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.

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

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

white letters. I opted for the size that was two sizes bigger as

with white socks and my trusty old converse. The entire school basically looks like the human version of

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 with my

childish manner. She craved the students attention and respect by acting laid back however times like this proved she's the complete opposite.

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

my heart rate to speed up. I hold my hand

"Go get the class footballs,

land in a heap on the floor

 them," Mrs Hollins sighs, shaking her head. I

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

"Quieten down

glance down at them before sighing heavily. It takes me a

barely make out any shapes in here so

"Would you like some

voice 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

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

deep voice cuts in and I immediately

"Hello?"

make out his

shadow of his outstretched hand inches away from my face. I stare at it, feeling a blush creep up my neck and cheek.

I don't bite."