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

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

on the back in block white letters. I opted for the size that was two sizes bigger

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

let out an annoyed breath, rolling her

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

girls giggling on the end. Mrs Hollins eyes

my heart rate to speed up. I hold my hand up half heartedly, looking incredibly awkward. She

"Go get the class footballs, hurry up."

throws the gym keys at me and they land in a heap on the floor in front

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

"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

"Quieten down class!"

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

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 in

you like some help?"

and I 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 that's poking into my back. Pain flares up my body and I

of a teacher!" I curse Mrs Hollins, blinking back the

you okay?" A deep voice cuts in and I immediately freeze

"Hello?"

The voice calls out again. I can vaguely make

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, feeling a blush creep up my

I don't