Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Jasper's face stiffened, and in his panic, the chicken pieces in his hand dropped into the oil pan with a thud.

Splashes of oil flew onto his hands and arms, causing him pain. He suddenly regained his senses and awkwardly parted his lips. "Axel."

"Do you always talk dirty like this?"

Axel lightly scoffed and craned his neck to peek into the oil pan. "I don't know if Lyse smelled it or not, but I did come because of the smell. It smells like something's burned."

Jasper was startled, and then he realized that he hadn't taken out the chicken pieces he had put into the pan earlier.

He hurriedly grabbed a slotted spoon. But by the time he retrieved them, the chicken pieces had turned brown.

Jasper's eyes drooped with frustration. Suddenly, he remembered the series of "fails" Winston had said when he first tasted Jasper's cooking. That voice was still ringing in his ears.

"Forget it. I understand your intentions. You don't have to force yourself to do something you're not good at. If you scald your hands with blisters, Lyse will be the one feeling sorry for you."

coat, rolled up his sleeves, and stood next to Jasper. With his bottom, he pushed Jasper aside. "Go rest there. Don't get

widened in surprise. "You're going

Lyse will only end

at all because what Axel said was true. He had

put the chicken pieces into the pan. He glanced at his watch, carefully counted the seconds, and

and earnestly learning. He was completely

now?" Axel asked without lifting his

Jasper nodded. "Yeah."

but I bet

smiled bitterly. "Axel, I also

glanced at Jasper. "Fail a few more times, and you'll succeed. I've failed countless

it, who would want to bother making this? It's both troublesome and smelly. The smell of oil lingers for days! Don't spoil her too much. If you spoil her, she'll be asking you to make this for her all the time. What will you do

faintly. "It's okay. As long as

isn't?" Axel sneered, but