by Megan Sparks
She’d seen the writing before, she was certain. It was exactly the same writing that had been on the mysterious Valentine’s Day card.
Even the message was the same: You rock.
This was what she’d been waiting for! A sign. Literally!
It was all she could do to keep from leaping off the track and running straight into his arms. Jesse was her most loyal supporter, her secret admirer, her valentine!
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Coach Ritter’s whistle. The All-Star hopefuls gathered at the side of the track.
“Time to begin,” Coach announced. “We’ll kick things off with a speed and endurance test. The goal is to skate twenty-five laps in under five minutes.”
A groan rose up from the group. Annie, however, allowed herself a tiny grin. She’d been skating at full tilt for seven straight days – her endurance was better than it had ever been.
Coach broke the girls into groups of ten for this test. Annie and Lauren would both skate in the fourth batch. It was nerve-racking, waiting for the first groups to take their turns. Dee Stroyer was part of the first bunch, and it was slightly disheartening for Annie to see the bully win her heat with a time of four minutes and thirty-nine seconds.
When it was Annie’s turn, she breezed through the test in four minutes and twelve seconds, beating everyone in her group by several seconds. As she finished her twenty-fifth lap, her cheering section erupted in applause. She was pretty out of breath, and there was a slight stitch in her side, which she massaged gently as she watched the rest of her competitors finish the test. When Lauren, who was never one of the speediest skaters on the Liberty Belles, managed to squeak in at just under five minutes, Annie and the other Liberty Belles sent up a cheer. Lauren skated over to her and they high-fived gleefully.
The next test was designed to evaluate their blocking abilities, followed by another in which Coach would examine the level of their footwork. Annie was slightly disheartened to see that many of the girls excelled in both these areas. Still, she did her best. As she executed her moves, she could hear Mad Donna’s and Cherry Bomb’s voices in her head, shouting out tips and corrections. She obeyed these invisible coaches and ended up doing a fabulous job.
Then Coach Ritter gave them a break, telling them to drink water and stretch out if they needed to. While the girls enjoyed this brief rest period, Coach Ritter explained her philosophy for the All-Star programme.
“The main difference,” she told them, twirling her whistle on its string, “will be that as an All-Star squad, we’re going to use game strategies that are far more advanced than any we use during the regular season. On this elite All-Star team, you’ll be expected to keep your head in the game and always find ways to put your particular talents to use. To that end, I’m going to teach you a drill called Kill Box.”
“Kill Box?” Lauren echoed. “I don’t think I like the sound of that.”
Annie giggled. “It’s probably not so bad. Sounds like it’s all about catching on quickly and thinking on your feet. You’ve always been good at that.”
The girls were divided into groups of four, three of whom would be blockers. The fourth would be jammer.
“I need the blockers to stagger,” Coach instructed. “Girls, you’ll take turns being on the inside. The blocker at the back will hit the jammer when she tries to pass on the outside. That blocker will then move up and the next one will take her place.”
“See?” said Annie, giving Lauren’s shoulder an encouraging pat. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Not to you,” said Lauren. “You’re a jammer!”
Annie laughed. “And what part of ‘hit the jammer’ sounds good to you?”
Now Lauren laughed too, and Annie was glad she’d been able to help her friend shake off her nerves.
As it turned out, “hit the jammer” was the least of Annie’s troubles. Her group of four included herself, two Prairie Girls and none other than Dee Stroyer. Dee shot Annie a searing look that said she wasn’t going to make this easy.
And she didn’t. As they skated around the track, Dee and the other blockers did an excellent job of swapping places to keep Annie from getting past. Dee especially was formidable, successfully bootie-blocking Annie out of bounds.
Annie frowned, hopping back onto the track on her toe stops. They resumed the drill, and minutes later, Dee had once again blocked Annie, even more roughly than before.
“Maybe we can arrange for a little hospital visit for you,” Dee taunted, “just like your boozy little friend!”
The animosity of the remark took Annie aback. Healthy rivalry was one thing, but Dee’s comment had crossed the line. “That’s not funny,” Annie snarled, scrambling back to her feet. “Sending people to the hospital isn’t part of the game.”
“I’ve sent you there before,” said Dee. “I can easily do it again.” Annie had an angry flashback to her October trip to the emergency room with an ankle injury, courtesy of Dee. Then she found herself picturing her more recent hospital visit with Holly.
In her mind, she saw the doctors rushing Holly down the corridor on a trolley; she pictured her friend unconscious in the bed, and then waking up and crying. She remembered a forlorn Holly saying goodbye as Annie left the room with Sue and Luna.
In that moment, Annie glanced down at the brightly coloured laces in her skates.
“You’ve got to make the All Star team,” Holly had said. “Do it for me.”
It was the only inspiration Annie needed. When she came up to the next blocker, Annie expertly faked going around on the outside, just as she’d slipped past that horrible Chad in the doorway of his bedroom. Then she quickly swivelled round to skate backwards around the inside.
I’m through!
Elated, she flew past the other two blockers.
Smiling, Coach Ritter nodded and gave her a thumbs up. Glowing with triumph, Annie scanned the sidelines. Her friends were screaming their heads off, and Jesse was waving his homemade sign over his head.
Feeling brave, Annie winked and blew him a kiss, then laughed out loud at the surprised look on his face.
If anyone rocked, it was Jesse.
Chapter Twenty
At last, Coach blew the whistle for the last time.
Try-outs were over.
Annie and Lauren, sweaty and exhausted, skated to the side of the rink and treated themselves to long, cool gulps from their water bottles.
Annie felt her chances of making the team were good, but truthfully, there were so many talented skaters here. And Coach could only choose twenty.
As she sat on the musty carpet with the other hopefuls, Annie had a flashback to the day she’d tried out for the Liberty Belles. She’d been such a newbie, then!
In many ways, she felt as though she was an entirely different person now. Her skills were much improved, and she had more confidence – both on and off the track. Best of all, she had found lots of really great friends in her fellow roller girls.
And one roller boy ... a boy with amazing taste in music, and lips she was suddenly dying to kiss!
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing her throat. Annie looked up and her mouth dropped open in surprise as she saw a petite figure, her red hair hidden under a baseball cap.
“Holly!”
A murmur of curiosity rippled through the group.
“Hi, everybody,” said Holly. “Bet you didn’t expect to see me here.”
“Didn’t particularly want to, either,” Dee sneered.
To Annie’s delight, one of the Derby Dolls shot Dee a look. “Nobody asked you.”
Dee scowled, but dropped her gaze to the carpet and shut up.
“I wanted to watch you guys try out,” Holly explained.
“I didn’t see you,” said Lauren.
“Yeah, well, I was kind of skulking in the shadows near the rental booth. Hiding in shame, basically.”
Annie heard the tremor in her friend’s voice. Her instinct wa
s to leap up and throw her arms protectively around Holly, but something told her that she needed to make this stand on her own. Annie forced herself to sit still and listen.
“So, yeah...” Holly said with a shrug. “I know you’ve all heard about my thrilling adventure over vacation. And I know you’ve all been judging me and saying I acted like a complete idiot.” She paused, her eyes scanning her silent audience. “Well, I just came here to tell you ... that you’re right.”
Many of the girls exchanged looks.
“You’re right,” Holly repeated, then gave a grim laugh. “I bet you were expecting me to say something different, huh? Bet you thought I was gonna be all pissed off and demand that you quit dissing me and acting all tough, like I usually do. Well, as much as I’d like to do that I can’t ... because everything you’re thinking and saying about me is absolutely correct.”
“Wow,” whispered one of the Prairie Girls to the High Roller beside her. “That takes guts.”
“See,” Holly continued, “I had this amazing chance to do something I love – to come out here and skate my best, and try to make this All-Star team. But instead, I was a loser. I risked my dignity just because I thought it would be cool to party hard.” Now Holly’s eyes darted to Annie, her expression filled with regret. “And I also dragged someone I really care about into my mess. So I just wanted to come by and remind you all how lucky you are, just to be here. As I was watching you, my muscles actually ached to be out there on that track. You all did an amazing job and I wish I could have been a part of it.”
Now Annie did stand up and gave Holly a long hug.
“You were awesome out there, Anne R. Key,” Holly said. “I’m really proud of you.”
“Not as proud as I am of you.” Annie whispered, her throat tight with emotion. “And you happen to be pretty awesome yourself.”
“Well, thanks.” Holly cocked her head and smiled. “Sooo ... does that mean I can have my skate laces back?”
Annie laughed, and a moment later, Coach Ritter appeared with her clipboard. She nodded at Holly, who looked suddenly terrified. But when Coach gave Holly a kind smile, Annie could feel all the tension drain out of her friend.
We all make mistakes, Annie thought. Coach understands that.
Holly gave the group one last smile, then went off to join the other spectators. As Annie watched her go, she was pleased to see that Dad had shown up. He must have closed Rosie Lee’s a little early to be here in time to hear the results. He was standing with Lexie and the others, bouncing eagerly on the balls of his feet, looking nervous and excited. Annie had to laugh. His nerves were probably only partly due to the anticipation of finding out whether Annie made the team. The fact that he had yet another date with Coach Ritter, immediately after the try-outs, was probably another reason!
As Annie watched her cheering section wringing their hands and biting their lips anxiously, it occurred to her that, with the notable exception of Mum, all of the people that mattered most to her in the world were here in this rink, rooting for her.
In that moment, she realized that even if she didn’t make the team, she was one of the luckiest girls on the planet.
Now Coach Ritter stood before the group and began her closing speech.
“This hasn’t been an easy choice,” she said. “You all set a very high standard here today and you can all be proud of your efforts. And for those of you who don’t make the team, there is always next year.” She drew a deep breath and dropped her eyes to the clipboard in her hand. “Here are the twenty members of the All-Star team. I’ll read the names alphabetically. Lauren Anderson.”
Annie had her arms around Lauren practically before the last syllable was out of coach’s mouth.
“You did it!” she whispered. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks, Annie!”
As Coach went down the list, Annie held her breath. Why did T have to be so close to the end of the alphabet? Around her, girls were clapping and cheering and squealing with excitement, while others swiped away tears or hung their heads in disappointment.
“Jennifer Silverman,” Coach read. “Dakota Taylor.”
Annie closed her eyes and crossed her fingers.
“Annie Turner!”
Annie felt her body flood with joy. She’d made it!
“Wooooooo!” Lexie cried. “Thatta girl, Annie!”
“Anne R. Key!” Jesse shouted. “You rock!”
Annie could almost feel his words, his voice, settling into her heart.
“Annamaria Vincent,” Coach read. “Deanna Williams.”
“Who’s Deanna Williams?” Lauren asked, just as Dee Stroyer leaped to her feet, pumping her fist in the air.
“There’s your answer,” said Annie glumly.
As the girls who’d made the team drew together to celebrate, Annie came to a decision. If she and her nemesis were going to be teammates, someone was going to have to make the first move towards peace. It was clearly going to have to be Annie. Maybe now that they’d proven themselves equal, Dee would get over herself and start being civil. If not out of any genuine respect for Annie, at least for the good of the All-Star squad. That was what any serious roller girl would do.
She put a smile on her face and skated over to Dee.
“I know we’ve had our issues before,” she said, extending her hand. “But now that we’re teammates I hope we can get along.”
To Annie’s shock, Dee ignored her hand, and unclipped her helmet. “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to play derby.”
Annie watched her skate away, weaving through her celebrating teammates without even pausing to offer anyone congratulations.
Her loss, Annie thought. I’ve got plenty of other great teammates and amazing friends.
And it was time to go and celebrate with them. But first she had some unfinished business to take care of...
* * *
Annie accepted hugs and high fives from Lexie, Carmen, Sharmila, and Liz.
“Come on,” said Liz. “Let’s go grab some ice cream. I bet you’re starving.”
“Sorry, girls,” she said to her friends, “But there’s something I need to do.” Glancing over at Jesse, she gave the girls a wink. “And I think you all know what it is!”
At that Lexie let out another loud “Wooo-hoo!” and Annie laughed.
She took Jesse by the sleeve and tugged him to a quiet corner of the rink, then turned to look him directly in the eye.
“You were incredible out there,” he began, but Annie pressed her finger to his lips.
“Thank you for the CD,” she said, her eyes locked on his. “At first, I never dreamed it was from you. Then, when I finally played it and heard Elvis Costello singing ‘your looks are laughable ... unphotographable’ I started to think maybe it was you. But I wasn’t completely sure until I saw the sign.”
Jesse gave her a confused look. “You saw a sign? Like, from God?”
“No,” Annie giggled. “Like from the sidelines.” She pointed to the banner he was still holding. “This sign, silly. When I saw the writing, I knew for definite you were the one who sent me the CD.”
Jesse laughed. “I’ve gotta admit, at first I was kind of mad that you never thanked me for the mix. But when I realized that you honestly believed it was from your dad, I thought it was kind of hilarious.”
“I wish you’d told me,” Annie said, stepping closer to him.
“Yeah, well – ” Jesse’s eyes sparkled – “that would have been a major breach of the Secret Admirer Code of Behaviour. Keeping things on the down-low is the most important part of the gig.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t work it out sooner. I guess you think I’m kind of an idiot.”
“Actually, I think you’re kind of amazing.” He smiled. “And about those lyrics ... it’s a great song, but I hope you know that there’s nothing even remotely ‘laughable’ or ‘unphotographable’ about your looks. You’re a beautiful person, Annie Turner. Inside and out.”
A
nnie felt a rush of warmth and she leaned her face nearer to his. “What about Anne R. Key? What kind of person is she?”
Jesse chuckled softly. “She’s a badass roller girl.” He kissed her softly on the tip of her nose. “And she’s also pretty hot.”
Annie sighed and put her arms around his neck, pulling him close.
“You’re the one I’ve been looking for,” she whispered. “And the funny thing is, you were right there under my nose the whole time. I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner.”
Jesse gave her his crooked grin. “No worries. As long as you got there in the end. Besides, you were definitely worth the wait.”
He reached out and gently touched the side of her face. Annie flinched.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she sighed. “It’s just that this is pretty much the most amazingly romantic moment of my life. I wish I wasn’t such a sweaty mess.”
Jesse laughed softly, and the sound sent a tingle up her spine.
“I think I can learn to deal with that kind of thing,” he whispered, leaning close. “After all, I’m in love with a roller girl. So I’d better get used to it.”
Then he kissed her. It was the kiss she’d been waiting for her whole life. It was warm and sweet and perfect. How could it be anything else?
Because Jesse was in love with a roller girl.
And there was no mistaking it – she was completely and totally head over heels in love with him!
All about Roller Derby
RULES OF THE GAME
A roller derby game is called a bout. A bout usually lasts sixty minutes and is divided into two-minute jams. During a jam, each of the two teams have five players on the track, all skating in the same direction. The blockers and pivots form a tight pack. The two jammers start behind them and race to break through the pack. The first jammer through the pack is designated the lead jammer. However, no points can be scored until the jammer passes the pack for a second time. The jammer then scores a point for every opponent that she overtakes, provided she passes the player in bounds and without penalties. Both jammers may score points for the duration of the two-minute jam or until the lead jammer calls off the jam. A jammer typically scores four points every time she makes it through the pack. If she overtakes the other jammer she scores a fifth point, and this is known as a Grand Slam. The team with the most points at the end of the bout wins.