Page 24 of Fire Dancing For Icey Dragons

"Your dad hasn't been to one of these before."

"No. But he's here today." I smile and tie up my hair with Mum's scrunchie.

A woman with a clipboard approaches and I go back to being all business. Right now, my squad needs me, I can process my personal emotions in my own time.

"Sapphire Sparks?" she checks.

I nod. "That's us."

"This is your five-minute warning."

"Great, thanks."

Yuri puts a comforting hand on my arm and the two of us head back to where the rest of the squad are waiting.

"All right, everyone, we're almost up," I say. "If we do this exactly like we've been doing in practice, then we've got a chance at the top spot. So just do your best, focus, and we'll be over the finish line before you know it."

"One, two, three, let's go!" I call along with the others. My nerves are still there, but they're easy to push away when there's a performance to be had. And I can't let them trip me up, not with my dad watching.

Chapter 14

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 ofthe 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 togo 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 cheerleaderseverywhere, 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."

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