Armstrong Hearts

Mabel Quinn POV

“What?” He searched my face to see if I’m just blabbing. Seeing the resolute look on my face, he burst into laughter.

“Ahh ahh.”

“You must be joking,” he says, barely containing himself.

Panic shot through me quickly, seeing as he is not taking me seriously.

“Please hear me out,” I say, looking down at my feet, unable to find the courage to look at him.

“So what is this?” he raised his brows and continues, “Are we doing a trade by barter?” he asked, and I shook my head.

“No no no.” I wave my hands, trying to reason with him.

“If you think I’m going to date you because you are tutoring me, you are wrong,” he says, looking serious.

I swallowed hard, unable to meet his eyes. Then he moved closer to me and whispered, “Get out.”

My eyes widened immediately.

“Oh no, wait, please let me explain,” I rushed to say.

“It is not like that. At least not what you are thinking,” I explain.

“So are you saying you didn’t just ask me to be your boyfriend?” he asked in a surprisingly calm voice.

“I… I…” I stutter for a bit, trying to find my words.

“You what?” he asked me impatiently.

“Please calm down.” I looked at him, trying to read his expression, but it remained stoic. I don’t know if that is a blessing for me or a curse.

“So what is my business if your friend thinks I’m your boyfriend? You could just tell them I’m not,” he says, looking at my face, but I looked down, unable to meet his eyes. Seeing my downcast expression, he said, “Don’t tell me you told them we are dating?”

“It is not like that. I…” I couldn’t complete my words, seeing the look on him, but then I sensed that he won’t remain patient with me, so I continued immediately. “See, I am supposed to get a boyfriend before the week runs out or I stop being friends with my girls.”

“So?” he asked me, his expression still stoic.

How can someone be this unconcerned? Can’t he try to understand me?

“I have worked so hard to remain friends with them. I also don’t want my remaining days here at Armstrong to be horrible,” I explain and then continue, “You don’t have to be my boyfriend for real. I just need to pretend in front of them, please.” I begged.

“Hmm,” he mused, thinking, and I quickly added, “I can guarantee you straight As.”

“That’s what the advisor spoke to you about, isn’t it?” he asked.

“I’m saying that I’d put my mind to it and give my all to make sure you pass,” I rushed to explain.

“I can’t say if you are stupid or you just don’t know your worth.” He shakes his head.

“Please, just consider it. It will be good for you also,” I said, trying to make him see the good in this kind of arrangement.

“You are impossible.” He rolled his eyes, then says, “Take my number and text me. I will consider it and give you my answer.”

“Oh thank you. Please let it be positive.” I smiled in relief.

He called his number, and I dialed it on my phone. As there was nothing to talk about again, I bade him goodbye and took my leave.

As soon as I stepped out of Dante’s changing room, I realized that time had gone by.

“s**t, it is closing hour,” I muttered, seeing the time on my wristwatch. I quickly raced down to my locker and packed my things to go home.

“Hello Mom,” I greeted my mom and quickly went to my room. I wanted to quickly text Dante, but I remembered that he said I should text him at night. So I went to freshen up instead. After I freshened up, I sat down at my study table to do my assignments.

“Mabel dear, food is ready,” my mom says, letting herself into the room.

“Okay Mom.” I raised my head to check the time and realized that it was 8 p.m. already. I quickly rounded up what I was doing and went downstairs with my mom. Emma is not around today, so it’s just my mom and me eating.

I quickly ate my food, wanting to go to my room to text Dante. It is night now.

“Hey.” I sent the first text. There was no reply.

“So what do you say?” I sent a text again, but there was no reply. I looked at the time. It’s still 8:30. He might be busy. I sent another text but didn’t get any reply. By the time the clock struck 9 o’clock, I had started worrying.

“What if he backs out? What if…” A lot of what ifs went through my mind, but still I waited. Soon the clock struck 10 o’clock, and I began to panic. While I was still pacing in my room, my phone dinged.

I quickly rushed to check it, and indeed it was from Dante.

“Hi Girlfriend.”

“Yesssss!” I jumped up in my room. Finally. I was still dancing when my phone dinged again. This time, it was from Tasha.

“Introduce us to Dante tomorrow, okay.”