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

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

change into 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 two sizes bigger

and white stripe shorts completed with white socks and my trusty old converse.

annoyed breath, rolling her eyes. I watch as she raises the whistle to her lips before blowing into it. The

her foot down onto the grass in a childish manner. She craved the students attention and respect by acting laid back however times like this proved she's the

of it, keeping my distance from the two girls giggling on the end. Mrs Hollins eyes drift up and down each student before they land on me.

speed up. I hold my hand up half heartedly, looking incredibly awkward. She gives

the class

the floor in front of my feet. I

Mrs Hollins sighs, shaking her head. I bite my cheek hard, bending down to

"Didn't you know? 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 keys tightly,

down class!"

takes me a while to find the right one but when

stop myself falling. I can barely make out any shapes in

"Would you like some

startles me from behind and I miss my footing 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 me that's poking into my back. Pain flares up my body and I clench my jaw, the frustration

teacher!" I curse Mrs Hollins, blinking back the tears in my eyes from the sudden pain.

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

"Hello?"

calls out again. I can vaguely make out

out a small squeak, 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

"Take my hand, I