Page 4 of Fire Dancing For Icey Dragons

"Yeah, it's no Sapphire Sparks. How long has the team been going?"

"About thirty years, my mum was one of the first captains."

He chuckles. "So not just a cheerleader, alegacycheerleader."

I stiffen. "I got the position because of me, not because of who I'm related to."

"I'm sure you did. I've seen your squad cheer at matches a couple of times. You're good."

"We are." Though we could be better. Not that I'm going to say as much to a random guy I meet at a food festival.

"I should go finish breaking down," Blaze says. "Maybe I'll see you around?"

"Maybe." Though if we haven't run into one another in the nearly four years we've both been at the academy, then it seems unlikely we're suddenly going to start seeing one another around campus now.

He heads off to help the rest of his team, giving me a reason to finally turn away from the stage. Yuri waves at me from the kimbap stall, and I go to join her. Fried food is out, but I think I can enjoy some of the Korean street food rolls, especially the good ones filled with fish. Once we're done here, and I'm back in my room, I can try again to figure out the issue with the routineI'm working on. Maybe having watched the Fire Tumblers perform will help with that, it's always inspiring to see people perform at a high level, even if it's also a bit intimidating.

Chapter 3

ZARA

The pyramid in front of me is a mess. There are terrible lines everywhere, and it looks like several members of the squad are about to fall. I can't believe this is what I'm working with. The squad was so good at the beginning of the year, but since the near-disaster in the last round of our cheer competition, it's gone from bad to worse. I think it's a motivation thing, I just don't know how to fix it. Even the team-building exercise we went on doesn't seem to have done very much.

"Rest!" I shout.

There are several groans and a thud as the pyramid disbands.

"That was abysmal. Take a break." I wave the squad away, needing a moment to cool down before I say something I regret. I have no problem telling the squad that they need to work at stuff, but I don't want to be too mean and make people want to quit.

"That wasn't too bad," Yuri says as she comes to join me.

I raise an eyebrow at my best friend. "That was the worst pyramid I've ever seen.

"That might be a little far," she responds. "And we're only just getting warmed up, we don't normally try advanced stuff like this until we've already done a few cheers."

"But if we can't get this right, we're going to fail again. You remember what happened in the last round of the competition." My gaze slips to where Grace is flirting with her boyfriend instead of doing anything productive. If she hadn't gotten her wings out mid-performance, we wouldn't have lost as many points with the judges and would have gotten through much easier. I know it shouldn't matter, especially when wedidget through, but I'm still annoyed about it even so.

"It was a fluke," Yuri says. "I heard some of the others talking and apparently some of the guys nearly dropped Mandy. Grace only got her wings out to make it look like the whole thing was on purpose."

I sigh. "Then there are even more weak spots in our training. And our teamwork." I survey the squad, trying to work out exactly what the best course of action is. We've got three months until the final of this year's cheer competition, and that doesn't feel like enough time to get everyone into shape.

Some of the squad are laughing and joking around, only making me more annoyed about the state of things. I know it's unreasonable to be mad at them for bonding, but it just makes me think that no one is taking this seriously.

"All right, everyone, back in formation," I shout, trying not to let my frustration into my voice but no doubt failing massively. I know what they all think of me. I'm too hard on them and they don't think they can catch a break. But it's either that or watch the team fail at even the most basic cheers

Within seconds, the whole squad is lined up and waiting for my next instruction. For anyone else, this could be a power trip, but I don't see it like that. It's about far more than that to me.

"We've only got three months to get a winning routine in place, which means we need to practice, practice, practice," I insist. "And I want you all to be doing everything you can on your own to make sure you're in good shape."

There are several groans through the group but I ignore them. As much as they complain about it, I know they're all going to conform. They're not here because their parents have forced them to be or because they need it for another reason. They're here because they want to be, and that creates a very motivated team, even if it's not translating into perfect cheers at the moment.

I shout them through the motions, trying to assess the weak points in each formation and not really getting very far. Technically, most of it is fine. People flip when they're supposed to, get flung into the air, and do all of the tricks they should. There's just something missing. It's like the spark is missing from the Sapphire Sparks.

I just wish I knew what to do to get it back. Maybe I should have turned down the position of captain when I was offered it. I thought I had what it takes but maybe that isn't the case. I banish the thought. As much as it feels like it might be true, I know I can't dwell on it, not when I have to focus my attention on actually leading the squad and not letting my insecurities get in the way.

It's only once I dismiss the squad that I let out a sigh. It isn't the worst practice ever, but there's no way the team is going to win with the routine I've choreographed.

"All right, spill. What's up?" Yuri asks between sips of water.

---