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.

the worry of eating like a starved pig in

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 I also have the matching bra

white letters. I opted for the size

trusty old converse. The entire school basically looks like the human version of Where's Waldo in our gym clothes.

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

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

from the two girls giggling on

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

the class footballs, hurry

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

Mrs Hollins sighs, shaking her head. I bite my cheek hard, bending

"Didn't you know? She's mute," Beatrice's voice 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 turning and heading for the equipment room where the

down

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 and

can barely make out any shapes in here so what

"Would you like

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

a teacher!" I curse Mrs Hollins, blinking back the tears in my eyes

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

"Hello?"

I can vaguely make out his

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

hand, I don't