Page 14 of Fire Dancing For Icey Dragons (Obscure Academy #15)

BLAZE

The only expectations I have for Zara's cheerleading competition are the ones I have from watching movies, and I'm not naive enough to think it's the reality. Even so, I definitely didn't expect how intense the atmosphere would be. People all around me are shouting and having a great time as they watch the squads perform. Sometimes, it's easy to tell that certain people are there for a specific squad, but there are also a lot of audience members who just seem to be enjoying the competition as a whole.

"Welcome to the floor, the Obscure Academy Sapphire Sparks!" thetannoy booms out.

I shout alongside a lot of other people in the stands as the cheer squad I've come to know comes out onto the mat. I spot Zara easily, but I know that the routine isn't about her, but the team as a whole.

The crowd goes quiet as the music starts and the squad leaps into action. There's so much going on that I'm not entirely sure where I'm supposed to look. Some of the cheerleaders end up thrown into the air, while others do flips and cartwheels. It's all amazingly in sync, which I imagine is only possible because of the intense training they've done and the skills of the individual cheerleaders. It's impressive to watch, and even if I'm biased, I think it's better than the last couple of routines.

Zara does a flip, spinning around in the air and landing perfectly on the mat in time with the music. I have to admit, it seems like a fancy move to me. And completely different to when we're competing as the Fire Tumblers. There are only ever a couple of us on the floor at once, with each of us showcasing a different skill, but that's not the case for the Sapphire Sparks at all. The entire squad is constantly on the move, and there seem to be several levels of movement all at once.

They all move as one and some ribbons appear from the sides. I kind of expected them to be using pom-poms like when they're cheering for the rugby team, but this is different.

It takes me a moment to fully realise what they're doing and the positions in which all of the cheerleaders are standing. I don't know exactly how they're pulling it off, but it looks unmistakably like a dragon's head.

The ribbons come out of the middle, waving to look like fire. It's a masterpiece, and Zara should be proud of her squad for pulling off her vision.

The routine ends and cheers go around the room. The Sapphire Sparks hold their position for a moment before starting to disband, with several of them jumping down from surprisingly high perches without a worry in the world. I suppose that part's easy after you've been thrown up into the air.

I look down at the judges to try and get a sense of how they're responding to the performance, but it's impossible to tell, especially when this is the first time I've ever witnessed a cheer competition and don't have a clue about any of what they're looking for in their winner.

The Sapphire Sparks make their way off the floor, disappearing through a door. I lean back in my seat, wanting to go tell Zara she's done a great job but having no idea how to do that. I suppose I could message her, but that doesn't feel like it has the same impact as saying it in person.

I watch the crowd, searching for some kind of answer, and still being surprised when I find it. I spot Jeremy making his way to the edge of the backstage area and ducking through a door. I didn't realise he was here, but it makes sense. I guess he's even here for the same reason I am as his girlfriend is on the cheer squad. But it gives me the idea that I might be able to do the same. I get up from my seat and head down to the area.

To my surprise, no one stops me as I duck past the barrier and into the backstage area.

Unsurprisingly, there are cheerleaders everywhere , with their uniforms all in bright colours. Luckily, I know what I'm looking for, and spot the Sapphire Sparks excitedly talking to one another.

Zara turns around and beams when she sees me, heading straight to me and wrapping her arms around my neck. I kiss her, glad that she seems excited to see me, especially right after her performance.

"You were amazing," I say, brushing a strand of loose hair out of her face.

"Thanks, it was mostly the squad though. I do the basic moves."

"Maybe, but it was your routine, and your coaching that made it happen."

"Hmm, true."

"Anyway, I thought you were great. The squad was too, but one person in particular," I tell her.

"I'm glad you think so," she murmurs, moving closer for another kiss.

"Zara?"

She freezes in my arms, then pulls away, clearing her throat and turning to look at the man who just said her name. "I didn't think you'd come back here again," she says.

"I can see that." He gives me an appraising look.

"This is my boyfriend, Blaze," she says, introducing me and stopping too many of my concerns over who the man might be.

"Boyfriend? You didn't mention that."

"It's new," she says quickly. "Blaze, this is erm, my dad."

I spoke too soon. I should have a lot of concerns over who the man is. "Pleased to meet you, sir." I hold out my hand to shake his.

I'm only half surprised when he takes it.

"I didn't know Dad was coming today," Zara says quickly. "If I had, I'd have prepared you both better."

"That's all right," he says. "I'm sure Blaze doesn't mind. Maybe the three of us can get some dinner before you go back to the academy."

"If that's okay? I don't know what time your train is?" she asks me.

"It's fine," I assure her. "I got an open ticket."

"Excellent. I'll see you after you've won," her dad says to Zara.

"Thanks." She gives him a smile and then turns back to me. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea he was going to come today. He doesn't normally because these things remind him too much of Mum."

"It's okay, I know you'd have told me if you could," I assure her.

"You don't have to do dinner if you don't want to. I can say something came up."

"It's fine. Unless you'd rather I didn't get to know your dad." It should scare me more than it does to say that, but I like the idea of getting to know more about her life.

"I'm okay with it. I know it's early, but graduation isn't very far away and if we want to see each other after that, it probably means meeting the parents."

"Mmm. True. I'll have to work out how to spring mine on you in an unexpected scenario now."

She laughs. "Or you could introduce us at graduation?"

"Yeah, that would also work." I pull her closer and kiss her again. "You really did amazing out there."

"Thank you. Let's hope it's enough to win."

"I'm sure it will be."

The way she smiles makes my insides squeeze together. I know it's foolish to have started something so close to graduation, but I can't help but feel as if this has the potential to be something real.