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 stubborn, not disappearing

15:19

Ava: Calling Clayton

any haste. I’m not sure what it means or why

talk to me?” he says, hesitant.

other ear as Lisa watches, her eyes sparkling. She loves a good

happened. I figured you would be

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

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

you,

that I

15:19

Ava: Calling Clayton

too.” How else am I supposed to answer? I don’t miss him? I don’t think of him very

much?

to feel awful about myself.

Lucas very much. Well, not a lot… but a lot more than I ever

Clayton.

hope in his voice breaks

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

stranger.

also kept me locked away for my own

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

floods my 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

you haven’t chosen

I frown at his odd question. “About Lucas… I’m

15:10

von about him. Us It seems like the

now, though

is words are like a

It sounds like I’ve said something that’s soothed him

on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest

that niggling

what it is.

I guess I’ll let

me your

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

call you tonight?”

him again today, but how can I say no when he asks me that in