Tangled

94 Ava: Lisa (I)

Three nights. Three lonely, empty nights staring at the sterile hospital ceiling. Only Lucas‘ voice on the phone breaks up the monotony, checking in on me each evening. I hate how much comfort I draw from hearing the deep, soothing rumble of his voice, hate that I keep glancing at the clock, waiting for his call.

Life is hard without Selene here. She would be able to help me work through these feelings. Separate what’s me from the demands of my fate bond. Beyond that, she would have kept me entertained with her wry

observations.

Dr. Beaumont had mentioned this morning that it seemed as though my rate of healing was increasing. Her confusion over it nags at me. Is Selene getting closer? After the car accident, I noticed my wounds knitting together faster once she returned. I’d assumed it was from my heat, but perhaps…

“Miss Grey?”

I look up to see the nurse peeking around my door, a

hesitant smile on her face. “You have a visitor.”

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94 Ava Lisa (1)

Visitor? I stare at her in confusion. Lucas is still away dealing with pack politics, and he would have called first anyway. My mind races, trying to figure out who it could possibly be, when a blur of motion pushes past

the nurse.

“Ava!”

“Lise?” I barely have time to process what’s happening before she’s flinging her arms around me, squeezing me so tightly it borders on painful. “Ow, careful!”

“Sorry, sorry!” She loosens her grip immediately, leaning back to look at me. Her eyes are shining with unshed tears. “I was just so worried about you! God, Ava, what happened? Are you okay? Lucas called me, but he didn’t explain much beyond you being in the hospital.”

The worry and gentle nagging in her words, the way her eyes dart over my body, the way her hands flutter and hover over me as if she’s not sure where to touch

first–it all brings tears to my eyes.

I hiccup.

Then I sob.

Then I woon

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C

Ava Lisa

shoulders maybe trembling a little. Weeping is a beautiful art, an

I’m just…

Sobbing.

Wailing.

Blubbering.

a sniffling mess

tears.

Lisa’s here.

longer alone.

is on

never

me to

through it all, as I soak her shoulder in grief and terror. She doesn’t ask; I don’t offer.

it’s all about the release of all these emotions I’ve held onto.

3/8

04 Av (1)

isn’t here, but at least

My Lisa.

burn, sore and swollen with the force of my sobbing, and my head

ears. All of her actions are maternal and loving, and I find myself wondering how many kids she’ll have in the future. She

Lisa says, her question

nod. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels

want to talk

I nod again.

I do.

to someone who can

where to begin has me confused. I’ve told her some things over time,

Ava Lisa

in front of me.

manage over

swallow hard, trying to figure out where to even begin. So much has happened in such

the edge of the bed, grabbing my

“I’ve got

it before. I talk about Selene and her cryptic remarks. I talk about Clayton and

gapes at me, her eyes wide with shock. “Holy

agree with a shaky laugh.