Stories of Six Curious Betas

Love at first flare (Sunset's perspective)

During the few hours my tank was being cleaned, Arriva and I were placed into Leo's tank. A hard, plastic wall filled with holes separated him from us. He immediately came and flared at us, anger racing through his eyes since we had entered his territory. He was so big and handsome, I just had to be with him. I started to daydream of my red scales glimmering next his his blue ones. Swimming side by side for life. I swam over to the wall and admired him.

"Get out!" He snarled, still flaring his fins.

"But you're so pretty." I said in a daze

Arriva dove in between the wall and I and pushed to the opposite side. "You can't be with him! He doesn't even want us in here." She tried to explain.

But at that moment I snapped, I HAD to be with him! So I quickly swam up and leapt over the wall. Our love could finally be real! I swam over and hid behind the filter. He didn't even turn, he just kept flaring at Arriva. Jealousy burned within me and I continued to stare down at him.

Just then, the people noticed me and took hold of the net. Before I could signs for help, I was swept back onto my original side.

I started to devise a new plan. If they now know I can jump, maybe I should just dig! I started testing if it would work and then signaled to Leo. He started to dig in the corner too and eventually, I was back on his side. Once agai gets, they noticed me. But this time, I lost my hope that our love could be real I decided instead to obey the net. I decided to stay on the proper side and admire him from afar.

My new plan didn't last long either. We were soon picked up once again, and moved back into the larger tank.