Time's Up by Annie Bryant Page A

“I’m not late for a very important date!”
    Katani wanted to say no, but she knew this would only get Kelley upset and make everything worse. She counted slowly to ten, concentrating hard on her knitting. Then she sighed. She had to show Kelley how to knit. That was what her dad called doing the right thing.
    â€œOkay,” Katani said. “I said I’d show you, so I’ll show you. Come on, we’ll try it on the yarn I’m using.”
    â€œWhy do you have so much of it?” Kelley asked, looking at the bag of pink mohair.
    â€œI have to knit a lot of scarves, that’s why,” Katani said. Twenty seemed impossible. “Now let’s start.”
    Kelley’s stitches were loose and sloppy, but she caught on so quickly, Katani was astounded. “You really did read that book, didn’t you?”
    â€œYes, I did,” a very serious Kelley answered. “Do you need help with your scarves? Because I could help you.”
    Katani’s mouth opened. Kelley was going to help her ?
    Chocolate Break
    Charlotte needed a break from her paper. She took a chocolate Kiss from her desk drawer and checked her e-mail. Finally there was something from Sophie!
    TO: Charlotte
FROM: Sophie
SUBJECT: Re: What should I do????
    Mon amie,
    Sorry to take so long time to write. Like you say in America, I am busy! Grand-mère was visiting here in Paris. She is back at her house as I write to you. She is very well, but I miss her. She tells the best stories and makes tarte aux pommes —my favorite.
    In regard to your message, it sounds like a date to me! I know you—you better reschedule the date as soon asyour math project and book report are finis .
    More very soon, I promise.
    Bisous ,
S.
    A date! Sophie thought Nick had asked her on a date. Charlotte wondered what she was supposed to do now.
    The Aftermath
    The next morning Katani was late for class. First she had to drop off the yarn and model scarf for Mrs. Martinez. Then she had to leave a note in Reggie’s locker to apologize for being late to their library date. Making myself late because I’m apologizing for being late—can it get much worse? she thought hopelessly as she pushed the note through the vents on Reggie’s locker before dashing away to homeroom.
    Later that day, Katani got to math class early to give Reggie an opportunity to talk to her. But Reggie avoided looking in Katani’s direction for the whole class. Mr. Sherman was there to check on their progress, and everyone else in class was talking about what they were doing. She cringed when she saw Betsy and Charlotte exchange notes.
    She hoped that the printouts on Egyptian math she had gathered would show Reggie that she meant business, but right after the bell rang, Mr. Sherman asked Katani if he could talk with her in his classroom next door. After the last student left the classroom, Mr. Sherman stood behind his desk, rubbing his thick, dark brow.
    â€œI thought you and Reggie would make a good team for this math project,” he said, “but Reggie came to me this morning saying he didn’t want to work with you.”
    â€œWhat?” Katani’s cheeks went hot. How totally humiliating—she was getting dumped by Math Boy! This was beyond a bad day.
    â€œYes. So I’ve decided—because of the time—to let you submit separate projects. Reggie is going to work on Egyptian math.” Mr. Sherman paused. “He said that was his idea. And he mentioned you were entering a business contest for young entrepreneurs. I assume you have a financial strategy and that sort of thing.”
    â€œYes, I do,” Katani mumbled. She was still trying to deal with the idea that Reggie didn’t want to be her partner. What made him think he could just drop her like that? Just because she forgot one appointment? Katani could feel her temper rising.
    â€œI’ll let you submit your business plan for your math project