When I'm Gone ( Nate Maloley AU)

Aftertaste: Chapter Twenty-Five

It's been a few weeks since Cameron proposed. We planned the wedding extremely fast, and now, I'm sitting getting my makeup done as I wait for my wedding day.

Sam's father called my mother, and she agreed to come and bring my family. Madison got me a makeup artist. She sits with me as I look down. I wish my father was still alive so he'd be the one doing this. I look down.

Maybe my heart was breaking because my life didn't turn out how I wanted. There's a soft knock on the door and my mother walks in. She looks at me and smiles. We tried our best to hide that this was happening, but as we showed up fans of Cam were here.

He politely asked them not to interrupt us, and they agreed and left. I stand after they're done with my makeup and look at my mother. My dress is strapless and pools at my feet.

"Here," she says softly.

A small box sits in my hands and I look at her as I open it. A beautiful necklace is wrapped in the box.

"This is from your fathers mother. She wanted you to have it, as for my mother, you aren't getting that."

"What is it though?"

"A ring."

"Mother-"

"I'm here because I wouldn't miss this, not cause I really care for you."

She walks out and Mads looks at me.

"I'm okay."

She helps me get the locket on and I smile. Sam's father comes in and takes my arm. Mads leaves first and I look at him.

"Thank you."

"Of course."

We walk out of the door and to the door to the sanctuary. My heart pounds in my chest and I look at him as the doors open and then I look out. I can see Nate and Jude, and everyone else crashed the wedding and my heart pounds as we walk down. Cam smirks at me and I smile sweetly at him. Once I'm given to Cameron, I feel like crying. Honestly I wasn't listening, and the two of us had decided not to do vows.

Cameron takes the ring and slips it on my finger, and I do the same.

"You may kiss the bride," the pastor smiles.

Cameron pulls me to him and kisses me like he never will again. I kiss back, and all I hear is silence. Music starts to play and I look at him as we make our way to the reception. He wraps his arms around my waist.

"Cam, Nate and Jude-"

"my mom and sister invited them."

We get into the car and drive off before everyone to the reception area. I lean my head on his shoulder and smile when I look at the ring. Cameron takes my hand in his.

"You know, Nate, Jude and Sam will not be around anymore."

He looks at me and leans down to kiss my head. I look out the window. 

•••

I giggle as I dance with Cameron. His hands never left my waist the whole night. Nate and Jude weren't allowed inside on request of Cameron and I. His sister hates me still, though I don't see why. She's usually nice to everyone else. Maybe she wants to protect her baby brother. I wanted to go home an hour in, but I couldn't of course, so I sat once my feet started to hurt.

"Hayden!" Madison giggles as she sits to my right, "Why aren't you dancing?"

"My feet hurt and Nate and Jude are on my mind."

"Don't let them get to you."

She takes my hand and she forces me into Cameron's arms. He smirks at me and kisses me softly.

"You know, with all the shit since you moved here with Nate and Sam, this is the best thing to happen."

My face heats intensely. Soon the reception was over, and the crew came to clean it up. Madison, Johnson and Taylor came home with us. Gilinsky still isn't talking to her. He's being petty. I'm not the problem in their relationship, and she isn't either.

I lay on Cameron as Jack drives the car. He runs his fingers through my hair, and I entwine my fingers in his and he laughs.

"Now they can't take any claim on you," he whispers, "you're mine."

Cam kisses me and I kiss back.

"Come on guys, save it for later!" Taylor says, punching Cameron in the arm.

I laugh and stick my tongue out at him. I look at Madison in the front, through the windows reflection I can see her going through instagram. She goes to the search bar and looks up Jack's name, only to see she's blocked.

"Mads?"

"What?" She asks and quickly shuts off her screen.

"He isn't worth your time."

"Hayden you don't understand."

We pull up to the house.

"Guys, go inside," I whisper.

Cameron looks at me.

"It's okay."

Once they leave I sit on the front steps with Madison.  She looks at me.

"He told me he could be with whoever he wanted because I ended things. He blocked me."

"Madison, he isn't worth it. I know it, find someone who won't leave you because you are your own person."

She looks at me.

"It isn't worth the pain."

She nods.

"Thank you."

"And for the love of God date outside of this friend group."

"okay."

I take her hand and bring her inside.

"Stay in my room tonight," I say softly.

She nods and goes upstairs. Cameron looks at me.

"I'm going to kick him."

"They'll be okay."

I hug him as we go up to our room. I just lay on the bed and look at Cameron. He lays beside me and looks at me. He moves my hair from my face and I smile. I shut my eyes as I feel Cameron continue to run his fingers through my hair.

"You know I'm glad we got together," Cam says softly.

"Me too."

He kisses my head and pulls me to him.