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.

my daily soreness from exercise remains

15:19

Calling

not sure what it means or why my body’s acting this

to talk to

eyes sparkling. She loves a good romantic drama, and

happened. I figured you would be worried.”

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

healing.”

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

the background has disappeared since he answered the phone, and I wonder what he

miss you,

that I

15:19

Ava: Calling Clayton

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

much?

feel awful about myself.

very much. Well, not a lot…

Clayton.

The hope in his voice breaks my

a nice person. Responsible. Steadfast. He

stranger.

away for my own

in my ear, the way his

eyes widen. She can’t hear him on the other

haven’t chosen

his odd question. “About Lucas…

15:10

von about him. Us It seems like the Aund of thing I should apologize for. He knows about

now, though

care. Ava is words are like a caress,

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

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hear his happiness at my response, and that niggling feeling inside

what it is.

I was just calling to check on Ivy. I guess

out. “Give me your number, so I

enthusiastically, mouthing, YES, YES, YES! at me. “It’s

I call

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