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.

wounds have healed, but my daily soreness from exercise remains

15:19

Ava: Calling

haste. I’m not sure what it means

talk to me?” he says, hesitant.

her eyes sparkling. She loves a good romantic drama, and my current love life is her biggest

everything happened.

know how you’re doing. If you’re

healing.”

I’m sure you know everything that happened by now, so I won’t rehash it.

is unnerving. The cacophony in the background has disappeared since he answered the phone, and

miss you,

admission is so startling that I almost drop the

15:19

Calling

am I supposed to answer? I don’t miss him?

much?

I’m starting to feel awful about myself.

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

Clayton.

in his voice breaks my

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

stranger.

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

my ear, the

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

you haven’t chosen

his odd question. “About Lucas…

15:10

Us It seems like the Aund of thing

now, though

is words are like a

that’s soothed him in some way. T’ll never

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response, and that niggling feeling inside

what it is.

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

blurts out. “Give me your number, so I can call you.”

YES, YES! at me. “It’s the same one

I call you

but how can I say no when