Time's Up by Annie Bryant Page B

then. It’ll have to be five pages like everyone else’s and you’ll have to present it to the class. It’ll show how math factors into real life.” Mr. Sherman stopped frowning to add, “I’m impressed, Katani. Most kids aren’t thinking of running their own businesses in seventh grade.”
    â€œThank you, Mr. Sherman.”
    â€œYou better go to lunch now.”
    Katani was grateful to be able to submit her business plan as her math project, but before she left Mr. Sherman’s classroom, she felt her face burning again. She had never let a partner down on an assignment before, but she only missed an appointment. She just had a lot on her plate. If only Reggie would have let her explain. By the time she reached her locker, she was furious with Reggie.
    Instead of going to lunch, Katani headed to the library, where at least she could tackle a piece of her business proposal and avoid any inquiring minds in the cafeteria. What if Reggietold everyone? She could just hear Anna and Joline whispering. The QOM loved this kind of stuff. She reached a hand up to her cheek. Maybe she was coming down with a fever.
    Katani nodded to the librarian as she made her way to the back table. Before she sat down, she took out her three colored folders and her clipboard with the contest application from her bag and organized them in front of her, setting the financial papers on top. But she couldn’t concentrate on anything. At Ms. Pink’s store, Katani had felt like she was on top of the world, but now she was beginning to feel like she was in the bargain basement of life.
    CHAPTER 10
Time Out for Hot Chocolate
    T he sound of dribbling and sneakers screeching echoed through the gym. Coach Porter blew her whistle. “One more round of layups, then we’ll go into scrimmage mode, everybody!”
    â€œI can’t believe the exhibition game’s tomorrow,” Anna whispered to Amanda Cruz.
    â€œYou know it’s going to be on the news? I, like, sooooo want to be on TV!” Amanda squealed.
    â€œLike who doesn’t?” Anna responded in her trademark “I am so superior” tone of voice. But then, faking an uninterested tone, she asked, “Do you know how many people will be watching?”
    â€œWhat do you care, Anna, if it’s not such a big deal?” Amanda asked with a smirk.
    Avery couldn’t believe the two of them. Tomorrow was the day of the big game—they needed to focus and stop with the put-downs. Twenty-eight more hours until she and her teammates would be on the court at “the Garden.” She glanced at Isabel, who was ahead of her in the layup linebehind Anna and Amanda. The line was moving fast as her teammates dribbled toward the basket, one by one. When it was Isabel’s turn, she drove to the basket. Her layup hit the rim and bounced twice before falling back to the floor. Avery clapped hard, anyway, and shouted, “Let’s go, Abigail! Let’s do it!”
    The team was really pumped for the next day’s game, and energy was high in the gym. Avery’s hands were sure as she caught the ball, dribbled in and swish ! She nailed it! After practice, Coach Porter was going to announce the five players who would be playing in the exhibition game. All the girls were nervous, because they really wanted to be picked. During the scrimmage, some players were trying to show off, hoping Coach would choose them at the last minute.
    After ten minutes of scrimmaging, Coach Porter finally blew her whistle. “Okay, Abigail Adams, break!”
    When they were all gathered around, their coach said, “As you know, we’re stopping a little early today to talk about tomorrow’s game. Choosing five of you to play has been a very difficult decision. I hope all of you who haven’t been chosen will come and support the five who have. The most important thing to remember is we are a team, one team. Abigail