When I'm Gone ( Nate Maloley AU)

Aftertaste: Chapter Eighteen

Hayden's POV:

Night came quickly and everyone settled in. Cam kept his arm around me, and Jude and Brandon were asleep. I look out at the ocean.

"Yeah, I found her. She believes everything I said," Brandon says softly, "I'll find a way to bring her back."

I shut my eyes when I hear him walk to the window.

"Yes, I know-"

Silence. Cam pulls me closer and buries his head in my neck.

"Marco, why go through so much trouble with her."

"She's a little virgin that should know her place."

"Okay, well I'm going to sleep."

Brandon goes back to the bed. I shut my eyes and finally fall asleep.

--
It was a silent morning as we sat around eating, and watching TV. Madison had gotten sick, meaning Jack might soon, and I stayed away from Brandon. He thinks it's because of the past, not knowing I heard him last night taking to Marco.

Cameron keeps his arms around me as we watch whatever is on TV. He'll be joining Magcon again soon, along with some of his other friends I haven't met just yet. It felt weird, not knowing them. There's a loud knock on the door and Cameron stands, putting me next to Johnson.

"Is it Taylor and Aaron?" Gilinsky asks.

Cameron smirks and the door opens. Three people come in, greeting Cameron and they look my direction.

"So this is Hayden," the youngest one says.

"Hi," I smile softly, looking down when Cameron brings me into his arms.

"Is she coming to Magcon with us?"

"I haven't asked her, Taylor," Cameron says, looking at the three boys as they seat themselves.

Johnson and Gilinsky greet them, looking happy to see their three friends.

"Hayden this is Taylor, Carter, and Aaron," Johnson says before Cameron can introduce them.

I wave and Cameron holds me tight as Brandon leaves the room. I pull him out into the hall away from the prying eyes and ears. Cameron looks at me and moves the hair out of my face while we lean against the wall.

"Brandon is lying," I whisper, "and I'm terrified."

"W-"

"He was on the phone with Marco last night, Cameron-"

He kisses me.

"We'll figure it out. You're coming to Magcon with us, I won't let them get you."

I nod and wrap my arms around his neck. Cameron lifts me up and I squeal and giggle. Cameron kisses my cheek before everyone runs out into the hall to see where we went.

"Told you they didn't have sex," Madison says.

I blush and Brandon comes out of the room.

"I have to leave," he says.

He runs away down the hall, no one runs after him. We head back inside and I sit down on mine and Cam's bed. Madison hugs me as the boys go to talk.

"He lied, Madison. He was on the phone with Marco last night."

"No, Cameron! Your girlfriend is not coming with us on tour!"

"Of course Carter doesn't agree," Madison says softly.

"Do you not care if someone's life is in danger? She almost died, not even five months ago. Carte-"

"Stop fighting, Guys," someone else says, "Carter, she's coming with us. Cameron is starting it up again with Bart."

The door opens and I look down as they pile in. Honestly, I should deal with my problems myself. Cameron sits beside me, but I move away. Shutting my body away from him.

"God, she doesn't even trust you!" Carter snaps.

"Carter stop," Taylor says.

Cameron pulls me to him and we walk into the other room. We sit on Madison's bed, and I look down.

"Cameron, I don't think I should go with you. I mean I don't want to ruin your friendsh-"

"You won't, it's okay."

I curl into a ball, and he sighs softly.

"You guys go out, I'll sit here."

Cameron looks down at me.

"I'm worried-"

"I'm okay," I whisper softly.

Cameron kisses my head, and we walk back over. Madison looks at us.

"I'll stay with her. I still don't feel good," she says softly to Jack.

He nods and I sit beside her. They leave and lock the door. Madison looks over at me.

"Carter is harsh, but Cameron won't let you die."

"I know, Madison," I say softly, laying my head on the younger girls' shoulder.

We watch TV, and sit in silence for hours until they return. This vacation should clear our minds, but it hasn't yet. The boys come running back into the room, with Madison asleep on my lap, and me waking up to their noise. Jack laughs looking at us. Jude, looks upset. Jack removes Madison from my lap, and Cameron sits on me.

I giggle trying desperately to get him off, but he won't move.

"Weren't you dating Nate?" Taylor asks.

I look at him.

"I was. He's too much of an asshole for me to handle," I say softly, "Cameron, seriously get off, I can't breathe!"

He laughs and moves over, pulling me onto his lap. I lay my head against him.

"Oh, so really you're a whore who has dated Nate, Jude, Johnson and Cameron?" Carter asks, "I'm guessing when you got kidnapped you had sex with the guy."

"No!" I spit.

"Are you sure? Cause I mean you look like the kind of girl who goes around from guy to guy fucking them."

Aaron pushes Carter out into the hallway. I move my hair from my face.

"Are you okay, Hayde-"

"I'm fine, Cameron."

He looks at me. Taylor and Aaron sit on was my bed, and Jude and Johnson sit on his. Cameron forces us to lay back and he entwines our fingers. I end up falling asleep.

Cameron's POV:

He watches as she sleeps against him, looking at having some peace from reality. Taylor is sharing with them now and Aaron and Carter have their own rooms.

He hates that everyone assumes she slept with guys, when he knows the only reason Marco keeps chasing her is because she hasn't. Nate is still around, since Sam kicked him off the tour, he's wanting redemption.
Nate doesn't realize that she can't keep forgiving him and going back.

She can't put herself through the pain of having him constantly turn his back on her when she desperately needs him. Taylor talks about how much of a bad thing it'll be to start Magcon again, saying how Bart is the reason it ended.

"Think of how many people want to see us, Taylor-"

"For as much money as it's going to cost?"

"I understand your mad, but listen, you can leave any time you want."