His Heartwarming Secret

"Girls, guess what? Ethan asked me out last night! Can you believe it?"

"No way!"

"Oh my gosh, finally!"

"Ethan grew some balls. It's about god damn time."

I clutch my gym bag to my chest, weaving my way through the crowd in the girls changing room. Half of the girls are undressed, parading around in their underwear without a care in the world. The conversation in the locker rooms always gives me a headache if I listen too long which isn't a surprise considering all the girls ever talk about is boys.

The latest discussion is Ethan and Melissa.

Ethan has been crushing on Melissa, the girls captain of the football team for months before he'd finally asked her out. Apparently their first date is going to be at Melissa's pool party she's hosting on the weekend.

That doesn't sound like much of a date to me . . .

I'm a hopeless romantic who spends endless hours watching stereotypical love movies on Netflix. Every single time a couple split, I blubber like a baby even though I predict it happening from the start. My ice cream or popcorn bowl always ended up mingling with my tears. . . Gross.

My idea of a first date would be something intimate yet simple. A chance for both of you to get to know each other without the presence of several others.

Somewhere quiet and romantic?

A restaurant maybe.

like a starved pig in front of your crush.

reach the toilet cubicles and enter the free one, locking the door behind me. This is where I change every PE lesson. It's small, cramped and smelly but it's out of sight and I'd choose that any day over everyone seeing

words HEYWOOD HIGH printed on the back in block white letters. I opted for

red and white stripe shorts completed with white socks and my trusty old converse. The entire school basically

her eyes. I watch as she raises the whistle to her lips before blowing into it. The shrill of the whistle catches me by surprise and I

the grass in a childish manner. She craved the students attention and respect by acting laid back however times like

line is formed and I join the end of it, keeping my distance from the two girls giggling on the end.

rate to speed up. I hold my hand up half heartedly, looking incredibly awkward. She gives me a slight frown before continuing

"Go get the class

me and they land in a heap on the floor in front of

to catch them," Mrs Hollins sighs, shaking her head. I bite my

out laughing. My cheeks burn with embarrassment and I resist making eye contact. I clutch the keys tightly, feeling the cold metal dig inside

"Quieten down class!"

speed up and I close my eyes, breathing in slowly and breathing out. Finally I reach the equipment room and try the first key inside the lock, no luck. There's around ten different keys and I glance down at them before sighing heavily. It takes me a while to find the right one

me to stop myself falling. I can barely make out any shapes in here so what hope

you like some help?"

on something hard which causes me to lurch forward. I yell out as I connect with the floor, landing painfully on my side. I wince and feel around, grabbing a metal pole from underneath me that's poking into my back. Pain flares up my body and I clench my jaw, the frustration beginning to increase.

Mrs Hollins, blinking back the tears in my eyes from the

"Are you okay?" A deep voice cuts in and I immediately freeze realising

"Hello?"

I can vaguely make out his outline, tall with

"Hello," I let out a small squeak, my voice timid. I hear him walk towards me, the shadow of his outstretched

"Take my hand, I don't bite."