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.

have healed, but my daily soreness from exercise remains stubborn, not disappearing

15:19

Ava: Calling Clayton

it means

wanted to talk to me?” he

switch the phone to my other ear as Lisa watches, her eyes sparkling. She loves

everything happened. I figured you

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

healing.”

is here, so I’m not alone. I’m sure you know everything that

answered the phone, and I wonder what he was

miss you, Ava.”

startling that I

15:19

Calling Clayton

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

much?

to feel awful about myself.

not a lot… but a lot more than I ever think

Clayton.

his voice breaks

do miss him. He’s a nice person. Responsible. Steadfast. He took care of me, even

stranger.

own safety, but it isn’t like Lucas has done

things, like the sound of his voice in my ear,

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

haven’t chosen

odd question.

15:10

seems like the Aund of thing I should apologize

now, though

words are like a caress, and

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

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that niggling

what it is.

on Ivy. I guess I’ll let you go. I’m sure you’re

blurts out. “Give me your number, so

YES, YES! at me. “It’s the

I call

him again today, but how can I say no when