Beyond The Arena

Chapter 4: Confusions and Confessions

Bibi couldn’t shake it. Every time she closed her eyes, she’d find herself thinking about that kiss with Melodie, replaying it over and over like some kind of glitch in her brain. It was just supposed to be a silly dare—a thrill and nothing more. So why did it feel like there was something more there? She rolled over in her bed, staring at the ceiling as her thoughts spun in circles.

“Ugh, snap out of it, Bibi,” she muttered to herself. This was ridiculous.

Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her trance. She checked it and saw a message from Colette.

> Colette: Saw you leave kinda early ;) What’s going on?

Bibi rolled her eyes, smirking. Colette was sharp; it was impossible to slip anything past her. Before she could respond, her phone buzzed again—this time it was Bull.

> Bull: Yo, I need you to confirm for our next showdown. You in or out?

“Right,” Bibi sighed, trying to pull herself back into her usual headspace. Focus on the Brawl. That’s what matters, she told herself as she typed out her reply.

> Bibi: Yeah, I’m in. Tell Crow and Tick to get ready.

---

The next day, Bibi tried to go about things as usual. She strolled through the park, kicking a stray pebble along the path, determined to keep her head clear. But of course, fate had other plans.

"Bibi?" A familiar voice called out.

Her heart jumped. She didn’t need to look up to know who it was—she knew that voice by heart.

"Hey, Melodie," Bibi said, trying to sound casual. She leaned against a tree, shoving her hands deep into her pockets and putting on her best grin. "What’s up?"

Melodie stepped a little closer, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I just… wanted to make sure we were good after last night. You know, with… the kiss."

Bibi’s mind raced. She shrugged, trying to keep her cool. "Oh, yeah! Yeah, of course. It was just a game, right?"

"Right." Melodie nodded, though she didn’t look entirely convinced. She stared down at her shoes, her shoulders tense.

Bibi felt a pang of something she couldn’t quite name, an urge to reach out and maybe say… what, exactly? That she’d been up all night thinking about it too? That she’d practically driven herself crazy trying to convince herself it was just a game?

Before she could figure out what to say, a third voice joined them.

"Well, well, if it isn’t the dream team," Crow’s voice cut through the air as he approached, his trademark smirk plastered across his face.

Tick clanked up beside him, clicking and whirring like he was barely containing his usual chaotic energy.

"You two look… intense," Crow added with a knowing glint in his eyes.

Bibi shot him a glare, cheeks heating up, but she quickly brushed it off. "Can it, Crow," she said, rolling her eyes. She could feel Melodie’s eyes on her, and she swallowed, doing her best to ignore the butterflies.

Crow raised his hands, smirking. "Alright, alright. Just letting you know Bull wants everyone to meet up at the Brawl House tonight to go over our plan for the showdown. You two gonna make it, or do you have other plans?"

Bibi clenched her fists, fighting the urge to throw a punch just to wipe that smug look off his face. "We’ll be there," she said firmly.

As Crow walked away, Bibi caught Melodie’s eye. For a moment, it was just the two of them again, and Bibi felt her heart race. She wanted to say something—anything—but the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she managed a small, nervous smile.

"Guess I’ll see you tonight then?" Melodie asked softly.

Bibi nodded. "Yeah… see you tonight."

As she watched Melodie walk away, she felt her heart twist, caught between excitement and confusion. Tonight couldn’t come soon enough.