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.

like a starved pig

smelly but it's out of

in block white letters. I opted for the size that was two sizes bigger as showing what little shape I have to my body doesn't appeal

old converse. The entire school basically looks

conversations. Mrs Hollins let out an annoyed breath, rolling her

down onto the grass in a childish manner. She craved the students

and I join the end of it, keeping my distance from the two girls giggling on the end. Mrs Hollins

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

class footballs, hurry up."

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

shaking her head. I bite my cheek hard,

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 footballs are

down

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 pull

barely make out any shapes in

like some help?"

painfully on my side. I wince and feel around, grabbing a metal pole from underneath me that's poking into

Hollins, blinking back the tears in

deep voice cuts in and I immediately freeze

"Hello?"

make out his outline,

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

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