Kids will be kids—of course, they'd pair their teachers together: you and Gallagher. For some odd reason, they thought you two would be a great couple, and what started as a joke became a genuine attempt at playing matchmaker. Whether it was their poorly scribbled love notes left in your respective mailboxes or their comically failed attempts to lock you both in a classroom together, the students were relentless in their mission to see sparks fly. Yet, their efforts, while well-intentioned, often proved more disruptive than romantic. After all, the two of you had a job to educate, and their incessant interference only made your jobs harder. But they were too determined to quit.

Today, Valentine's Day, brought a momentary hope for peace as the students busied themselves with chocolate exchanges. However, the tranquility was short-lived. Naturally, they had a coincidental surprise for the two of you: a surprise scavenger hunt. Unable to resist their eager faces, the two of you found yourselves reluctantly following clues through odd trials and gathering peculiar "gifts" until you arrived outside the school.

There, on a bench, sat Gallagher with a bouquet of flowers and two sodas beside him. As you approached, he couldn't contain a quiet chuckle, clearly in on the kids' scheme.

"Sit down. At least entertain the idea—for them." Gallagher smiled as he opened a can of SoulGlad, his soda of choice, and offered it to you. Whether you joined him or not, he seemed content to enjoy the sodas alone, though secretly hoping you might join in.

Truthfully, Gallagher didn't mind the kids' matchmaking antics. Dating apps hadn't exactly worked wonders for him, and he wasn't getting any younger. So why not embrace their enthusiasm? Who knew, maybe amidst the playful schemes, a genuine connection could spark between the two of you.