Armstrong Hearts

Mabel Quinn’s POV

I have seven days left to find a boyfriend or I lose my place in the TAM squad. For about a week now, I have been trying to find a boyfriend, and I can’t seem to find anyone I like.

“Oh God, why did I agree to such a stupid thing? What am I going to do now?” I sighed, feeling frustrated already.

So, my name is Mabel, Mabel Quin, and the thing is, I’m in a crisis.

My best friends had just given me an ultimatum. “Find a boyfriend or leave the TAM squad.” Aria’s voice echoed in my head again.

I can’t leave the squad. If I leave, I will be uncool again. All people will see when they see me is the nerdy girl. I can’t be the nerdy girl again. Besides, I have worked so hard to be friends with Aria and Tasha so I could become cool like them, but no matter how hard I try, I just can’t. No wonder they want to get rid of me. No one wants to be friends with a plain, boring, and nerdy girl like me. I can’t even remember the last time I went a whole day without carrying my textbook around like an extra limb. Yes, I’m intelligent, but I like to learn new things, and I also want to be cool like my friends.

As I walked into the lecture room, I saw Aria and Tasha sitting together. I waved at them excitedly, but they just looked away. I dropped my hand awkwardly and tried to look for a seat. Just as I sat down, the lecturer walked in. Seeing the lecturer, everyone sat up, and the lecture began. After about an hour of learning, the lecturer concluded.

“Make sure to submit the answer in two days, okay,” the lecturer announced before taking his leave from the class.

“Okay,” I murmured in reply while everyone broke into murmurs, trying to catch up with themselves. Seeing that it was the last lecture for the day, I decided to go to the library to get started on my assignment.

“Mabel.” I heard Tasha’s voice just before I stepped out of the classroom door.

“Hi,” I answered, walking towards her feeling relieved. Finally, they are talking to me. Since the conversation about the ultimatum, they have shut me out completely. It’s as if they are convinced that I can’t find a boyfriend.

“Are you forgetting something, Mabel?” Aria asked, placing her book in my hand.

Oh yes, I’m supposed to do their assignment. I have always been doing that for as long as I can remember.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. At least they are acknowledging me again, that’s good . I know I shouldn’t be feeling grateful about them talking to me because no true friends put their friends in the kind of situation I’m in. However ,I’m willing to take whatever they give me.

“Oh Mabel, just make sure to do it well,” Tasha said, winking at me, and warmth spread through my chest

“Don’t forget our deal, Mabel. You are the M that completes the TAM squad. It would be a shame if you have to leave and make us incomplete,” Aria spoke again, holding one of my hands in hers. Hearing her words, I felt grateful and pressured at the same time. Still, I replied to her, smiling. “No need to worry, Aria. I will definitely find someone.”

“Good luck then,” they both said to me. Tasha patted my shoulder before they both left me there standing awkwardly.

After standing there for a few seconds, I remembered I wanted to visit the library, so I turned around to get going. While on the way, several thoughts crossed my mind. I thought of what I’m going to do if I really leave the TAM squad. Not that I will leave, but if I have to leave, what am I going to do? As I walked through the hall, I kept looking at all the guys in the hall, but none of them looked appealing to me. I’m sure I’d be uncomfortable as hell being with any of them. These are some unrestrained jocks who would only see me as a conquest. They probably won’t be truthful with me. I know I should overlook all these things if I want to find someone, but then I can’t help it.

After turning to the left, I opened the library door and entered.

No, wait. Where am I? This looks nothing like the library. Then it occurred to me that I took the right turn instead of the left. “Oh s**t, Mabel,” I criticized myself. Just as I was about to turn around and walk out,something caught my attention and I forgot to breathe.

My brain stopped for a moment. I let my eyes roam. Wet hair, broad shoulders, rock hard abs, the Adam’s apple. “Oh f**k,” I muttered, staring in awe at the person standing in front of me until my eyes went downward. “Wait, what is that?” I asked myself, and quickly my brain caught up with me.

“Oh my, oh no.” I coughed lightly.

“s**t… I… I just saw Dante Rossi, the school hockey captain, naked,” my mind told me.

“Like what you see?” he asked me.

I met his eyes again and realized that he was smirking at me.

Without thinking twice, I spun around and bolted out of the door

“What just happened?” I asked myself while trying to calm my heaving heart.

“ What are you doing here?”