Valentina and Valentino (214 words)

Tree squirrels Valentina and Valentino were best friends – different, but perfectly matched.

When Valentina gobbled all her nuts, Valentino shared his supplies with her.

When Valentino didn’t dare to raid the bird feeder, Valentina raided it for him.

Valentino loved Valentina but was afraid to say anything. ‘She’d never love someone timid like me,’ he thought.

Valentina loved Valentino but didn’t want to alarm him. ‘He’d never love someone reckless like me,’ she thought.

For Valentine’s Day, Valentino bravely sent Valentina an ENORMOUS card with flamboyant hearts, flashing balloons, and poetry. ‘Exactly the sort of razzmatazz she loves,’ he thought.

Valentina limited herself to a small, plain card with one tiny heart, tucked discreetly beneath some moss. ‘He’ll appreciate the lack of fuss,’ she thought.

Valentino called by. ‘Any valentines?’ he said casually, his heart thumping.

‘Yes!’ said Valentina. ‘A ridiculously over-the-top one! AWFUL! Did you get any?’

‘None, as usual,’ said Valentino. ‘It must be GREAT to get hearts, balloons, poetry… the works!’

‘So… if you WERE to love someone, you’d prefer somebody… over-the-top… like me?’ said Valentina.

‘Uh-huh,’ said Valentino, shyly. ‘And… if YOU were to love somebody, you’d prefer someone… quieter… like me?’

‘You bet!’ whooped Valentina.

‘In that case, will you be…’ they said, together.

‘…my Valentino…?’

‘…my Valentina…?’

‘YES!!!’