Armstrong Hearts

My Girlfriend

“Are you dating Mabel?” Tasha's voice resounded in my ear. Immediately everyone focused on Dante waiting to hear his reply.

“ Why would you even ask him that?” I questioned Tasha , unable to understand why she is behaving the way she is behaving.

“ Relax Mabel.” She rolled her eyes. “Just let him answer the question.” She said, giving me a smile that did not quite reach her face. I looked towards Dante one more time and looked around me. Everyone focuses on Dante hoping to hear what he will say. Although I know his reply , I also can’t help the panic that surges through me.

“ Relax everyone.” Dante laughs. “ You’re scaring my girl by questioning her position with me.” His eyes held mine steady.

“ And yes , Tasha right?” He asked, looking at Tasha.

“Yes.” She nods.

“ Mabel is my girlfriend.” His lips curved into a smile as he declared me his girlfriend. His eyes went back to Tasha again before saying. “ Please try not to make her run away from me. If everyone asks me questions like this , she might just leave me. Or do you want me to keep being single ?” He exasperated causing Tasha to blush in embarrassment.

Looking at the glint in her eyes, when she questioned Dante, I’m sure she was expecting Dante to answer negatively but now that Dante gave a different answer, she feels embarrassed.

Dante looked towards me again but before he could say anything the whistle blowed signaling for him to return to the ice.

“ Alright babe , I have to go. Wait for me in my changing room okay.” He gave me a light peck on the cheek and skated back to join the team.

“ Oh my God…” Aria shrieked the minute Dante skated away. I looked at Tasha and she offered me a smile . I'd do the same too.

“ Are you assured now ?” I questioned Tasha

“ Yes , sure.” She said, giving me that unconvinced look.

“ Mabellll…” Aria swooned again looking at Dante like she was in a dream.

“Mabel , why didn’t you tell me that he is like that with you?” Aria asked

“Like what ?” I raised my brows in confusion.

“ He looks at you like you are the only one in the room.” I laughed nervously hearing Aria’s words.

“No he doesn’t. You are just imagining things.” I thought about how Dante looked at me and I didn't see anything extraordinary.

I looked at the ice again, Dante's eyes found mine and for a few seconds neither of us looked away. When I finally looked away, Dante was already playing at full speed again.

My mind went back to Aria’s words.Could she be right ? Does Dante look at me differently ? These swirled heavily in my mind.

“ Mabel!!” Aria called

I turned towards her “ Hmm” I answered

“ You were staring at him again.” She says smiling

“ I wasn’t.” I blushed hard upon realising that I have been caught.

“ Girl please , I have eyes.” Aria says laughing . I rolled my eyes and laughed too before returning my attention to the rest of the ice.

Dante was skating with the puck in his hands. He passed it to one other guy , the defenseman I think.

Every time our eyes meet, some part of me thinks maybe there’s something else.

I always get this strange feeling which I’m not supposed to have because what is between us is fake.

I needed a boyfriend so I wouldn’t have to leave the TAM Squad and Dante needs a tutor to help him with studies. It is that simple. We are only helping each other, nothing more.

“ Are you smiling?”Aria suddenly asked. Immediately my hands went to my face.

“ I’m not.” I replied

“ You absolutely are.”

“ No , I’m not smiling.” I refute again.

“ You definitely are.” She pushed my shoulder lightly.

“ Stop it.” I was unable to hold back my smile.

“ I knew it. You like him.” Immediately my smile disappeared.

“ Of course I like him, I’m dating him, Aria.” I stated the obvious.

“ Yes yes. You are dating him.” Aria says laughing. “You are so hot for him.”

“Whatever.” I looked at the ice, refusing to answer her again.

The whistle blew again from the other side of the rink , calling for the end of the game .

The players skated to the bench to have their seats.

Dante removed his helmet as he approached us, his dark hair was slightly messy from the game but somehow it only adds to his appeal. My eyes stayed on him till he got to my front.

“ Babe.” His voice pulled me out of my deeper thoughts.

“ Hi.” I greeted.

“ Were you waiting for me?” I nodded. “ Didn’t I ask you to wait for me in the changing room ?” He asked again.

“ We wanted to watch you play.” Aria quickly stepped forward to answer before I could even say anything.

Dante raised his brows “You.” I pointed at her

“ Yes, Me , I watch hockey.”Aria placed a hand on her chest.

“ Oh really!!” Dante smirked. “ cause you look like you don't know anything that was going on.”

“ That doesn’t mean I can’t watch .” Aria replied, earning a laugh from Dante.

I couldn’t help but smile seeing their exchange of words.

“Come on.” Dante looked towards me. “ I want to change. Let’s go.”

“ Okay.” I nodded and followed him. Before I could take another step , Tasha's voice stopped me.

“ Mabel.” I turned to look at her. She was staring at me.

“ What ?” I raised my brows and she smiled , shaking her head negatively.

“ Nothing.” She smiled. Seeing as she has nothing to say , I ignored her and followed Dante.

When we got to the changing room, Dante disappeared behind his locker to change.

I sat on the chair and pulled out my phone. There were several messages from my flatmate.

I ignored them. Since this morning, I have been getting different messages. People were also being unnecessarily friendly. I’m trying to get used to the attention but I don’t want my phone blowing up with messages.

My phone vibrated again and I looked at the skin, it was from an unknown number.

Unknown

So you managed to get the hockey captain huh? Well done.