Page 23 of Freestyle (Academy of Stardom 1)

“Girlllll, damn! You. Are. Fire!” he shouts out over the music.

She grins at him, then winks at me. Pretty soon they’ve only got eyes for each other. I don’t mind, I’m here to dance and not act as a wing-girl. Not that she needs my help in the slightest. Leo is all over her like a hot rash.

Another hour later, sweaty and feeling much better for dancing all the restless energy away, I hear the sound of the club’s MC, Little Dynamite, shouting out his signature ‘braaap, braaap’ over the mic. Everyone who comes here regularly knows what that sound means, and those who don’t quickly move off the dance floor when it empties out around them.

Clancy drags Leo behind her as she rushes to catch up with me. I’m heading towards the bar to grab my coat and bag that’s stashed behind it, swerving through the growing crowd of revellers.

“Hey, Pen, where are you going?”

“Home,” I say, loving that I can call my new studio flat back at the academy home. Well, for the next year at least. After that, I’ll have to figure out what to do. “I’m whacked, it’s been a long day. You stay, I’ll be fine getting back on my own. Leo’s a good guy, he’ll take care of you,” I say as the crowd around us thickens.

Leo grins. “I’ll make sure she gets back safe.”

“Aren’t you gonna stick around for the battles. I’d love to see you rip up the dance floor especially since I’m told you’re the queen bee around here.”

“Nope. I’m out tonight.”

“Yo, yo, yo!” Little Dynamite begins, interrupting us and grabbing the attention of the crowd. “It’s battle time, homies! Get ready for the best of the best!” The crowd roars and I back away, disappearing into the thickening crowd. Clancy turns, searching for me and I wave.

“I’m going!” I shout over the din. She nods, giving me a thumbs-up. Then I lose sight of her as people jostle to get closer to the dance floor. Ducking my head, I twist on my feet and weave through the crowd, then smack straight into a wall of hard muscle. Two large hands grip my upper arms.

“Not so fast,Tiny.”

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