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 a starved pig in front of your crush.

It's small, cramped and smelly but it's out of sight and I'd choose that any day

shirt with the words HEYWOOD HIGH printed on the back 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

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

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

in a childish manner. She craved the students attention

two girls giggling on the end. Mrs Hollins eyes drift up and down each student

hold my hand up half heartedly, looking incredibly awkward.

get the class footballs, hurry up."

keys at me and they land in a heap on the

supposed to catch them," Mrs Hollins sighs, shaking her head. I bite my cheek hard, bending down

eye contact. I clutch the keys tightly, feeling the cold metal dig inside my palm before turning and heading for the

down class!"

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 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

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

"Would you like some help?"

painfully on my side. I wince and feel around, grabbing a metal pole from underneath

Mrs Hollins, blinking back the tears in my eyes

in and I immediately

"Hello?"

out again. I can vaguely make out his outline, tall with

his outstretched hand inches away from my face. I stare

"Take my hand, I