Valerie had always been the girl in Maplewood High who carried a little extra flair—her berry-red beret, her bright lipstick-shaped charm, and a heart-shaped purse that looked like it came straight out of a vintage movie.
But there was one thing Valerie kept completely to herself:
She was the anonymous writer of the school’s legendary Love Notes.
Every Friday, someone in the school would find a tiny red envelope in their locker—an encouraging message, a funny compliment, or a heartfelt boost right when they needed it most. No one knew who wrote them, but everyone looked forward to them.
Valerie loved slipping through the halls early in the morning, delivering her notes like a secret superhero of kindness. She thought no one noticed.
Until one afternoon, she found a red envelope in her locker.
It read:
“To the girl who brightens everyone’s day—you deserve a little magic, too.”
Signed simply, A Friend.
Valerie’s heart raced. Someone had figured it out—or at least noticed her kindness.
That evening, as the sun dipped behind Maplewood’s brick buildings, Valerie sat on the bleachers with the envelope in her hands. She didn’t know who wrote it, but for once, she felt the same warmth she had been giving others.
From that moment, Valerie kept writing her Love Notes—but now she did it knowing the magic could come back to her, too.
Because sometimes, the world notices the quiet heroes.
And Valerie was one of them.
