One In A Million

14: Talents & Shortcakes

Third person's POV

Classes started as usual, nothing was out of the ordinary. Girls fawning over Blake, Charlotte reading her book silently, there's not much to do nor say when it comes to these two.

The door creaked, opening a small gap. A brunette teen boy peeked inside to scan the room before opening it completely.

The teacher gestured him to come in as the students of that classroom started to talk amongst themselves.

"Who is he?" "New student, perhaps?" murmurs could be heard in that class. Blake and Charlotte smiled to themselves knowing who that new student was.

"Please introduce yourself to the class." the teacher looked at him, signaling him to speak for the class.

He looked at the class that gave him profound and curious stares. He breathed in and out, trying to calm himself before he could speak.

"My name is Jake Cresure." he introduced himself as the murmurs and whispers started to grow.

The teacher told him to sit down on the vacant seat at the back. Just a couple of seats away from Charlotte's. He walked to his seat silently while the stares of the students followed.

Jake's POV

I sat on my seat and sighed in relief. "I didn't freeze on the spot this time. But..." I paused as I saw the many eyes staring at me.

"Why am I getting these many stares? I don't recall experiencing something like this when I was in Australia..." a shiver went down my spine.

"It feels as if they're staring into my very soul." I couldn't help but look down on my desk to avoid them. "Please stop looking at me..."

"Alright class, listen up." the teacher announced getting her students' attention. I sighed in relief and looked at the teacher as well.

"Today, you and your partner will be baking the assigned treat I gave you last week. The ingredients and utensils have been provided in the TLE lab so let's head out." the teacher finished and went out the room with the students following suit.

"Damn it." "Did you get to research the procedures?" "Good thing that I remembered." "What was our assigned treat again?" "You're hopeless." I could hear them whispering and cursing to themselves.

"How irresponsible can these students get?" I sweatdropped at the thought. That's when I realized that I'm not assigned to a group. I hung my head low as I went over to Charlotte and Blake.

"What's wrong, Jake?" Charlotte asked, full of concern. "I don't have a group..." I laughed nervously.
"You're probably excused in this activity since you are a new student." Blake spoke as he went in the lab. "I guess... But it's boring to just sit it out and do nothing!" I whined.

"Just ask the teacher about it, Jake." Charlotte smiled lightly as she got the ingredients while Blake got the utensils.

I went over to the teacher who was checking the students' work. "Um... Excuse me, Miss?" I asked, getting her attention. "I don't have a group to work in..."

"Oh! That's right you're new here. Why don't you just choose a group to work in." she smiled and continued observing her students.

I nodded and scurried off to where Charlotte and Blake were. "Can I join you guys?" they looked over at me and both nodded. "No problem." "Here, why don't you do the stirring." Charlotte handed me the bowl.

I sniffed the bowl and the mild scent of strawberries came to mind. "Strawberry shortcake...?" I asked. "Yeah. How'd you know?" Blake gave a questioning look as he preheated the oven.

"I made a lot of cakes back when I was a kid." I smiled unconsciously. "This should be refrigerated for 30 minutes now." I told and put it in the refrigerator while setting the timer.

"Wow. You still remember that until now?" Charlotte spoke as she mixed the ingredients used for the whipped cream. "It's my favorite cake recipe, really."

I took out the ingredients for the shortcake and put them all in a mixing bowl. "Why don't you mix these and put them in the oven afterwards." I gave Blake the bowl as he looked at me dumbfounded.

"What?" I tilted my head to the side. "N-nothing." he started mixing the contents of the bowl, looking depressed.

Blake's POV

"I knew that he's good in drawing, but the fact that he's also good in baking? That's a whole new level of talent." I thought as I put the contents of the bowl in a square pan.

"20 minutes..." I heard him mumble some words as he set another timer. "So accurate!" I widened my eyes. "I wish I was that good in baking... I'm no match against him." I sulked.

Charlotte's POV

Baking treats was one of Jake's hobbies. His cakes and treats were the best thing to look forward whenever he came visiting me when we were young.

"It would be nice if you opened up your own confectionery, right Jake?" I asked him as I took out the strawberries.

"Yeah, I guess so... But it's up to my mom if she wants to open up another one." he informed, checking the timer every once in a while.

"Did you open one while you were in Australia?" I couldn't help but ask. "Yeah... Baking was the only thing that made me happy while I was there..." he trailed off.

"Oh?" I hummed as the shortcake was taken out of the oven. Blake cut it evenly and I put on a dollop of whipped cream and a strawberry on top.

Jake did the plating and set it on the table. "You have such an amazing talent, Jake! Let's bake this again like always." I smiled and hooked my arms with his.

He looked away with a blush that reached his ears while I stifled a laugh. I heard some of the girls flirting with Blake. "Same as usual." I sighed, letting go of Jake's arm and started to clean up.

Jake's POV

Charlotte let go of my arm and it saddened me. "What's wrong, princess?" I asked as I helped clean.

"I'm glad you came here. I'm always alone whenever I'm at school. Blake is always surrounded by girls so I'm left alone." she gave a sad smile.

"Oh yeah... Wait, Lucy and Mark aren't here?" I thought and looked around. "You met up with them? It's good that you made other friends." she gave a shocked expression but soon softened up to a warm smile.

"Yeah! We talked a lot while they accompanied me to the Principal's office." I chirped. "They went to participate in an Art gallery contest in Bakersfield and won't be back until next week." she informed.

"Oh... It's okay, princess! I'll always be with you. I promise." I gave a warm smile. "Thanks." she said and continued to clean.

"At least I have an advantage here in school." I smirked as I looked over to Blake who was trying to escape the girls that surrounded him and asking him for help.