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.

But then there's always the worry of eating like a starved

cubicles and enter the free one, locking the 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 opted

Underneath I'm wearing red and white stripe shorts completed with white socks and my trusty old converse. The entire school basically looks like the human version

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

"Girls, I want you in line now!" Mrs Hollins screams, stomping her foot down onto the grass in a childish manner. She

the end of it, keeping my distance from the two girls giggling on the end. Mrs Hollins eyes drift up and down each student before they

to speed up. I hold my hand up half heartedly, looking incredibly awkward. She gives me a slight frown before continuing —

class

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, bending down

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

down

 There's around ten different keys and I glance down at them before sighing heavily. It takes me a while to find the right

myself falling. I can barely make

like some help?"

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.

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

and

"Hello?"

voice calls out again. I can vaguely make out his

him walk towards me, the shadow of his outstretched hand

my hand, I don't