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.

the worry of eating like a

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

my gym clothes, a bright red shirt with the words HEYWOOD HIGH printed on the back in block white letters. I opted for the size that was

trusty old converse. The entire school basically looks like the human version of Where's Waldo in our gym clothes.

yells loudly, attempting to grab the attention 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

foot down onto the grass in a childish manner. She craved the students attention and respect by

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

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

get the class footballs, hurry

a heap on the floor in front of my feet. I simply look down at them and

sighs, shaking her head. I

She's mute," Beatrice's voice fills the silence and several people burst out laughing. My cheeks burn with embarrassment and I resist making eye contact. I clutch the

down

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 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

can barely make out any shapes in here so what hope do I have in finding the footballs?

you like some

as I stand 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

Mrs Hollins, blinking back the tears

you okay?" A deep voice cuts in and I immediately freeze realising that I'm not

"Hello?"

voice calls out again. I can vaguely make out his outline, tall

my voice timid. I hear him walk towards me, the shadow of his outstretched hand inches away from my face. I stare at it, feeling a blush creep up my neck and

my hand, I don't bite."