of him always coming back, always making me feel like I have to be with him, I know abuse. This is it."

"I'll make sure if we see him you aren't there."

I nod, and he kisses my head. We go to eat, and Madison hugs me. They make Brandon feel welcomed, understanding that he didn't have a choice or he would die too.