When I'm Gone ( Nate Maloley AU)

Aftertaste: Chapter Twenty-Nine

Magcon is here in Sydney and Cameron had begged me to come.

I couldn't face him or my friends of my old life. It's funny how things never work that way and I found myself buying the VIP ticket only because of my new friends, who loved them.

They knew I know Cameron and the others. Soon we get to the doors and the guard pulls me aside.

"What's wrong?"

He, instead, leads me from my friends and backstage. I look at my old friends. No Chris, or Taylor. Cameron looks up and his eyes meet mine, but I step back. He excuses himself, but I turn to leave.

This, this was a mistake.

"Hayden, wait-"

"Cameron, I really should go."

"You said you weren't coming."

"My friends convinced me."

"So you're happy?"

"No, but I mean, it doesn't matter, Cameron. I'm not coming home."

He hugs me and I sigh softly. He runs his fingers through my hair and I smile at him.

"I've been having a hard time, would you please come with us to tour Australia?"

I nod and he kisses my head.

"Do you all have VIP passes?" I nod and he smiles at me.

Cameron kisses my head again and looks away.

"I need to talk to you later."

I nod and walk out from backstage and find my friends in the crowd. They look at me.

"Bathroom."

They nod and it was about three hours into the show when we make it into the meet and greet line.

"You came back?" Aaron asks and I nod.

"Wait, Hayden, how do you know Aaron?"

"I used to date Cam," I whisper as we walk towards the head of the line.

We make our way through and I awkwardly hug Aaron and he laughs.

Cameron walks past us and I grab his arm. He looks at me and Becky takes me with them, while my friends look at me confused. Becky sits to the side as Cameron leans against me, crying softly.

"I just want to go home," he says and looks up at me.

"Cameron-"

"I can't stay."

"Cameron, look at me." I whisper and Becky leaves to talk to some people.

"Cam, you don't have to go back out there, and I know there's so many things that are stressing you out. You should really stay for the shows, and I will be by your side."

Becky smiles at me and I smile at Cameron who nods. He stands up and goes back out there as they hold the meet and greet. I wait for my friends and they smile at me. My face flushes, and Cameron grabs my wrist before I can pull away.

"Cam-"

"Please, stay beside me."

I nod and my friends look at me.

"I'll be here, come back when they're done."

They nod and the rest of the night goes by smoothly. My friends come over and they flirt with Cameron who has his arm wrapped around my waist. He wants to get back together. They all laugh and soon Aaron, Blake and Willie come over too and I smile at them.

"Aaron, entertain them," I whisper before Cameron pulls me aside.

"Will you come to the other shows with me?"

"Of course, but they honestly don't remember that we dated so they'll get suspicious."

"I'm okay with that."

I look at Cameron in the eyes and he begs me. I nod and he looks away, he face flushed.

"Cam, what is it?"

He can't even face me as he lets go of my hand.

"Cam-"

He kisses me and pulls me to his chest. I kiss back as I have no where to go.

"Cameron, stop, I can't-"

"We both know we love each other, I can't stand having you here."

"I live here now, I can't just-"

Cameron cuts me off again, and then I hear the gasps.

"Aaron!" Cam says and looks at the younger boy who could barely even stop my friends.

I blush and let go of Cameron's hands.

"I can't Cameron-"

"Why would you do that?" Katie asks and I look away.

I pull away and Cameron follows me.

"Please, Hayden, it hurts. I can't let you stay away."

It hurts being away and the last time I took a new start to my life, it failed and I came home. Then I dated Cameron again, and got kidnapped and almost died. They bring me pain, but with Cameron I never cared.

"Okay, but I'm not moving back. I can't deal with Nate and all of that-"

"I'm back in Chino Hills with my mother and sister. I have my own house there, okay?"

"Maybe."

He smiles and my heart skips and I look away as we walk back over. Libby grabs my arm and I look at her.

"Are-"

My face heats and they giggle. Cameron watches as they pull me away and they leave. It was silent as we walk back to the apartment a few blocks away.

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"Because of this."

"Wait- no way! You have to bring us with you to California to meet them!"

"Katie, Libby, no! Okay, I don't even talk to some of them anymore."

"Like who?"

"Nash, Sammy, Nate, and some others."

"Wait, did you date Sam?"

"No!" I spit, "I- he's my step brother."

They look at me wide eyed and then realize.

"You were Nate's girlfriend. Why don't you talk to him?" Katie asks.

"He used to abuse her," Libby says.

"Hayden!"

I turn to see Nate and my mouth goes dry. They look at me as he comes over and he takes my hands. Nate smiles at me and I look at the two who back away and go inside.

"How did you know I was here?"

"I followed you."

"Leave me alone."

"Don't walk away from me, Hayden!"

"I don't answer to you, get a hint, Nate, and stay out of my life."

He pulls me back.

"Why? So you can go around screwing other guys and hiding because you're scared?"

I smack him hard and pull from his grip, and go inside the building to Cameron who sees him out there.

"They told me. We'll take you guys home."

"Bart will be pissed."

"He's not here. Come on."