Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

"You—" Amber glared at him in embarrassment. Her eyes were dewy and sparkling.

Axel tilted his head with a roguish smile. He tapped his lips to remind her.

Suddenly, he frowned and spun around. A group of smiling kids had gathered by the backdoor of the classroom to watch the unfold. Their cute

heads peeked out of the door, one on top of another, which was rather hilarious to see.

They would have made a fuss if they could speak.

"You rascal!" Amber's face reddened. She shoved him away before fleeing and herding the kids back into the classroom.

Her scolding sounded flirtatious to Axel. His smile deepened when he relished her remark.

Amber returned to the podium after soothing the children. When she looked up, she found Axel shamelessly sitting in a chair by an unoccupied table

in the last row. He folded his arms and rested them on the table, blinking obediently like he, too, was a student.

She flustered under his watch. It wasn't until she took a few deep breaths that she collected herself and completed the lecture.

the kids happily filed out of the classroom, each holding a gift from Amber. Axel was the only one remaining in his seat. Resting his

he beamed at

to him, holding her breath and pressing her

extended an arm and unfurled his palms. Then, he said pleadingly, "Ms. Altman,

for you," she

Altman, that's unfair."

a bunny keychain from her shirt pocket. "Count

one."

eyes shifted between the bunny

did not accept the keychain immediately. She mumbled, "Right. I'm sure you

You wouldn't want

from her fingertips,

out

silly. Of course | love it because you left one for me." He held the bunny keychain to his

"Thank you, Ms. Altman!"

| have no tto fool around with you. Go home."

to her, "Ms. Altman, you're good at sign language. Mind teaching me?

to meet his starry eyes. Her expression grew