Jay woke up the next day with a renewed sense of excitement. He was eager to help his mom in the kitchen for breakfast and learn some cooking basics. He quickly freshened up and headed downstairs, ready to dive into his new hobby.
Jay: "Mom, can I help with breakfast today? I want to learn how to cook."
His mom turned around, surprised by his unexpected request but happy to see his enthusiasm.
Mom: "Of course, Jay. It's great to see you taking an interest in cooking. Let's start with something simple."
Jay's mom handed him a potato peeler and a few potatoes, instructing him on how to peel them. Jay was determined to do a good job, but things quickly went awry. As he focused on peeling, he over-peeled the potatoes, ending up with tiny, misshapen pieces.
System (teasing): "Nice job, Picasso. Planning to serve potato shavings for breakfast?"
Jay sighed, ignoring the jab and moving on to the next step. As he tried to chop the potatoes, his lack of experience showed. Pieces of potato flew everywhere, and he accidentally nicked his finger.
Jay (groaning): "Ouch! That hurts."
His mom rushed to his side, her face a mix of concern and amusement.
Mom: "Oh, Jay, be careful! Let's clean that cut and put a bandage on it."
The System, always ready to make fun, chimed in again.
System (laughing): "Well, well, the future chef seems to be off to a rough start. Maybe you should stick to eating for now."
Jay rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile at the System's teasing.
Jay: "I'll get the hang of it. Just you watch."
Despite the rough start, Jay was determined to continue. He asked his mom to let him cook his own breakfast, but she was hesitant at first.
Mom: "I don't know, Jay. Maybe you should just help me for now."
Jay (persisting): "Please, Mom? I really want to learn. I'll be careful, I promise."
After a few moments of hesitation, his mom relented.
Mom: "Alright, but I'll be watching closely. Let's see what you can do."
Jay set to work, trying his best to cook a simple breakfast. He scrambled some eggs, but as he poured them into the pan, he realized he hadn't stirred them enough. The eggs turned out lumpy and overcooked.
System (mocking): "Mmm, gourmet scrambled rocks. Delicious."
Jay moved on to toasting the bread. He was so focused on getting it right that he left the slices in the toaster too long. The result? Charred, blackened toast.
Jay (frustrated): "Great, now it's burnt."
His mom tried to suppress a chuckle but managed to offer some encouragement.
Mom: "It's okay, Jay. Cooking takes practice. You'll get there."
Jay decided to make a small salad to complete the breakfast. He chopped up some vegetables, but the pieces were uneven and looked like a mess.
His mom couldn't help but feel a bit scared of what he had created, but as a supportive mom, she decided to cheer him up.
Mom (smiling): "Well, it's a start, Jay. You'll get better with practice."
Jay beamed at the compliment, feeling encouraged despite his mistakes.
Jay: "Thanks, Mom. I know I have a lot to learn, but I'll keep trying."
Jay then had an idea.
Jay: "Can I pack some of this for lunch? I want to share it with my friends."
His mom hesitated, worried about what might happen if he fed his culinary experiment to his friends.
Mom: "Uh, Jay, maybe you should practice a bit more before sharing it with others. How about we pack something else for lunch today?"
Jay saw the sense in her words and agreed.
Jay: "Okay, Mom. I'll keep practicing at home first."
The System, of course, couldn't resist another jab.
System (teasing): "Your friends should thank your mom for saving them. Can you imagine their faces?"
Jay laughed, feeling more determined than ever to improve his skills.
After breakfast, Jay got ready for school, eager to share his cooking adventure with his friend Aman. On his way to school, he thought about how to present the story without highlighting his mistakes.
At school, during a break, Jay found Aman and started recounting his morning.
Jay: "Hey bro, guess what? I helped my mom with breakfast today. I'm learning to cook!"
Aman looked impressed.
Aman: "That's awesome, bro! Did you bring any of it for lunch?"
Jay hesitated for a split second, quickly coming up with an excuse.
Jay: "Uh, no. Mom said it wasn't ready for prime time yet. Still needs a bit of practice. But it was fun. I made some scrambled eggs, toast, and a salad."
Aman laughed, not suspecting anything.
Aman: "Well, can't wait to taste your cooking one day."
The System, ever the instigator, whispered in Jay's mind.
System: "Don't forget to mention your gourmet rock eggs and burnt toast."
Jay ignored the System and continued talking with Aman, who seemed genuinely interested.
The school day went by, with Jay's thoughts alternating between his lessons and his excitement for his new hobby. When school ended, he rode his bicycle back home, eager to help with dinner and show his mom that he was serious about cooking.
However, his mom wasn't as excited about the idea.
Mom: "Jay, maybe you should take it easy today. You've already got a cut on your finger, and cooking dinner might take a while."
Jay felt a bit disappointed but understood her concern.
Jay: "I guess you're right. I'll make sure my finger heals first."
The System, of course, had something to say.
System (teasing): "Looks like the chef is on temporary leave. Maybe use this time to plan your next masterpiece?"
Jay smiled, feeling a mix of determination and patience.
Jay: "I'll be back in the kitchen soon enough. Just wait and see."