Just a valentine story for you. Will be short and won't distract me too much from my other fic. I promise. ;)

It Started with a Note

The Note

The beautiful blonde slowly descended the stairs with her head down. Today of all days was the worst. February 14th, the quintessential day of love and romance. Sure it was a great day for most girls, many couldn't wait to get a gift from that special someone but when you had no one it was terrible. Serena Tsukino was the only one out of her group of friends who didn't have a boyfriend and it depressed her. What was it about her that made her ineligible to date? Her friend Amy hypothesized that it was her beauty but Serena couldn't help but feel Amy was just being nice. No one wanted her because she was ugly or childish, had to be one or the other.

She sauntered into the kitchen and sat at the table as her mother set a plate of scrambled eggs in front of her. Ilene Tsukino stared at her blonde angel and sighed. Her beautiful little girl was depressed today, not that she could blame her really. Serena didn't' have anyone to share this day with and as a result, was going to her school dance with her friends and their dates. She would be alone. "Are you ready for the dance tonight?" Ilene prompted her daughter and nudged her husband Ken. He looked from his wife to his saddened daughter and frowned as Serena simply sighed.

"I guess." She sighed as her crystalline blue eyes clouded with tears. "Can you just call the school and tell them I'm sick so I can stay home today momma?" Ilene shook her head in protest and sat at the table. Serena stabbed at her eggs and sighed again. "This sucks, I hate Valentines."

"Nonsense honey! Maybe there's some nice boy who's just waiting to ask you to the dance but has been too shy about it." Serena's little brother began to laugh as he entered the room making his parents look at him disapprovingly. "Don't mind your brother."

Serena continued to eat knowing that Sammy was right. He'd just confirmed her thoughts that she was ugly and undesired. She was eighteen now and had never had a boyfriend or even a date. It was getting harder and harder to believe that she'd ever find anyone. She reflected on her friends and their boyfriends. The stories of how they met and why they started dating. Raye had met Chad at the temple her grandfather owned. She'd order him around and he'd fall over himself trying to please her. One day he had just sort of blurted his feelings out to her and she had laughed then agreed to go on a date. Lita had met her boyfriend Kevin in her cooking class and he asked her out with a cake. He had brought the cake to the arcade and given to her in front of her friends. Mina had met Andrew at the arcade because he owned it. Every day they'd flirt and eventually Mina got fed up and demanded that he take her on a date, he hadn't had the chance to refuse. Then there was Amy. Sweet Amy who met Greg at the university library. They both wanted to check out the same book, their hands had touched when reaching for the spine and they had been inseparable ever since. "I've got to go. Bye Momma, Daddy… brat." She addressed her family members and slung her shoulder bag on before heading for the front door. Once outside she glared at the glittering road. It had rained recently and the sun was reflecting in the miniature ponds on the black surface. The air smelled crisp. Needless to say she hated it.

She wasn't as late today, most likely because she just wanted to get through this day with as little hassle as possible and showing up late wouldn't help. Her head hung as she walked towards her school at a slow pace. She felt so depressed she failed to hear the brisk pace of someone jogging past her on the sidewalk. She even failed to hear the pace slow as the person neared her. "Hey meatball head! You're out early today." She balled her fists, of all the people in the world her worst enemy has to show up and pick on her today. "What no come back?"

"Look, today isn't my day asshole. Go away." She snapped making him stop dead in his tracks. He'd never heard her use such a sharp and depressed tone. Not to mention he'd never heard her call him an asshole. "What's going on with you that you're so angry today?" She stopped and turned on him. Her blue eyes were darker than usual making him sigh. She was angry and looking for a victim; he ran a hand through his eyebrow-length black hair and diverted his blue eyes to the sky. She was scary when she was like this despite the fact that her head barely reached the height of his shoulders.

"Look! I just hate today okay? I'm sure you know why since you're always telling me how annoying and ugly I am. So tell me Darien, why don't you tell me why I'm in such a bad mood?" Her tone was vicious and it was obvious that she meant every word. He was speechless today was valentines and every girl loved Valentines Day.

"I think you're a little cranky…" He paused as she shouted in frustration and began to storm off down the road. Great, this is going to be a great day. He mused and looked down at the ground wondering what had prompted her to get so angry and depressed. Serena on the other hand walked briskly away from her enemy. He always hurt her feelings, always. He was an asshole and she hated the very thought of him really. Tears began to streak her cheeks as she thought of how useless he made her feel and how truly terrible she must be.

Finally reaching the large brick and metal building she calmed herself and made her way inside trying to avoid all of the happy couples around her. It was as if she was a buoy in a sea of love, a buoy with a chain tying it to the ocean floor. Couple after couple flooded the halls holding hands and giggling to one another, most of the girls were holding some sort of gift. She managed to spot her group of friends and their boyfriends near her locker, the majority of them laughing heartily. They hushed as she neared them and looked at her with a half expectant look. "What?" She sighed and looked from one face to the next. Mina and Lita were grinning ear to ear, it was annoying to say the least.

"You have a note on your locker Meatball head." Raye almost shorted in an attempt to hide her curiosity but Serena knew better. The girls parted the way so she could see the pink envelope taped to the front of her locker. "Well don't just stare at it Serena, open it and read it aloud to us!" Raye grabbed it and thrust it at her friend. The blonde tenderly took it and opened the envelope the scent of roses filling her nostrils making her smile ever so slightly. Pulling the black sheet of paper out she unfolded it and read the golden letters to herself before complying with Raye.

My Dearest Serena,

On this day of love and passion I find myself facing my feelings for you. I have come to realize that my heart beats for you only. My ears long to hear the sweet melody that is your voice and I admit, that melody has seduced me in many a dream. I must reveal myself to you. After school today, come to the crown arcade and I shall make myself known.

Love,

Your secret admirer

Serena stared at the paper unable to utter a noise much less read the note aloud. Who was it from? Did anyone see the person leave it? Did she know this person? There were just so many questions swimming in her mind. "What's it say?" Mina grabbed the paper and read it aloud to the group of people surrounding her. After she read it she looked at Serena with a look of pure shock on her face. "Wow… this guy's intense."

"Not to mention really into you." Chad smiled as Raye elbowed him. "Well he is! Serena, this guy totally wants you, he's head over heels in love." Chad then wrapped his arms around Raye and squeezed. "Like I am with my wonderful lady here." Serena stared at him in wonder. Who would have feelings like this for her.

"Perfect calligraphy." Amy noted looking at the note. "He's attentive to detail and wanted this to be precise. See how straight the lines are and how evenly the ink is on the paper?" Serena just stared at her friend along with the rest of them. Greg was the only one who seemed to appreciate what Amy was saying.

"Do any of you know who left this?" They were all silent though Amy and Mina had odd looks on their faces. "You two know don't you?" She questioned and pointed to the two of them. "Who left this? If it's a joke I'm not going to be happy."

"It's not a joke!" Mina protested. "I don't know who left it." She lied and let out the breath she realized she was holding. She knew exactly who had left the note, she'd watched him tape it there and then hold a finger to his lips as he winked and walked away. She wasn't about to let Serena know she knew.

"We'd better go to class you guys." Amy said with a blush in her cheeks telling Serena that she did in fact know the culprit. Serena sighed and grabbed the note back, maybe she could tell by the handwriting. Now was not the time for that however; she had class to attend. She shared her first class with Lita who remained quiet the whole way. It was clear she was deep in thought.

"What if it's Melvin?" Lita asked making Serena freeze. Oh god! She hadn't even thought of Melvin… well she hadn't thought of anyone really. She was just excited that she had received a secret admirer's love note. Though… it could be Melvin. "What are you going to do if it is?"

"I… don't know. I'd have to let him down and I'd feel bad about doing that… I really would." Serena looked at the paper and smelled it again getting a small hint of the suspects scent. It was a masculine and almost earthy smell. "Ugh! This should be fun not a huge mystery!" Serena cried and walked into her classroom where a box of her favorite chocolates was waiting with another black note. Lita and Serena looked at one another then rushed to the box to read the note. It was a simple note proclaiming that no candy in the world was as sweet as her smile. "This is my favorite type of candy!"

"So this guy knows you pretty well then huh?" Lita smiled in an attempt to hide her jealousy. Despite the fact that she loved Kevin and had been with him for almost a year now he would never know what her favorite candy was. "Do you have any idea who it is?" Serena shook her head and popped one of the chocolate morsels into her mouth. Today was shaping up to be a pretty good day after all.

Serena was joyfully suckling one of her chocolates when her teacher came into the room and snapped a meter stick against her desk. "Everyone put away your frivolous gifts and pay attention to more important things!" Serena quickly hid her candy and looked at her jaded teacher. The woman was in her sixties and had a head of silvery white hair that she pulled into a tight bun. Her appearance had frightened Serena the first day of school but over time she'd realized that the woman was just lonely and didn't believe in frills. As expected the woman started her lesson and was just as strict as ever. Serena admired her for her no nonsense attitude, it made her pay attention in class.

"Wow… she was especially harsh today don't you think Serena?' Lita asked as soon as they were out of the classroom. Serena nodded her agreement and paused looking back into the room where the woman was sitting at her desk beginning her prep period. Deciding to make a bold move Serena turned back and walked into the room and up to her teacher.

"Mrs. Wright… would you like a candy?" She asked in a sweet tone. The old woman looked up at her with surprise before a wave of suspicion washed over her and the woman's eyes narrowed. "I'm not looking for anything. I just thought you may like one, that's all. It's valentine's day you know?"

"I do know." The woman nodded and let a small smile creep onto her stiffened lips. "These are for you though, didn't your boyfriend give these to you for you to enjoy them?" The old woman looked into her pupils eyes and nodded.

"I don't have a boyfriend, a secret admirer; but what's the fun in having them if I can't share them with others?" Serena held the open box out allowing the woman to take a morsel. "I have to go now Mrs. Wright, enjoy!" She then rushed out and grabbed a stunned Lita's hand. "We're going to be late!" She exclaimed and practically pulled Lita to their next class where the other girls were awaiting their arrival. "What now?" She smiled in anticipation of another gift. As the group cleared Serena saw a single red rose laying on the desk, there wasn't a note but Serena knew where it had come from. Her secret admirer. "Who is this guy? A ninja or is one of you helping him?"

"Yes, I'm sure that's it Serena." Mina rolled her eyes and admired the rose. She was jealous as well, such a gallant display of love was truly romantic. "I'm so jealous of you right now Serena. You have no idea! I even bet he's going to ask you to the Valentine dance tonight!" The thought sent Serena into a minor panic. What if he did? What if she didn't want to go with this guy? That would mean she couldn't go at all.

"Great." She sighed and looked at the rose. Yes, it was romantic but romance wasn't everything. The person behind it mattered, especially to her. She paled a bit realizing that this guy could be anyone, hell, he may not even be a he! Perhaps it was a woman… either way the person could be a complete creep. "I don't know if I like this any more girls… if any of you know who it is… please tell me that I have nothing to worry about."

"You have nothing to worry about Serena. He's not a creep and he cares very much for you. Obviously." Amy shrugged and sat at her desk so she could begin class.