Page 17 of Fire Dancing For Icey Dragons (Obscure Academy #15)

ZARA

Approaching the Sapphire Sparks practice grounds for the final time is a lot more bittersweet than I ever imagined it would be. I've been part of the team for four years, spending countless hours here and at the pitches cheering on the Obscure Academy sports teams. And now it's time for me to say goodbye to all of that.

I know I have the rest of my life to experience, and hopefully, other cheer squads to be part of, but saying goodbye to this part of my life is going to be difficult. At least I can do it with the satisfaction of being able to say that I led the squad to the trophy now proudly displayed in the academy's trophy room.

Yuri gives me a reassuring smile as I appear and I take heart from that. She knows as well as I do that saying goodbye is hard, especially as we're passing on the leadership to someone else.

"Hey everyone," I say.

To my surprise, the squad falls silent. Or maybe that shouldn't be a surprise. They've been listening to me for the past year, the only thing that's different today is that this is my last meeting.

"I hope you've all recovered from the celebrations after winning," I say. "It was well deserved. We worked hard for that trophy, and we should all be proud of what we achieved."

There are a few whispers between them, which I assume is because they're not used to me being so chill. That's fair. I haven't exactly been the most relaxed cheer captain in existence. If anything, I think I've proved every stereotype right in that regard.

"I'm really glad that I got to be your captain, especially for this competition." Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I think about achieving my goals and what my mum would have wanted for me. "But it's now time to hand over the baton, so to speak. Though it's actually just some keys." I hold up the bunch so that they can see.

Yuri hands me an envelope.

"Everyone has voted for which pair of nominees they want to see as captain and vice-captain of the Sapphire Sparks from next year until when they graduate or pass it on themselves." I look over the squad, my attention lingering on the cheerleaders who put themselves forward. I wouldn't like to say which of the names I'm going to pull out of the envelope, but I'm confident that the Sapphire Sparks will be in good hands.

Nobody says anything as I flick it open and pull out the piece of paper within.

"Krissi is your new captain, and Grace is your new vice-captain," I say with a smile. "Congratulations to you both."

Evie claps Krissi on the back, while Henry leans in to give Grace a kiss on the cheek. As much as their relationship was a distraction at the beginning, they're kind of adorable together, especially now they're no longer my problem.

I hold out the keys and Krissi gets to her feet to come take them. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me, everyone else voted for you," I respond.

"And you'd never have let it pass if you didn't approve."

"I'll never tell," I joke. "We can go over everything you need later. The equipment, bank account, that kind of thing."

"At my flat?" the leopard shifter asks, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I shrug. "Sure. I'll need to check if Blaze is in, but if you can get Grace there, I can sign everything over."

"Thanks, Zara. I appreciate it."

"Good. Because you'd better defend our title next year."

"Absolutely," she promises.

"Good. All right then, squad dismissed." It feels weird to be saying it for the final time, but I know it's just how it's supposed to be. And that now the title has passed over, I can focus on some other things.

"Want to go get a drink?" Yuri asks. "Or do you have plans?"

"I was actually going to meet Blaze at Pixie Cups," I admit. "He had a job interview this morning."

"Oh yes, definitely go do that. But we're having a girl's night tomorrow. Just the two of us, some knock-off sparkling wine, and a trip out to the club."

"You've got a deal." I hug my best friend. "I'm going to miss living with you."

"Who says you're not going to end up living with me again?" she jokes. "Get yourself a job in Birmingham and we'll be roommates all over again."

"I'm counting on it," I respond.

She breaks apart and heads off with some of the others. I wave goodbye to her, feeling kind of emotional about the turn of events.

I turn around, stopping in my tracks when I spot Blaze leaning against the wall of the sports building.

"I thought I was meeting you at Pixie Cups," I say as I head towards him.

"That was the plan, but I thought you might want a moment away from the audience first."

I laugh, but there's a hint of tears in the sound, even if I didn't really expect them to be there.

He pulls me into his arms and I rest my head against his chest. "I didn't expect it to be so emotional."

"This has been the last four years of your life," he points out. "It's going to be emotional."

"I'm going to miss them." I wipe away some of the tears. "I doubt they'll miss me."

He chuckles, the sound vibrating through me. "I'm certain they will."

"It's just weird to be moving on with our lives."

"It is," he agrees. "But it's also the way it's supposed to be. This time next year, you'll have something that you never even thought possible this year. Maybe another trophy."

I laugh. "I got the one I wanted."

"Yes, but even in the short time I've known you, it's clear to me that you're a competitive person, Zara. You're not about to put that part of your personality away just because you're leaving the academy."

"You might be right there."

"Oh, I am." He rubs his hand up and down my back. It's been so easy to get comfortable and close to him. I don't even fully have a reason for that beyond that it feels like something between us fits.

I pull back but don't move from his arms. "How did your interview go?"

"Well, I think," he says. "We'll find out if they agree with me in a couple of days. But I'm not worried, there are still a few weeks to find jobs."

"Yeah, and a lot of them won't start until after the exam results are posted anyway."

"Exactly." He leans in and kisses my forehead. "So, I was thinking that next week, you could come down and stay for a few days? It's not quite meeting my family at graduation, but it would be good."

"That sounds nice," I say. "And I'm sure Dad will be happy for you to come stay with us for a bit. Though he might make you sleep in the guest room."

He snorts. "Because that's ever stopped anyone before."

"There are many ways around it," I promise. "And I will try pointing out that I'm twenty-two and don't need ridiculously strong rules like that."

"You're worth obeying ridiculously strong rules for," he promises.

"I'm glad you think so."

He leans in and kisses me deeply, making me feel as if anything is possible between us, even if we do have things to face in the real world, and I can't think of a better way to end my time at the academy.