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

15:19

Ava: Calling

not sure what it means

wanted to talk to me?” he says, hesitant.

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

everything happened.

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

healing.”

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

cacophony in the background has disappeared since he answered

miss you, Ava.”

admission is so startling that I

15:19

Calling

answer? I don’t

much?

to feel awful about myself.

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

Clayton.

The hope in his voice

person. Responsible. Steadfast. He took care of

stranger.

course, he’d also kept me locked away for my own safety, but it isn’t like Lucas has done much better.

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

widen. She can’t hear

haven’t chosen Lucas?”

frown at his odd question. “About Lucas…

15:10

von about him. Us It seems like the Aund

now, though

words are like a caress,

slightly different wavelengths. It sounds like I’ve said something that’s

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hear his happiness at my response, and that niggling feeling

what it is.

I guess I’ll let you go. I’m sure you’re busy.”

blurts out. “Give me your number, so I

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

call you

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