When I'm Gone ( Nate Maloley AU)

Aftertaste: Chapter Twenty

Cameron's POV:

He watches her leave. Cameron opens the door and stops her.

"Hayden if you leave-"

She turns. She's so tired of fighting. She's tired of hurting him, and she wanted them to be over. She wanted to seclude herself and to pretend they never met.

"If you leave I never want to see you again," he says softly, "I won't keep chasing you if I really make you feel unsafe. If you feel safer alone then I never want to see you."

"I can't keep hurting you."

Cameron grabs her arm and she retracts it with pain evident on her features. He looks at the underside to see the bruises from Nate grabbing her, from the kidnapping, from her own self harm.

She didn't care anymore.

"Hayden-"

"I keep screwing up," she whispers, "I wish they would've let me-"

Cameron shuts her up and hugs her. Muffling her words and cries in his chest.

"I won't leave you," Cameron says softly.

•••

The vacation ended early. Cameron, nor the others cared. Hayden lays on the couch with her eyes closed and earbuds in as she blasts her music. She was in her world and Cameron wasn't going to disturb that.

Hayden's POV:

We were close to two or three weeks before we should have left. I listen to Bea Miller's songs blasting in my ears as I drown out the boys.

I can't believe Nate would do that, but then again, why should I be surprised? When things don't go his way he always hurts me. I open my eyes to Madison sitting on the arm of the couch. She pulls my earbuds out and I roll my eyes, forcing myself to sit up.

"Madison-"

"Come with me!"

"Jack, where is she taking me?" I yell at her boyfriend.

"We're having a party, she's forcing you to go."

"No," I fake cry.

"Go shower," she orders.

I roll my eyes but wander in Cam's and my room, shutting the bathroom door and ridding myself of my clothes. I let the water warm before I step in and wash myself. The water surrounds me and I relax for a moment before I finish and wrap a towel around myself. Madison pushes the door open and I gasp.

"You don't know manners, do you?"

She smiles.

"No. Now wear these, I'll be back in a moment."

I roll my eyes and slip on the black strapless bra she threw at me and the matching panties. Madison comes back with my makeup, a dress and heels that I haven't worn in years. I slip on the fifties-like dress that's red with white polka dots and a black string to tie it. I slip on black pumps and sit on the counter as Madison dries my hair.

There's a soft knock on the door and I look up. Cameron smiles at me and walks in, ignoring Madison's protests.

"You look wonderful," he says in my ear, pulling me to my feet.

My face heats and Cameron pulls me into a hug. Madison sighs and pulls us away.

"Cameron," she groans

"Mads, it's fine," I say softly.

I kiss his cheek and push him out. Madison does my makeup, clearly already ready for the party by the clothes she's wearing.

"Cameron loves you a lot," she says softly.

"Like you and Jack," I smile.

She finishes and I step down. My hair frames my face perfectly with the parts that don't fit the braid. We leave the bedroom and shut the door. Cameron is leaning against the railing looking at his phone.

"Cameron," Madison says.

He looks up and his eyes widen when he sees me, causing me to blush as he pulls me to him. Cameron kisses my forehead and Madison disappears down stairs.

"She really like you," he laughs," I think Madison might steal you from me."

I shake my head and walk down the stairs.

"Wait, Hayden, Nate is going to be there, will you be okay?"

I nod.

"I have to be."

Cameron sighs and goes to change. People start filling the house and I feel a hand on my wrist. Jude pulls me towards the kitchen and I look up at him.

"What are you doing, Jude?"

He pulls me down.

"Where's Hayden?"

"Don't know, Nate. Look somewhere else."

Jude pulls me up and I thank him. Cameron comes toward us and he lifts me on top of the counter. I pull him close by his shirt and he kisses me. Jude walks way and I laugh realizing Madison used my waterproof liquid lipstick. Cameron is pulled away and I look at Nate.

"Leave me alone."

"Cameron leave," Nate spits.

He moves away but I can still see him.

"You know you're playing hard to get and its really annoying."

"Nate are you serious right now? Listen to me, you left me in the hospital room, understand? You've put me through hell and back and I fell for your shit each time. I'm standing up for myself. You don't love me, you have never loved me and I don't want you touching me."

I jump down, but he grabs my arm tightly. I wince in pain and pull away.

"Touch me again and I will file a restraining order Nate. I don't love you anymore, and I'm not naïve enough to fall for you ever again."

Cameron walks over.

"Nate leave."

He glares and leaves. Cameron takes my arm and it's already bruising from how hard Nate grabbed me.

"I'm okay, Cam. Let's enjoy the party."

•••

Hours later I was drunk, and somehow Cameron was sober. He watches me knowing my drunken state isn't the best. I knew I could will think clearly, I don't understand how I could ever of fallen for Nate's crap.

A warm blanket it placed around me, and I shut my eyes, leaning into Cameron's chest.

"I'd bring her up to bed, Cameron," I hear Johnson say.

"You're right."

I huff and he laughs. Once we get in the bedroom I find my makeup remover and wipe away as much as I can wear it looks presentable before I change into shorts and a tank top.

"Your hangover is gonna suck in the morning," Cameron laughs as he shuts the door.