Armstrong Hearts

Dante Rossi’ POV

I was called in earlier by the advisor to talk about my grades. Apparently, there are some things I’m not doing right, and my grades are beginning to slip. It’s not that I’m dumb, but I have been putting in many hours for practice, and my grades are suffering for it. God, I really need my grades if I want to qualify for pro this year. While we were still talking, a knock sounded on the door, and the girl from earlier, the one who walked in on me naked, walked into the office.

“Ma, you sent for me,” she said, locking the door behind her. I’m sure she has yet to notice me because when she did, she froze. She looked like I’d just said that the building was on fire. She looked so shocked, like she wasn’t expecting to see me. She stood shocked in the middle of the office, looking at me. Normally, when people see me, they always try to behave like they’ve known me for a long time. But she looked like she’d rather be anywhere but here in my presence.

“Mabel, this is Dante Rossi,” the advisor spoke to her, but she didn’t respond.

“Mabel…” the advisor called again.

“Uhmm… yes. Yes, ma,” Mabel tried to speak.

“Is everything okay?” the advisor asked again, seeing how disoriented she was.

“Yes, sure… I’m very fine, ma,” she rushed to speak, pasting a smile on her face, but I’m damn sure that she is faking it. She looked towards me and quickly looked away again.

“Please sit, Miss Mabel,” the advisor said to her. She hesitated a little but finally settled herself in a seat beside me.

“Dante…” the advisor said again, facing me this time.

“Yes, ma,” I said, being serious. I have no idea why she called Mabel here, but I guess it’s because of me.

“This is Mabel Quin, Armstrong University’s top student,” the advisor said to me.

“Hi, I’m Dante.” I offered a handshake, which she took shakily, faking a smile.

“So Dante… Mabel here takes the same classes as you, and as such, I believe she is in the best position to help with your grades.”

“What?” Mabel asked, wide eyed.

“Mabel, you will tutor Dante Rossi here,” the advisor said upon hearing her outburst.

“Ma… I…” she tried to say. I know she is looking for an excuse, but I’m not about to let her off. If the advisor says she is good, then she is good. Besides, as much as I don’t talk to people, I recognize her too. Her picture and mine have dominated the school billboard this session. It’s great to finally know her name though.

“Nice to meet you, Mabel,” I said, smiling, not minding her horrified look. “I hope we can achieve greatness together.”

“Okayy, guyss. You got the next three months to work wonders on Dante’s grades,” the advisor said, rubbing her hands together.

“Mabel, I’m trusting you to get our captain’s grades up,” the advisor said once again with a smile.

“Okay, okay..” Mabel said, forcing a smile on her face. It’s obvious she doesn’t want to tutor me. If only I didn’t need these grades to get to playing as a pro. It’s my final year, and this year determines if I get to go pro or not. To do that, I really need to get my grades up so I can graduate from this school. I can’t be a student if I’m playing pro. After three years of training hard, I’m not about to let a damn grade make me lose my chance of qualifying for pro.

“Is there anything else, ma’am?” Mabel asked, shifting in her seat.

“Oh no, Mabel, you may go. Thank you for com…” Before the advisor finished her words, Mabel was already heading towards the door. She wanted to get away from me.

“I will take my leave too,” I said to the advisor, bowing respectfully before heading out.

Once outside the door, I saw Mabel resting on the wall, patting her chest. After taking a brief look at her, I walked away.

Just before I got into my changing room, I noticed someone following me. I turned back to see who it was and saw Mabel.

“What is the matter?” I asked her.

“I uhhmm…” she scratched the back of her neck in search of what to say. Seeing as she was out of it, I smirked. Call me an asshole or whatever, but the look on her face right now, I know it so well.

“Mabel Quin is nervous around me,” I mused, turning around to enter my changing room. Being the captain definitely has its perks, and this personal changing room is one of them.

“So… why are you following me?” I asked Mabel, who came into the room with me.

“So… I…” she began to fumble with her words again.

“If you don’t know what you want to say, just…”

“BE MY BOYFRIEND,” she said before I could even finish.

“What?!!