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 starved pig in front of your crush.

lesson. It's small, cramped and smelly but it's out of sight and I'd choose that any day

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 as showing what little shape I have to my body doesn't appeal to me.

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

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

childish manner. She craved the students attention and respect by acting laid back however times like this

keeping my distance from the two girls giggling on the end. Mrs Hollins eyes drift up and down each student before

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

"Go get the class footballs, hurry

they land in a heap on the floor in front of my feet. I simply look down

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

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,

"Quieten down class!"

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

front of me to stop myself falling. I can barely make out any shapes in here so what

"Would you like

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

Mrs Hollins, blinking back the tears in my eyes from the

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

"Hello?"

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

small squeak, my voice timid. I hear him walk towards me, the shadow of his outstretched hand inches

"Take my hand, I don't bite."