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.

1/7

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.

have healed, but my daily

15:19

Calling

what it means or why

to me?” he says, hesitant.

sparkling. She loves a good romantic drama, and my current love life

you since everything happened. I figured you would

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

healing.”

know everything that happened by now, so I won’t rehash it. I’m glad I’m not with my parents anymore.”

in the background has disappeared since he answered

miss you, Ava.”

that I almost drop

15:19

Ava: Calling Clayton

“I miss you, too.” How else am I supposed to answer? I don’t miss him? I don’t think of

much?

starting to feel

even thought about Lucas very much. Well, not a lot… but a

Clayton.

his

person. Responsible. Steadfast. He took care

stranger.

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

in my ear, the way his gentlemanly demeanor changes when my

cheeks, and I shake my head at Lisa as her eyes widen. She can’t hear him on the other

haven’t

frown at his odd question. “About

15:10

von about him. Us It seems like the

now, though

like a caress,

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

know” Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters

at my response, and that niggling feeling inside of me grows.

what it is.

I guess I’ll let you go.

your number,

nodding enthusiastically, mouthing, YES, YES, YES! at me. “It’s the same one I’m calling

I call you tonight?”

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