Valentine's Story

Once upon a time, there lived a 16-year-old girl named Gabriella Valentine. She was charming, graceful, and definitely beautiful. However, many were not able to experience her charm and beauty. Gabriella had a strange disease that kept her from the outside world. She could not go outside for fear of burning from the sun’s piercing light. She spent the passing days inside her house, gazing out of her room’s small window. Her room looked out onto the street and everyday she watched as the people outside passed by. Her parents never disturbed her. They were very protective of their little Gabriella. They watched Gabriella as she sat looking out her window. The doctors were baffled by her sickness and said that she may not have long to live. They dreaded the day that they would lose their daughter. They never mentioned what the doctors said. Gabriella didn’t mind, she was too preoccupied with the people outside. She envied the couples that walked by on the street, hand in hand. She longed for someone to love. She wanted a sweetheart to hold and love her. But she knew that it was impossible. 1

One day, she was gazing out of her window and saw a young man walk past. She could not help but stare at him. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen. He could not have been older than seventeen. He walked past and her gaze followed him. Soon he was out of sight. Later that evening, Gabriella was again sitting at her seat by the window, waiting for the young man to go by. Then he appeared. He turned the corner and walked past. He had the most charming smile. No she was determined to find out whom that young man was. The net day, she had with her a note sealed inside an envelope. She waited until she saw the man turn the corner. She tapped on the window and he turned around. She waved at him and beckoned him over to the door. Of course, she could not open it, so she slid the envelope through the mail slot. It hit the porch with a small thud and he picked t up. He had curios look on his face as he read the note.2

Hello,3

My name is Gabriella Valentine. What is yours?4

He checked his pockets for a pen and realized that she had dropped a quill through the mail slot as well. He picked that up and scrawled something on the piece of paper. He pushed it through the slot and walked away. She picked it up and read:5

Hello to you also,6

My name is Leo Grant. If you could excuse me, I am late for work and must rush off. However I would be very much obliged to speak to you in the evening when I am off of work. I will see you this evening. Have a good day. 7

She looked up and he was gone. He was coming back. Good, then they will have a proper conversation. She smiled and resumed her seat at the window. However, she did not watch the people go by. Instead she gazed at the bright blue sky.8

Leo could not concentrate on his work and was yelled at for it. He couldn’t help it. She was so beautiful. One thing did confuse Leo, though. Why wouldn’t she come outside? He was going to have to ask her when he got off of work. Soon, he as allowed to go home. He was let out late and was afraid that Gabriella was not going to be at her window. E didn’t have to worry. She was sitting at he window, as she was this morning. She had an envelope in her hand. Her face brightened when she saw him and waved furiously. She jumped off of her chair and ran to the door. She pushed the envelope through the slot. He picked it up and sat down against the door. He opened the letter.9

Dear Leo,10

I have waited all day for you. I have many things to ask and tell you. I’m sure it seems quite strange that a stranger who won’t come outside ask you questions. You see, I have a disease that even the best doctors know nothing about. 11

I cannot go outside for the sun’s light burns my skin. I sit at my window and watch people walking outside. I do get lonely sometimes, but my parents keep me company. I have always wanted someone from the outside to talk to and tell me what it is like out there. My parents forbid me from stepping outside, even at n night s the moon’s light has the same effect as the sun. I have never been outside in my life. Now to ask you questions. How old are you? Where do you work? Have you any friends or family? What is it like outside?12

Sincerely,13

Gabriella14

Dear Gabriella,15

So now I know why you do not come outside. I am seventeen am an apprentice to the local alchemist. I do have a family but not any one you would cal “true” friends. I cannot begin to explain what I is like to be outside. The wind on your face is as sweet as candy and the smell of a rose is like heaven and the sound of the city are like an orchestra playing music in my ears. I must leave you now, but we will speak again soon. I promise. 16

Yours,17

Leo18

P.S. I wonder if anyone has told you this, but you are the most beautiful person I have ever met.19

Gabriella had never been happier. This was the firs time that anyone had called her beautiful. She felt liked. She enjoyed the company of Leo and they wrote often. She would always be at he window waiting for him. They would sit and write for hours on end. One day Leo came to her door with a small box of chocolates and a rose. He carefully set them on the porch and dropped a note on top. The next morning, Gabriella’s father found them. He looked at them curiously and brought them to Gabriella.20

“What’s this?” He asked showing the box to her. 21

“Oh!” she yelled and leaped of her bed where she was knitting. She grabbed the box and smelled the rose. “It’s beautiful. Oh there’s a note.” 22

My dearest Gabriella,23

You are the most beautiful and charming woman I have ever met. These chocolates and rose are for you. I hope you enjoy them. From the bottom f my heart, I LOVE YOU24

Truly Yours,25

Leo26

Gabriella was stunned She stared at those three words. Her father was staring at her.27

“Gabriella, who are those from?”28

“Father, these are from a young man I met.”29

“Met? Met where? You could not have gone outside.”30

“No we write to each other with notes like these.” She held up the note. “We have been speaking for one whole month now, father. I have never felt this way before. I…I…I love him.” She smiled. Her father had never seen Gabriella so happy. He began to smile himself. All of a sudden, Gabriella started to cough. 31

“Gabriella, are you all right?” Gabriella did not reply. She kept coughing and fell on the bed. Her father yelled at his wife to fetch a doctor. He was not ready to lose Gabriella. 32

Meanwhile, Leo was working on Gabriella’s birthday present. Tomorrow, February 14th, was Gabriella’s seventeenth birthday. He had cut sixteen hearts of all shapes, sizes and colors. The biggest heart was pink and had the number seventeen written on it. The next day, when he arrived at Gabriella’s house she was not sitting at her window. He knocked on the door, but there was no answer. He knocked again and again. Finally, Gabriella’s father opened the door.33

“Yes?” He asked in a choked voice. There were tearstains on his cheeks. Leo started to get nervous.34

“I’m Leopold Grant. I knew your daughter and I would like to talk to her. I have a birthday present for her.” Leo looked hopefully at him.35

“I’m sorry to tell you this, but…” He had a hard time talking. He had begun to sob. She…died…t-t-this morning.” Leo couldn’t believe it. He sat there stunned. “She managed to write this.” He handed Leo the note. Leo opened it and read it slowly.36

Leo, I Love You 37

Leo collapsed on the porch, sobbing. He dropped the hearts. He could not bare the pain. He could not live without Gabriella. That evening, Leo took a pair of scissors and snipped the hearts halfway. He pt on his best clothes and walked to the ocean. He climbed to the tallest cliff and took the hearts from his pocket. Before he jumped into the sea, he said these final words:38

“TO BE WITH MY Valentine .”39