The Sticky Note Vandals

THIS IS A TRUE STORY

I was at school, and I was ticked. Majorly ticked. I'd had a hard day, already having taken two quizzes, and it wasn't even lunchtime! Crazy teachers.
     Anyway, I has walking down the hallway with long strides, dodging between people like a taxi driver in New York City. I waved as I passed one of my friends. Looking up, she waved back, then grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the river of students. "What?" I asked, glancing at the clock nervously. The last thing I wanted was to be late for 5th hour.
     "Have you . . . um . . . been to the bathroom lately?" Her face reddened as she said it, realizing how weird the question sounded.
     I stared at her. "No."
     Her eyes brightened. "Go in really quick, and take a look."
     I tried to pull away. "Look, I've gotta go--"
     "Just look." She steered me toward the girls bathroom and gave me a little shove. Groaning, I stepped inside.
     What I saw made my jaw drop.
     Covering the ceiling, floor, walls, and stalls were sticky notes. Sticky notes of every shape, size and color. All over the girls bathroom!
     I first thought It was a prank. I mean, that'd be really mean, but hey, it's middle school. Then I started reading the messages. You're beautiful - know this, and anybody who says otherwise is lying. Stand up for who you are. When life gives you lemons, make apple juice and let the world wonder how you did it. Hold on to what makes you warm inside. If you're happy, then why leave? Loving can cost, but not loving can cost even more. Smile - it intimidates your enemies. You can't fix what isn't broken. Stay strong. Wipe of that make-up . . . you're more than that. Never let people bring you down. No one's ugly or pretty, we all look different, so shut up, society. Do what you love and love what you do. Girl, you're amazing, just the way you are.
     My head spinning, I dashed out of the bathroom. "Who . . . ?"
     "I don't know," she said, closing her locker door. "Apparently there's some competition on Instagram about taking pictures of encouraging sticky notes . . . I think we've won."

     Eventually the sticky notes were moved out of the bathroom and onto a whiteboard outside. So many pictures were taken, and teachers were buzzing with excitement. The ironic thing was that they were always trying to have us encourage each other (though perhaps not by putting sticky notes all over the girls bathroom) but in the end, it was the students that made a difference.

     The sticky note vandals will be remembered, though their notes may be peeled off and trashed. But what really matters is that their messages of hope and beauty will live on in our hearts forever.