Free Time's Up by Annie Bryant

needles I borrowed from Katani. Be right back.” Isabel dashed out of the room.
    Katani was impressed by the neat, steady click-clacking of Mrs. Martinez’s needles. She knits even faster than me, Katani thought, a little envious. “What are you making, Mrs. Martinez?” she asked, coming over to the couch to get a better look.
    â€œOh, it is just a baby blanket. Isabel has a new little cousin,” she replied with a weary smile. “Which reminds me. Thank you so much, Katani, for loaning Isabel those knitting needles. Mine are nearly always in use, as you see.”
    â€œNo problem,” Katani reassured her.
    â€œAre you starting some new project that you need them back now?”
    â€œWell…” 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. Martinez’s kind brown eyes, she knew she could trust her.
    â€œThe thing is, I kind of do have a problem,” she saidin a low voice. “I promised to knit twenty scarves by this weekend for this contest I’m entering, and I haven’t even started yet.”
    â€œOh, that is a problem,” Mrs. Martinez agreed, looking concerned. “Twenty scarves? That is a lot for a girl who also has to keep up with her schoolwork, family, and friends.” She gave Katani a knowing look.
    â€œI know,” Katani said, looking down.
    â€œBut,” Mrs. Martinez continued, leaning in and speaking in a low voice as well, “I think I might be able to help you.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œWell, I don’t feel very well sometimes, but I do have two good hands here.” She smiled, and it dawned on Katani what she was proposing.
    â€œYou would do that? You would help me knit?” Katani asked incredulously.
    â€œOf course!” Mrs. Martinez’s smile was getting bigger. “To 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€œIt would be a huge help to me,” Katani agreed. All of a sudden she felt hopeful.
    â€œI’m sure I could knit at least three by this weekend,” Mrs. Martinez offered.
    â€œThank you!” Katani exclaimed. Then her face darkened again. “Oh, but, Mrs. Martinez, if you could maybe not mention anything to Isabel…I’m trying to do this on my own. You know—a surprise for everyone.”
    â€œYour secret is safe with me, Katani,” Mrs. Martinez reassured her. “You will bring me the yarn that you would like me to use and a sample scarf?”
    â€œYes, absolutely. I’ll get it to you as soon as I can. I have the yarn in the car…but if I bring it in now, Avery and Isabel will see….”
    â€œDon’t worry, Katani. Just give it to me when you bring the sample.”
    â€œThank you so much!” 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. That’s weird, she thought briefly as she handed over the knitting needles.
    Katani looked at her watch. “I better go,” she said, and started toward the door with the knitting needles. “Nice to see you, Mrs. Martinez. See you tomorrow, Izzy.”
    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 wouldn’t be fair if she entered the contest—should I have sed that?
    w/b soon! thanx—
Kgirl
    CHAPTER 9
Who’s 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 “crush alert” wall,