S O P H I A H O N E Y

THE MORNING light is soft, filtering through the curtains in pale strips. I'm warm. Really warm. But it takes me a moment to realize I'm no longer lying on Theo like I fell asleep. I'm on the other side of the bed now, but his arms are still wrapped tightly around my waist, holding me close.

My head rests against a pillow that smells like him-clean, warm, familiar. I bury my face in it, smile lazy against the fabric.

Then I feel it.

A soft kiss on my cheek.

Barely there at first. Just a brush of lips.

And then another, firmer this time. Slower.

It travels, trailing down from my cheek to my jaw, then lower, until his lips find that one spot on my neck that makes me melt.

I let out a soft moan. "Hmm... Theo."

"Yes, love." His voice is rough with sleep, low and husky, like gravel wrapped in velvet.

God. That voice. I could live in it.

His lips keep moving against my neck, gentle but intentional, and I can feel his smile against my skin like he knows exactly what he's doing to me.

I arch my neck, silently begging him for more, and he doesn't hesitate-his lips find that sweet spot again, kissing it with the kind of tenderness that makes my toes curl. It feels so good, so warm and dizzying, like waking up in a dream I never want to end.

"Open your eyes," he murmurs against my ear, his voice all gravel and mischief. "I want to see your eyes, Soph."

"No," I whisper back, half hiding my face in the pillow, smiling like an idiot. My heart feels too full. I'm too happy, and for some reason, looking at him right now feels... vulnerable in the softest way. Like if I see him looking at me the way I feel, I might just melt.

But of course, Theo doesn't let me off that easy.

I feel his hands slide around my waist-gentle, familiar-before they suddenly start tickling me.

My eyes snap open as I squirm, laughter spilling from my mouth uncontrollably. "Theo! Stop! That's not fair!"

"Nope." He says and continues.

"Theo! Stop!" I gasp between breathless laughter, kicking my legs under the covers as his fingers keep attacking my sides. "Seriously-I can't breathe!"

He just grins, a full-on, boyish grin that makes my heart stutter.

"Are you awake now?" he teases, his voice low and playful as he finally slows his hands but keeps them firmly around me.

I try to catch my breath, giggling into the pillow. "Yes! Yes, I'm awake! Happy now?" I look at him with flushed cheeks and a half-glare, half-smile.

"Yes," he says simply, eyes twinkling as he leans over me, his face suddenly so close, so warm. "Happy and in love with you."

That shuts me up. Well-almost. My heart does this soft ache-thing again. It's like he knows exactly when to knock the air right out of me-and not just with tickles.

"You're trouble," I whisper, cheeks burning.

He kisses the tip of my nose. "Only for you."

I find myself giggling at the nose kiss, like some hopeless girl in a rom-com-and maybe I am, because it's Theo and I can't help it.

He watches me, his grin softening into something more affectionate. "God, I love your laugh," he murmurs.

I roll my eyes, still smiling. "Stop."

But he shakes his head, brushing a strand of hair from my cheek. "No. I won't. I love your laugh. I love those green eyes that always get a little darker when you're mad-and a little brighter when you're happy."

I try to hide my face again, but he gently turns it back to him.

"I love your hair," he continues, twirling a piece of my blonde strands around his finger. "Messy, perfect, bedhead and all. I love that little crease you get between your brows when you're thinking hard. And your nose. And your lips. And you-just... all of you."

My chest tightens, and for a moment I don't say anything. I just look at him, at those sincere, sleepy eyes and that ridiculously handsome face, and feel this warm, swelling kind of joy in my ribs that I swear could break them.

"You're making it really hard not to cry right now," I whisper, my throat a little tight.

He chuckles softly. "You better not... because..."
There's something flickering in his eyes-nerves, hope, maybe even a little fear. My heart melts at the way he struggles to say it.

"Because...?" I prompt, brushing my thumb gently along his cheek.

He shifts, sitting up against the headboard, and I follow, wincing a little but ignoring the soreness. That's when I notice-he's already in his boxers and I feel clean. My cheeks warm. He woke up earlier. He took care of both of us. That thought alone makes something flutter deep in my chest.

I glance at him again. He's staring at the bedsheet like it holds all the answers. His hair's a mess, and he's scratching the back of his neck, clearly overthinking. He's never looked more adorable.

"I..." he starts, then stops again, rubbing the back of his neck again. His eyes flicker from the bedsheets to my face. "I want you..."

"You already have me-" I begin.

"No." He cuts me off gently. "I mean... I want you to be my girlfriend."

I blink. For a second, I think I heard him wrong. But he's looking at me like he just gave me the moon and he's waiting to see if I'll take it.

I don't say anything right away-because my brain's trying to catch up with my racing heart. And that silence? Yeah, it gets to him.

"I mean... shit," he mutters to himself, dragging a hand down his face. "Calm down, Theo," he whispers under his breath, then looks up at me again, more hopeful than ever.

"I just-I'd really love it if you'd be my girlfriend. I promise to actually talk about things like a normal human next time, and if I don't, you can hit me with a pillow or something. I should've asked you the moment I told you I loved you. But I didn't, because, well... I'm awkward and probably dumb for waiting."

I'm already smiling, heart doing backflips.

"And also," he says, rubbing the back of his neck again, "this is new for me because... you're my first."

"I'm your first?"

He nods, eyes soft. "First love. You're my first love, Soph."

No words. Absolutely no words.

It seems my time with him will keep being him making me speechless each time he speaks in such way.

I love it.

"So..." He continues. "if you'd let this slightly ridiculous guy be your boyfriend, I swear I'll do everything I can to make you happy. Every single day. You make everything better."

I let out the softest laugh, heart swelling. Then I lean forward, cupping his face, and whisper, "You're ridiculous. But yes. A million times yes."

His eyes light up like I just gave him the sun.

"Really?"

"Yes, really." I giggle, then kiss him once. "I'd love to be your girlfriend, Theo."

He wraps his arms around me like I'm his whole world. "Best. Day. Ever."

He pulls back slightly, his eyes dropping to my lips with that mischievous spark I'm starting to recognize way too well. "Let's kiss to seal it."

I wrinkle my nose and shake my head. "Nope. We need to brush first."

He groans dramatically. "Come on... one kiss. Let me kiss my girlfriend."

My girlfriend.

He said My girlfriend.

Hehe.

Okay, calm down, Soph. Pull it together.

I fight off the grin threatening my face, lean in, and press a quick kiss to his cheek. "There. That's all you get until we brush and bathe."

He pouts like a kicked puppy. "That was so unfair." He sighs and stands up, stretching a little. "Fine. I'm going to the guest bathroom then."

He starts getting up, looking all moody and overdramatic, but before he reaches his leg hits the floor, I grab his arm gently. "Don't..."

He turns back, eyebrow raised. I feel my cheeks heating up again. Why am I shy now? We literally just-

"Wait..." I mumble, not quite meeting his eyes.

A slow, knowing smirk spreads across his face. "Wait. Does my girlfriend..." He leans closer, voice low and teasing. "...want us to bathe together?"

I release his arm like it burned me and cover my face with both hands. "Shut up."

He laughs-his deep, husky morning laugh-and I peek through my fingers to glare at him.

"I'll shut up," he says, "if my girl gives me my kiss."

I peek out from behind my hands and give him a playful glare. "No."

He dramatically raises his hands in surrender and steps out of bed. "Okay, ma'am," he says with a mock bow. "And love, for the record-I would love to bathe with you. But let's be honest. There's a 99.99% chance we'll end up doing it again in there, and I do remember exams are this week."

I scoff, lowering my hands. "You think pretty highly of yourself."

He shoots me a look. "Babe, my little friend doesn't know how to behave around you."

Little friend?

Does he not know how big he is?

And as much as I'd love to sass him back, my body still aches from last night. Yeah, not ready for round two just yet.

"See? You agree with me," he says smugly as he grabs his towel and heads into the bathroom. A minute later, he steps out with a toothbrush in hand, then grabs some clothes from the dresser.

He pauses at the door, giving me that look again. "You still owe me a kiss."

"Yes, babe," I tease, sweetening the word on purpose just to watch him react.

And yep-he grins like he just won the lottery.

"Soph... don't get me hard," he warns, trying to look serious, but I can see the smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'll wait for you outside when you're done. And oh-pancakes or bacon and eggs?"

"Pancakes." Always pancakes.

"With extra syrup and strawberries on top, right?" he adds, like he's memorized it from the start.

God. I should just say screw it and kiss him now.

"Yes," I say, trying not to smile too hard.

His smile softens too. "Thought so." He turns to the door, hand on the knob... but then pauses.

"What?" I ask, sitting up a little. "Did you forget something?"

He nods. "Yeah."

I watch as he walks back toward the bed, that familiar lazy confidence in his stride. He leans down, cups my face so gently it makes my chest squeeze, and presses the softest kiss to my lips-warm, sweet, over too soon.

Then he looks at me, and those blue eyes have me melting all over again. "That's just so I don't go crazy waiting for you."

And just like that, he flashes me that grin and walks out the door.

I fall back onto the bed, groaning into my pillow, completely and hopelessly blushing.

Because yes... I'm in love. Like really in love.

And I don't even want to run from it.

♡ ♡ ♡

"No, I'm not slacking off," I say, phone pressed to my ear as I walk beside Alex and Blair toward the nearby library. The school one was packed-people were practically breathing down each other's necks with exam panic-but since our department's exams don't start until next week, we're in no real rush.

Just three days of exams and then freedom.

"Who's that?" Blair whispers as we step inside the smaller, quieter library.

"My mum." I mouth, so Mum couldn't know.

The librarian's seat is empty when I glance at that path, thankfully, so we sneak inside and grab a table near the back side of the place.

"I better hope not. You know how your Father gets with grades," She says on the phone, making me groan.

I remember how much easier grades were in high school. I was never a genius, but I never got a D or an F either.

Alex stands up and wanders toward one of the book stacks. My eyes follow her... but then shift to the guy sitting behind her. His head's resting on the table, arm stretched out. I spot the tattoo marks on his arm and pause.

Where have I seen those designs before?

"It'll be fine, Mum," I divert my attention back to Mum, trying to ease her nerves. "I'll do my best. Don't worry about a thing."

She sighs. "I hope so." She stays quiet for a second and I use the chance to unzip my bag and reach for my textbook-but my fingers brush against something warm and soft. I pause and pull it out.

A little mango snack pack, wrapped neatly with a napkin, and a folded note stuck to it with tape.

My heart actually skips.

Unfolding the note, I see Theo's handwriting in slightly messy, all-lowercase letters:

> 'for my smart girl. fuel that brilliant brain of yours. p.s. if this makes you smile, then mission accomplished.'

I bite back a smile-then give up and just beam at it.

That idiot. That sweet, thoughtful idiot.

After I finished my shower and brushed my teeth, just like he promised, Theo made us stay back for ten more minutes-just to kiss each other's faces off. His words, not mine.

Then we were in the college parking lot, and he refused to let me leave until I gave him a goodbye kiss.

It was supposed to last five seconds.

It turned into me straddling him in the driver's seat, his hand grabbing my ass, the other sneaking under my skirt and just... resting on my thigh while we kissed like we had all the time in the world. Five full minutes of oxygen-deprived, stupid, addictive kissing.

I could have said no. But honestly? Once he started... how could I? The guy is good. Dangerously good.

I'm just a girl. What do you expect?

I must've been so into his lips that I didn't even notice when he slipped this mango snack into my bag. Or maybe he did it earlier, back at the apartment? Who knows.

"Soph, did you hear me?"

Crap. Mum's still on the call.

"Yes, Mum," I say quickly, snapping back to reality as Blair stretches her hands to snatch the mango snack. I smack her playfully and she pouts.

"It's okay, I guess you're focused on your reading," Mum says.

Yeah. Reading.

Kill me now.

"I just wanted to ask if Theo would like to visit your dad and me when you come home for the summer," she says casually.

My eyes nearly pop out. "What?"

"What do you mean, what?" she replies and I know that tone anywhere. "Don't tell me you still hate him even after living with him all these months. Sophia Amber Honey, I thought I raised you better than this."

Hate him?

I wish I could laugh right now.

Yeah, sure, Mum-I hate him.

"No, Mum, it's just-"

She cuts me off. Of course she does. I know that tone. I'm in for it.

"Do you have any idea what he's done for your dad?" she says, her voice rising slightly.

I blink. "What did he do?"

"I shouldn't even be telling you this," she sighs, "because it was between him and your father-but Theo stopped collecting part of your rent from father months ago."

My breath catches. What?

"You've been living in that house for free, Sophia. And he told your dad he'd make sure you were taken care of. And I know he has, hasn't he?"

I open my mouth, but no words come out.

He hasn't been collecting it. Why?

"Oh... um, did he give any reason?"

"No," Mum replies. "He just said it was okay and that he'd handle it. And don't bring it up to him-he didn't want you to know."

"Why?"

"How should I know? You're the one living with him. Maybe he thought it'd be weird, since he knows us. He's such a good person with a good heart."

"Yeah..." I mumble, my eyes dropping to the little note Theo tucked in with the mango snack. My fingers brush over his handwriting before I whisper, "He is."

Alex comes back to the table and drops a book beside me, catching my expression. She mouths, You good?

I nod once, biting the inside of my cheek.

"Alright, I'll leave you to your reading," Mum says, the sound of her footsteps echoing faintly in the background. "I'm off to your dad's shop. And make sure Theo comes with you when you visit. We owe him a lot. Things haven't been great work-wise for your dad, so taking away that house payment and groceries really helped. Your father's grown so fond of him-he says it's like having another son."

My heart skips.

Another son?

I stare down at the snack again, a slow warmth blooming in my chest.

Yeah... he really is something else.

"Okay, Mum. I'll talk to you soon. Love you," I say softly.

"Love you too, sweetheart," she replies before the line clicks off.

I drop my phone onto the table and let out a huge sigh, sinking a little into my seat. I feel... wordless.

When I said he would change me, I didn't know it'd be like this.

He's just-he's too good to be real.

And yet he is.

I love him.

I love him for being real-for being real for me.

"Sophie," Blair calls gently, pulling me out of my thoughts. I blink up to see both her and Alex watching me.

"You okay? Did your mum say something bad?" Blair asks.

I shake my head and suddenly smile. "No. She did the opposite, actually."

"Lucky you," Alex says, leaning back in her chair. "My mum only calls when something bad happens to her."

"That sucks," Blair murmurs. "What about your dad?"

"He's dead," Alex replies, flatly, like she's said it a thousand times. Then she glances over her shoulder. "Did you guys see that guy with the dragon tattoo? It looked pretty cool."

She starts tapping her fingers rapidly on the table-faster, louder, like she's trying to distract herself from the emotional weight that just dropped. I reach over and gently grab her hand to still it.

She jolts slightly and looks at me.

"Alex-"

"I'm fine," she says with a quick smile, pulling her hand away. But then she places it softly on top of mine and gives it a squeeze. "Seriously. It's cool. He died with my brother, actually. But it's been years now. I was, like, what? Sixteen? Just five years ago."

"Five years?" Blair frowns, confused. "That would make you..."

"Yep. Twenty-one," Alex nods. "This summer, actually. But I don't celebrate it."

"How are you twenty-one and a first level?" I ask, hoping to ease the weight in the air a little.

Alex shrugs, leaning forward on the table and resting her chin in her hand. "Life got messy after the accident. I had to drop out for a while-help Mum, figure stuff out. It took me a bit to even want to come back to school."

Blair nods slowly, her face softening. "That makes sense. I'm sorry you went through that."

Alex waves it off, but there's a flicker of something in her eyes-grief, probably, or maybe the kind of tired that doesn't come from lack of sleep. "It's cool. I mean, not cool. But I've had time to process. Mostly."

"Still," I say quietly. "That's... a lot."

"Yeah, well," she offers a crooked grin. "We all have our stuff, right?"

"True," Blair says, then nudges a book closer to her. "Still, I think you're pretty badass for coming back."

Alex smirks. "Thanks. I like to think so."

There's a small silence after that. Not awkward-just... understanding.

Blair slams her palm on the table, and Alex and I flinch. A few students hiss at us, and I try to shush Blair.

"lets talk about else," Blair declares, her eyes almost looking teary. "Please?"

Alex chuckles and nods. "Alright."

"What should we talk about?" I ask.

Blair face changes to her normal happy self. "Hot guys, obviously." She says proudly, glancing over Alex's shoulder. "Oh-those tattoos do look cool."

I turn to look. The guy with the tattoos has shifted, and now we can see the ink on both arms from the back.

"He has them on both hands. That's hot," Blair adds, then smirks at Alex. "You'd date that, wouldn't you, plus he looks pretty built."

Alex chuckles briefly. "Why not? Guys with tattoos are kinda my type. I'm even thinking of getting one myself."

Blair perks up. "Wait-really? Where?"

"A mini dragon on my hip," Alex says casually, tapping her side. "And maybe a sentence across the back of my waist. Something subtle, but personal."

"Ooh, that's hot," Blair says, wiggling her brows.

"Definitely sexy," I add, and we all laugh again before another round of shushing cuts through the air, reminding us we're still in a library.

"Okay, we better start reading before we get kicked out," Alex says, lowering her voice.

"Quick question," Blair whispers. "When do you guys think we'll all have boyfriends?"

"I'm guessing second semester."

"Why second semester?" Alex asks.

"Because first semester's basically over, duh." Blair grins. "What about you? Do you even want a boyfriend?"

Alex shakes her head. "Hell no."

"Why not?" I ask, genuinely curious.

She shrugs. "I don't want to find him."

"Why?" Blair presses gently, and I can tell the question doesn't sit well with Alex.

"I just... don't. Relationships are too much for me right now. I want to finish school, get a job, and maybe one day I'll date."

"Maybe?"

Alex nods. "Yeah, maybe. For now, I prefer one-night stands. Easier. I forget their faces every time I wake up."

"Not all faces," Blair mutters with a sly grin, snatching the mango snack from the table and taking a bite. She looks at me, eyes twinkling.

"What about you?"

"Me?" I blink.

"Yeah. When do you think you and Theo will start dating-so I can tease you at the rink?"

Alex laughs. "That's why she wants you two together."

"What? It'd be fun," Blair giggles. "So? Should I guess this summer? Or next semester?" she says through a mouthful.

Okay. I can't hold it in anymore.

"How about this morning?"

The bite falls from Blair's hand, hitting the table with a thud. Her eyes go wide.

Alex's mouth falls open. "No way."

"Yes way," I say with a grin.

"No fucking way!" Blair squeals, jumping up and hugging me tightly. "No wonder you're glowing! You guys had make-up sex! I'm so happy for you! Tell me-did you guys use-"

"Ladies!"

We freeze.

The elderly librarian is standing right in front of us with a scowl so sharp it could cut glass. She points to the entrance with a single, trembling finger.

"Out."