The Violence of Soft Things
Ayla Zamora only wants a couple things in life:
to graduate, build a future, and finally live in peace.
But college has other plans.
Four years of messy friendships, confusing boys, and romance that never seems to go right leave Ayla exhausted and ready to give up on love completely... until she meets him.
Theodore Mathew Acosta.
Sharp. Stubborn. Impossible.
Her rival from the moment they speak.
She wasn't looking for love.
He wasn't supposed to matter.
But some people feel like the calm after every storm.
...
"You really think I like arguing with you?" Ayla said, trying to sound steady even though he was already close enough to tilt her world.
Theodore didn't back up. He stepped in, slow, deliberate, until she had no choice but to feel the warmth of him.
"No," he murmured, eyes locked on hers, "I think you argue with me because you feel something you don't want to name."
Her breath hitched. "You're imagining things."
His gaze dropped to her lips, then back to her eyes, sharper now. "Funny," he said, "you only get this flustered with me."
"I'm not flustered."
Theodore leaned in, his voice brushing her skin like a dare."Then look at me," he whispered.
⚠️ Warning: this story deals with mental health, depression, abuse, and substance use.