Annie went through the day in a daze, numbed by a strange mixture of embarrassment, hurt, and anger. Time and again, she had to push the image of the defaced photo out of her mind.
By the end of the day, all she wanted to do was go home, climb into bed, and pull the covers over her head. She confided as much in Lauren, who frowned.
“You’re not going to let that sneaky, stuck-up little cheerleader make you miss the anti-Valentine’s Day bout, are you?”
Annie’s eyes flew open. “The bout! Oh my god, I was so preoccupied with Kelsey’s prank, I forgot all about it.” She smiled for the first time since arriving at her locker that morning. “If there’s one thing I could do with right now, it’s a night of derby action!”
Just the thought of skating with her team breathed new life into Annie. She’d channel her anger into energy. If she went out there and imagined that every single one of her opponents was actually Kelsey, the Belles would thrash the High Rollers for sure!
* * *
As Dad’s ancient truck chugged and whined through the streets of Liberty Heights, there were more than a few moments when Annie thought the poor pickup might give up all together. By some miracle, though, they made it to the rink without incident.
As they pushed through the glass doors, Annie thought Dad seemed a little nervous. She was about to ask him what was on his mind when she remembered that Jesse had asked Dad to be the bout commentator tonight. It would be the first time her father would be announcing the entire game over the loudspeaker.
Stage fright, she thought. Poor Dad.
But any pity she was feeling evaporated the moment her dad marched directly up to Coach Ritter. Annie watched from a distance as her coach and her father shared an extremely warm smile. Only then did she notice he was holding a small plastic container which he presented with a chivalrous flourish to a beaming Coach Ritter. Inside the box sat a pink cupcake with creamy white frosting. Perched atop the frosting was an elegant chocolate heart.
Annie was gobsmacked! She knew every item on Rosie Lee’s Valentine’s menu and pretty little pink cupcakes were definitely not among them. As far as she could tell the perfect little confection was a one-off – baked by her father especially for Coach Ritter.
Woah. Romantic.
Coach was looking at the cupcake with shining eyes – she looked so happy it may as well have been a diamond ring! Then Coach leaned forward and placed a lingering kiss on Dad’s cheek.
Annie felt a weird tumble in her stomach. It wasn’t that she was grossed out exactly, it was just a little strange to think that her dad was dating. The part that was a little hard to swallow, however, was the fact that it was Valentine’s Day and, while both her parents had new love interests, Annie was without a single romantic prospect.
“Well they look cosy.”
Annie whirled to find Jesse smiling at her. She shook her head, still feeling a bit waylaid by what she’d just witnessed. “Huh?”
“Your dad and Coach Ritter.” Jesse motioned with his head in their direction. “Personally, I think they make a great couple.”
“Oh. Right. Yeah.” Annie smiled. “I agree, actually. It’s very romantic.”
“So you’re embracing the whole Cupid’s arrow vibe, then?”
“For them, yes,” said Annie. “For me? No way.”
Jesse looked confused, and strangely disappointed. “You’re not having a good Valentine’s Day?”
“Not exactly,” said Annie. “I’ll recap it for you. First, at breakfast, I get an anonymous CD disguised as a valentine from a – ” she jerked her fingers to mime a pair of air quotes – “secret admirer.”
“And that’s a bad thing?” Jesse asked, frowning.
“Well, it wouldn’t have been except that the so-called secret admirer was actually my Dad.”
“Uh...” Jesse blinked. “Are you sure about that?”
“Without a shadow of a doubt – it’s exactly the sort of silly joke he loves. I mean, who else would send me an anonymous gift?”
“No idea.” Jesse gave a casual shrug, but his face looked a little strained. “But, um, did you even play it?”
“Play what?” asked Annie, suddenly preoccupied as she noticed that he was wearing his black-and-white-striped official’s jersey – it was a hideous polyester thing, but somehow, Jesse managed to make it look cool. In fact, he rocked it. Maybe it had something to do with his tousled mop of black hair. Or his torn and faded blue jeans.
“Annie ... did you hear what I just said?”
“Huh?” Annie snapped her gaze up from the jersey to look at his face. “What?”
“I asked you if you played it. The CD. Ya know, I was just thinking that maybe the songs on it would give you a clue as to who sent it.”
“I’m telling you I didn’t have to play it,” Annie sighed, feeling exasperated. “Because I knew who it was from.”
“Your dad.”
“Yes!” Annie nodded vigorously. “Jesse, do you want to know the problem with Valentine’s Day?”
Jesse cocked an eyebrow. “There’s a problem with it?”
“Oh, yes. A big one. See, the thing is, Valentine’s Day is absolutely lovely if you’re with someone. The problem is if you don’t have a significant other – that’s such a stupid term, isn’t it? Anyway, if you don’t happen to have one of those, then Valentine’s Day is just a big fat reminder of how completely and utterly alone you are. It’s as though all the florists and greetings card companies and chocolate manufacturers in the whole wide world are pointing at you and laughing their heads off. And while they’re raking in all their Valentine’s Day profits, people like you and me—”
“You and me?”
“Yes, you and me. Me and you.”
Jesse grinned. “Just makin’ sure I heard you right.”
“People like you and me who aren’t buying or receiving flowers and cards are simply left to feel forgotten and unloved!”
Jesse scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Did I say I felt unloved?”
“Well, no...”Annie shrugged. “I just assumed.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t you? Feel unloved, I mean.”
“Well, I didn’t,” Jesse admitted with another crooked grin. “But after hearing this little tirade of yours, I’m thinking maybe I should.”
“Oh, Jess. I’m sorry.” Annie reached over and touched his arm. “I didn’t mean to get you down.”
“Ah...” Jesse chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll bounce back. Meanwhile, I’d better get over to the sound system. Carmen’s little brother Roberto is filling in as DJ while I ref. I burned an awesome anti-Valentine’s-Day CD for tonight’s soundtrack.”
Annie smiled at last, the thought of cool music helping her to shake off her sulky mood. “I hope you included ‘Kiss Off’, by the Violent Femmes?”
“Of course.”
“Good. How about Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’?”
Jesse nodded.
“And ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’?”
“Are you kidding? It’s practically the anti-Valentine’s-Day anthem.”
Annie laughed, which felt surprisingly good after her angry rant.
“I’m impressed that you got ’em all,” said Jesse. “You rock.”
“Ha! You’re not the only one who thinks so,” said Annie. “That’s exactly what my Dad wrote on my Valentine’s CD. Great minds think alike, eh? By the way, you rock too.”
“Thanks. Sooo ... you gonna be all right?” Jesse asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Annie motioned towards the lockers and smiled. “In the immortal words of Billy Shears, ‘I’ll get by with a little help from my friends.’”
“Good.” Jesse turned to leave, but swung back, blue eyes twinkling. “And for what it’s worth ... don’t write off secret admirers completely. They just might surprise you.”
With that, he turned again and hurried across the rink to meet up with Roberto. Annie watched him go, feeling confused by his last comment. Then Liz was calling to her from the locker room doorway to come and join the others. It was almost time for the bout to begin. And there was nothing like a bad day to bring out the competitive spirit of a roller girl.
Annie, or rather Anne R. Key, was more ready than she’d ever been to kick some serious butt!
* * *
Dad’s voice boomed through the rink. “Good evening, all you lonely hearts!” he said. “It’s Valentine’s Day, folks, and that means tonight it’s all about love. Do you know what I love? Roller derby!”
The crowd roared as the Liberty Belles and the High Rollers took to the track, introduced by Dad. Both teams had gone all out in the wardrobe department. Everyone was sporting some shade of red or pink but they’d put a “down with love” spin on things. Tessa Distressa from the High Rollers was wearing a red T-shirt with shiny black lips printed on the front. On the back of her hot-pink booty shorts she’d painted the words: “CUPID CAN KISS MY ASS!”
Roberto hit the play button and J. Giels Band’s “Love Stinks” blared out.
“Right, Annie, you’ll start as jammer,” announced Coach Ritter.
Yes! thought Annie, finally something good’s happening today. But her heart sank when she noticed that Dee Stroyer was her opposing jammer.
The bout began and the fans cheered the girls as they buzzed around the track. In an effort to psyche Annie out, Dee Stroyer skated up close to her and actually snarled.
Nice try, thought Annie. But after the day she’d just endured, it was going to take a lot more than a dirty look to throw her. She reminded herself that Dee was the reason her cool outfit of red shorts and a pink T-shirt with a heart split down the middle was marred by the ugly brace she still had to wear on her left ankle. Then for good measure, she summoned an image of Kelsey smirking as she strutted along on Tyler’s arm. These two visuals were all the inspiration Annie needed.
Annie shifted her weight and leaned low, expertly accelerating and cutting in front of Dee Stroyer with no warning whatsoever. Pushing through the pack, Annie become lead jammer. After scoring four points, she quickly called off the jam. When she looked back at her opponent, she was pleased to see that she’d wiped the cocky snarl off Dee Stroyer’s face!
Fuelled by Jesse’s clever anti-romance soundtrack, the Belles took an early lead and maintained it throughout the match.
Annie was having an exceptional night. She was playing aggressively, but only had one brief stint in the sin bin. On her next outing as jammer, Annie scored eight points. I’m not a SKANK, Annie mused silently, after barrelling through the pack and scoring four more points. I’m a TANK!
The hostility that had surfaced at the Belle’s last practice was gone entirely. They were playing like the league champions they were, completely in tune with one another. Annie helped Holly score by whipping her ahead of the pack, and when Annie was jammer, Holly returned the favour by bootie-blocking a High Rollers blocker so that Annie could bomb past her and score.
The bout ended in a decisive 180 to 127 victory to the Belles.
“Let’s show some love for ALL these roller girls who won our hearts tonight,” said Dad over the microphone, as the crowd erupted in cheers.
As the Belles celebrated with fist bumps and high fives, Annie sought out Holly, catching her in a bear hug.
“Nice work out there, roomie!” she cried.
It took Holly only a second to understand. “You’re coming to boot camp!” Holly beamed. “We’re gonna be room-mates!”
Annie shook hands with some of the High Rollers, but Dee Stroyer pretended that she didn’t see Annie’s outstretched hand.
What a sore loser! thought Annie, hoping that Coach Ritter had clocked Dee’s poor sportsmanship.
Dad was waiting at the side of the track to congratulate her with a hug and a kiss.
“You sure you need to go to that boot camp?” he teased.
“There’s always more to learn,” Annie assured him. “Hey, Dad, do you mind if I go to the Sugar Shack for ice cream with some of the girls?”
“Not at all,” said Dad. “As long as you don’t mind if go out for dinner with Coach Ritter.”
Annie was impressed. “You asked her out?”
“Actually,” said Dad with a wink, “she asked me out.”
“Wow!” Annie couldn’t suppress the slight twinge of envy she felt over the fact that her father was going on a Valentine’s date while she was single. Still, she was happy for him. And for Coach, too. Returning the wink, she gave him the same advice she’d given Mum: “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”
In the locker room the girls hurried out of their derby clothes quickly in order to get to the ice cream parlour before it closed.
“Just a warning,” said Lauren, “but if I see some starry-eyed couple sharing an ice cream sundae, I seriously might throw up.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,” said Annie, laughing. “After all, there’s nothing like a bunch of sweaty roller girls sitting at the next table to kill a romantic mood.”
“Wish I could join you,” said Holly, grinning. “But I just got a text from a hot guy in my Math class. He asked me to meet him at a party.”
Annie rolled her eyes and pretended to be miffed. “Haven’t you ever heard the ‘Never Ditch Your Friends for a Guy’, rule?”
“Yes, and I abide by that law three hundred and sixty-four days a year. But on Valentine’s Day, there’s a loophole.”
Annie laughed. “Have fun, roomie.”
As the group headed towards the rink exit, Annie spotted Jesse disconnecting his iPod from the sound system. She marched over to him, smiling broadly.
“Hey, Jess, wanna go to the Sugar Shack for a sundae?”
Jesse’s whole face seemed to light up at the invitation. He looked ready to accept then he noticed the rest of the girls waiting by the door.
“You’re all going?” he asked.
Annie laughed. “Yeah. We’re taking a stand against the commonly held belief that you can only enjoy Valentine’s Day in pairs.”
Jesse gave her a strange look, then shook his head. “Thanks, but I think I’ll pass,” he said, then disappeared behind the rental booth to grab his coat.
The girls were a little disappointed that Jesse had opted out. As they continued to the exit, Annie was about to propose that someone should go after him and talk him into changing his mind.
But before she could suggest it, Carmen giggled. “Of course he doesn’t want to come with us,” she said in a knowing tone. “It’s Valentine’s Day. A hottie like Jesse is bound to have a major date lined up.”
Annie stopped dead in her tracks.
Jesse. On a date. The thought had never even crossed her mind. She’d just assumed he was single, but she’d never actually asked him.
She followed the others out to the parking lot, where the girls divided themselves between Liz’s car and Carmen’s, which was actually her mother’s minivan. Annie tried to imagine who Jesse might be taking out. No one jumped immediately to mind. There was that redheaded junior girl she’d seen him talking to in the library last week. And hadn’t he mentioned a girl named Kiki (or was it Koko?) from the skateboard park once or twice? Annie seemed to recall that she’d asked him to help her replace the grip tape on her skateboard deck, but that didn’t sound like a hot and heavy romance.
Well, it really didn’t matter, did it? Maybe Jesse was dating the library girl. Or maybe little Miss Halfpipe Rider was rocking Jesse’s world with her gnarly nose grinds and ollies.
Maybe he was going on a Valentine’s date. Whatever. It really didn’t matter to Annie.
Much.
“When we get to the Sugar Shack, somebody has to remind me to order fro-yo instead of ice cream,” Lauren was saying. “I’ve been eating really healthily, and I don’t want to blow it now!”
As the girls congratulated Lauren on sticking to her nutrition plan, Annie felt a rush of warmth. She knew how fortunate she was to have such a great, supportive group of friends.
Deep down, she knew one thing for certain: even if Sgt. Pepper might consider her a member of his Lonely Hearts Club, as long as she was a roller girl, she’d never, ever be truly lonely.
And that was the best Valentine’s Day present she could ever ask for.