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.

eating like

cramped and smelly but it's out of sight and I'd choose that any day

in block white letters. I opted for the size that was two sizes bigger as showing what

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

up please!" Mrs Hollins yells loudly, attempting 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

in line now!" Mrs Hollins screams, stomping her foot down onto the grass in a childish manner.

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

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

get the class footballs, hurry

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

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

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!"

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

mutter holding out my hands in front of me to stop myself falling. I can barely make out any shapes in here so

you like some

hard which causes me to lurch forward. I yell out as I connect with the floor, landing painfully on my side. I wince

Hollins, blinking back the tears in my eyes from the sudden pain.

"Are you okay?" A deep voice cuts in and I immediately freeze realising that I'm

"Hello?"

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

I let out a small squeak, my voice timid. I hear him walk towards me, the shadow of his outstretched

I