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.

of eating like

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

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

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

annoyed breath, rolling her eyes. I watch as

stomping her foot down onto the grass in a childish manner. She craved the students attention and respect by acting

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 student before they

"You!" She points at me, causing my heart rate to speed up. I hold my hand up

the class

a heap on the floor in front of my feet. I simply

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

My cheeks burn with embarrassment and I resist making eye contact. I

"Quieten down

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 from the natural sun peeking through the slither in the door. It doesn't do much to help me see.

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

"Would you like some help?"

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

curse Mrs Hollins, blinking back the tears in my

okay?" A deep voice cuts in and I immediately freeze realising that I'm not

"Hello?"

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

out a small squeak, my voice timid. I hear him walk towards me, the shadow of his outstretched hand inches away from my face. I stare at it,

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