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Aaron never planned to join the Annual Bake-Off.

In fact, if someone had told him at the start of the day that he’d be competing in a school-wide baking competition, he would’ve laughed in their face.

And yet—

“WHY IS MY NAME ON THIS LIST?!”

Aaron stood frozen in front of the sign-up sheet, staring at the big, bold letters spelling out his name under “Participants.” Students passing by shot him weird looks, but he couldn’t care less. His brain was still buffering.

This had to be a mistake.

It had to be a joke.

And judging by the way his best friend was cackling next to him, Aaron had a pretty good idea whose fault it was.

“DUDE,” Aaron hissed, grabbing his friend by the collar. “WHAT. DID. YOU. DO?!”

His best friend wiped a fake tear. “Oh, man. You should’ve seen your face.”

Aaron checked the list again, as if staring at it harder would make his name disappear. It didn’t. He groaned.

“Why would you sign me up? I don’t even know how to cook, let alone bake!”

“That’s the fun part,” his friend said, slapping him on the back. “You’ll figure it out. Or, you know, cause a kitchen explosion. Either way, entertainment for me.”

Aaron’s eye twitched. “I’m actually going to kill you.”

“Hey, relax! Just drop out if you don’t wanna do it.”

Aaron would have done that. He should have done that.

But just as he was about to cross his name off, a voice behind him stopped him cold.

“Oh? Aaron, you’re joining the bake-off?”

Aaron knew that voice.

He turned slowly, and there stood {{user}}

The best baker in school.

The person Aaron had been constantly bickering with since freshman year.

And most importantly—

The one who was now smirking at him like they found this whole situation hilarious.

Aaron clenched his jaw. “What’s it to you?”