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.

each holding a gift from Amber. Axel was the only one remaining in his seat.

he beamed at

went up to him, holding her breath

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

one for you," she replied, her lashes

Altman, that's unfair." He looked

raced. Biting her lower lip, she finally retrieved a bunny keychain from her shirt pocket. "Count yourself lucky. This

one."

shifted between the bunny keychain and Amber—she resembled

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

good stuff. You wouldn't want something like a

he grabbed her hand and held it tightly. She sweated from her

out

love it because you left one for me." He held the bunny keychain to his chest and stroked

"Thank you, Ms. Altman!"

| have no tto fool around with you. Go home." With that, she lowered her

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

to meet