Armstrong Hearts

Mabel’s POV

Seeing the message , fear gripped my heart again but then , Dante’s message came in again and I smiled. He is my boyfriend now, so I don’t have to worry about my lie getting exposed.

“ See you tomorrow.” I texted Dante back. I didn’t bother replying to Tasha. I would see her in the morning. With this thought in mind , I put my phone down to sleep.

The next morning , I woke to the sound of my alarm. I checked my phone to see that Dante sent a message.

“ Good morning Love , hope you slept well.” My heart began to beat fast.

“ Oh my God.” I covered my mouth with my hands to avoid shouting. Dante actually called me love. He called me his love. I can’t believe it . It feels surreal. I’m dating the hottest guy in the school.

“ You begged him, it is fake.” My brain tries to remind me but I shut it out. No way I’m damping my mood this morning.

“ Mabel.” My mom called from outside the door.

“ Yes mom.” I answered grinning from ear to ear. It’s almost as if I won a jackpot. No , I just won Dante Rossi.

“ Dress quickly , so I can drop you at your school.” she says. I was about to answer her , when I heard her receding footsteps. Very typical of my mom, she always makes sure to drop me at school if it’s on her way.

Another look at my phone and I quickly get out of bed . I freshen up and pick out my dress. I want to look my best today. I paired a blue crop top and , high waist jean trousers. After dressing up , I applied lipstick. After looking at myself in the mirror again , I slide out of my room to meet my mom who was already eating breakfast.

“ Morning mom.” I pecked her on her cheek and took my seat beside her to eat . It is just a simple toast and tea.

Noticing my moms lack of reply, I raised my brows to question her . “ Mom.” I called and she flashed me a sweet smile.

“ Need anything?” She asked.”

“ You didn’t respond to me.” I told her.

“ I’m sorry baby. I was trying to calculate something.” She answered me before looking away again. Well , that’s my mom , being the head accountant of her company , she is always in her head most of the time. However, it’s quite obvious where I got my intelligence from.

________________________________________

The ride to school was a smooth one. While my mom focused on driving, I kept on checking my phone to see if Dante had reply my text message, but he didn’t. I guess he must be busy or in practice . Anyways , we would meet in school. Soon my mom parked her in front of Armstrong university and I came down from the car.

“ bye mom.” I waved my hands and quickly run into the school gate. I can’t wait to meet with my boyfriend.

I walked through the open fields reassuring myself that I looked good and that I’m beautiful.

“ you have got this ,Mabel.” I whispered under my breath, encouraging myself to keep going. Usually , I’d have gone straight to class or to the library to bury my face in a book but I think it would have to wait today.

Dante could show up anytime. I took a deep breath and began walking through the hallway. I hadn’t gone far when I heard my name.

“ Mabel.” I turned around to see Tasha and Aria walking toward me looking glamorously and immediately , my confidence took the back seat. Aria wore a dress that made her look like she stepped out of a magazine and Tasha had a pink jumpsuit on with her signature make up.

Looking at the sharp contrast between us, every good feeling I had about myself evaporated. Compared to them, I’m plain. I was still staring when they walked up to me.

Tasha scanned me from head to toe before saying, “ You dressed up today”

“ I always dress up.” I replied and she laughed.

“ No Mabel, you don’t dress up. You only put on clothes.” She says. I’m not comfortable with what she said but I smiled through it regardless.

“ Mabel…” Aria called linking her arms with mine. “ So….” She says winking at me. “ Where is your boyfriend?” Hearing her question, heat rushed to my cheeks.

“ I don’t know.”

“ What do you mean you don’t know ?” Tasha scoffed. “Isn’t he your boyfriend?”she says in an air quote.

“ He is.” I affirmed biting my lower lip nervously.

“ Then call him.” She nudged my hand that was holding my phone.

“I don’t need to, he will find me when he is done.” I said but immediately , I regretted it. What if he doesn’t find me? What am I supposed to do? What if he didn’t come to school today ? He didn’t reply to my text messages this morning.

In just a minute , different possibilities ran through my mind.

“ Why do I feel like you made the whole thing up Mabel ?” Tasha asked.My stomach dropped, for a moment there fear gripped my heart but i managed to defend myself.

“ Why would I do that?” I questioned her back.

“ I don’t know , maybe because you are not his type of girl.” She smirked.

“ What?” I gasped. Before I could say anything else, the chatter in the hall became louder and girls were squealing. From their reaction , I didn’t need to turn to know who it is. Only one person commands that kind of attention.

DANTE ROSSI.

With this realisation in mind, my heart hammered hard against my chest that it could almost burst. I look at both Tasha and Aria, I saw challenge in their eyes , I know they don’t believe me.

I turned around , unsure of what to do. Am I supposed to wave or what. I was still contemplating when he stopped in front me.

“ Morning Love.” His deep voice resounded , sending butterflies in my belly.

“ G.. Good morning.” I stuttered and a slow smile spread on his lips.

“ You look ravishing.” He says before pressing a kiss on my neck and my lips before bringing his lips to my ear and said. “Now , no one will doubt you.” He flashed me one of his killer smile which earned a gasp from the crowd in the hall.

Hearing his words, my eyes widened. I couldn’t even speak, instead my cheeks turned shades of bright red.

He chuckled seeing my reaction and whispered in my ear “ what ? You haven’t kissed before ?”

“ Why did you kiss me?” I spoke quietly so only he can hear me.

“ What better way is there to get your friends to stop doubting you?” He smirked.

“I have got practice .” He says.

“Okay.” I smiled.

“ See you later.” He kissed me again and walked away leaving me nodding.

“ Come to my changing room after your last class and don’t be late.” He says before jogging off.

Immediately he got out of sight , Aria squealed. “Tasha, did you see that , she is not lying.” I smiled at them briefly. If only they know. However, there’s nothing to know.

Tasha didn’t say anything , she walks away. Well I don’t care.

But, what is going happen in the changing room ? Why am I supposed to go there?