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

every PE lesson. It's small, cramped and smelly but

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

white socks and my trusty old converse. The entire school basically looks like

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 whistle to her lips before blowing into it. The shrill of the whistle catches me by surprise

a childish manner. She craved the students attention and respect by acting laid back however

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

rate to speed up. I hold my hand

class footballs,

She throws the gym keys at me and they land in a heap on the floor in front of my

head. I bite my

burst out laughing. My cheeks burn with embarrassment and I resist making eye contact. I clutch the keys tightly, feeling

down class!"

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

falling. I can barely make out any shapes in here so what hope

"Would you like some

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 the tears in my eyes from the

and I immediately freeze realising that I'm not alone.

"Hello?"

I can vaguely make out his outline, tall with

hear him walk towards me, the shadow of his outstretched hand inches away from my face. I stare at it,

I don't bite."