When I'm Gone ( Nate Maloley AU)

Chapter Nine

Hayden's POV:

I run to the bathroom after choir ended, throwing up all available contents into the porcelain bowl. My body shakes, and I hold my hair. Unable to move my body. I rack out a sob from the vomit.

"Hayden?", Sam asks.

"Get the nurse, please Sam."

"Okay."

I put my hair in a high ponytail. I try to stand only to fall back down. I don't understand. Why am I sick now? I felt fine an hour ago. Suddenly the nurse comes in, and asks me to open the stall. I just barely reach over to unlock the stall. She smiles at me, and Sam comes in.

"In this case, he can", she says before I can ask.

She grabs my bag, while Sam helps me walk. He holds my waist. No one is in the hallway as we walk to her office. We finally reach her office and she places a trash can in front of me. My head pounds hard, causing me to shut my eyes and hold my head.

"You okay?", Sam asks.

"I think I need to go home", I whisper.

"Let me take your temperature", she says.

I open my mouth, and let the metal covered in plastic go under my tongue. I wait for it to beep. When it does, my temp reads:

100.2

"But I felt fine in choir", I whisper.

"These things happen. Are your parents on business?", the nurse asks.

"Yeah", Sam answers for me.

"Then, Sam, you need to take her home."

He nods, completely understanding why and helps me up.

"Why am I suddenly sick?" I ask.

"I don't know. But I'll have Maria help you, and then I have to go back to school," Sam states and helps me to the front door.

"Can you go to one of their houses today?"

He nods and sighs as Maria races out to help me walk. All my energy was just drained, and I wanted to sleep the day away. I flop down on my bed, and Maria goes to work with the other maids to clean the house and have food ready in case we were hungry. My head pounded and all I can think about is how I've let people down. I shut my eyes, curl my legs up and I slowly drift off into sleep.

•••

Jack Johnson's POV:

Even though Nate claimed he took Natalie back she looked like she hated him. Now, they're at Gilinksy's house. With Hayden being sick Sammy couldn't risk their health.

"Jack?", Nate asks.

"What?", he snapped, obviously still angry Nate hurt her.

"I need to talk to you alone."

Johnson sighs and gets up, following Nate to the hallway. He was impatient and didn't want to be anywhere near him. But they're best friends and Jack knows he has to listen to what Nate has to say.

"What is it Maloley?"

"I left her because I knew I'd cheat. You guys were right, and I ruined my only chance left with her. I'd be surprised if she took me back."

"That's not why we're here, Nate."

"I know. She's sick. Jack I screwed up so bad, and I want her more than you know."

"Explain to her."

"She won't listen."

"Maybe she will. Go to their house, I'll tell them you went home."

Nate nods and leaves. He'll stay her friend even if it hurts. Watching her get hurt doesn't help him. Sam looks at Jack.

"Where Nate?"

"he went home."

Sam nods, and forgets what he was gonna say.

Nate's POV:

He looked at her sleeping. She looked sick. She looked tired. Maria walked past Nate.

"She's got the flu, Nathan. She doesn't even want to see you."

"Let me stay with her."

"Okay."

Maria scurries away. Nate sits in the chair across her room. She sits up, and yawns. That's when she turns and sees Nate.

"Go away, Nate. I don't wanna hear anything you have to say."

"Hayden-"

she ignores him.

"You don't wanna be sick. I don't want you here, so go!"