It’s the 3rd Annual Valentiny Writing Contest from Susanna Leonard Hill, picture book writer extraordinaire. This year’s theme is ‘with a hopeful heart’. Here’s my attempt at the challenge and entry for the contest.
The Note
Stephanie Ward
Word Count: 212
Olivia carefully wrote with her sparkly red pen and folded the valentine just so. She glanced at Miss Crabapple and then tossed it to Aidan.
Just then, Emma stretched out a yawn and the note caught in her long, curly hair.
Emma pulled the card from her curls and read it. Then she giggled and passed it to Mateo.
Mateo loves a good secret. He opened the note and scanned the class. Then he passed it to Nora.
When Nora read the valentine, she blushed from head to toe and dropped it on the floor.
Levi snapped it up, folded it into a paper airplane and sent it flying.
Connor fell out of his chair trying to catch it. Miss Crabapple heard that and sent Connor to a time out in the corner.
Chelsea snatched the paper off Connor’s desk. She whispered to Maggie, but Maggie didn’t know who wrote it. So, Chelsea tossed it over her head.
It landed in front of Hannah’s nose. She looked up, read it, and smiled at Olivia. Then she gave the note to Aidan.
Aidan opened the note and read: “Will you be my valentine?” He smiled and wrote something. Then he handed it back to Olivia.
Olivia slowly opened the valentine and read: “Always.”
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Join in the fun by posting a story on your own blog that’s 214 words or less by the 14th of February and then sharing the link on the contest page. There are fabulous prizes available including critiques by publishers and authors as well as writerly resources. Most importantly, it’s fun.
Hope you all have a lovely Valentiny Day!
Stephanie Ward 
Love the round-about route this valentine took to get to its intended – like a pass-the-valentine version of telephone 🙂 Such a cute, fun story with a sweet ending, Stephanie! I’m glad the note got to the right person in the end. Thanks so much for joining in the contest fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very cute! Sounds like we could have been in class together!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How fun is this story! I love all the action from characters to character. Great job and Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fun story. Love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Valentiny class commotion, I love it! Good luck with this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Miss Crabapple! Perfect! I love this Valentine note chain. Good luck in the contest!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can really picture the valentine passed around the room. Great job. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fun, quick pace! Love the valentine getting stuck in Emma’s curls! Great entry!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is one precious story, I love it. That Valentine made her happy, happy. It travels well too. Good luck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad that worked out for Olivia. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok that is adorable! What a sweet little story ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Johanna Baycroft
________________________________
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great convoluted way to pass a Valentine. 🙂 This is a fun story, except for poor Connor. Best of luck with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This one got a huge thumbs up in our household (my 6 yo has to hear all of the entries)! Good luck! Liz
LikeLiked by 1 person
ohhh, I was paying close attention there, a little anxious that special note wasn’t going to get where it was intended to go. Nicely done. I wish you well with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Clever :0) Best wishes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice story! I’m glad the Valentine got to the right person, but it sure touched a lot of hopeful hearts along the way. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this story, Stephanie! best of luck and a lovely Valentine’s day to you as well 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This made me smile. I could picture the valentine chaos going on behind the teacher’s back.
LikeLiked by 1 person