Chapter 7
BLAZE
Loud cheers come from the pitch as I pass and without thinking about it, I find myself heading in that direction. I don't particularly care about the rugby team and how they're doing in their match, but the cheerleaders have piqued my interest, particularly one of them, even if I don't really know why.
It's easy to spot them at the side of the pitch in their white and blue uniforms. At the moment, they just seem to be shaking their pom-poms and doing some kind of tricks. Not that I'd dare suggest as much to Zara, she'd be understandably defensive if I did.
A whistle sounds and something happens on the pitch, with the two teams splitting up. I don't know what either of them are doing, but I don't really care, my attention is on the Sapphire Sparks. It's easy to pick out Zara, not just because of her light blonde hair, but from the position she takes at the front of the squad. I watch with interest as they get into formation and start doing a chant of some kind. I'm too far away to make out what they're saying, but they seem to be aiming it at the cheerleaders on the other side of the pitch. It's not like anything I've ever seen in the fire dancing circuit, even when we compete it's more about the individual routines than this. I don't know enough about how the competitive part of cheerleading works to know how this compares though.
The players start up their game again, and the two cheer squads stop paying attention to one another but are still moving. Zara takes a spot at the front of the rest of her team and they seem to launch into a practised routine. It's easy to see the difference between this and what they were doing a moment ago, especially when several of the cheerleaders are tossed into the air and do a series of somersaults and other tricks I don't know the names of. Not one of them seems to have any fear, though maybe it's just because I'm at a distance and can't see any of their faces.
They end the routine and get a round of applause from the people in the stands by them. It's well deserved. They did well, and I can see why they have a shot at becoming champions.
With no one really doing anything, I take the chance to move closer, threading my way through the crowd until I find an empty seat. From the large scoreboard hanging at the head of the pitch, it seems that we're playing Scythe Grove Academy, a reaper academy from further up north, though I can't say I know anything else about them. Or if reapers are any good at sport.
From my new spot, I have a better viewpoint of the Sapphire Sparks and I sit back to watch them, paying far more attention to their moves than to anything the rugby team is doing on the pitch. From my brief look at the board, they seem to be winning, which is the main thing.
By the time the final whistle has blown, the Sapphire Sparks have done three different cheers and have taunted the other team's cheerleaders several times over.
Excited shouts sound from around the pitch as it's announced that the Obscure Academy team has won, and I go along with it. I've only watched the Obscure Academy teams play a couple of times during the past few years, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy seeing my academy win.
I make my way down from the stands and across to where the cheer squad is. I'm not sure why I think talking to Zara is a good idea today, but the urge is too strong to ignore.
I almost run into a tall rugby player with messy auburn hair and streaks of mud all over his face, and realise I know him.
"Hey, Jeremy," I say to the tiger shifter as he heads over to where his girlfriend is breaking away from the rest of the cheerleaders.
"Hey, Blaze. I don't usually see you at these things," he responds.
"Figured I should come down for at least one match before the end of term," I respond.
"Ah fair enough." He waves and goes to put his arm around Krissi while I search for the cheer captain, even if I know there's no reason to when we've only had a couple of conversations.
"Blaze." It's hard to miss the surprise in Zara's voice, and when I turn in her direction, it's written on her face too. The dark-haired girl beside her gives her a strange look but disappears to talk to someone else, leaving the two of us alone.
"Hey," I say.
"Hi. I didn't expect you to be here," she says.
"I was passing and thought I'd come watch."
She raises an eyebrow. "The game or the cheer squad?"
"Definitely the cheer squad," I respond, not seeing the point in lying.
"Impressed?"
"Very, actually. I thought you said you were feeling blocked."
"I am," she responds. "Those were all old routines. It's good for us to practise them because it makes us better at the flips and tricks, especially with all of the noise and distractions going around. At least, that's the theory."
I nod along. "When we're prepping for a competition, we play a recording of a load of people chattering, shouting, and cheering."
"Desensitivity training," she responds. "I mostly do that when I'm training on my own or with Yuri."
"Yuri?" There's a hint of jealousy within me that I don't expect.
"My best friend." She gestures over to the dark-haired girl who she was talking to when I arrived. "We met at our first Sapphire Sparks meeting and have been friends ever since." She smiles as she says it, but I don't think she realises she's doing it.
"That must be nice," I say. "To have a friend like that."
"It is. And someone who remembers me before I became this." She gestures to herself.
"And what is this?"
"All of the things you think I am. Cold, calculated, obsessed..."
"I don't think those things, Zara," I respond softly, a little hurt that she thinks them, but seeing why she does, especially when I was the one who brought up her reputation when we met to have a coffee.
"Sure," she murmurs.
I need to do something that convinces her that I don't think that, but I don't really know how to. "Anyone who thinks you're cold and calculated is completely missing how passionate you are," I say.
"Thanks." She shuffles a little.
"Look, erm, we're having a campfire later tonight. Do you want to join me?" The words slip out before I think about whether they're a good idea or not.
A strange expression crosses Zara's face, which doesn't answer my question about regret. "You want me to come to a campfire with you?"
"Some of the other members of the fire dancing team will be there," I say quickly. "But I'd like it if you came. You can bring your friend if that's more comfortable." I have no idea what I'm doing, or why I'm doing it.
Actually, that's a lie. I know why I'm doing it. There's something about Zara that makes me want to spend more time with her, and the campfire is a good excuse for that, even if there will be a crowd.
"All right, sure. Message me the details. You've got my number, right?" she asks.
Something within me squeezes in response. "Yes."
"Great. And I'll ask Yuri. She normally loves these things."
"Yes." My gaze slips to her friend and I start wondering whether it's a good idea for her friend to come too, but I want her to be comfortable, and this is a good way to achieve that.
"I'll see you there." She gives me a small smile and heads back to her friend, making me wonder exactly what I've gotten myself into.