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.

worry of eating like a starved pig in front of your crush.

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

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

completed with white socks and my trusty old converse. The

of the class. Everyone lazily walks over to her, continuing with their conversations. Mrs Hollins let out an annoyed breath, rolling 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 wince, covering my ears with my hands.

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

two girls giggling on the end. Mrs Hollins

to speed up. I hold my hand

the class

She throws the gym keys at me and they land in a heap on the floor in front of my feet. I

were supposed to catch them," Mrs Hollins sighs, shaking her head.

burst 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!"

down at them before sighing heavily. It takes me a while to find the right one but when I do, I smile and pull back the door before stepping inside. The room is dark with no light beside from the natural sun peeking through the slither in the door. It

mutter holding out my hands in front of me to stop myself falling. I can barely make out

like

I stand on something hard which causes me to lurch forward. I yell out as I connect with the floor, landing painfully on my

a teacher!" I curse Mrs Hollins, blinking back the tears in my

voice cuts in and I immediately freeze realising that I'm

"Hello?"

vaguely make out his

towards me, the shadow of his outstretched hand

hand, I don't bite."