Lena's pov
The moment our lips parted, the dorm common room exploded with laughter, cheers, and playful teasing.
"Finally! About time, Ethan!" Ryan shouted, slapping his friend on the back.
Another friend hooted, "Looks like Lena's got him wrapped around her finger!"
I forced a smile, heart still racing, trying to play it cool. But inside, a whirlwind of emotions churned—confusion, excitement, and the sharp sting of guilt.
Ethan's hand stayed tightly around mine, grounding me, but his eyes searched mine with something deeper than before.
As the teasing died down, someone raised a glass. "To the new couple!" they cheered.
Glasses clinked, and the night carried on with laughter and stories, but for me, the kiss lingered like an electric charge I couldn't shake.
Later, as Ethan and I stepped outside for some air, I took a shaky breath.
"That was... unexpected," I murmured.
He smiled softly. "Yeah, but maybe it's a good thing. Makes us more believable."
I nodded but couldn't stop the racing thoughts. It's just a mission. Keep it fake.
But every time I looked at him, the lines blurred a little more. What if the lie started to feel too real?
"Thanks for being patient with me," I said quietly.
Ethan reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Always."
And in that moment, I realized the biggest risk wasn't the mission—it was him.