Armstrong Hearts

Meeting Her Friends

‘Why am I supposed to go there?’ This question remained on my mind even as I went through my classes for the day. Aria has been fangirling about my relationship …. My fake relationship with Dante. Tasha on the other hand is just not convinced even after the morning show. I can still see the distrust for me in her eyes or maybe she is jealous of me. I wouldn’t put it past her not to be jealous. I mean , Dante just confirmed me as girlfriend in public. There are two types of reactions to that kind of news. They are either wowed or jealous.

“Girl , that was one hell of a class.” Aria broke my line of thought.

“Common , Professor Smith is only making sure to impact us with knowledge.” I chirped back smiling. Everyone dislikes Professor Smith’s class but no other professor in this school is as passionate about impacting us as Professor Smith.

“Of course you would speak for him. Little professor Mabel.” Aria says, rolling her eyes.

“ Tasha , are you okay?” She has been quiet throughout the entire conversation. Although I have a notion that she might be jealous in my head , Tasha is not one to keep quiet when a conversation is going on , especially when Aria is talking. When one speaks the other backs up.

“ I’m okay.” She responds by forcing a smile back at me. “Isn’t it almost time for your boyfriend to finish practice? How about we go together so you introduce us.”Tasha asked again, causing my heart to skip a bit. Why is she so obsessed with being introduced to Dante ? Not like he wants to know her.

Maybe my expression went off a bit because she quickly said, “ what ? You don’t want to introduce us?”

“ No no no…” I shook my head trying to refute her claims, even though I don’t want to do that. I don’t feel comfortable bringing my friend to know Dante. I feel like I’m being used again just like before.

“ so, what is it ?” She raised her eyebrows. I pursed my lips thinking of the way I can tell them that I can’t introduce them to Dante. I couldn’t come up with any idea so I just decided to accept briefly.

“ Fine , you can meet him.” The words barely left my mouth before Aria squealed in delight. looking at her reaction , I felt like I’m being used again. Like I’m their pass to Dante.

“ I knew it.” Aria grabbed my arm and jumped excitedly. “ Finally, I get to meet the captain.”

I rolled my eyes and said “He is not all that”

“He is absolutely , all that.” Aria argued back. “ Common Mabel, Dante is the most wanted guy in school and you got him.”

I forced a laugh at what she was saying. “ Well…” I noticed that Tasha has quieted down again. After she made me promise them, she was silent again.

“ What?” I asked her

“ Nothing.”she smiled. “ I’m just excited to finally meet him.”

Something about her smile made me extremely nervous but I didn’t say anything. Instead I let Aria drag me towards the door.

“Come on, we have to go before practice ends.” She says dragging me out of the class.

“ Wait .” I pulled my hands away from Aria’s. “ You two go ahead, I will meet you. I just need to drop something in my locker” Aria frowned.

“ We will wait.” She says

“ No, please don’t. I don’t want to delay you.”

“ Fine , we will be waiting in the rink. Don’t be long.” Aria said and they both walked away.

The moment they disappeared , I released a breath I didn’t realise I was holding in. I don't know why I’m nervous. It’s just to introduce them to Dante. I’m sure as hell that Dante won’t even mind. I quickly rushed to my locker to look for what I don’t know.

Honestly , I don’t have anything I want to drop , I just want to be alone so I can gather courage to face him in front of a crowd.

After five minutes , I shut my locker and head to the rink. As I got closer, I heard the sound of skates scraping against the ice.

My eyes immediately spotted Dante in his number 17 jersey the minute I got in. He was on the ice , practicing with the rest of the team.

I stood for a few seconds before Aria’s voice pulled me out from my thoughts.

“ There she is.” Aria waved and I groaned. In that particular moment, Dante also turned. The moment his eyes landed on me, his expression soften. Then he looked at Aria and Tasha beside me and his smile disappeared.

“Oh no!” I panicked seeing his reaction to them.

He skated towards the edges of the rink and removed his gloves.

“ Mabel.” He called and I swallowed . Can my name be any sweeter than the way it rolls off his tongue ?

“Hi” he waved. He turned to look at Aria and Tasha beside me and asked “ who are they ?”

Before I could say anything, Aria stepped forward

“ I’m Aria and this is Tasha.” She smiled brightly before continuing “ We are Mabel's best friend.”

Dante raised his eyebrows “ Best friends ?” He repeated. I could practically feel that he was questioning me but I looked away.

Aria didn’t notice the change in Dante’s expression so she continued to say. “We have been dying to meet with you.”

“ Really?” Dante raised his brows and I quickly elbow Aria.

“ You are popular in this school, of course she wants to meet you.” I said to Dante

“ Really .. I had no idea.” Dante replied, smirking.

“Pratice is not over.” He says

“ I know.” I replied

“ So why are you here?” I pointed to Aria and Tasha before saying,

“ They want to meet with you.”

His eyes moved back to them “ Oh.” That single word from him made Tasha smile falter and somehow, I almost laughed seeing her expression.

“ Why did you bring them?” He moved closer to whisper in my ear.

“ They didn’t give me a way out.” I said, twisting my fingers.

“ Do you want them here?” He asked me again and I hesitated , I looked down, unable to say anything . Why I was twisting my fingers , Tasha suddenly spoke.

“ Dante, can I ask you something?” He looked at her

“Sure you can .” He answered

“ Are you really dating Mabel?”