needles I borrowed from Katani. Be right back.â Isabel dashed out of the room.
Katani was impressed by the neat, steady click-clacking of Mrs. Martinezâs needles. She knits even faster than me, Katani thought, a little envious. âWhat are you making, Mrs. Martinez?â she asked, coming over to the couch to get a better look.
âOh, it is just a baby blanket. Isabel has a new little cousin,â she replied with a weary smile. âWhich reminds me. Thank you so much, Katani, for loaning Isabel those knitting needles. Mine are nearly always in use, as you see.â
âNo problem,â Katani reassured her.
âAre you starting some new project that you need them back now?â
âWellâ¦â Katani considered whether she should tell Mrs. Martinez about the contest and the impossible pile of knitting she had waiting for her at home. As she looked into Mrs. Martinezâs kind brown eyes, she knew she could trust her.
âThe thing is, I kind of do have a problem,â she saidin a low voice. âI promised to knit twenty scarves by this weekend for this contest Iâm entering, and I havenât even started yet.â
âOh, that is a problem,â Mrs. Martinez agreed, looking concerned. âTwenty scarves? That is a lot for a girl who also has to keep up with her schoolwork, family, and friends.â She gave Katani a knowing look.
âI know,â Katani said, looking down.
âBut,â Mrs. Martinez continued, leaning in and speaking in a low voice as well, âI think I might be able to help you.â
âReally?â
âWell, I donât feel very well sometimes, but I do have two good hands here.â She smiled, and it dawned on Katani what she was proposing.
âYou would do that? You would help me knit?â Katani asked incredulously.
âOf course!â Mrs. Martinezâs smile was getting bigger. âTo tell you the truth, Katani, I get tired of watching TV and letting everyone else do things for me all the time. It would make me very happy to be able to do something to help someone else.â
âIt would be a huge help to me,â Katani agreed. All of a sudden she felt hopeful.
âIâm sure I could knit at least three by this weekend,â Mrs. Martinez offered.
âThank you!â Katani exclaimed. Then her face darkened again. âOh, but, Mrs. Martinez, if you could maybe not mention anything to Isabelâ¦Iâm trying to do this on my own. You knowâa surprise for everyone.â
âYour secret is safe with me, Katani,â Mrs. Martinez reassured her. âYou will bring me the yarn that you would like me to use and a sample scarf?â
âYes, absolutely. Iâll get it to you as soon as I can. I have the yarn in the carâ¦but if I bring it in now, Avery and Isabel will seeâ¦.â
âDonât worry, Katani. Just give it to me when you bring the sample.â
âThank you so much!â Katani was glowing. Three scarves down, only seventeen to go!
Isabel rushed back in, holding the needles out. Katani and her mother suddenly got quiet, and she felt like she was interrupting something. Thatâs weird, she thought briefly as she handed over the knitting needles.
Katani looked at her watch. âI better go,â she said, and started toward the door with the knitting needles. âNice to see you, Mrs. Martinez. See you tomorrow, Izzy.â
TO: Charlotte
FROM: Katani
SUBJECT: Wat do you think?
Hey Char, Need 2 ask u sumthing. remember whitney from high hopes? The 1 who reminded me of Anna and Joline? well, I saw her at the yarn store 2 day. I told her it wouldnât be fair if she entered the contestâshould I have sed that?
w/b soon! thanxâ
Kgirl
CHAPTER 9
Whoâs the Genius Now?
M aeve paced around her room, picking up a glass figurine, a stuffed bunny, and a picture of the BSG. She eyed her âcrush alertâ wall,