Free Twice the Talent by Belle Payton

in a huddle, and Callie pulled in Ava to join them.
    â€œYou guys did great,” Ava said.
    â€œAnd we’ll do even better when you’re playing with us again,” Callie responded. Ava beamed.
    After the game, Coach brought Ava out to the ranch for a visit with Kylie.
    â€œSee? I didn’t even need the wheelchair. I can get around just fine on these,” Kylie bragged, as she crossed her living room quickly using her crutches.
    â€œYou are a speed demon,” Ava agreed. “Now, please sit down so I can finally sign your cast!” She waved the marker she held at Kylie.
    Kylie propped her leg up on the coffee table. Her parents had already signed it, and Ava saw that Owen had written:
    Andromeda United!Owen
    â€œOoh, heart Owen,” Ava said, wiggling her eyebrows.
    â€œI know, isn’t he sweet?” Kylie asked, blushing. “I keep wanting to draw all over this cast, like a cool alien landscape or something, but Mom says I have to leave some space because everyone’s going to want to sign it.”
    â€œLike me,” Ava said, and the marker hovered over the cast as she thought about what to write. Something nice? Something inspirational? Something funny?
    Funny won out.
    Help! I’m trapped inside this cast!Ava
    Kylie laughed. “Oh my gosh, it really does feel like hundreds of tiny little creatures are trapped in there,” she said. “It’s already itching like crazy!”
    â€œThat stinks,” said Ava. “We should do something to take your mind off it. How about a board game?”
    Kylie brightened. “Citizens of Elvador?” she asked.
    Ava stifled a groan. She had been thinking of something easy, like where you have to draw pictures to guess words. Citizens of Elvador was one of those complicated board games whereyou created societies and went on quests and searched for gold. Kylie loved to play it with Owen. Ava had never been interested in playing it, but she couldn’t say no to Kylie now.
    Kylie got back on her crutches. “Going to the game closet! Be right back!”
    Two hours later, Ava was absorbed in the game, much to her own surprise.
    â€œOkay, my elves are exploring this mountain cave,” she said, moving her piece along the board.
    â€œAre you sure you want to do that?” Kylie asked.
    Ava knew Kylie was trying to give her a warning, but she didn’t care. She wanted to see what happened. Kylie turned over a card in front of the cave.
    â€œDragon!” Kylie cried. “Your elves are not strong enough to withstand the attack.”
    She moved a playing piece over to Ava’s citadel. “Now that you are unguarded, I claim your citadel. I win!”
    Ava sat back on her chair. “Wow, that was intense.”
    Then Kylie’s phone chimed, and she picked it up. “It’s Keshawn, texting to ask if I’m okay,” she said. “He’s so nice. I think I’ve been in every class with him since kindergarten.”
    Then she looked up at Ava. “Hey, I meant to ask. How is the line dancing going?”
    â€œIt’s great—really fun,” Ava lied, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. Keshawn had sent her the steps days ago, but she hadn’t practiced at all. She looked at her phone.
    â€œMy dad’s picking me up soon. Let me help you clean up,” she offered.
    The two girls put away the game and were sitting on the porch talking when Coach pulled up. He opened the window and waved.
    â€œHow you feeling, Kylie?” he asked.
    â€œGreat, Coach!” Kylie replied.
    â€œI’ll see you again soon,” Ava promised.
    Kylie grinned. “Monday. I’m allowed to go back to school!”
    Ava climbed into the car and Coach started chatting, something about getting Chinese food because her mom was going to be working late in her pottery studio and he didn’t feel like cooking—or eating Uncle Scott’s cooking. But Ava wasn’t paying