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.

serious wounds have healed, but my daily soreness from exercise

15:19

Calling

what it means or why my body’s acting this

to me?” he

phone to my other ear as Lisa watches, her eyes sparkling. She loves a good romantic drama, and my current love

talked with you since everything happened. I figured you would

to know how you’re doing. If you’re okay, if you’re

healing.”

“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 glad I’m not with my

in the background has disappeared since he answered the phone, and I wonder what he was doing before I

miss you, Ava.”

so startling that I almost

15:19

Calling

supposed to answer?

much?

starting to feel

much. Well, not a lot… but a lot

Clayton.

his voice breaks my heart.

him. He’s a nice person. Responsible. Steadfast. He

stranger.

for my own safety, but it isn’t like Lucas has

his voice in my ear, the

at Lisa as her eyes widen. She can’t hear him on the other end, so

you haven’t

I frown at his odd question. “About Lucas… I’m

15:10

seems like the

now, though

like a caress, and

sounds like I’ve said something that’s soothed him in some way. T’ll never hold

to access

almost hear his happiness at my response, and that niggling

what it is.

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

me your number,

number?” Lisa’s nodding enthusiastically, mouthing, YES, YES, YES! at

I call

I wasn’t planning on talking to him again today, but how can I say no when he