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.

always the worry of eating like a starved pig in front of your

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

red shirt with the words HEYWOOD HIGH printed on the back in block white letters. I opted for the size that was two sizes bigger as showing what

socks and my trusty old converse. The entire school basically looks like the human version of Where's Waldo

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

childish manner. She craved the students attention and respect

join the end of it, keeping my distance from the two girls giggling on the end. Mrs

my heart rate to speed up. I hold my hand up half heartedly, looking

the class footballs, hurry up."

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

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

voice fills the silence and several people 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 my palm before turning and heading for the equipment room where the

"Quieten down class!"

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 slither in the door.

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

"Would you like some

with the floor, landing painfully on my side. I wince and feel

Mrs Hollins, blinking back the tears in my eyes

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

"Hello?"

voice calls out again. I can vaguely make out his

me, the shadow of his outstretched

hand, I don't bite."