Tristen Pov
"I kissed her."
The moment those words escape my lips, I have to resist the urge to swallow them back down. A flicker of guilt tugs at me; I had vowed to myself that I wouldn’t cross that line again.
"You kissed Essel?" Akila echoes, his eyes narrowing.
I nod, dragging my hand across my face in frustration.
"Nice one, man!" Jake cheers, his hand shooting up for a high-five.
Akila shoots him a look that could freeze fire, and just like that, Jake's enthusiasm disappears, his hand dropping as a pout takes over his face. It's a sharp contrast from his earlier bravado.
"When did this happen?" Akila probes, his brow furrowing in skepticism.
"Yesterday, in the hos—" I start to say, only to cut myself off as I realize where this is heading.
They aren't supposed to know I to
