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I nod, then swallow and tell them everything Mrs. Duncan said.
“This is awesome! Perfect for you,” my sister gushes with an excited smile.
The others tell me how happy and thrilled they are for me. My mind is still a mess, so it’s hard to focus.
“So it’ll take place in two weeks, in Silverton.” Willow scans the instructions. “And it says each contestant must bring a partner to cook with them. You should take Chloe. You guys will kill it.”
Chloe smiles at me. “Of course I’ll help you.”
“And the prize is a scholarship to culinary school,” Ava adds. “Exactly what you’ve been dreaming about for years, Liam.”
“I don’t know…”
“Why are you hesitating?” Lily asks. “You should have told Mrs. Duncan on the spot that you’re in.”
“Yeah, what’s wrong?” Ava asks.
I sigh. “Come on, guys. Me compete with kids who are better cooks than me?” I shake my head. “I won’t win.”
They all give me disappointed and frustrated looks.
“Dude, what are you talking about?” Willow demands. “Your food is amazing and you’re so talented.”
“Yeah, you need more confidence,” Ava adds. “You need to believe in yourself.”
Chloe places her hand on my arm. “I don’t want to tell you to do something you’re not comfortable with, but I think you can do it.” She smiles encouragingly. “Wecan do it, Liam.”
I search her eyes, taking in her sweet smile. “But…” I release a heavy breath.
“We all know you’re amazing,” she continues. “The best and most talented cook out there. You need to show the world what you’ve got.”
I drop my gaze. “You all think I’m so good, but I’mnot.I’m just me.”
Willow tsks. “Liam, Liam, Liam. What are we going to do with you?”
I hunch my shoulders forward. “I know. I suck.”
Chloe rubs my back. “Wecando it. I’ll be with you. Please, Liam. The world needs to know about you.”
That’s the problem. I don’t want the world to know about me.
“I know it’s hard to put yourself out there, twin bro,” Lily says. “But this could change your life.”
The others nod in agreement, Chloe giving me an encouraging smile. I focus on that smile as I picture myself at the competition with all the other kids.
“What if I make a fool of myself?” I ask.
“What if you don’t?” Willow counters.
I’m quiet as I ponder her words. Maybe my friends are right. What can it hurt? Mrs. Duncan said it could open many doors for me. Maybe my dream of going to culinary school could actually happen.
I turn to Chloe. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Positive.”
I smile. “Thanks.”
Willow continues flipping through the pages. “It says you have to submit a video of you cooking your signature dish. I think they want to get to know you.”
