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.

then there's always the worry of eating like

cubicles and enter 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

 HEYWOOD HIGH printed on the back in block white letters. I opted for the size

red and white stripe shorts completed with white socks and my trusty old converse. The entire school basically looks like the human version

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

in line now!" Mrs Hollins screams, stomping her foot down onto the grass in a childish manner. She craved the students attention and respect by acting laid back however times like

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 student before they

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

the class footballs, hurry up."

She throws the gym keys at me and they land in a heap on the floor in front of my feet. I simply look down at

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

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, feeling the cold metal dig inside my palm before

"Quieten down

sighing heavily. It takes me a while to find the right one

falling. I can barely

"Would you like some help?"

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.

back the tears

deep voice cuts in and I immediately freeze realising that I'm not

"Hello?"

make out his outline,

him walk towards me, the shadow of his outstretched hand inches

hand, I