Jennifer looked at the score and the clock as they all lined up for the next jam. There was only time for one, maybe two jams, and the teams were practically tied in the season-ending game. In fact, Jennifer’s team, the Clam Jammers, were one point ahead, but Rorrim was starting the jam in the penalty box and still had 20 seconds on his clock, which would give the other team an automatic point this round, not to mention that they were operating without their pivot. They’d have to rely exclusively on Rowe to score points. Jennifer gritted her teeth, knowing also that the opponent’s jammer had been tough to catch all game, moving so quickly away from the blockers’ movements it was as though she were anticipating them.
Looking at the other blockers, Ari and Hannah, Jennifer practically winced. Ari could hold her own—she’d definitely proven that this season—but Jennifer only put Hannah in after Sarah’s injury, and Hannah… well, she was definitely still new at this. There was no time to regret having let her on the team—it had been a favor, after all—as the jam started with a whistle, and they were off, already getting into position.
Rowe and the opponent team’s jammer skated quick as quick up to the pack, making their way to Jennifer, who was holding up the rear, ready to fight. She flung an arm in the opponent jammer’s direction, but she dodged faster than seemed possible. Jennifer growled in her throat and briefly wondered if the jammer had been watching the Clam Jammers practices.
It looked like Rowe might get past both of them, and Jennifer reached her hand out to pull Rowe forward, and with the momentum he already had, their coordination worked, making Rowe the lead jammer. Perfect. That meant their team could call off the jam if it started going poorly. Jennifer couldn’t stop the opponent jammer from moving past immediately after catapulting Rowe, and the opponents’ blockers were slowing down to slingshot their jammer, who was quickly catching up and then surpassed Rowe. Jennifer picked up her pace to shorten the distance of the pack, eager to take this team down. They were so close. Jennifer could hear her blood pumping in her ears.
Don’t fuck this up, Hannah.
The momentum the blockers gave the jammers slowed them down so that Rowe only had one more blocker to pass. Ari also gave Rowe a hand up, and Hannah and the other team’s blocker skated closely in front of him. Jennifer watched and closed the gap even tighter as they continued around the rink, knowing Rorrim should be catching up any moment now; in fact, they were passing the penalty box now, and Rowe was only a foot or so behind the leading blocker…
Jennifer saw what happened next as though it were slow motion. Rorrim stepped out of the penalty box in front of the leading blockers and was getting up to speed when Hannah faltered, grabbed onto Rowe, and pulled them down with her. The other team’s jammer leapt over the pile of bodies almost at the very moment it happened and finished the trip through the pack. Jennifer passed Hannah and Rowe and screamed, “Get up! Get going!” but she already knew it was lost. The jammer was almost already around the rink again, and if these two didn’t get up in time…
Grand slam.
Fuck. That really wasn’t the way Jennifer wanted to end the season.
Skating back around to where Hannah and Rowe were now that the bout had been called, Jennifer wasted no time unloaded on Hannah.
“What in the world was that? We were one lap away from winning, and you have to go and fucking trip? I trained you myself, Hannah! Fuck!”
Ari also caught up, skidded to a stop, already anxious, having seen Jennifer yelling. This was not going to go well.
“Jennifer, let’s take this off the rink, at least,” Ari said, trying to deescalate. Jennifer continued as though she hadn’t heard Ari at all.
“You’re pathetic! I don’t know why I ever wasted my time on you. Another season lost to a clumsy, good-for-nothing c—.”
“That’s enough, Jennifer! She’s your teammate, for Christ sakes.” Ari yelled over her, not wanting anyone around to hear what Jennifer was saying, especially since at least one of the refs looked worried and were prepared to get involved.
Jennifer then turned her fury on Ari, “you just want me to go easy on Hannah because you’re sweet on her, and I’ve had it with you trying to be team mom behind my back. Morale boosting, my ass. This is my team.” Jennifer approached Ari at this point, pressing an index finger against the center of Ari’s chest.
((OOC: I’m having Sage be a ref in this scene, and Blake can be, too, if you want. Also, we can rewrite it if I didn’t get all the technical things right, but I think it’s pretty close to accurate. I was going to watch a couple recorded roller derby bouts just to make sure I understand how all the pieces fit together.))