Is this destiny?

Later that evening…

After an eventful afternoon on the beach, Allen, Julius, Sean and Ryan went to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

The boys connected well, just as Sarah predicted when she matched Allen and Julius with the Ronin twins.

Allen and Julius enjoyed listening to stories about growing up in United States.

Ryan told them how they played baseball in the minor league, and the pure joy he experienced when he hit a home run.

Sean remembered how their mom bought them a game console as a reward when they finished middle school with 3.8 and 3.9 GPA, and a week later she confiscated it because they were always fighting who will get the first turn.

Allen and Julius were interested to find out how life of teenagers is when they are not under the supervision of adults. Allen and Julius hoped to hear about some fantastic adventures (similar to the ones they read about in the books), but the mood dropped when Ryan and Sean spoke about bullying, parties where kids get drunk and high on drugs, and how everyone is competing to wear fanciest latest fashion, regardless of the price.

"Why do you look like you are sorry for us?", Ryan asked Allen and Julius.

"Honestly, we didn't think that it's so difficult to grow up in United States.", Allen responded.

Sean laughed. "We are lucky. We were about eleven years old when Emma started telling us about the consequences of using drugs, alcohol and smoking. It helped us to make right decisions and stay away from that."

Ryan confirmed and added: "Also, the two of us were always together, so others found it difficult to bully us into anything."

"Right!", Sean agreed. "We always have each other's back. No one can mess with us."

"Just like us.", Julius said and looked at Allen while squeezing his hand gently under the table.

Allen responded with a smile.

Since that kiss which Julius gave to Allen in the warehouse before Allen disarmed the bomb, they didn't have any physical intimate contact. But both Allen and Julius are aware of each other's feelings and they are closer than ever. The two of them sleep off and wake up together and sometimes they hold hands under the table (like now).

After dinner, they headed to the observatory.

The flat rooftop has a small stage in the far left corner from where DJ is blasting music. A lot of people are gathered, some for stargazing from one of the ten telescopes provided, some for the wonderful view of the Los Angeles nightlights, and some for the music and party atmosphere.

Allen and Julius moved to the side to wait for Ryan and Sean who went to buy drinks from the vending machine. The Ronin twins insisted to get drinks because Allen and Julius paid for the dinner.

"Can we see our house from here?", Julius asked Allen while looking at the lights of Los Angeles below them.

"I don't think so… unless you use the lens.", Allen responded in a low voice, so that he is not overheard.

Allen saw that Julius moved his hand in the air, and he guessed that Julius is zooming in.

"Everything is fuzzy…", Julius said after a minute, sounding defeated.

"We are far away from home. Where did you look?", Allen asked.

Julius pointed in a direction and Allen stepped behind him and leaned his head on Julius' shoulder, to see better where Julius is pointing at.

"Try there…", Allen adjusted Julius' hand by moving it slightly to the left. "But even with that… you want to see our house which is hidden behind the woods, across the lit-up city. I don't think you will have much luck."

Julius felt the firmness of Allen's chest on his back and the heat of Allen's cheek on his and he closed his eyes. They are closer than this at home, but now they are in public, and it had a different feel to it.

"Look at this… two despicable people taking up one of the best vantage spots.", a taunting voice came from behind Julius and Allen.

Allen and Julius turned back and saw one teenage boy with two girls by his side and three more boys behind. They were all looking at Julius and Allen mockingly, obviously looking for trouble.

"What did you say?", Julius narrowed his eyes at him.

The boy was surprised by Julius' confidence. There are four of them against two (when not counting the girls).  

"He asked you a question. What did you say?", Allen said threateningly.

Sarah and Aiden told them not to cause trouble, but they also said not to allow anyone to bully them. And this is bullying. The boy called them despicable and made it sound like the two of them are standing in a spot where they should not be… it's a public place, anyone can stand there.

The boy who came with his group glanced at the girls by his side and thought how no matter how confident Allen and Julius are, he can't back down. It will ruin his image. He lifted his chin and taunted them: "Why are you two by yourself, so close… are you gays?"

"So, what if they are?", Ryan's voice came from the side.

The Ronin twins arrived just in time to prevent Julius from getting physical.

Julius' body was tense and his hands were balled into fists, ready to attack. 

"Are you defending this filth of humans?", the boy sneered.

Sean hooked his arm around Ryan's shoulders. "The only filth is you for judging people. How is any of your business if they are gays or not? Are you interested in one of them and want to split them up so that you can have him for yourself?"

Ryan glanced at Sean and nodded in agreement. "Yeah. That is the only reason why anyone would come to split up a couple."

The boy looked at Ryan and Sean in outrage. How can they insinuate that he is gay? Isn't he standing between two girls? But he can also count, and now it's four of them.

"Are you causing trouble on purpose, to show off?", a voice came from the nearby group of girls.

Three boys stood next to Ryan and Sean, and one of them said: "I agree with your logic. Why would he interfere in a relationship between two boys unless he wants one for himself?"

"We came here to party not to watch you bully others. They didn't bother anyone…", another girly voice came from other side.

Many more joined, encouraged by the numbers who spoke in favor of Allen and Julius. The music didn't allow them to hear the initial exchange, but whispers traveled saying that two boys were enjoying the view, and someone came to bully them, calling them names.

The troublemaker looked at the crowd which made a circle around them. He was bubbling in anger, but the number of gazes directed at him made him swallow whatever words wanted to come out. He turned around and made his way out, followed by his three friends.

"We are sorry…", one of the girls who was by troublemaker's side mumbled and rushed after her companions.

In next few seconds, the crowd returned to their original spots, chatting and dancing like nothing happened.

Allen and Julius were overwhelmed. Why did so many people stand up for them? Other than Sarah and Aiden… doesn't everyone else think that it's wrong for two boys to stick close together? Even in the Cliffside House, no one is aware that they have feelings for each other that go beyond friendship. Allen and Julius believe that everyone thinks how they are best friends, like brothers, and that is why they moved into the same suite because they were inseparable at the orphanage as well. Is it possible that people don't think it's wrong?

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