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“Ms. Vidal, do you have a valentine?”
It was the last Friday before a week-long break, there were only a few hours left of the school day, and the students were getting restless. Rio wasn’t one of those overly strict teachers who made their students work until the very last ring of the bell. They considered themselves to be a rather lenient teacher, their ego backed by the numerous students who crowned them “No. 1 teacher,” and by those who pleaded to stay in their class during study period.
Rio laughed. “No, why do you ask?”
“I don’t know, I’m just asking. There’s no way you of all teachers don't have a valentine! Come on, isn’t there a teacher here that’s caught your eye, Ms. Vidal?”
Rio rolled their eyes at the comment, and leaned into the class who were now all very interested in the discussion as if to share a secret. “I’m flattered, I am, but yes, I do not have a valentine. Well, actually, if anyone knows what kind of chocolate Ms. Harkness likes, they’ll get extra credit on the next exam.”
The class erupted into conversation, wide eyes around the room.
Rio laughed even harder as they stood to walk around to the front of the table. “All right, all right, settle down now. I know there’s only a few classes left, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t rules.” They leaned on the edge of the table, clasping their hands on their lap. “I know you all are for some reason very interested in my love life, but I'm still your teacher, you know? I don’t know why, but I am, and love crazed children are not what I’m paid to deal with.”
A chorus of “Boo’s” and “Aww’s” filled the room.
“Now, that being said, are there any questions before I let you guys go?“
A student raised her hand.
“Yes?”
“Did you really mean what you asked about Ms. Harkness? Because I think it's milk chocolate.” She said with a wide grin.
The class laughed in amusement, as did Rio.
“You never know,” They said with a shrug and a smug smile.
The bell rang for the end of fifth period.
“Have a good break, everyone! Don’t forget: midterms after break!”
The students left the class after another groan in unison.
The door to the classroom shut and Rio sighed heavily, it was finally their conference period, and delightfully, so was Agatha’s.
They stretched their arms above their head and stood to make their way to Agatha's classroom.
Rio had always joked about their relationship with Agatha. Though the two had always had a fake rivalry, they had more of a soft spot for each other than they would like to admit.
While they were taking their little stroll down the hallways of the school down to the English halls, they passed by some employees who somehow already knew where Rio was headed.
“Dude, come on. You've got that dopey smile on your face that's always there when you're going to see Agatha.” Alice said with a laugh.
Rip blushed. “No I do not! Don't act like I don't see your face when you're with Jen.” They deflected.
Alice waved them away as she kept on going down the hall. “Excuses, excuses. Besides, Jen and I have a thing going, so basically that further proves my point.”
Rio scoffed and pretended not to hear the last part of the sentence. They finally made their way over to the English halls, stopping at Agatha's door.
Foregoing a formal entrance, they pushed the door open, walking into the class room as if it were theirs.
Agatha looked up from her pile of papers, wearing a pair of glasses that looked a little too large but very, very, hot. She rolled her eyes the moment she made eye contact and immediately went back to grading her papers. “Ugh, what more could you possibly want from me, you already have my soul.” She scowled.
Rio was silent for a moment, still recovering from the rare look of Agatha with glasses. “Awww, that's so sweet!”
Agatha shook her head.
Rio pushed on anyway despite knowing Agatha only wanted for them to leave. “So, how are you?”
Agatha put on a sarcastic smile and looked into Rio’s eyes. “Oh, I'm doing wonderful. Nothing better than your coworker disturbing you just hours before you get to leave this hellhole.”
“How could I not when you're over here looking like that, baby?” Rio smirked.
Agatha faulted for a moment; Rio had never used pet names too much before. “Ha. Ha. Very funny, Vidal. I'm serious, what do you want?” She said, capping her pen and taking off her glasses.
Rio frowned. “Why’d you have to take them off? You look beautiful in them.” They said, the words slipping out of their mouth before they could stop them.
Agatha blushed. “Flattery will get you nowhere, hon.” She said in an attempt to hide her flustered self.
“Well, it's a good thing I only want to be here right now, then.”
A silence fell between the two, neither person not knowing what they wanted happening next.
“One of my kids asked me if I had a valentine today.” Rio said with a small laugh, attempting to break the tension.
But Agatha didn't laugh. “And? What did you say?” She asked.
Rio looked at Agatha, her cheeks still had a blush on them, it seemed to grow when Rio looked into her eyes. “I told her I didn't,”
“And you said nothing else?”
“Well- I might have said something else,” When Agatha said nothing, they continued. “I joked around with them, y'know, asked them what kind of chocolate you liked.” Their voice grew quieter, placing a hand down on Agatha's desk just to make sure they were actually there.
Agatha didn't scowl or roll her eyes. Instead she looked at Rio intensely, waiting for a reaction. “What did they say?”
“Uhm, milk chocolate.”
Agatha hummed. “Well, they're only kids, they can't know everything.” She broke eye contact, gathering the papers into a neat pile and placing her belongings into her bag.
Rio was surprised at the sudden change in tone. “What are you doing? Schools not out for,” They checked their watch. “2 hours.”
Agatha stood, patting down her clothes as she did. “I'm taking the rest of the day off. It's not like any of the kids are going to listen to my lessons anyway.” She laughed.
Rio was disappointed. “Oh, enjoy your break, then, I guess.”
Agatha paused. “What's wrong? You sad you don't have anyone to annoy with your endless antics?”
Rio huffed. “Come on, you love it.”
Agatha blushed, hoping that her hair hid it to an extent. She grabbed her bag, and started her way towards the door, when a hand stopped her in her tracks. She looked at Rio, whose eyes were full with something she couldn't quite place. “Rio?”
Rio inhaled. “Do you want to maybe grab dinner tonight? You can text me your address, I could pick you up.”
Agatha’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you sure?”
Rio’s shoulder slumped an inch. “I'm sorry, that was stupid, I just-”
“Yes.”
Rio stopped talking and looked at Agatha with wide eyes. “Yes?”
Agatha rolled her eyes with a smile. “Yeah,”
Rio smiled, more than she wanted to. “Okay, wow. uhm, yeah, okay, that's great. So, yeah, I'll text you. Is 7pm okay?”
“Works fine for me.”
“Great,”
Agatha stood for a moment, waiting for Rio to move. “Okay- are you just gonna stand there like a dopey idiot or are you going to kiss-”
Rio threw themselves onto Agatha's lips, hands curling into her hair.
Agatha breath hitched, then she leaned in, melting into the kiss. She wrapped her arms around Rio's neck.
The kiss felt tender, years of flirting finally taken action on.
Rio's knees almost buckled at Agatha's soft touch. They moved one arm down to Agatha's waist, shying her hips.
They lost track of time in the kiss, even not hearing the knock at the door nor a turn of the keys.
“Hey, Agatha, Lilia just wanted me to drop off- Oh my God!”
Agatha nearly pushed Rio into the desk with how much force she used.
Jen stood at the door with a mixed expression of surprise and amusement on her face.
“Jen, I, uhm, didn't hear you come in.” Agatha said, face red with embarrassment.
Jen laughed. “Yes, I could tell from whatever that was.” She pointed to the two of them.
“Oh, that was- that was just-”
“You don't need to cover for yourself, I can already tell what's going on, and for the record- I knew it! Oh, I need to go tell Alice about this. Bye, love birds!” Jen squeaked, already having left the room before Agatha could say anything further.
Rio and Agatha stood breathless before one another.
Agatha grabbed the bag she abandoned when Rio kissed her, and fixed her hair. “Well, 7pm, I expect you no later.” She said.
Rio smiled and gave a finger salute. “Yes ma'am.”
Agatha smiled and made her way to the door as Rio followed. She stopped and turned right at the doorway. “One more thing, I also expect a proper Valentine's proposal. Dark chocolate. Got it?”
Rio nodded.
Before Agatha could actually leave, Rio pulled her in again by the arm for a quick peck on the lips.
“For the road.” They said.
“You're dork, you know that?” Agatha snorted.
“I’ve been told by a scary English teacher, yes.” They deadpanned.
Agatha opened the door and signaled Rio to follow her. “Walk me to my car, handsome.”