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.

but my daily soreness from exercise remains stubborn, not disappearing

15:19

Ava: Calling Clayton

haste. I’m not sure what it means or why my body’s acting this

talk to me?”

her eyes sparkling. She loves a good romantic

you since everything happened. I figured you would be

am, Ava. I’m still worried. I want to know how you’re doing. If

healing.”

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 parents anymore.”

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

miss you,

is so startling that I almost

15:19

Calling Clayton

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

much?

to feel awful

much. Well, not a

Clayton.

hope in his

person. Responsible. Steadfast. He took care of me, even though

stranger.

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

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

my head at Lisa as her eyes widen. She can’t hear him on

you haven’t

odd question. “About Lucas…

15:10

didn’t tell von about him. Us It seems like the Aund of thing I should apologize

now, though

like a caress, and I feel

something that’s soothed him in some

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

that niggling feeling inside of

what it is.

I was just calling to check on Ivy. I

number Clayton blurts out. “Give me your

YES! at me. “It’s

I call you tonight?”

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