chapter fifty-three:
❛ dog in the fight (1) ❜

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introducing...
sofia bryant as bianca

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The arena was alive with energy, the crowd buzzing as Clementine Katz of Miyagi-Do stepped onto the mat for her one-on-one match against Zara Malik of the Iron Dragons. Bright lights shone down on the ring, highlighting the stark contrast between Clementine's calm focus and Zara's fiery, aggressive demeanor. Zara exuded confidence as she approached, her movements sharp and deliberate, while Clementine's disciplined stance reflected the poise and precision of her training.

The referee stepped between them, gesturing for the fighters to bow. Clementine dipped her head respectfully, but Zara barely nodded, a smirk tugging at her lips. The referee raised his hand, signaling for them to begin.

The match started with Zara charging forward, her strikes fast and unrelenting. Clementine moved gracefully, deflecting Zara's punches and kicks with the defensive fluidity Miyagi-Do was known for. Despite her calm exterior, Clementine's heart raced as she matched Zara's energy, looking for openings to counterattack. Zara's style was fierce and aggressive, pushing Clementine back with every exchange, but Clementine held her ground.

Clementine finally found her moment, delivering a sharp counter kick to Zara's side that landed cleanly. The whistle blew, and the referee awarded the first point to Clementine. Cheers erupted from the Miyagi-Do side, and Clementine stepped back, taking a calming breath as she reset her stance.

Zara, however, wasn't fazed. She smirked, brushing off the hit as if it were nothing. As they circled each other again, she broke the silence. "Not bad, Katz," she sneered, her tone laced with sarcasm. "I see why Miyagi-Do likes you. But tell me something-how's it feel to know Robby Keene's moved on? Guess he finally realized you weren't worth sticking around for."

Clementine froze for half a second, her jaw tightening. The taunt hit its mark, but she quickly masked her emotions. "You talk too much," she muttered, forcing herself to stay focused. Zara's words stung, but Clementine wasn't about to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

The referee signaled for the next round, and Zara wasted no time, launching into a relentless series of attacks. Clementine blocked and dodged, her movements calculated but intense. The aggression in Zara's strikes was palpable, and for a moment, Clementine could feel the frustration building in her chest. She needed to stay calm, but Zara's smug expression and biting comments only fueled her determination.

"You're all fire, Katz, but no spark," Zara said as she narrowly dodged Clementine's punch. "Robby must've gotten bored."

Clementine's vision tunneled, her focus sharpening. Enough. She sidestepped a high kick from Zara, pivoted on her back foot, and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to Zara's chest. Zara staggered back, momentarily winded, and Clementine seized the opening. She stepped in, feinted left to throw Zara off balance, and then landed a devastating spinning back kick square to Zara's stomach.

Zara crumpled to the mat as the referee blew the whistle. "Point and match-Katz!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, but Clementine barely registered it. Her gaze remained locked on Zara, who was still on the ground clutching her stomach. "Robby was my boyfriend, bitch," Clementine said coldly, her voice cutting through the noise. Then, without waiting for a response, she turned and walked off the mat, her head held high.

As Clementine reached the sidelines, her heart was still pounding, adrenaline surging through her veins. She grabbed a towel and dabbed at the sweat on her forehead, avoiding eye contact with anyone. But before she could fully catch her breath, Robby approached her, concern etched across his face.

"Clem, what the hell was that about?" he asked, his tone laced with confusion. "What did Zara say to you?"

Clementine stiffened, her grip tightening on the towel. "None of your business," she snapped, the frustration from the match spilling over. She turned to glare at him, her voice sharper than she intended. "We're not dating anymore, Robby. Remember?"

Robby blinked, clearly taken aback by her response. "I know, but-"

"No," Clementine interrupted, her voice trembling slightly with emotion. "I don't need you checking on me. I handled it."

She turned away, her chest tightening. She didn't want to have this conversation, not now, not here. The mix of emotions-anger, pride, and something she couldn't quite name-made her head spin.

"Clem..." Robby started again, but Clementine cut him off with a wave of her hand.

"Just drop it, Robby. I've got another match to focus on," she said firmly, not looking back as she walked past him toward her team.

Robby stood there, watching her retreating figure with a mix of confusion and hurt in his eyes. Clementine didn't turn around. She couldn't. Her mind was already moving forward, preparing for whatever-or whoever-came next.

The warm, calming ambiance of the Barcelona spa was exactly what Alison needed. She wasn't competing in the Sekai Taikai, and while her friends were busy fighting in the tournament, she'd decided to spend the afternoon unwinding. The air was filled with the soothing scent of lavender and eucalyptus, soft instrumental music playing in the background. Wrapped in a fluffy white robe, Alison padded barefoot across the spa's polished wooden floors, a cheery smile on her face as she took in the tranquil surroundings.

As she settled into the relaxation lounge with a cucumber-infused water in hand, a girl approached her. She was tall and striking, with dark curly hair tied loosely back and warm hazel eyes that seemed to glimmer with mischief. The girl's confident stride and easy smile immediately caught Alison's attention.

"Mind if I sit here?" the girl asked, gesturing to the lounge chair beside Alison.

"Oh, not at all!" Alison chirped, scooting over slightly even though there was plenty of space. "It's so peaceful here, isn't it? Like, I almost feel bad for talking because it might ruin the vibe!"

The girl chuckled, her voice low and smooth. "I think the vibe can handle it," she said as she sat down. "I'm Bianca, by the way."

"Alison!" Alison said brightly, offering a hand to shake. Bianca took it, her grip firm yet gentle.

"So, Alison, what brings you to Barcelona? You don't strike me as the 'spa day every day' type," Bianca teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Alison laughed, the sound bubbling out like a brook. "You'd be right! I'm actually here because of this big karate tournament thing. My friends are competing, but I'm not really the fighting type, you know? So, here I am, living my best zen life."

"Karate tournament? That's... unique," Bianca said, tilting her head slightly. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?"

Alison shrugged, her cheeks pinking slightly. "I guess so! What about you? Are you from here, or just passing through?"

"Passing through," Bianca said, her eyes glinting as she leaned back in her chair. "But meeting someone as charming as you makes me wish I could stay longer."

Alison beamed at the compliment, completely oblivious to its deeper meaning. "That's so sweet of you to say! People here have been so nice. I mean, Barcelona is like a dream, right? The architecture, the food, the vibes-it's all so perfect!"

Bianca chuckled again, clearly amused by Alison's chirpy demeanor. "Yeah, it's great, but I think meeting you might be the highlight of my trip."

Alison blinked, tilting her head. "Aw, that's so nice! I hope you're having a great time here, though! What's been your favorite thing so far?"

Bianca smiled, shaking her head slightly. "You're adorable, you know that?" she said, standing up from her chair.

It was only then that something in her tone made Alison pause, her smile faltering slightly as Bianca added, "I'd love to stick around, but I think I've made my point. Have a lovely day, Alison."

With that, Bianca gave her a small wave and walked away, leaving Alison sitting there with a confused look on her face.

"Wait a second..." Alison murmured under her breath, her eyes widening slightly as the realization hit her. "Oh. Oh."

Her cheeks flushed as she turned her gaze back toward where Bianca had been, but the girl was already gone. Alison's mind raced as she replayed the interaction in her head. Was that... flirting? She hadn't even noticed until it was too late.

Leaning back in her chair, Alison let out a small, incredulous laugh. "Well, that was... unexpected," she muttered to herself.

For a moment, she felt bad-she wished she could've told Bianca that she was taken, that she had a boyfriend and she loved him. But then, a different thought crept in, one that she hadn't anticipated. Did she... like the attention? And not just because it was flattering, but because maybe, on some level, she might be into girls?

She shook her head slightly, as if trying to clear the thought. "No, no, I like Eli," she whispered, her voice firm but her heart slightly uncertain. She loved him-she knew she did. But Bianca's words, her confidence, and that spark of something Alison couldn't quite name had left her questioning herself.

Was this just a one-time thing, or was there something deeper she hadn't explored? Could she like girls, too?

Alison took a deep breath, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the edge of her robe. "Okay, well... that's something to think about later," she decided, standing up and heading for the sauna.

But as she walked away, a small, curious smile played on her lips. For now, she wasn't sure what it all meant, but she couldn't deny that the encounter with Bianca had sparked something new in her-a question she might not have an answer to yet, but one she couldn't ignore.

The lobby of the hotel buzzed with chatter, the tension palpable in the air as the Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang teams huddled together in a loose circle. The morning's competition had been grueling, and it showed on everyone's faces. Clementine stood near the middle, her arms crossed and her shoulders tense. Her dark hair was tied back, but a few strands framed her face, damp from the sweat of earlier matches. She scanned the group, catching glimpses of exhaustion and frustration. Even Demetri, who usually cracked jokes to ease the mood, looked on edge.

Sensei LaRusso stepped forward, his expression calm but serious. His presence commanded their attention. Clapping his hands once, he raised his voice. "Everyone, listen up."

The small conversations died down as the group turned toward him, eager-or perhaps desperate-for some reassurance.

"This morning's event was tough," LaRusso began, his tone measured. "But let's not get discouraged just yet. We have two more events today, and eliminations don't begin until the second one. So, stay focused."

Demetri raised his hand slightly, his face scrunched in confusion. "Wait, wait, wait. If that wasn't the elimination round, then what is?"

Clementine nodded in agreement, her lips curving into a small smirk. "What's next? Getting our heads cut off with swords?" Her tone was light, but the nerves underlined her words.

A few teammates chuckled softly, the moment of levity breaking some of the tension. Even Demetri cracked a half-smile.

LaRusso gave a tight-lipped smile but didn't lose his focus. "We knew this wasn't going to be easy," he continued, his eyes moving from face to face. "We're up against the best dojos in the world. But don't forget-you guys are one of them too."

"Yeah," Sensei Lawrence cut in, stepping closer with his trademark bluntness. "So start fighting like it."

Clementine tilted her head, furrowing her brows as she exchanged a skeptical glance with Sam. Johnny's encouragement, if it could even be called that, wasn't exactly the pep talk she had been hoping for.

"Johnny, come on, man," LaRusso said, glancing at his co-sensei with an exasperated look before refocusing on the team. "The best thing you can do right now is clear your minds, get some rest, and put this behind you. You got this, all right? I believe in you."

Clementine sighed softly, rubbing the back of her neck. The reminder of the intense matches still ahead weighed heavily on her. She loved Miyagi-Do and believed in what they stood for, but competing at this level was nerve-wracking. Her thoughts wandered briefly to Alison, who wasn't competing and had spent the day indulging in a spa day. That sounded a whole lot better than the tension-filled atmosphere here.

Sam nudged her gently, pulling Clementine from her thoughts. When she turned to meet her friend's gaze, Sam's expression was understanding, her eyes soft with encouragement.

Sam leaned in and whispered, "You okay?"

Clementine nodded faintly. "Yeah, just...thinking. It's a lot, you know?"

Sam gave her a reassuring smile. "I get it. But hey, Sensei's right. Let's clear our heads. We'll come back stronger."

The group began to disperse, teammates heading off in pairs or small groups to take advantage of their downtime before the next event. Sam motioned toward the elevator, and Clementine followed her lead.

As they walked, Devon fell into step with them, her dark curls bouncing as she caught up. "What's the plan?" Devon asked, glancing between the two.

Clementine shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Clear our minds, just like Sensei LaRusso said. But maybe with a little sightseeing thrown in. I mean, we're in Barcelona. We'd be crazy not to explore."

Sam's eyes lit up. "I like the way you think, Clem."

The elevator doors slid open, and the three girls stepped inside, the tension from earlier already starting to melt away.

"Where should we start?" Devon asked, leaning against the wall of the elevator.

"Anywhere that doesn't involve fighting," Clementine said with a small laugh, running a hand through her hair.

As the doors closed, Clementine leaned back against the wall, letting out a slow breath. For now, the pressure of the tournament could wait. Barcelona was calling, and she intended to make the most of it-even if it was just for a little while.

As the elevator doors closed, Devon let out a deep sigh and leaned against the wall. "Well, I totally sucked out there," she muttered, her shoulders sagging.

"We all did terribly," Sam said under her breath, her tone flat.

Devon and Clementine both turned to give her a look, and Devon raised a brow. "Yeah, but I landed flat on my ass. Like, full-on pratfall territory."

Clementine chuckled softly, though the sting of her own performance wasn't far from her mind. "And I let that Iron Dragons girl into my head. Zara had me rattled, and it almost cost me. I'm just lucky I managed to win the match."

Sam offered a faint smile, but didn't respond.

Devon scoffed, crossing her arms. "God, I can't believe I'm making such an embarrassment of myself. My kicks were off, my balance was trash-it's like I forgot all my training the second I stepped on the mat."

Clementine shrugged, her lips quirking in a faint smile. "It's not all on you. The whole team's been struggling. It's been...a lot."

"It would help if our senseis got on the same page," Sam said, her voice sharp with frustration. "Johnny needs to start working with my dad better. Their constant clashing is not helping us out there."

Clementine gave her a pointed look and let out a soft scoff. "I mean, I don't think it's all Johnny's fault, you know? He's just...different."

Sam's eyes narrowed as she turned to glare at Clementine, her lips pressing into a thin line. Devon shifted awkwardly, sensing the tension brewing between them, but before anything more could be said, the elevator chimed softly, signaling they'd reached another floor.

The doors slid open-and standing there, poised like she owned the world, was Zara Malik. Clementine groaned quietly, rolling her eyes as Zara strode in with her phone held up, clearly live-streaming.

"What's up, everyone?" Zara's voice was bright and bubbly, dripping with confidence as she addressed her audience. "It's your queen of karate here! Just finished our second Sekai Taikai event-" She pressed one of the buttons on the panel, pausing momentarily before continuing, "-where the Dragons absolutely slayed. You know how we do. Although," she added with a smile, turning slightly toward the group, "it was also awesome to see some other badass girls of karate out there doing their thing."

Clementine smirked, her eyes narrowing mischievously as she leaned forward, making sure her face was in full view of Zara's phone. "Oh, you mean badass girls like me? Since I did beat you in our match." Her voice was honeyed with sarcasm, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

Zara's smile faltered for a split second before she turned to glare at Clementine. "Cute," she said coolly, but her grip on her phone tightened.

Without missing a beat, Zara turned back to her live-stream. "Anyway, let's see if any of these other dojos try to dethrone us in the next round. To all my fans, I'm here to win for you, so stay tuned. I'll post again after the next event. Zara out." With that, she ended the live-stream and tucked her phone into her pocket, turning her attention fully to Clementine, Sam, and Devon.

Her gaze swept over them, her lips curling into a smug smile. "Sorry," Zara said, her tone dripping with faux sympathy, "I only do intros on my stories for fighters who win their events. It's a brand thing, so don't take it personally."

Clementine scoffed, exchanging a look with Sam and Devon. "Oh, no. We'd never take it personally," Clementine said, her voice thick with sarcasm.

The elevator chimed again as it reached the next floor, and Zara stepped off, pausing briefly to toss her hair over her shoulder. "Good luck, ladies. You'll need it."

As soon as she disappeared around the corner, Sam let out an exasperated sigh. "Wow. 'It's a brand thing,'" she mocked, rolling her eyes.

Devon snorted, shaking her head. "I don't know what's worse-the trash talk or the constant live-streaming."

Clementine smirked, leaning back against the wall as the elevator continued its ascent. "She can live-stream all she wants. I still beat her, and she knows it."

Sam grinned slightly, the earlier tension between them easing. "And if there's one thing Zara hates more than anything, it's losing."

The three of them laughed softly, the frustration of the day momentarily forgotten as the elevator carried them toward their next adventure.

As the elevator doors slid shut behind Zara, Clementine exhaled loudly, shaking her head as she leaned back against the elevator wall. "God, she's insufferable," she muttered, still feeling the heat of Zara's smugness lingering in the air.

"She really thinks she's the main character," Sam said dryly, crossing her arms. "It's like she's auditioning for a reality show or something."

Devon let out a laugh, the sound more like a scoff. "I'd rather have Kyler's commentary during sparring than deal with her. At least his trash talk isn't on Instagram Live."

Clementine smirked, glancing at her friends. "She can talk all she wants. I still took her down. And she knows it."

Sam raised a brow, her lips curling into a small, approving smile. "True. Nothing deflates her ego faster than losing. She'll probably be fuming for the rest of the day."

The trio chuckled softly as the elevator chimed again. This time, when the doors opened, it revealed their floor.

"Finally," Clementine muttered as she stepped out, running a hand through her hair. "I need to lie down after all this."

Devon stretched her arms above her head, groaning. "Same. And maybe I'll spend the rest of the night rethinking my entire karate career."

Sam rolled her eyes as the three walked down the hallway. "Oh, come on. We'll regroup and do better in the next event. It's not over yet."

They stopped at their respective doors, exchanging quick goodbyes before retreating to their rooms. Clementine slid her keycard into the door and pushed it open, ready to collapse onto her bed and forget the chaos of the day.

But the moment she stepped inside, she froze. Alison was pacing the room, her movements frantic and her face flushed.

"Alison?" Clementine asked, eyebrows furrowing in concern as she shut the door behind her. "What's going on?"

Alison stopped mid-step, her hands tugging nervously at the hem of her shirt. She turned to Clementine, her eyes wide and slightly panicked. "I think I might like girls."

Clementine blinked, utterly caught off guard. "Wait, what?"

Alison took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, though her voice was still rushed. "I was at the spa, right? Just having a relaxing day, doing my own thing. And there was this girl-her name was Bianca-and she was really nice and funny and...okay, I didn't think much of it at first. But then she started flirting with me."

Clementine tilted her head, still trying to process. "Flirting with you? Like...how?"

Alison waved her hands dramatically, as if that would explain everything. "I don't know! She complimented my hair, my smile, my laugh-just little things. But I didn't even realize it was flirting until she, like, said something super bold and walked away!"

Clementine sat down on the edge of the bed, still staring at Alison with a mix of confusion and curiosity. "Okay...so what did she say?"

Alison groaned, covering her face with her hands. "She said, 'If I wasn't leaving Barcelona tomorrow, I'd definitely ask you out.'" She let out a nervous laugh, dropping her hands. "And then she was gone before I could say anything."

Clementine's jaw dropped. "Oh. Wow."

"Yeah!" Alison exclaimed, resuming her pacing. "And here's the thing-I have a boyfriend. I love Eli. He's amazing, and I'm happy with him. But now I'm sitting here wondering...what if I also like girls? Like, is that a thing? Can I like both?"

Clementine raised a hand, trying to slow her down. "Okay, hold up. First of all, take a deep breath."

Alison stopped pacing and did as instructed, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.

"Better?" Clementine asked.

"A little," Alison admitted, sitting down on the bed beside her.

Clementine paused, her brows furrowing. "So...you're saying this Bianca girl has you questioning things?"

"Not just her," Alison said quickly. "I mean, maybe? I've never really thought about it before. I've always liked guys-like, always. But then she comes along and says these things, and I didn't even realize she was flirting until after she left. And now I'm just...confused."

Clementine nodded slowly, trying to make sense of it all. "Well, I guess it's not unusual to have moments where you, like, question stuff. It doesn't mean you have to have all the answers right now."

Alison looked at her, her eyes wide and searching. "But what does it mean? I don't want to hurt Eli or make him feel like I don't love him, because I do. But now I can't stop thinking...could I be into girls too? Or was this just, like, a one-time thing?"

Clementine sighed, placing a reassuring hand on Alison's shoulder. "Look, I'm not gonna pretend I know exactly what you're going through. But I do know that it's okay to take your time to figure things out. You don't have to have it all sorted out tonight."

Alison nodded, her expression softening. "Thanks, Clem. I just...I don't know. I feel like my brain is a mess right now."

"That's what I'm here for," Clementine said with a small smile. "Even if I don't totally get it, I've got your back."

Alison smiled back, though her mind was still racing. For now, she decided to take Clementine's advice and let herself breathe. The rest could wait.

ASH SPEAKS!

im excited to have alison explore her sexuality... we'll see in ep 8 how eli will handle this when alison tells him...

as for zara and clem? i cant wait to write their rivalry.

also please check out my other books btw!! bed chem, paper rings, electric love and so much more!!!

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
COMMENT AND VOTE. IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)