Tangled

101 Ava: Calling Clayton

A plate of mixed greens, topped with an obscene amount of sliced chicken and shredded cheese, is slid

in front of me as I wait for Clayton to answer the phone,

There’s a lot of sound in the background, and I can hear Vester shouting that I’m on the line.

Stabbing a bite of salad, I crunch at it, the sound grating against my eardrums as I wait.

“Ava?” Clayton’s voice, usually so strong and assured, wavers with a vulnerability that catches me off guard. The sound tugs at my heart, a pang of guilt piercing through the layers of confusion that has settled

between us.

I should have asked Lucas to let me talk to him a long time ago. He’s probably been worried. He’s too responsible and caring to have just let things go without wondering how I’m doing.

I’m a terrible person.

I never really thought about him in this time.

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101 Ava Calling Clayton

“Hey,” I manage, my throat tightening around the word. “How… how have you been?”

Lisa’s eyebrows shoot up at the sound of my words, her gaze fixed on me with an intensity that suggests she’s hanging on every word. I ignore her, focusing instead on the static–laden silence stretching across the connection.

“How are you feeling?” Clayton asks, dodging my question with one of his own. “Are you healing alright?”

There’s a lump in my throat at the sound of his

concern. Damn. I swallow hard. “I’m fine,” I assure him, though the words feel hollow even to my own ears. “I actually called because… well, I was worried about Ivy. I wanted to know how she’s doing. And I wanted to talk to you.”

He’s silent for a long time. “Ivy’s doing well. She’s healing, but slowly. She doesn’t heal much faster than

humans.”

I know that pain.

my daily soreness from exercise remains stubborn, not disappearing

15:19

Ava: Calling Clayton

what it means or why my body’s acting this way.

to me?”

her eyes sparkling. She loves a good romantic drama, and my current

you since everything happened. I figured you would

still worried. I want to know how you’re

healing.”

really well.” I sound lame. “My best friend is here, so I’m not alone. I’m sure you know everything that happened by now, so I won’t rehash it. I’m

The cacophony in the background has disappeared since he answered the phone, and I wonder

miss you,

that I

15:19

Calling Clayton

to answer?

much?

to feel awful

very much. Well, not a lot… but a lot

Clayton.

hope in his

miss him. He’s a nice person. Responsible. Steadfast. He took care of me, even though I’m

stranger.

kept me locked away for my own safety, but it isn’t like Lucas has

flashes to other things, like the sound of his voice in my ear, the way his gentlemanly demeanor

my head at Lisa as her eyes widen. She can’t hear him on the other end, so she has no idea what’s

haven’t

at his odd question. “About Lucas…

15:10

tell von about him. Us It seems like the Aund of thing I should apologize for. He knows about

now, though

care. Ava is words are like a caress, and

something that’s

to access chapters of novels early and

that niggling feeling inside of

what it is.

just calling to check on Ivy. I guess I’ll let you go. I’m sure you’re busy.”

me your

YES! at me.

I call you

talking to him again today, but how can I say no when he asks me