**The Note That Changed Everything: A School Story of Love and Jealousy**
Oliver was rummaging through his backpack as usual when he spotted a folded note tucked between his notebooks. Carefully unfolding it, his heart skipped a beat:
*”Hey! I really like you. If you want to meet up, I’ll be waiting behind the school at four.”*
He was stunned, even a little flustered. He had no idea who could have left it. But curiosity won out. At exactly four o’clock, he stood at the spot—and suddenly, there was Emily. Shy, quiet, the new girl.
“Did you write this?” he asked carefully.
“What?” She looked confused. “Me? No, of course not!”
“Then why are you here? Were you… waiting for me?”
“Well… Charlotte told me you liked me…” Emily mumbled, her face turning scarlet.
Oliver frowned. Things were getting stranger by the second.
**The Move That Changed Everything**
Emily had moved to a new neighbourhood when her parents bought a bigger flat. Though their home was nicer now, her old school was miles away. Her parents insisted: if there was a school right on their doorstep, she’d go there.
Emily resisted as much as she could. Changing schools in Year 10, when friend groups were already solid, was terrifying. But no one listened.
“You’ll make friends!” her mum said. “You’re such a sociable girl!”
Except she wasn’t. Emily had always struggled to connect with people, and the new school was no different. At first, classmates showed interest, but she replied quietly, avoiding eye contact. Soon, they left her alone.
Emily didn’t mind—she was just different. Reserved, cautious, she secretly watched one boy—Oliver. Cheerful, confident, the class favourite.
She liked him. A lot. But the idea of speaking to him terrified her.
**Jealousy in the School Halls**
Charlotte noticed—bold, self-assured, and nursing a crush on Oliver for ages, though they were just friends.
Seeing Emily’s shy glances, irritation prickled at Charlotte. She decided to put the new girl in her place.
“Let’s prank her,” she told her mates. “Slip Oliver a note from a ‘secret admirer,’ then tell Emily he fancies her. Watch her squirm!”
Her friends hesitated but eventually agreed. Charlotte approached Emily with fake sweetness.
“I heard Oliver likes you. Want me to check if it’s true?”
Emily’s eyes lit up—that sealed it for Charlotte.
“He’s going to ask you out,” she said. “Don’t tell anyone. Behind the school, at four. Okay?”
“Okay,” Emily whispered, thrilled and nervous.
**The Ending No One Expected**
The next day, Charlotte slipped the note into Oliver’s bag. He read it—puzzled, intrigued.
He showed up. And there stood Emily.
“Did you write this?”
“No… I was told you—”
Oliver understood. He sighed. He knew Charlotte’s games.
But Emily had come. Did that mean…?
“If you’re here, does that mean you like me?” he smiled.
Emily flushed. She wanted to bolt. But Oliver stopped her.
“Since we’re here… Fancy a walk?”
Charlotte, watching from around the corner and filming, froze. This wasn’t the plan.
Worse still, the next day, Oliver and Emily walked into class together. Laughing. Smiling. Sitting side by side.
**Aftermath**
“Was this on purpose? To get back at me?” Charlotte demanded at break.
“Nope. You introduced us. Cheers, honestly. We get on great.”
Charlotte refused to believe it. She waited for it to fizzle out.
But months passed. They stayed together. School ended. They were still a pair. Then came the wedding.
Only then did Charlotte finally realise: her prank had backfired spectacularly.
**The Lesson?**
Before you mock or meddle—think. Sometimes fate finds a way to set things right.
