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 a starved pig in front of your

where I change every PE lesson. It's small, cramped and smelly but it's out of sight

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

socks and my trusty old converse. The entire school basically looks like the human version of Where's Waldo in

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 and I wince, covering my ears with my hands.

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

from the two girls giggling on the end. Mrs Hollins eyes drift up and down each student before they land on me.

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

get the class footballs,

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

her head. I bite my cheek hard,

making eye contact. I clutch the

down class!"

up and I close my eyes, breathing in slowly and breathing out. Finally I reach the equipment room and try the 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

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

you like

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

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

"Hello?"

vaguely make out his outline, tall with broad shoulders.

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, feeling a blush creep up my neck and cheek.

my hand, I