Page 23 of Shifting Forms For Clumsy Felines

"Get in line," Zara calls. "As soon as the whistle blows, we need to be in formation for the celebration cheer."

We don't waste any time getting into position, Zara isn't one to be messed with. I'm sure she's lovely when she's relaxing, but that's not something anyone could accuse her of when she's directing the squad.

The final whistle sounds, cementing the score and the win for our rugby team.

Zara nods once and we all start moving as one. The more experienced members of the squad start doing acrobatics and starting to build a human pyramid, while the newer members like me and Grace stick to kicks and shouts. It's not an overly complicated routine, and I could do every part of it. I suspect the same is true of Grace, she's grown up cheering just like I have. But this is about trust in the rest of the team. The second and third year students have been working together for longer, the trust is there.

The two teams approach one another and start shaking hands. The whole grounds are buzzing with excited students who have come out to watch the match.

This is one of the things I like the most about cheerleading. It's fun to compete for our own trophies, but there's something completely electric about the atmosphere surrounding a game.

With the pleasantries finished, people start pouring down from the stands to join their friends.

I glance at the field, searching for Jeremy's familiar form. A small part of me wants to go over and congratulate him on a good game, but that also sort of defeats the point of me avoiding him.

Before I can make the decision, a blonde girl approaches him and waves. He doesn't seem surprised and the two of them strike up a conversation.

An uncomfortable feeling settles in my stomach as I watch them. I try to ignore it, but it only grows when she reaches out and touches his arm.

"You know who that is, right?" Jazz asks from beside me.

"No?" I turn to face my fellow cheerleader and shifter, trying my best to not seem as surprised as I am that she's there. I don't want anyone to realise how caught up in Jeremy I can be. "Who is it?"

"That's the Shifter Queen."

I blink a couple of times, trying to make her out from the distance. She doesn't look much older than I am, if at all. Though I know that's true, somehow it doesn't quite compute with the idea in my head about what the head of the shifter world should look like.

"What's she doing here?" I ask.

"She goes to Sabre Woods Academy," Jazz says. "Though I don't know what she's doing talking to Jeremy."

"He knows her," I respond without thinking about it.

"How?"

"Something about them almost being engaged at one point. I'm not really sure. He hasn't told me the whole story."

"They certainly look familiar with one another," she says. "I hope he introduces us."

Jealousy rears its ugly head within me. I know there's nothing going on between them, but I can't help but dislike it.

What do I even do about that?

Jazz disappears to go talk to someone else, probably deciding that I don't know anything about Jeremy and the blonde he's talking to.

"If you stare at them any harder, they might burst into flames," Grace says.

I let out a frustrated sigh. "I know it's stupid, but it bothers me."

"Why is it stupid? You guys kissed, and it clearly meant something to you. I bet it did to him too."

"It's stupid because I know nothing is going on with them. He told me that."

My friend raises an eyebrow. "He made sure you knew he didn't have anything going on with someone else?" Her tone suggests I should have realised how much he likes me just from that.

"Yes. He said they were friends."

"Are you trying to convince me they are, or yourself?" Grace asks.