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 starved pig in

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 my SpongeBob SquarePants underwear. I'm ashamed to admit I also have the matching bra on.

quickly 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

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

annoyed breath, rolling her eyes. I watch as she

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

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

my heart rate to speed up. I hold my hand up half heartedly, looking incredibly awkward. She gives me a

the class footballs, hurry up."

they land in a heap on the floor in front

her head. I

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 footballs are

"Quieten down class!"

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 but when I

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

"Would you like some help?"

painfully on my side. I wince and feel around, grabbing a metal pole from underneath me that's poking into my back. Pain

Mrs Hollins, blinking back the tears in my eyes

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

"Hello?"

calls out again. I can vaguely make out his outline, tall with broad shoulders.

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

hand, I don't bite."